Spring in the Julian Alps

The Julian’s Log

Eighth Post

“SPRING HOLIDAYS”
The snow is finally melting and the weather has been fantastic now for 10 days. The grass is beginning to recover from being under snow for 4 months. Spring in the Alps is beautiful as the contrast in colours between the blue sky, white snow capped mountains, greening trees and blossoms is so clear. There are now people out and about walking, roller blading, running and cycling as we all endeavor to get fit again!

FOCUS On……….EASTER AND EMERGING FLOWERS

The Slovenian people enjoy this time of year for both it’s religious importance and as a time to anticipate Spring and celebrate the awakening of nature. This is evident as they
place decorations of catkins and decorated eggs outside their homes. On the Saturday before Easter Sunday, an Easter basket is taken to church to be blessed. The basket may comprise of cured meats such as sausages, salamis and ham, potica (traditional cake) horseradish root that is then grated on the meats and, of course an Easter egg for each member of the family. The eggs are hard boiled and decorated with patterns having been cooked in onion skins.




On Easter Sunday we visited Ljubljana with friends and the children enjoyed a street fair and painted eggs using melted wax. This decorating of eggs is an old tradition here in Slovenia.
With the sun, have come the early flowers; hellebores, primroses and hepatica which lighten the forest floors and violets, coltsfoot, anemones, Spring Horsetail and toothwort on the banks of the paths. The pastures are full of Purple crocus, which are generally white, and, at first glance, look like sprinklings of snow on the grass. This is just the beginning

we look forward to the rest….

Hope you’ve enjoyed this edition. Next Blog focus will be on
LOCAL CYCLE ROUTES