Day 30. Thursday 30 April.

A beautiful bright morning. Checked out of the apartment in good order. In lovely sunshine, but a very cool breeze, walked to pick up the hire car from SixT, stopping at the café we’d dropped in to yesterday. The proprietor greeted us, remembered our order, and said that if our luggage was stolen from outside, we could run after it; we suggested HE could do that. Had a quite long conversation about life in Australia – tried not to be too pessimistic! At least we’re all safe.

VW T-Cross SUV picked up and on our way.

Rather than the direct route we detoured on minor roads, more or less parallel to the highway (A2). Traffic was light (because of the holidays, we’re told) and patient – no rush or pressure as D reacquainted himself with driving on the wrong side of the road and T got use to the closeness of the shoulder.

Good views of the mountain range in the middle distance, with quite a bit of snow on the higher peaks.

The final leg into Jesenice was a flashback to Spain and Portugal – narrow, winding roads with very sharp corners.

Arrived at the location, but unsure of which was our house: D was picturing a different set up – one we’d considered but passed on. Fortuitously our host Natasa arrived at this point and checked us in. The house was inherited from an uncle of her ‘man’, who had no children, and they have renovated it. We are the only occupants! Luxury, with no one scraping above or running water, or doors closing. Views of mountains are terrific.

Natasa advised us that the next two days are Public Holidays (something to do with May Day), so no shops will be open – and, as we’ve discovered, they’ll be shut on Sunday too. So off to Lidl for a big shop to see us through. The supermarket was SUPER-busy with the impending long weekend panic-buying. It’s difficult to buy in small quantities: although D’s potatoes are vital, we really don’t need a 5 kilo bag of them (T’s opinion). And how’s the garlic supply? T only wants one bulb, not three, but will buy three to get one. Where’s the consistency? But a real treat…some beef that will make a stovetop casserole (no oven).

Mid-afternoon and the central heating is on – it will be a cold night, the air chilly at 5 PM as we walk down to the local Mercator for a few things we forgot (primarily the aforementioned trinity of garlic). Down the road, then a lane, peeking into backyards that are laid out market gardens, down some steps and there, under an umbrella was an older lady with a fruit stall…it’s strawberry season, and she’s got mandarins, asparagus… and the pears? Just about every house has a vegetable and/or fruit garden, all looking very ready for the new season.

Come 6pm & we need the heating…the lovely hydronic is not so responsive…we can ‘hear’ some action, but the panels and pipes are only lukewarm at best. Across the road a chimney has smoke…it’s rather inviting.