Spring Holidays

The Julian’s Log

Ninth Post

"SPRING HOLIDAYS"

With the snow melting down here in the valley, but still deep snow lying up in the high mountains, the best form of exercise and way to see the scenery at the moment is by bike. When we bought our bikes, I thought that mine wouldn’t be used too much, as I’ve never found a bike and a hill go together very well. However, there are many accessible and enjoyable routes from our apartment and many more for us to aim towards another time….including the 50 hairpin bends up and down the Vrsic Pass…

FOCUS On……….LOCAL CYCLE ROUTES

Mojstrana lies on the disused railway through Kranjska Gora and on to Tarvisio in Italy. With the aid of European funding, this has been converted into a fantastic 33km cycle path, taking in meadows, local villages and cycling under some of the biggest alpine peaks in the Julian Alps. One option is to cycle 12 km then, diverting from the track, leave the bikes at the bottom of the Gozd Martuljek Waterfalls and hike up right alongside these awesome falls, arriving at a typical alpine pasture with superb hut and outside kitchen.
From Kranjska Gora, you can cycle across the border into Italy and if you want to take in a small challenging hill and be rewarded by stunning lakes surrounded with a backdrop of the Julian Alps, then cycle on to Laghi di fusini. Here you can enjoy food from one of the lakeside bars or take a picnic whilst admiring the view.
Another route from the apartment is up the Vrata valley, a 16km track with a couple of testing of climbs; total ascent 300m. Cycle past the spectacular Pericnik waterfall and through shady forest glades, with wild flowers all around and nearer the top, some alpine cows wander amongst the small summer- houses. If you don’t see them, you may hear their cowbells. Again, at the top there is a superb Mountain Dom, serving traditional food and the view is one of the best, as you are literally at the base of the North face of Mount Triglav. There are plenty of opportunities to have a refreshing paddle in the crystal clear water of the River… you follow it for the whole route.


For a more pastoral route, cycle from Mojstrana to Bled, along a 22km track through the pretty Radovna valley. Small farms, hamlets and lakes lie nestling in this green valley. En route, stop at the “Kreda Lake” and enjoy a swim in the peaceful, natural surroundings.





Hope you’ve enjoyed this edition. The next Blog focus will be on

May Day Celebrations

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

Winter Activities

The Julian’s Log

Seventh Post

“WINTER HOLIDAYS”

This weeks blog was going to be focussing on Spring in the Alps, and after a couple of weeks of sunshine with the bulbs all emerging, we had thought Spring was here….but how wrong we were! Here in the mountains we have been treated to another dump of snow, and with family here on holiday, we’ve been able to make the most of a final winter walk….

FOCUS On……….SPRING SNOW

What do you do when you’re on holiday and the whole of Slovenia is shrouded in cloud and everywhere has either rain or snow?? We decided to make the most of the snow and trek once more up the Tamar Valley with the toboggan. The car parking which had been overflowing last weekend at Planica was inaccessible as 50cm fresh snow had fallen. All of a sudden, the toboggan was looking less and less likely as we all wished we had snow- shoes. The walking was a real work out as we walked the 5km through virgin snow, which in places was knee deep. It was a great opportunity to make Snow Angels and Body Prints.
As we walked up the valley, the almost constant rumbling of small avalanches could be heard. We stood and watched them, the snow pouring off the mountains down gullies around us, looking like waterfalls. The noise was awesome and echoed all round the valley.
After a phone call to a friend in the Mountain Rescue Team, to check if we were stupid even being there, we learned the avalanche rating was high, at 4, but in this valley we should be fine, so we carried on like intrepid adventurers!! The snow was getting deeper and the sight of the Dom at Tamar was really welcome, but not as welcome as the bowl of Jota (bean soup) and the hospitality we received, Happy Birthday, John!!










This walk really was an added bonus to what has been a fantastic winter and we feel really lucky to be living in such an amazing country.


