It's elemental

We fear the dark - somewhere deep in our unconscious ancient brain, we know that darkness is to be avoided. So all the more joy then, when a candle is lit and the darknesses is cursed.

How much joy is there when 10,000 candles are lit all at once? The highlight (pun not intended) for me during Bled Nights and Bled Days was Saturday night. (To add even more significance it was also Dawn and my 31st wedding anniversary.) 

We stood - thousands of us - on the ground or sat on the benches around the lake. Others were punted on the lake by a clutch of pletnas, more watched from the far shore and the castle, did some fly over?. A slight breeze - warm, but not as hot as the day had been. Earth, wind, fire, water. Elemental.

There was a stillness: yes there was a band or two playing in the background, but even they gave up when the 10,000 candles floating on eggshells spread across Lake Bled. One report said that there were 15,000. but who was counting?

Then a test firework to gauge the speed and direction of the breeze. then the fireworks.

We walked back to our apartment through the crowds who had come from around the world. The litter baskets were stuffed, yet although in the darkness I could see no litter. 10 hours later I was walking back into town, and there was no, none, zero litter from the night before. Congratulations to the organisers and the spectators. 

End of week two

Yesterday cycling (yes, me, cycling) around the hamlets nearby, there were several cars being re-packed for the long drive home. Sunday marks the end of the holiday and if this were a normal holiday we would be waking up at home this morning, not here in Bled.

There was another wonderful thunderstorm last night. After a day of bad weather in Austria and Italy, the mountains could no longer hold back the weather and the overspill into the sunny side of the Alps was dramatic, noisy and entertaining. This is the third thunderstorm in just under a week. Whether it's hot and sunny, wet and thundery or just bright and cool. like this morning, the weather is not boring.

We are both feeling healthier. Local fresh food from small supermarkets, fantastic salads, bread, fruit. I don't think we have ever ate so well.

And exercise. Walking mainly. To Bled centre is 25 minutes. I'm cycling or just following paths. Some are too challenging. But I'll get there. 

And there is so much more to Bled than Lake, Island, Church, Castle, Pletna boats. And you don't have to look far to find them. Some of the buildings are beautiful/impressive/interesting ... oh and there are several ugly hotels, but at least they are in the one place and most of the time you won't see them.

Coming up this week; to Ljubljana for the day.

Some of my best photos are here on Flickr.

The Firestation Party

Yesterday Mlino Fire Station celebrated its centenary. And what a party. It began with a parade of about 20 vehicles and appliances driving through the hamlet up to the firestation. A little later I gate crashed. Barbeque, beer, music and dancing. people in traditional dress, folk bands, brass bands. And well into the night disco (I could hear it from our apartment across the valley).

Now, it's a while since I shot and edited a video. And on this occasion I only had a little point and click camera, but I hope this captures some of the atmosphere.

And here are some photos.

Car parking

There is not a lot of point covering the same information about Bled available anywhere on the web, so in addition to my own reflections and experience, I will be adding "insider" information.

Car parking is not a nightmare that some people imply. Is it expensive? That depends on what you are used to paying. The closer to the lake, the more expensive. Normally about 1€ an hour, working out cheaper per hour for a longer stay. 

On the side of the lake where I live, parking is impossible. It is an important swimming area, there is shopping a set off point for walking and pletna trips to the island. 

About a 3 minutes walk from the lake, and just past Vila Bled is a very large building. I don't know what it was, but it looks abandoned now. There was a gallery, a court yard and what could have been apartments. But there is car parking, lots of parking. And it's free.





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