Just going back a few days…Slovenia is a little gem or at least what we saw in-spite of the wet weather. Bled is on the edge of a national park and apparently a popular area for adventure sports. It has a castle of Roman origin that forms extra height to a sheer rock face 100m above Lake Bled. As we haven’t reached the point of thinking `just another castle’, Jules and I paid our entry fee while the boys sat it out by the car-park. I expected to find the interior worse for wear but within the huge walls is a museum, restaurant and old printing shop What a view over the countryside so green, rising up into the Alps. All the time the mist only allowing glimpse of the last of the winter snow. A little way out of the township and part of the national park is Vintgar Gorge. Because of the rainfall it was roaring. Once again after paying an entry fee we ventured along beside the river till we began to cross back and forth over the torrent following a secure (thank goodness) wooden railed pathway/bridges. That water was moving at such a rate that as it squeesed through narrow sections we could hardly hear ourselves. Think one photo that Jim took of us crossing would have shown my eyes as big as saucers.
Anyway three nights we stayed in Bled. The family at the `Union’ hotel making us very welcome. Even arranged to do our washing for us on the last night (for a small fee) but there wouldn’t be many restaurants that you can walk into carrying your bags of washing, hand them over then be ushered to your table (by the fire for a second night running) to have it handed back nicely folded when you arrive for breakfast.
Left there on the 7th, stopping briefly at Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana….now try pronouncing that, (my version is Lub-u-ana) but that’s very rough. Personally I didn’t rate it much, rather somber but it did have its attractions.
On to Venice, this time staying in a couple of cabins at a good location on the mainland (Where would we be without the internet….just a matter of going on line to check out accommodation , booking and all is set).Caught a shuttle bus from the camp, over a long causeway. WHAT A PLACE…..amaizing experiance. Everything you could imagine. The main waterway `The Grand Canal’ snakes through the heart of the area, crossed by four main pedestrian bridges. Multiple smaller canals branch off that, all inter-twinning to form a laberyth of confusion. Narrow footpaths line some canals, otherwise they meander between the `blocks’ of very old multi-levelled homes. Its very easy to feel disorientated. Found out its best to catch one of the small ferries from the `arrivals’ end of Venice and get off at the far end of the main canal, then gradually find your way back over time. The place is certainly geared for tourist…..thousands of them. Shops full of much the same thing, tightly packed together but all helping to make it buzz. A quick history lesson…apparently Venice was formed from the forbears Venetians fleeing from invasion to small outer islands that form the basis of what we see today. (:) Gail ….. leave Dave to take over.
This is typical of small canal
The Gondolas being manourvered with ease. Note the elaborate seating for the passengers. The rollock used in these boats is ingenious and you have to see the Gondolier in action to appreciate the method of propulsion.
St. Marks Square was awash with tourists. The queue to the St. Marks Basilica was too long for any of us to entertain. Plenty of souvenirshops withe the main features being the famous “Carnival” masks and “Murano crystal & glass”. We worked our way around the city until we found the non tourist area and found that interesting to observe the locals in their daily routine. You could spend days in the city and in fact many were staying there. They were walking down the streets towing suit cases as there is no vehicle access. All good things come to an end and we head back to the mainland.
On to Ravenna, famous for Mosaics and Monuments. Short drive to Ravenna through the Po Delta. This area is south of Venice on the Adriatic Sea. The ‘PO’ Delta is famous for its bird life and sea food, particularly preserved eel. Jim tried it and reckons its good. However, Jim also thought the pigs entrails sausages that we purchased in Lyon were excellent. I leave it to each of you to decide. Chow
Gail & Jules pose. Old bike geared up for a mobile seamstress. Has Potential!
Just keep it coming guys. It is just so interesting, and we can visualize it all.
Can just imagine you cruising down the river, on a Sunday afternoon……
Had a heap of rain at last in the north. Need some more tho.
Cheers,
Carolyn and Keith
We,hope you dont get “castledout”by all the historical sites,your blog makes it all so magical,see you all in June .P&O