Tag: Bled

Lake Bled … and THE view!

elainehayesblog

Awake early again, with another hot day expected, I was up and out quickly as I wanted to walk round the lake and climb Ojstrica, the hill overlooking the lake. It took twenty minutes to get to the base and maybe the same to get the first good view across to the island. I did start to climb further to the seat at the viewpoint, but it seemed some way further and the path was quite steep and rooty. Mindful I was there on my own, and I was very hot, I decided I was pleased with the photo I had, so made my descent.

I returned the same way I came and got this shot of the island with the steps from the shore.

Another delicious and leisurely breakfast followed and we decided to take a short drive to Radovljica. We took care to follow the parking instructions …

… then headed into the old town centre where we found a selection of preserved buildings, some with frescos, others with quirky architectural features and interesting metalwork.

The church had a beautifully painted ceiling and a collection of embroidered vestments on display.

We stopped at one of the cafes for iced drinks before returning to the guesthouse and relaxing in the garden until the lunchtime heat subsided.

Now time for a real treat! There has been a chairlift to the Straža ski slope since 1954 and today it caters for both winter skiers and summer hikers, as well as those like us who want the thrill of whizzing down by summer toboggan!

We decided one go wouldn’t be enough, so bought a ticket for two runs, once to get the measure of it and the second to maximise the potential! We got chatting with another couple, Emerson and Vee, who are travelling round Europe from the US having finished college and they decided to have a go too. So the first step is the chairlift up …

… the photo at the top …

… getting aboard …

… and whizzing down!

Lovely to chat with Emerson and Vee and thanks for taking pics which we look forward to sharing … safe travels to you both!

When Chris read that Restaurant Central Bled leave their pizza dough to rise for at least 48 hours, he said it definitely needed a visit, although with tankards of draught Lasko, I took the opportunity to try the spicy Kranjska klobasa, a local sausages, served grilled with sauces and potatoes.

It was a good decision as dinner was great, and we took a final look at the lake before returning to bed … tomorrow we move on.

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Lake Bled … and THE boat trip!

elainehayesblog

Next day I was up early and started walking the 6km circuit of the lake by 7.15, joining a collection of walker, runners, cyclists and dog walkers all with the same idea, keen to exercise before it got too hot.

I chose to go clockwise and the first section of path was parallel to the road, and slowly Bled island got closer!

The road then takes a different route leaving just the path to follow the lake round, past the campsite and the rowing centre and back towards the castle.

I was surprised to see water lilies and behind is the Straza slope, but more about that tomorrow!

I had worked up quite an appetite when I got back at 8.30 and so was delighted to see such an array on the breakfast buffet!

The homemade smoothies, and cream cheese with smoked fish were particularly delicious as was having fruit and salad for breakfast as it’s been a challenge to get our 5-a-day … but there was also cake!

One of the must-do activities here is to take a pletna boat to the island in the lake. These are flat bottomed wooden boats which originally carried pilgrims but today take tourists.

The boatman uses two long oars to propel the boat across the water so the crossing is steady and peaceful, with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the view.

We moored at the South Staircase and climbed the 99 steps …

… to a small square with the Provost’s House …

… and the gothic Church of the Assumption …

… which was lavishly decorated inside.

The freestanding bell tower is 52m and while views from the top are limited …

… it houses an interesting pendulum clock and is very noisy when the bell chimes 12.00!

We then realised we hadn’t seen the wishing bell, and when we asked, found it had been right in front of us, a rope hanging down in the church … so I pulled and wished!

The pletna waits to takes us back …

… with some of the boatmen just chilling, many of them descended directly from the original 22 families who were given a charter by the Queen in the C18 to ferry pilgrims.

On our return, the temperature had risen, and at 30°, the best plan seemed to be to relax in the shade so we went to Grajska beach, the public lido just below castle rock where we were able to hire sun beds and an umbrella. I swam in the lake and it wasn’t as cold as I expected, perfect to cool down, then soaked up some rays a bit later when it cooled.

We had reserved a table at The Old Cellar for dinner, as recommended by the guesthouse, and were shown to our table in a lovely outdoor space. After sharing a salad to start, Chris had dumplings with beetroot and trout with potato salad.

We walked back reflecting on what a lovely time we were having in Slovenia.

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Lake Bled … and THE cream cake!

elainehayesblog

The road to Bled took us over a mountain pass, which just happens to be in Austria, so we crossed the border at an unmanned post … bye bye Slovenia …

… hello Austria …

… but we were there for less than an hour, before returning to Slovenia! The views were amazing!

A short drive took us to Lake Bled and we found Penzion Mayer and checked in.

It is family run and surrounded by lovely gardens, set just above the lake in a group of other similar guesthouses and we are here for three days.

Getting our priorities straight, we went in search of the Park Cafe and a piece of Kremna Rezina, the famous Bled cream cake. It was developed by their pastry chef, Ištvan Lukačević in 1953 … the same vintage as Chris! The subsequent marketing campaign made it not only the symbol of the hotel’s cafe, but the symbol of Bled with over 15 million slices having been sold.

Everything is prepared under the guidance of the lucky number seven. The puff pastry is folded seven times and then left to rest overnight before baking and cooling again. The egg custard is cooked for seven minutes. Cooled, coated in a delicately sweetened layer of whipped cream, and dusted with powdered sugar, each cake is then cut into a perfect seven-by-seven centimeter square.

Crispy pastry, wobbly custard, whipped cream topped with icing sugar and a lakeside view … fab!

We took a drive round the lake to get our bearings and later had dinner in Restaurant Arbor, where the service was excellent. We shared a salad, then chose Polenta with Mushroom Sauce and Spinach and Cheese Ravioli which went perfectly with a Slovenian Pinot Grigio …

… and watched the sun set behind Bled Castle.

We had seen banners for the Nočna 10ka and during dinner, realised we had grandstand seats for this annual running race round the lake, which starts at 9.00 once it’s cooler.

I left Chris taking photos of runners, while I went for a walk. I found the lakeside path beset by clouds of midges, so stayed further back and admired from afar …

… but had to take a picture of the Bled heart!

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