Krk (Croatia) to Bled (Slovenia)
Headed out early although we were both surprised just how close (relatively) Slovenia was - about 3 hrs to get to the north, past the capital Lubijiana. Before leaving Croatia though, we realised that we still had local currency (Kuna) to spend. So at 9h30, we stopped at the supermarket and Jules blew the lot on vodka (5 1l bottles at about £5 a pop) a washing up bowl with handles (I know), some red Crocs (last season's colour) as I was getting to places that she couldn't get to, and some little beers!
Tried to fill up the gas at the petrol station like we were told to, but it said only for filling car tanks. I know you're desperate to hear the details, so we kept getting 'Error 511' showing on the screen. By now we realised that we won't use all the gas anyway but wanted to try it out. Jules read through the instructions and we also found out that it's the illegal to drive with the gas switched on. So after 10 nights on the road it's lucky we didn't go up in a James Bond fire ball stylee, but we've turned it off while travelling ever since. Also found out that the fuel tank is 90 litres and not 100 as previously stated. Correction, your honour. Headed north to Slovenia- we were both amazed how quickly the scenery turns from pretty rocky and bare to very green and lush. Temperature stayed the same though, low/mid 30s. Arrived at the campsite- decided to stay at the one 3km from Lake Bled rather than the one on the lake and it turned out to be a good choice- loads of available pitches and all huge with loads of space around so that we didn't have to smell the stench of all those foreigners. As everyone knows, Thursday night in Slovenia is curry night, so I made one on my gas bbq!
I made the most of arriving somewhere early by continuing to build my Red Arrows Airfix and Jules went off on her bike to the man-made lake for a swim and to cool down.
Woke up early the following morning and cycled to Bled. According to the signs it was 3km but it felt a lot longer plus it seemed like it was uphill all the way (odd when cycling to a lake!). Jules was getting very frustrated with the lack of gears on her dutch flat road bike and will definitely get a new one. Despite arriving soaking wet with sweat, we were happy to stop and admire the fabulous view as we arrived lakeside. It was beautiful, like a post card, see the photos. Seeing row boats on the water, we went to a little mini market and bought provisions for an "at water" picnic lunch and rented said boat to go out on the lake for an hour or so. Colin's broad, toned shoulders rippled with every oar stroke and Julia could barely steal her eyes from him to look at the scenery. We managed to sneakily moor up by the island on the lake. Colin had a swim (in his Marks and Sparks pants), very refreshing, then we had an aquatic picnic. Luffly! Cycled back to the campsite, where it was indeed much easier on the way back! On arrival back at the campsite, Jules stuck her head under the tap at the water point to try to get her body back to a normal temperature!
In the afternoon, we went to the river that surrounds the campsite. Julia sported her Crocs (last season's colour) but the river was icy cold and still "nice" to cool off in. As Jules wanted a proper swim, we then went to the man made lake on the site for the rest of the afternoon before coming back to the Iteneo MB 740 to plan the next leg of the journey. It's still such a hoot!