Summer Holidays..Wildlife

THE JULIAN'S LOG

Sixteenth Post

“SUMMER HOLIDAYS”

Wherever you go in Slovenia, you are likely to see wild-life; at the coast, in cities or villages, by and in rivers and in the meadows. Here are just some descriptions and photos we have collected on walks and trips.

FOCUS ON WALKS AND WILDLIFE

There’s always a great variety of birds in the skies and woodlands. On walks in the mountains, one of the nicest sights is a group of Alpine Choughs appearing to literally play on the thermals and join you for your picnic.

We have seen Golden Eagles soaring regularly on the Slovenia/Austria border and above Lake Bohinj. In Tivoli Park in Ljubljana, you can see Hooded Crows proudly strutting their stuff!!



Over in the east of Slovenia, you know winter is over when the Storks return and nest in the man made platforms on telegraph poles, or chimneys.



In the damp conditions after the rain, it is common to see a Spotted Fire Salamander



and in ponds left after the snow in the mountains, we have been lucky enough to see the Alpine Newt.




In the summer heat, reptiles bask; lizards on the walls in Ljubljana
and a black form of Adder in scrubland in the mountains.










The summer time and flower filled meadows attract butterflies. There are many varieties of Fritillary and Blue and lots of Painted Ladies.

On Grancisce, just above Mojstrana there are always Swallowtails fluttering gracefully on the grassland at the summit in May. Some of the less common sightings have been of a Poplar or Summer Admiral, a Striped Hawkmoth and 9 Spotted Moth.




As for Mammals, in the mountains it is common to see Chamois and Ibex feeding or sleeping.










The squirrels are red but look almost black and are really quite difficult to photograph! Marmots live on grassy and rocky higher ground and their alarm call is more likely to be heard than a sighting, as they remain quite timid.
So far a bear has been elusive to us, but as the snow starts arriving in late Autumn, always look out for a Snow Cat!!
snowcat sculpted by Kevin Pegram
Hope you’ve enjoyed this edition. Next Blog will focus on facilities and activities in Mojstrana

Julian's Log. Summer Holidays

THE JULIAN'S LOG

Fifteenth Post

"SUMMER HOLIDAYS"

Traditionally, every village has a “village day” called “Vaski dan” which appears to be organised by local groups; fire brigade or tourism group. The main aim is to have fun, the other name for the day being “Vesilica” which means “Festival”, deriving from the word “vesel”= “happy”

FOCUS ON....... VASKI DAN

In our valley, we have experienced the “Vaski dan” in the villages of Ratece, Podkoren and Dovje-Mojstrana. They are colourful times. The day in Ratece presents the most traditional activities, with presentations of music, dance, and local customs and crafts. It’s the first time I ever watched every part of the process of shearing a sheep right through to holding pair of socks knitted with it’s wool. All the participants wear full traditional costumes and in 28 degrees they have my admiration!









Dancing is a common theme at all Vaski dans. Podkoren presents a variety of music, with local groups ranging from Traditional to Rap. Generally the music is traditional folk music with dancing…which I have yet to learn but I am trying, and appear to be entertaining the locals in the process!


Of course, the other common factor is drink! Copious amounts of beer, schnapps and wine are consumed and the nights party on into the early hours.

If you happen to be in a Slovenian Village and you see adverts for a Vaski dan or Veselica, then go along and enjoy the warm, friendly atmosphere and party with the locals!!







Hope you’ve enjoyed this edition. The next Blog will return to walking and focus on: Walks and Wildlife.

THE JULIAN'S LOG

Fourteenth Post

"SUMMER HOLIDAYS"

The summer meadows have now been cut and the grass is hanging over the traditional hay -racks to dry, so summer is really here. The treks and hikes in this week’s edition can all be achieved from our door, with no need for transport. They vary from valley walks to high level treks and the scenery, flora and fauna reflect the diversity of the terrain….

FOCUS ON HIKING AND TREKKING: FROM THE DOOR

Mojstrana is situated in the Vrata valley, so the most obvious and accessible walk is that up the length of the valley, about 16km each way if you want to do the whole walk! The majority is off road, along the banks of the river, with strategically placed benches and information boards. About half way is the Pericnik Waterfall, which has already been featured in previous Blogs and is well worth a detour up, or a walk to, in its own right. There are two falls, the lower and upper and you can walk behind either one and generally be rewarded with a refreshing shower and view into a cauldron of water, especially in the Spring with the snow melt.








Near the end of the valley is the Aljazev Dom, a beautiful example of a mountain dom and also a small chapel where services are held regularly in the summer. Here are many places to relax and gaze up at the awesome North face of Triglav.





Another 45 minutes walk takes you to the head of the valley, the snow line and amazing oasis of rock garden flowers and opportunity to see Ibex or Chamois.








On another day, you can extend the walk from the Dom, up into the higher mountains, up Stenar, at 2501 with a tremendous view back down the length of the Vrata valley and across to Triglav, or up to Luknja at 1758m, which is a natural watershed for our water, that flows eventually to the Danube, or down into the South side of the mountains and into the Adriatic. Of course, from Vrata you can ascend Triglav and there is a range of other high -level mountain tours from here.

