Beware the Bikes in Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA.

Concerned about the No Parking sign outside the van, we're up and on the road by 7 am. Which means that we're at the stables by 7:30 am.

Not a problem except that it doesn't open until 10:00.

We enjoy breakfast, have a wash and it's still only 8:30. So, we go for a walk around the grounds and return to the cash office at 9:45. It transpires that Monday is not the best day to visit. It's a quiet day after the weekend, staff are at a minimum and the shows are not on. However, we join a tour and learn a lot of the history and met the stallions and observed the mares and foals. Rosie fell in love with an orphan foal. Learn more about the Lipizzaner here;

The tour takes 50 minutes and we spend an additional hour walking around the stables.

Then it's on to Ljubljana, the capital. The site we've identified appears to be on that only stores vans. We passed another one just before so return to that. Very expensive in our terms, £26 for the night. Still it's relatively close to the centre so we book in. The neighbour opposite has a GB plate but makes no attempt to communicate. Then, her husband returns and strikes up a conversation. They are from Netherton, about 4 miles from Marsden!

We buy a bus ticket from the reception and a bus turns up almost immediately. 10 minutes later we are in the centre. The old town is very pretty but is blighted for pedestrians by people on bicycles. They are everywhere dodging in and out.

A walk around the shops is followed by a trip on the funicular railway up to the castle. Here, Rosie proves to be what I've come to suspect!

We're tempted to have a McDonalds for tea. However, en route, we pass a stretch of cafes which offer a very reasonable alterative. Chicken burger, chips and half a litre of beer each for 20 euro.

We buy milk and cereal in a supermarket just before boarding the bus. We refuse a bag which leads to strange looks at these crazy foreigners carrying milk and breakfast cereal onto the bus. A straightforward journey home and a relaxation by the van in the evening sun.