10 - 13 August : Ljubljana - Hvar

10 August
Left Ljubljana around 08:00, after paying for our stay.
We took the Motorway to Trieste, on the coast and then across to The Croatian border and onto Rijeka. Then we followed the coast road (Through many, many villages) until lunchtime. Lunch was at a roadside restaurant and we had the speciality of the house (it seems EVERY house) of Pork rested on the spit. It was AWESOME!
After lunch, we wanted to cover more ground so it was back to the motorway past Split and onto Drvenik and the ferry across to Hvar, didn't have to wait too long for the ferry.  I had forgotten how small the road in Hvar was, I was quickly reminded.  Then directly to the campsite at Jagodna, the closest to Sveta Nedilja, on the Southern side of Hvar, through a single lane, unlit tunnel. Whoop!
We'd arrived quite late, as we do, and the camp was FULLY booked out. But with a bit of sweet-talking (grovelling-begging) we managed to secure a spot for our two small tents.

11 August
Having been on the road for a few days, since the Sommerparty, today was washing day. So once that was out of the way we walked across to Sveta Nedilja and dropped in on Valentina. The walk was only about 3km but the tracks were not so well defined. After a bit of a catch -up with Valentina we headed down to the Harbour for beers and some lunch. Despite the selection of places to eat being limited, the food was pretty bloody good. After lunch it was back to our camp via the cliff path. Then off to the beach for a swim and beers/dinner at the camp restaurant.







12 August
Up early, as we wanted to get a hike in and the days were plenty warm.
So up we hiked, to St Nikolaus chapel and an amazing view from on top. then to the only restaurant up there, Kolumbic and a well earned bevvies or two.  After a short break we headed back down via the Sveta Nedjila Chapel,  Spilja and the Grotto (Cave). Then it was back to camp. We'D hiked around 13 km and it was bloody hot. Rode out to Jelsa for fuel, shopping and back to camp. Where we hit the pub for Beers, Marked up the maps and wrote up the journal.
Then more beers, dinner and a great bottle of local wine which was only 30 kuna each, bargain.

13 August
Up early today as we had a way to go. Rode south to the Ferry, which took about an hour for 30-40km, and managed to jump the queue, we were on the ferry by 09:30.
Once off the ferry it was further eastward direction Bosnia. Once reaching Bosnia & Herzegovina we headed for Sarajevo, as it was time to eat we pulled up at the markets for food. After visiting an ATM and selecting a restaurant from the many to chose from we got advice on what to eat from an American who had been living there for some time. We randomly selected the best place for the food that we ordered, Cevapi which is a type of kebab or Kofta and to compliment we had a yoghurt drink (ayran).
Then it was up to an old ruin above the city for the views and onto Beograd (in Serbia) and back to the Campsite I'd stayed at a few years previous. Not pretty but had everything we needed.

03 - 09 August : Freiburg - Schwarförden - Munich - Italy - Ljubljana

03 August
Freiburg - Schwarförden
Uneventful ride but plenty of roadworks across Germany
Despite these difficulties, we managed about 700 km in 7.5 hours (including our breaks)
We arrived at MC Samhain around 17:00 hours, it was a good riding day.
We were greeted by the club members with a couple of beers and then set-up camp.
Then it was time for a dip in the "pool", more beers, steak and food.  A good night was had by all.

Autobahn heading north

Set-up, now beers!

Just add detergent and a whipper-snipper!

Instant bubbles!

Add some beer

Happy days!

And of course, a bit of mud

Scott being introduced to the mud-pit

Looks like he survived!

04 August
Breakie at the Club-house then back to Michi's. Re-pack, re-group, we removed most of the winter gear as we should be heading for warmer climes now and the Icelandic maps which we would no longer require along with other documentation (IBA).
It looks as if we will have to hit the road on Monday to reach Italy on time, unfortunately.
But for now, time to relax and party.



06 August
Schwarförden - Münich
Big ride day, after a big weekend of drinking and camaraderie.
We found a groovy campsite near central Münich.
Set up camp, awesome atmosphere.
Managed to make contact with a mate of mine, Till.
We visited one of the biggest biergartens I've ever been to and had a great meal and a few Maß, much to Scott's surprise.









07 August
Time to leave for Italy, via Austria. And of course the Stelvio Pass.
What an amazing road. Took many hours but well worth it.
Otherwise an uneventful trip.
Not far from the actual Pass, we took a "wrong turn" into a tiny village.
We reached the end of the road and were attempting to turn around when the owner of the hotel/restaurant/spa came out to see what we were up to. We asked for directions for the Pass and he indicated it was back the way we had come.
This was around lunch-time and he asked us if we were hungry and suggested we come in for lunch. Well worth it. Lunch with a view of the valleys and mountains.
After a great meal, it was off to the Pass and into Italy.
We had to get down to Ancona from the mountains, not such a great distance, but great roads, although time was our enemy now.
Eventually, we arrived at Paradise camping in Porto Recanati around mid-night. As is our style.
Upon arrival, we found the gates closed and no-one around...bugger.
But found the caretaker who was able to let us in and organise us a pitch.
It was really a nice camp.

Stelvio!

08 August
We had to make an early start today as we were visiting iGuzzini.
Scott had organised another visit to this Italian lighting designer, producer. Very impressive. Similar to Fagerhult but...more Italian.
Again, tour through the showrooms with presentations and of course the Factory. They took us through concepts, design, testing, manufacture, construction, the lot. What a great experience.
After our visit, we were to head for Ljubljana, Slovenia via Gorizia (some of Scott's ancestors hail from here)
So, it was back on the road heading for Gorizia, where we stopped for a bite to eat, buy beers and head to camp.
Total of 651 km this day, not bad as we included the tour.
We arrived at the camp in Ljubljana somewhere between 21:30 - 22:30.
The camp was absolutely packed, but we managed to find a spot for our little tents and bikes.
We were to be here 2 nights and were able to relax a bit.
I love the fact that Ljubljana has a castle overlooking the city, with a dragon in the dungeons.
They love their dragons, just look at their flag...

09 August
Spent today exploring Ljubljana. Caught a bus from the Camp into the centre and had a walk-about, up to visit the Castle (with the dragon), out to Union Brewery for lunch and tour of the brewery, Explored more of Ljubljana and Metelkova Mesto. Shopping and back to camp.
We also managed to visit the waterpark next to the campsite.  It just didn't impress as much as anything in Iceland, guess we have high expectations.

This guy had some secrets!

and she knows them

and the beat goes on!