Cash's Holiday

Dobra-dan (goodday) (spelling? but sounds like) in Slovene. Weather gone from bad to worse, had plans to spend time in Venice but decided to bypass for few days hoping things will change for the better.   So its up into the mountains of Northern Italy.

But before going any further will take you back to our last stop `Desenzano’. Its name represents a small dot on the map but that doesn’t mean its not crowded. We are certainly spoilt in Aust. and NZ. (Mark you mentioned historic Verona and Padova) History is EVERYWHERE and hard to comprehend. Jules, who teaches ancient history is full of knowledge and absorbing it all. Hearing snippets from her brings it all alive. (though don’t ask me to pass it on in great detail – you’ll get the laymens version from me !)

Nearby Sirmione is the sight of the remains of a huge Roman villa with its 2000 yr old Olive Grove (hollowed naily trunks, still supporting leaves and producing). 

The area forms a long spit jutting out into the lake and going by the lavish homes – one, once belonging to Marie Calas who was jilted by Aristotal Onassis for Jacqueline Kennedy (a commemorative plaque seen on the surrounding wall 1923 – 1974. (Thought you might be interested in that trivia)

On leaving, we decided to try the old highway but the pace was too slow & too clogged, so out onto the toll roads and what a difference. Actually, we find  we are seeing more from these  motorways as they are cut through the country side and you are elevated. Had I mentioned before that indicating when changing lanes is not a common thing over here….very dodgy.  Shame the weather was so bad as driving through the Alpine pass the mountain tops were shrouded in mist. Villages dotted here and there, with their steeply pitched roofs. You can’t but think of their private isolated peaceful world now shattered by the viaduct towering above. Through many tunnels again, the road so smooth and wide….Entered Slovenia via Austria (if only for a short time) No stops/questions, just roadway and on. (said hello to Julie Andrews!!!!).

Bled – The lonely planet book says  – ‘Bled has been designed by the very god of tourism’. Medieval castle clinging to a rocky cliff, a 500 yr old church on tiny island of  emerald green lake…..Well we went out to the church via a little closed in motor boat (usually visitors are rowed out in tradition gondila type crafts) But our way meant staying dry. Can imagine how beautiful this area must be in fine weather, forest covered peaks, deep valleys. Clean air (I mention that as Lake Garda had a haze about it)

Our hotel in Bled is quite old (but modernized) family run, by two brothers. They cooked us the biggest T-bone steaks last night and have offered to cook us a suckling pig over the coals of an open fire in the dining room. Of course we have reserved a table close by the cook.

Just a personal note…thanks for all your comments. Glad your getting something out of all this. (:) G       p.s. I can’t take credit for pic’s …Dave managed . I’m still getting there.