Lake Bled

Gordon:  We met Maja, a Slovenian pilgrim, on the Camino Francés in 2011.  In the intervening years I have accumulated wrinkles and Arctic blonde hair (to use Mary’s euphemism) but Maja has been considerably more busy.  She has acquired a charming Spanish husband, José, and three energetic and affectionate sons.  Ruth has maintained Facebook contact with Maja and when Maja learned that we would be passing through her town near Ljubljana she insisted that we visit.

The best known tourist attraction in Slovenia is Lake Bled.  It has a picturesque church situated on a small island, a castle on a rocky crag along its shores, and a backdrop of the Alps.  It is not on our pilgrim route, and I had already accepted that in every future conversation about our visit to Slovenia I would have to admit that we didn’t see Lake Bled.  Maja and José rescued me from that situation, however, because they took us there for a day’s excursion.

We drove the 60 kms to Lake Bled on a Saturday, probably the first weekend day with decent weather in many weeks.  It was also a day when the European rowing championships were being held on the lake.  These factors, added to Bled’s natural appeal, meant that the area was heaving.  It felt like Lake Louise, but without the bears.

Lake Bled is quite small, which meant we could walk all the way around it in about five hours, including a break at an outdoor restaurant for blejska krema rezina, a stack of custard, whipping cream and puff pastry about four inches high.

The walk around the lake was delightful.  The water is a gorgeous turquoise colour, and there are ever changing views of the church on the island, the castle on one side, and the mountains around.  I almost completely discharged the battery in my camera.

What made the day truly memorable, however, was the opportunity to spend it with Maja and José, and their sons Luca (age 7), David and Mark (5 1/2 year old twins).  The boys were perpetually in motion, easily running and walking twice the eight kilometre distance around the lake.  It was remarkable to see such young boys so engaged with the natural environment, other people and each other.  They completely charmed Ruth and I.

It was wonderful to reconnect with Maja, and we look forward to seeing she and her family on our next visit to Slovenia.