Bratislava, Tatra Mountains, Leipzig

We left Ljubljana and headed north to Bratislava Slavakia about four hours where we stayed for a week for training. Settled into our long term apartment in the centre of town about 25 minutes driving from the kayak course at Cunovo. Explored the town, found a lovely lake for swimming, went to the movies in English and found the supermarkets, restuarants and bars. The apartment is sweet, three bedrooms, lounge and kittchen on the 13th floor with three locked doors to get through and the lift. Still managed to have our cheap Tesco bikes stolen after only three days locked on the 13th floor.At the top of the Tatra Mountains. Went up on the chairlifts and walked down on these rocky paths. At great adventure.

The amazing lake close to the apartment in Brat. Great for swimming, fishing or just lazing beside with a cold beer, wine or two.

Exploring Bratislava on the new bikes. Note the floating hotels on the Danube. They move between Budapest and Amsterdam.

Left Brat for the seven hour drive to Leipzig Germany via Prague for the third World Cup. Again managed to get a 5 star hotel in the city for the price of a 3 star. It was very comfortable. The Markleberg site is fabulous set on the side of a lake with lovely views. The only downside was the wind which blew the slalom gates. Sand was put inside the gates so they were heavier and would not swing as much. It however meant thay were quite heavy and if they swung into a paddler they could cause a serious injury. Met up with Kay in Leipzig. She had flown into Lyon France and judged at the second world cup and was here to judge also. After racing the following Sunday we returned to Bratislava for another training camp and a bit of R and R.

BBQ evening in Bratislava.

The magnificant kayak course at Markleberg near Leipzig Germany.

Our up and coming new international kayak paddler in training at the Cunovo course where the next World Championships will be held in September.

The amazing Ice Caves in the Tatra Mountains

 

Information board advising detail of the Tatra Mountain walks.

Walking in the Tatra Mountains. We caught the chairlift up and walked down on these amazing rocky paths.

The kayak course at Liptovsky Mikulas in the Tatra Mountains.

The typical communist apartment blocks in Bratislava. We have a mint apartment on the 13th floor. The inside is a lot better than the outside.