Kobarid-Stanjel-Postanje

---

Set off South from Kobarid, not intending to visit Nova Gorrica, but took a wrong turn and ended up there anyway. Confirmed original decision, as it is a bit of an armpit. Took another wrong turn and ended up in Italy. Tried to sneak back into Slovenia via back road but border guard politely said "crvčlk zu čbij lkja yasaka čhy contrpsksa" (where do you think you re going, not through my border you ain t" So went back through original post and fought our way out of the congestion of NG. Next got hit by torrential downpour and couldn t find any accomodation until got to Stanjel, which having a castle is not only at the top of an enormous hill but has accomodation. Lady pointed out a house with bed for the night from the vantage point of the castle (let s face it you could see every house in Slovenia from up there). Had a meal of minestrone which turned out to be pea soup and lasagne, which interestingly was served with gravy. Also had another local speciality pud, which was sugar encrusted spotted dick. Next day looked around castle which seems to have changed little in centuries.
People live in tumbledown houses in twisty alleyways. Had a good ride to Postanje and visited caves on the way. Excellent - huge cavern and the usual stalactites and stalagmites - not as colourful as cheddar gorge though. Got to next campsite in the dry, but heavens opened as soon as we tried to put tent up. Next day had ride out to nearby castle. Looks more like a concrete bunker, but is in fact mediaeval. Most famous resident, Erazem, was local highway man, finally irritated authorities enough to get a contract on his head and holed himself up in castle for a year and a day. Annoyed his assailants by nipping out through a secret tunnel and collecting fresh cherries to send out as a gift. Finally was betrayed by a servant when he had to go the the place "where even a sultan must go alone" (the loo). A well aimed missile through the privy door did for him!
Next day moved, via lovely forest tracks and through some marshland. Saw a hooded crow carrying a snake, which it dropped onto the road and couldn t retrieve. Snake looked dead and Richard decided to take a photo and asked me to hold bike. I had retreated down the road, and Rich s prophetic words were "What s up - think it s going to spring back to life?" At which point it sprang back very much to life and chased him halfway across the road. Famous last words! Had a lovely ride across rolling farmland, but couldn t find accomodation until arrived here (not sure where here is). Was a long day - 133 Km. Lovely guest house and stonking breakfast of ham, eggs and fresh cherries! Forecast is for showers, so moving on a short distance towards Otočec.

---

Photos

Stanjel castle
Sundial on house wall

Antique plumbing
Stone guttering and well inside Stanjel castle

Predjama castle
First rule of castle building - don't put the privy on the outside! (Outbuilding on the far left hand side.)

Dead Snake!
What's up, do you think it's going to spring back to life?