Stage 12 but day 8. True. We commenced in Bled which is not the official start of the Juliana Trail but because it’s sort of circular it did not matter where we started except the signage is numbered although it takes a trained eye to spot such a relatively minor detail. Tomorrow we take a bus through a section of the trail that has been closed for ages for road works and track maintenance. No argument here as though today was quite easy the heat is starting to affect us. Once it gets above 30 degrees we feel it unless we are in the cool of the forest. Today had us on minor roads and through small but cute villages so it was a hot and sweaty trek. I’m stuck in the circular process of sweating ... read more

Well we are close to Tolmin, so I think I have the region correct. Last night’s accomodation was a private home very much in the BnB category. Run by a husband and wife team, he searched for and picked the mushrooms, she did everything else. With little English (but enough) and lots of graciousness she managed to look after both of us. She even volunteered to drive us to the town where we thought we would have to take the train. That saved us a walk of a couple of km and it was quicker than the train - win/win for us. About 17 km distance wise with the now standard loading of almost 900m ascent/descent made for another day of really sweating it out as the temperatures have again risen. It is delightful in the ... read more

It’s déjà vu all over again. We are back at the Eco Hotel in Bohinj again. Yeh we walked but we caught the train back here. Took us almost 7 hours of slog to get there and 10 minutes via a tunnel to return! But that’s no grumble as it is pretty good here. We are about to go for a swim in what looks like a very attractive outdoor pool and I’ve just had a cold lager in the shower (well they said not to drink the water at the hotel as a result of the recent flooding). Today was officially described as a difficult day and although it was only 7 hours it was quite tough. Ascents and descents were tough and at times the track was that rock strewn obstacle course that I ... read more

Wow! Bohinj is breathtakingly beautiful. It is also breathtaking getting here. Officially described as moderate the walk is tough and upon reaching the sort of final destination our hotel was a further 2km away. Probably worse mentally than physically but… The receptionist at the hotel was suitably impressed that we had walked so far and still looked human enough to allow in. She was very quick to point out that our booking included time in the wellness and spa centre. Unfortunately there no knee transplant facility here which is something that may assist. Anyway getting here. The route is well signed although the app that comes with the Juliana Trail is also super useful. Bluey and Bingo were right when they told ‘grandpa’ that ‘there’s an app for that’. The signs are on posts, pillars, pylons, ... read more

Bled, Podhom and Zasip. Roll off the tongue like London, Paris and New York don’t they? Well if you’re walking Bled to Zasip it’s about right. We are warming up with a walk to the exit of Vintgar Gorge which is accessed on the St Katherine’s Walk just out of Zasip. And the sun is out, the sky intermittently blue and the temperature is rising. Us and Bled are warming up (at last!). It was an hour and a half wait for the bus so we walked the initial 3 or 4 km to the start of the walk. Some surprises as far as hills were concerned but delightful walking through the countryside and up and up and up to the church. Then its down to the ’slap’ or falls which was well worth the trek. ... read more