Slovenia, short and sweet.

After a brief visit to Verona, we left the beautiful city rather uneventfully to head to a campsite in Slovenia with our sick son. We planned to stay there until Felix was fully recovered. After just 333 km, we arrived at a great campsite called "Spik" in northern Slovenia. The campsite is very modern, nestled among beautiful pine trees, with a great playground for the kids. Additionally, the rocky Slovenian mountains towered behind and in front of us, making Basti's "mountain man" heart beat faster. Felix, who had slept almost the entire journey and was feeling much better, had to fight the urge to give 100% right away so he wouldn't be bedridden again.

I made a resolution that whenever we visit a new country, I would learn the 10 most important words such as Good day, Thank you, Please, Excuse me, and a few numbers. I also realized in France that it has a positive effect when you can say the phrase "I'm sorry, I don't speak - and then the corresponding language -" in the local language. Everyone appreciates it and tries to communicate in English or with gestures. I will definitely keep using this tactic...

The next day, we took our time to explore the campsite while the kids had all the time in the world to enjoy the playground. Once Felix was fully recovered, we took a short hike through the nearby riverbed. The water was crystal clear and the stones in the riverbed were unusually white. The kids carved and created Felix's first wooden figurine, "Knerten," which has been accompanying us ever since. After almost losing our awning to heavy rain in France, we were smarter this time and prepared for rain by packing everything up before it arrived.

Unfortunately, Leonie is still afraid of thunderstorms, but I find them really cozy. Our eldest child is happy too because it means getting to be read to, not just one chapter before bedtime 😊 Playing games, helping with cooking, and having fun...

For the second rainy day, we stormed into the adjacent hotel's wellness area and did all sorts of forbidden things. Eating in the lounging area, wearing flip-flops, diving... Considering that the family-friendly campsite advertised a "swimming pool," it was surprisingly strict. But not for us!!! We had fun, and everyone was squeaky clean from head to toe. (The 'strict' part refers exclusively to the hotel. We would visit the campsite again anytime!!!)

Next on the list was the long-awaited visit to the ski flying hill in Planica, Slovenia. Unfortunately, the weather was still lousy, but as Karlsson would say, "that doesn't bother a great mind" (I think I've read too much of that to the kids ^^). So, we emptied the wastewater, refilled the fresh water, and replenished our food supplies. Unfortunately, fruits and vegetables are usually the reason why we have to go back to civilization. They don't last long and are eaten up before they go bad.

Once we arrived in Planica, we found ourselves standing right at the foot of the impressive ski jump hills. Unfortunately, they were green instead of white with snow, but what impressed me even more was that the next morning, during breakfast, we could watch ski jumpers from all over the world training on the slopes. On slopes WITHOUT snow!!! I was speechless.

After a refreshing rest, all four of us, including the dog, climbed up the 1500 steps at the ski flying hill to get a tiny taste of how the professionals feel up there. Meanwhile, my better half had already discovered the "Zip-Line" that runs from the top to the bottom of the ski flying hill. In German, it would simply be called a cable car. I had never heard of the term before. That same beloved man had boasted that he would definitely "fly" down it, but unfortunately, it was closed. Once we learned that it would be open the next day and we all agreed to extend our stay for another night, he suddenly wasn't so sure anymore... Typical, right? *g* But what's the best way to convince him? Our sweet daughter said, "Daddy, if you fly down there, you'll be our hero!" Dad stood up and was at the reception desk one minute later. Hihihi. She came up with that all on her own. Honest 😊 In hindsight, it was an unforgettable experience for Basti. Thanks to Leonie. You're our HERO, Dad!!!

On our first night at the ski jump hill, we had another unforgettable experience that I have to share... Just as we had put the kids to bed and Felix was still coming up with questions to delay falling asleep, several loud cars drove through the barrier and onto the grounds. It was around 9:30 to 10 p.m. More and more cars arrived, and the noise grew louder. Engines roared. Some parked higher up, others lower down and opposite each other. People got out of the cars, and it was pouring rain. I started to get scared as we secretly watched the commotion through the half-open window and tried to decide if we should call the police. After watching one too many action movies, I had come up with a plan for how to keep the children safe or contemplated sacrificing myself for them and going outside before anyone could come in... By that point, there were over 100 cars, and our aforementioned hero was fulfilling his duty as protector of the family. He grabbed the rainbow umbrella, plunged into the torrents of rain, and faced the danger head-on. Out of fear that he wouldn't come back, I quickly called my sister at the window, anxiously whispering about my husband, and had my brother-in-law on the line until Basti safely returned to the RV. Thank you, Manu!!! After the parking lot was filled with around 200 vehicles around us, Basti reported that he had talked to some friendly Austrians who told him that this was an international "not quite legal" gathering of car enthusiasts. They also said that the newest "Viper" would be showcased that night, and we would probably have peace and quiet in about an hour when the police would likely show up. It was quite reassuring to know that our final hour hadn't come yet, and I somehow felt excited to be an accidental "onlooker" to such an thrilling event. Unfortunately, the police arrived fairly quickly, so we only witnessed a few drifting cars and crackling, sparking exhausts before getting all worked up and drifting off into dreamland... As usual, the kids slept through it all.

Leonie's birthday was coming up. We didn't want to spend it in a parking lot but rather at the beach with a pool and splash pool, even if it meant without family and friends. We initially wanted to do this on the 50 km coast of Slovenia, but unfortunately, all the campsites had such bad reviews that we stumbled a bit further and checked in at the largest campsite I had ever seen, just across the border in Croatia...

That was Slovenia. Short and exciting.