REGULAR FEATURE:
Current Snow Conditions:

Resort Upper Slopes Lower slopes Last snow and current conditions

Kranjska Gora 40cm 15cm 30/03/09 very good snow

Vogel 320cm 120cm 30/03/09 wet, packed snow

Krvavec 280cm 75cm 30/03/09 very goods snow


The skiing conditions remain very good across Slovenia, with resorts extending their season through to Easter this year due to the excellent snow.


Hope you’ve enjoyed this edition. Next Blog focus really will be on
Spring in the Julian Alps

Winter Activities

The Julian’s Log

Sixth Post

“WINTER HOLIDAYS”

Although Spring is definitely in the air, this weekend was still celebrating winter, as Slovenia hosted it’s biggest annual sporting event: Planica Ski Flying. It’s like the Oktoberfest but with Sport. We went to watch alongside 26,000 others on Saturday….

FOCUS ON……….SKI FLYING

There are only 3 ski flying competition venues, and Planica is one of them. It is here where the ski jumping competition is decided annually and where the world record of 239m is held. Planica is situated in the Tamar valley, just 17km from us and people in the whole valley help in the organisation of this massive 4 day event. Thursday sees the qualifying rounds and the local school children are bused in to enjoy the spectacle of these crazy guys flying through the sky. Sponsors of the event ensure the children are fed and given “goodie bags” free of charge and there is a family atmosphere. On the other 3 days the atmosphere is more charged with alcohol and a party feeling, with instruments, costumes, hats and hams (as seen in the picture!!) Each day thousands of patriotic fans congregate in the amphitheatre of mountains. This weekend was no exception and despite some rounds being cancelled because of the wind, the level of flying was awesome. The Norwegians each flew over 200m to win the team event, however, Slovenia was cheering the loudest as Robert Kranjec brought home joint third in the individual event. We still celebrate Eddie the Eagle and flew a banner in his name!!

REGULAR FEATURE:
Current Snow Conditions:
Resort Upper Slopes Lower Slopes Last snow and comments
Kranjska Gora 80cm 45cm 10.03.09 variable conditions
Vogel 320cm 120cm 18.03.09 good skiing conditions
Krvavec 310cm 75cm 18.03.09 good skiing conditions

The skiing conditions remain very good across Slovenia, with resorts extending their season through to Easter this year due to the excellent snow.


Hope you’ve enjoyed this edition. Next Blog focus will be on
Spring in the Julian Alps

Winter Holidays

The Julian’s Log

Fifth Post

“Winter Holidays”

This winter in Slovenia has really been very special…lots of snow, sun and visitors!! We have loved tobogganing on the long trails, walking in the fresh mountain air and skiing on groomed pistes. Our first winter with guests is fun, sharing our knowledge of the area and seeing them enjoying themselves. One sport that Mark has enjoyed in the winter is Fishing for the Hucho, or Danube Salmon and although the season is now closed, maybe this can tempt you for next year!!!

FOCUS On……….winter fishing

The rivers keep their beautiful green colour all year round and this contrasts strikingly with the white snowy river- banks. The best rivers are the tributaries to the Sava River, which ultimately flows into the Danube. One of the best of these rivers in Slovenia for Hucho is the Sava Bohinjka, our local river. Circling above it, we have regularly seen a pair of Golden Eagles, making the experience complete!
Although a sociable sport, the conditions are not always ideal, when snow on the river- banks can be thigh deep, and over hanging branches can make casting a challenge. The Hucho can be fished using a fly or spey casting rod although traditionally here a lure or spinning rod is used. Flies, spinners, plugs and lures have to be bigger than 8cm. The Hucho grow to over a metre and on most trips you can stand on the banks and look down onto these fish and watch them in the clear water. The season for Hucho fishing is from 1.11 to 14.02 day tickets can be bought from Fauna Fly Fishing Shop, in Bled and prices start at €45 per day. A holiday fishing for Hucho can easily be combined with skiing and winter sports.

REGULAR FEATURE:

Current Snow Conditions:
Resort Upper Slopes Lower Slopes Last snow and comments
Kranjska Gora 80cm 45cm 05.03.09 Good skiing
Vogel 320cm 120cm 05.03.09 Very good skiing
Krvavec 310cm 75cm 05.03.09 Very good skiing

The skiing conditions remain excellent across Slovenia.


