Ljubljana

Cooling off after the mountain biking in Lake Bled

The boys about to start the killer downhill to Bovec. I voluntered to be the shuttle.

The beautiful Adriatic Coast line. Clear refreshing water just no sandy beaches.

Managing the swing bridges on the mountain bike. No mean feat with the 30 metre drop into the river below

Brent lazing in the Adriatic Sea out from Koper

The group sunbathing. We were prudes as all the locals were either topless or complete in their birthday outfits.

The boys at the bungalows in Bratislava. Comfortable and right on the course. Great cheap meals at the course.

Living it up in Bratislava. Great cheap restuarant with fab meals and local beers

The Steptoe & Son Team NZL. Rubbish day in Ljubljana and the kiwis found some cheap(ie free) furniture for the accom. Five beds, bases and the best lounge chairs for the patio with the cold beers.

The mountain trek by the Tacen course. 40 minutes up and 15 down with time for a beer/coke at the top. Great must do!!

The initial rubbish pile before the kiwis attacked it. Some good stuff to sell at the end of our stay.

Waiting for the train. A good old stream locomotive.

Picnicing at the Soca valley by Bovec after the boys did a river run in their slalom boats. The water is chrystal clear and fed from the glaciers.

Mike starting the river run in Soca valley.








Have now been in Slovena for about two weeks. The accom is great allowing us all to have our own space yet good large common areas to socialise. The boys have trained here in Tacen and also travelled to Soca Valley for two days and fours up to Bratislava. They have just had a four day break from training before the training intensifies leading up to the Slavak Open and the Worlds here in September.

The break gave me a chance to get out and see a bit of Slovena and we spent a day at the beach south of Koper on the Adriatic Coast about one hours drive away. Although no sand the water was soft and clear and lovely to swim in. Also went back to the Soca valley from the north through the Triglav National Park for some mountain biking with Johan and Thomas. Great fun but hot and a little difficult keeping up with guys half my age.

The scenery in Slovenia is alot like NZ only more rugged with the rocky cliff faces rocky glacier fed rivers and covered with pine trees. Would be totally different in winter with the snow. Its also hard to imagine that in both the 1st and 2nd world wars this idealic valley was a place of strategic importance and many a deadly battle was fought here.

Managed to escape after the biking to the idealic Lake Bled. A little touristy but a great place to plunge into and cool off.

Mike returns from Holland tonight and training starts in ernst tomorrow.