Day 34. Monday 4 May.

Blessed with another bright day, GORJEous day for Vintgar.

Despite D, with Apple Maps help, heading for the wrong place requiring a U turn, we arrived at the Vintgar parking and shuttle bus area in good time. The parking attendant guided D to a spot, then continued to give hand signals to move over to the right about a body width, once we were in the position he put us (D is quite competent without attendant help, thank you) – he threw up his hands, presumably in frustration, when D decided to turn off the engine…he was then onto the next driver. The shuttle (every 7 mins) bus loaded with passengers of all sorts and ages, dress and footwear (yes, thongs featured) and including dogs. One sweet poodle thing snuggled into its human parents.

At the Vintgar entrance folk milled quietly. Tickets are mostly purchased online and entry times are strictly allocated…our ticket was valid from 1123. Gold Coast Jenny (from Our Bled experience) turned up a bit early for her 1150 entry & we had a very brief chat. We entered on time at 1123, of course, & were each issued a helmet and optional hair net.

If anyone tried to enter through the turnstiles before their allocated time, the QR reader would not open the gates (it happened quite a bit while we waited – so good to see…so orderly!) To be fair, there were no instructions at all, so it was easy to be uncertain of the procedure.

The one-way gorge walk was marvellous… water, trees, flowers (perfumed a bit like wisteria), busy little, long-tailed birds – later identified as a Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea), chasing insects and flying aerobatically just above the water up and down the river.

And after the final waterfall there was some discussion about how to get back to the shuttle bus pick up point – D advised an American couple using Apple Maps (hmm) and more importantly the information board! We chose correctly.

A signposted 40-minute walk (some serious climbing) back through birch, oak & pine forest, to a very necessary short cheese plate and water refuel beside 15th century St. Katarina’s Chapel, then past summer-grazing pastures (cows & horses) with extensive views of tiny villages strung along valleys, Bled Castle visible in the distance…and finally we were back at the shuttle pick-up point. Of course, just to rub it in some very young children skipped and ran along the mountain track, as others of us huffed & puffed along. Forty minutes was more like 90!