On the other side of the road from us is the Karawanke mountain range and from the door there are easy and challenging routes. The best three are Kepa, 2139m, Dovska Baba, 1891m and Borovlje, 1476m. All have stunning scenery and views from the top on one side into Austria and the other, across to the Julian Alps and Triglav.


From the centre of Mojstrana, you can do a great “warm up walk” up Grancisce, 844m which provides a stunning view of the village and it orientates you to it’s location in the valley and in respect to the Alps. There are also walks up Sleme, 2077m and Jerebikovec, 1593m, both of which have lovely Planinas and history; with memorials to Partisans and reminders of the sadder days of war.

The local tourist board also marks 4 short, tourist walks around the village ensuring there is something for everyone!
The best guide-books for all the walks mentioned are:
-Cicerone Guide: “The Julian Alps of Slovenia” J. Carey and R.Clark
-“Walks and climbs around Dovje and Mojstrana A tourist Guide” Stanko Klinar


Hope you’ve enjoyed this edition. Next Blog will take a break from walking for a week and focus on:

"VASKI DAN" A VILLAGE DAY

SPRING/SUMMER HOLIDAYS. TREKKING

THE JULIAN'S LOG

Thirteenth Post

“SPRING/SUMMER HOLIDAYS”

Being located on the edge of the Triglav National Park, there is a wealth of hiking from our door. There are walks for all levels, but being situated at the start of the Vrata Valley, which leads to the North face of Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak at 2864m, suggests this is where I should start….

FOCUS ON HIKING AND TREKKING: TRIGLAV

At 2864m, Triglav stands imposingly in the Julian Alps and all Slovenes endeavour to summit out and experience the ritualistic lashing of your back- side with 3 ropes! It would be rude to live here and not reach the summit of this revered mountain.


There are many routes up Triglav, all are secured and require us to use via ferrata harness. A helmet is particularly necessary in the limestone environment. There are also climbing routes up the North Face.

The best time of year to ascend is between late June and September. This year, there is still snow up to 2000m, so ice axe and crampons are still necessary. The best times of day to top-out are early morning to lunch - time or in the evening, in order to avoid the potentially lethal electric storms which can unleash in the afternoon. There are small commemorative plaques lining the secured path that act as timely reminders to respect the power of nature.

There are several mountain doms/kocas providing food, lodging and entertainment, which help break up the trek and plan your ascent times. Breakfast at 5am and an early departure from the Kredarica Dom was an unforgettable experience!
The scenery, views, flora and fauna are stunning and constantly changing as you climb. One route passes through the Triglav Lakes Valley, where you take in seven beautiful lakes each providing endless photo opportunities.



The best rock garden ever is near the summit of Triglav and we were privileged to see magestic Ibex and more timid Chamois.










The weather conditions can change quickly and on one summit, Mark was lucky enough to experience a brocken spectre on the ridge, making the experience even more unique.






Maybe one of the best memories and experiences from the trek however is the camaraderie and respect for the beauty of the area that you experience from the Slovenians you meet on the route and in the Doms. Triglav is more than a trek; it is really a pilgrimage.




Hope you’ve enjoyed this edition. Next Blog focus will be on
MORE HIKING AND TREKKING

JULIAN'S LOG

Twelfth Post

“SPRING HOLIDAYS”

“When sugar was hard to come by, there wasn’t a Slovene farm that didn’t keep bees alongside other domestic animals. Honey was the only sweetening agent and wax an indispensable material for making candles…”

FOCUS ON SLOVENIA, HONEY AND BEE KEEPING

Slovenia has a rich beekeeping tradition and the colourful beehives can be seen in many meadows and gardens. The Gray Bee, Carniolan Bee, has adapted to the alpine climate and is well known for its gentleness, hence the hives often being seen on peoples’ balconies. The home of Mihael Ambrozic is here in Mojstrana. He was one of the first exporters of this Gray bee and his property used to be home to thousands of bees, the walls of the house still have plaques depicting the export destinations.





The Bee Museum in Radovljica is excellent and presents the history of apiculture and current beekeeping in an interactive and interesting manner. Bees were kept in low wooden beehives and the museum has examples of old wooden logs that were used initially by farmers.
In the mid eighteenth century, a unique folk art of painting the beehive fronts with religious, funny or folklore tales began, and a range of such fronts can be seen at the museum and locally in Dovje.

Honey is an important food here in Slovenia. Slovene beekeepers collect 2000 tonnes of it annually. It can be seen for sale at many markets, and honey products are popular gifts for tourists to take home. The flower meadows and forests provide excellent foraging for the bees, which results in a variety of “pollen flavour” honeys: flower, fir and spruce, wild cherry, alongside propolis and Medica (honey liqueur)

Hope you’ve enjoyed this edition. Next Blog focus will be on
HIKING AND TREKKING