Hope you’ve enjoyed this edition. Next weeks focus will be on
Ski jumping

Julians Log Fourth Post

The Julian’s Log

Fourth Post

"WINTER HOLIDAYS"

A recent quote from a friend in England was, “You do know you could have stayed here if all you wanted was ski conditions, don't you?” I guess this winter England has had really good snow!! However, there is still the awesome view of the mountains from our living room window, which we never got in Suffolk.

FOCUS ON.....CARNIVALS AND SKI RACING

Half term brought with it sun, snow and costumes. Pust is celebrated (shrove weekend) with donuts and masks, and the streets are a colourful array of costumes and carnival floats. The snow conditions have been awesome for skiing, tobogganing and this weekend, the Vitranc Cup Men’s GS and Slalom were held from the Podkoren run in Kranjska Gora. Ted Ligety successfully defended his GS title from last year and Julian Lizeroux put down a great second run to take the Slalom. We managed to stand in the Reinfred Herbst fan club area and literally got wrapped up in Flags and deafened by horns and sirens! With temperatures rising to 12 degrees, the feeling of Spring is round the corner, the snow is becoming softer, the birds are singing and the Hellebores and primroses are flowering on the sunnier side of the valley.

REGULAR FEATURE:

Current Snow Conditions:
Resort Upper Slopes Lower Slopes Last snow and comments
Kranjska Gora 120cm 45cm 22.02.09 Machine groomed slopes
Vogel 320cm 120cm 22.02.09 Good skiing
Krvavec 310cm 75cm 22.02.09 Good skiing

The skiing conditions remain excellent across Slovenia.


Hope you’ve enjoyed this edition. Next weeks focus will be on Winter Fishing.

Ruth

Julian's Log Third Post

The Julian’s Log

Third Post

“Winter Holidays”

With continuing low temperatures and more snow, this last weekend’s ice climbing World Cup was an awesome sight. Mojstrana was full of lean looking climbers from all over Europe, but the Russians dominated.

FOCUS ON..... TOBOGGANING

This week, we focus on tobogganing. Being from Yorkshire, I always felt sorry for Mark’s sledging experiences as a child in Norfolk …the bunkers at the local Golf course were the best slopes around for him.
However, out here in the Alps, I can honestly say I have never pelted down a hill for as long and as fast as I do now! There are many different slopes to tackle on the traditional wooden sledges, or “sanke” as they are known in Slovenia. Every village has meadows transformed into toboggan slopes, where children and adults alike congregate and experience the buzz of speed.
Up the road in the Tamar Valley, there is a stunning 4km walk in an amphitheatre of limestone mountains, where you can tow your sledge to the comfort of a “Mountain Dom”, enjoy a gluwein (kuhano vino) before taking the return journey in record time, shouting “Pazi” to any slow moving on- looker
Across the road from us, weaves a small lane, which in the summer takes you zigzagging up the local mountain (1891m) and now it provides the ultimate toboggan run, complete with hair pin bends and long glides through the snow covered trees. If you dare to look up, you can see Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain at 2864m towering above Mojstrana and on a clear day, up the valley you can see the Italian Dolomites.


There are also Organised Night Toboggan runs in a nearby village, where a local minibus will transport you up the hairpin bends and provide you with head torches and sanke, and the run is lined with burning torches, (Bakla)

REGULAR FEATURE:

Current Snow Conditions:
Resort Upper Slopes Lower Slopes Last snow and comments
Kranjska Gora 120cm 35cm NOW! very good skiing conditions
Vogel 290cm 60cm NOW! very good skiing conditions
Krvavec 270cm 30cm NOW! very good skiing conditions

With more snow forecast for 2nd and 3rd February, with 30cm due to fall, the skiing conditions remain excellent across Slovenia.


Hope you’ve enjoyed this second edition. Next weeks focus will be on “Carnival Time” and ice skating.

Ruth