[Note: This website does not support some Slovenian characters, which may appear as question marks, though MS Word does support the characters.]

Lately we have been in Kranjska Gora in Slovenia. We went through the Vršič pass, Ljubljana, Radovljica, Postojna, and other places in Slovenia, via Salzburg.

Clare planned most of our travels. Originally she was interested only in Salzburg, but two facts altered her thinking. First, each of us had already been to Austria, on separate occasions. Second and more important, Salzburg is expensive.

Happily, we decided instead to visit this young republic. Slovenia is unspoiled (practically unpopulated, it seemed), beautiful, and inexpensive. Dave and Anne went there when it was part of Yugoslavia, so we had their advice.

Matt's fantasies about Cold War spies in London were affected by the recent enlargement of the EU. Like Britain, Slovenia still uses its own currency despite Union membership, so we spent the euros that we took from France (see below) in Austria instead.

During our trip we learned about Slovenian culture and history including the war of 1991. Matt was very near Yugoslavia in that year.

This week we were particularly impressed by the natural beauty of Slovenia. Clare was reminded of Yosemite, though Slovenia is more civilised.

Clare planned and executed several good hikes through northwestern mountains and meadows. And as usual, she spotted a fairly large snake.

Matt has now driven a car in five countries (dipping into Italy this week) on three continents (if you include Africa, which I do because its islands shift with it), but he is still afraid to drive in London!