2 August 2025 (overcast with early rain, then sunny and warm with afternoon thunderstorms) 65km

When we pulled into camp late afternoon yesterday, the Frenchman in the caravan awning on the next pitch was having forty winks.  His snoring was loud and we both commented that here was another noise for the evening.  Well actually we never heard him.  What I did hear was the guy who'd come to his caravan for the weekend on the other side of us, who loved the sound of his own voice. Didn't shut up til after midnight. 

Up at 5.30am to clouds and the feel of moisture in the air. Surprisingly after all the dismal forecasts, the tent was dry after no rain at all last night. Which was just as well as there wasn't much grass on our pitch and we know how that goes.

Said goodbye to the nice receptionist who had checked us in on arrival. It doesn't take much to warm to people and yet there are plenty who should not be dealing with the public.

On the main road to Ljubljana with no traffic, so powered along, until it started to spit, so we stopped and donned some of our waterproofs and waited ten minutes for the worst to pass through.

Riding on after the rain had ceased, still on the main road which was quiet, perhaps because it was Saturday. The riding was great and in the town of Naklo, we called into a Spar, where we bought brekky before heading off to Kranj. 

The weather by now was sunny and warm, with the mountains still covered somewhat in light cloud, but clearing.  On the outskirts of Kranj, we spied an abandoned business and was just about to grab the seating outside it, when some other travellers got in first.  However, as with New Plymouth nowadays, there's more than one unused business in which to eat your breakfast and ours was right across the street.  All we needed was some homeless guy yelling abuse at us and we could have been at home.

As usual, breakfast, best meal of the day. Did you read that,"cup a coffee" Shaz? 

After a good breakfast our route took us through the township of Kranj where we found an unlocked, clean public toilet. However, outside stunk of urine, so obviously it had been too late for some people. 

Relieved....we carried on !! 

We had been very lucky with the weather, managing to outrun it so far.  Our ride into Ljubljana was nice until the outskirts and then like most cities, too many vehicles to contend with.

Ju here. The cycle paths here were nowhere near as good as the more touristy areas of Bohinj and Bled, but hey, at least they had them. Mind you, some were so bad, we ignored them and used the road if it wasn't too busy.

In fact, on the way into the capital, we had only just left the road to go on the cycle path as we saw it was now a much better surface. Toot, toot, we got from a motorist behind us. “Wanker,” mutters Pete, assuming he's tooting because we should be on the far inferior bike path.

Just as well the motorist couldn't hear him because he was tooting only because Pete had dropped one of his rain covers.  This kind motorist had stopped to pick it up and then driven after us to return it. Pete felt suitably ashamed of himself and glad the guy couldn't hear him. Back to Pete.

As we went deeper into Ljubljana, the church bells announced our arrival into the city.  People stopped and clapped as we humbly rode through the streets, giving the royal wave on the way.  Actually, the church bells were announcing 12pm and boy did they go crazy. Hate to think what would happen if there was a thirteen o'clock. Found a park, quite a sizeable one too and enjoyed our lunch on a park bench, with table.

Watched a couple of kids playing footy in a fully enclosed five-a-side court, not unusual throughout Europe.

Thought of our football years and two hour sessions at the Y. on a Sunday. 

Into the city centre. On the way in, saw a Dad and his two boys, one of who was wearing a Salah shirt, so I asked where they were from.  Liverpool came the reply...brilliant, so had a bit of a chat.  Deeper into the heart and it was crazy busy. Tourists everywhere.  Heard more English speakers than on our entire trip. 

All the cafes and bars were full and people were queuing to get into places.  Had some interesting buildings too.  One was a Greek Orthodox church and since I had once been referred to as a Greek God (can't quite remember when or where), I thought the least I could do was pop in for a quick look. 

Interesting decor.  A lot of paintings everywhere. Surprisingly though, none of me. No photography allowed unfortunately. Couldn't even sneak it, as there was a christening going on. 

Wandered throughout the main plaza area, snapping away until suddenly, out of nowhere, a torrential downpour. We looked for cover, but could only find the eaves of a building.  Dived underneath, with half of the tourists and managed to stay dry, as did the kit. 

That was our signal that the afternoon thunderstorm may not be too far away.  Stocked up, as tomorrow is.....God's Day.  Heading out of town to the camp....which was 7km in the wrong direction , only to find it was no more....Are you kidding me?  Looked for twenty minutes to no avail. There was a lot of development work going on and we think they've probably sold out. 

Thunder, lightning and big fat drops of rain began to fall. The next camp was another six kms away, but we weren't going to get there dry. It was now quite frantic.  Heading to the next camp we spied a restaurant, which we thought might be a hotel as well.  The one waitress who looked very busy, told us no they weren't a hotel but took the time to tell us about a "Pension" around the corner. Luckily it stopped raining for the two minutes it took to cycle there.  The owner happened to be in the garden and said yes, they did have a room for the night, with breakfast for Euro 95. Sold!!

We have been here now for at least a couple of hours and are showered and clean. Both phones are fully charged and the powerbanks are charging.  We have done a bit of washing and hung it up about the place. Julia has given me a haircut and we are working on the blog, listening to a storm that we are very pleased not to be outside in. 

After a delicious meal of roast chicken and au gratin potatoes that we picked up from the supermarket just before leaving Ljubljana, we watched as the storm moved overhead. We are hopeful that it will be long gone by tomorrow.