Summer is over …

Tricky as we left Kotor, always tricky with bikes on buses … even more when the ticket office lady is not helpful. Thankfully the drivers were accommodating and off we were to Budva.

Although small, the Old Town is very lovely and well restored and loved. Great little churches but no photos inside … but of course there are a few that break the rules … I feel like slapping them, a mature lady … should have some respect.

A lovely ride along the coast past the beaches, through tunnels and past exclusive hotels. The coastline is amazing and the mountains are still very close, reason we are on the bus not riding, also there is no shoulder.

Unfortunately it appears that the ‘season’ is over as some beach bars have closed up, or is this just the norm? There seems to be a lot of areas that have not been maintained, rubbish, unkempt areas on the beach … a bit sad.

The sun sets and off to a beachside restaurant … lovely balmy evening … local folk songs from a live band … a lovely way to finish off the evening.

Hills and more …

We set off with no destination … around the coastal route to Porat then some inland stuff … the veggie gardens are superb and flourishing, olive groves down to the sea. I’m fascinated by the dry stone walls. Loving the inland except we are on very rough roads for touring bikes.

We finally get onto sealed roads to the direction of Krk … still lots of uphill … John cursing behind until we reach the village of Vrh … yes John is feeling very Vrh!!

Now a great downhill to the town of Krk … a short wander through the old town and visit to the tourist office. How to get to Valbiskai for the car ferry to the island of Cres? Up to Vrh … John feeling very sad … up that hill again … ugh!!! ‘Well what do you want to do’ I ask , ‘I’ve, mapped to Cres town and it’s also a very steep hill’ ‘we will go’, he says.

So off we go to the ferry, I’m keeping my distance through the climb … I’m guaranteed there are some choice words … then down to the ferry terminal. It’s only a total of 12km but the climb!!! 20min for the ferry departure … we meet the Swiss bike couple again on the ferry.

Off the ferry and now is some serious climbing … John has admitted denial on the hills, I have shown him the profile and the gradient … he is walking … but this is not the steep hill …. ugh! I play leapfrog with the Swiss couple until I think they find a place to free camp half way up … still John is walking/riding. It is only 12km but 6km of average of 9%.

Finally the downhill and within no time, we are in Cres township … we find accommodation straight away from an agency, into our bathers and a five minute ride for a swim and beer. All the hard work is forgotten/forgiven and we can laugh about the sheep on the road and the hills that never ended, the dry rock walls and olive groves, bumping into the Swiss couple and the scenery.

Cres is such a lovely village, we have decided to stay another night to explore the little alleys of the old town and more beaches before we are off on more big hills as we island hop.

You only get wet once …

We just got our panniers on the bikes and had to pull out the rain jackets. The whole ride in the rain … option which wasn’t even discussed … the train … that would be no fun at all.

A late pic before we leave of France Preseren, the greatest Slovenian poet. The seventh stanza of his poem ‘Toast’ serves as the Slovenian national anthem.

We are parallel to the Sava River today, it’s flowing well after the rain last night and today.

A few rolling hills and steady rain on the roads made the day interesting. A coffee under a cafe umbrella, too embarrassed to go inside dripping wet.

So many different routes and villages all well signed posted.

Thankfully only a 35km day as the rain didn’t let up, we arrived in Bled to a cloud covered lake but soon the rain stopped and the sun shone, giving us the opportunity to walk around the lake, some 6km. Sadly I had a small phone issue (moisture) so pics of the lake will have to wait until tomorrow.

Of course I had to have a cream cake seen around Slovenia, however, it is said to originate from Bled.

We are in a 1 bedroom apartment on the 5th floor, no lift, 80 steps not to mention the walk up the hill to get here. Good for your fitness Johnny!!

We are getting earlier as we near home.  6.15am today.

That was some old hotel … a rabbit warren to say the least.  Many a story it could tell I’m sure in it’s heyday.  Although through the years it has served many a gold miner as there has been gold mined in the area since gold was first discovered in 1892 and still today there are active mines.

Great time in the morning to catch the sun rising over the dry lakes around Norseman.  My mind goes back to the lovely sunrises on the South Australian penninsulas over the last 6 weeks.

We have been lucky with the weather … shorts and tees for the whole trip.  Only one wet pack up … 3 nights of accommodation all the rest in our tents. We have driven approximately 7900 kilometres.

We left the tent poles in Moonta on our wet pack up which was a blessing as the new telescopic ones are much better positioned for any rain runoff.

John left is electric toothbrush behind. We had 2 punctures in the car.

John still struggles with his glasses around his neck … he refuses to buy good quality glasses chains from specsavers … rubbish from ebay is cheaper … his complaints are only white noise to my ears.

I always maintain that March/April is the best time to travel in the southern parts of Australia.

So that is the end of this adventure … stay tuned … we’ll be setting off on our bikes from Venice to Athens on 23 July … it will probably be a new blog address … I’ll let you know.

Sadly due to lack of wifi and time I was unable to complete the Silo Tour blog but stay tuned as there is a new adventure coming up.

Thanks for joining me!