The Church of St John the Baptist is situated at the foot of Lake Bohinj, beside the bridge which spans the Sava Bohinjka river. Built in the typical Slovenian Alpine style, it is notable for its picturesque location and the striking fresco of St Christopher on its southern exterior wall. I have passed the church... Continue Reading →
Enough to make a Sailor’s Trousers?
My Grandma used to say, look for a crack in a cloudy sky: if there's enough blue sky to make a pair of sailor's trousers, it would turn out to be a sunny day. Has anyone else heard this maxim? I took it far too literally of course, agonising over whether the dress pattern for... Continue Reading →
Postcards from Slovenia #28: Piran
Piran is the Venetian jewel of Slovenia's picturesque coastline. Though we've paid a flying visit here in an earlier postcard, this unspoilt historic town is certainly worth a closer look. History of Piran St George's Church The earliest surviving written reference to Piran as a town dates from the 7th century A.D., at which time... Continue Reading →
Slovene Cuisine #4: Soup of the Day
There is a saying in Slovenia: brez juhice ni kosila - 'without soup, there is no dinner.' It is traditional to serve soup as a starter with the main meal of the day in Slovenia. You will always find a dnevna juha - 'soup of the day' on the menu in traditional gostilnas (pubs with... Continue Reading →
Postcards from Slovenia #27: Potočka Zijalka Cave
Potočka Zijalka cave is located high above the Alpine valley of Logarska Dolina, on the slopes of Mount Olševa at an altitude of 1,675 m (5,495 ft). It was first inhabited by humans around 35,000 years ago, and has provided shelter to humans and animals alike for millennia. As such, it makes a fascinating place to visit,... Continue Reading →
Postcards from Slovenia #26: Logarska Dolina
You will find the pristine glacial valley of Logarska Dolina hidden away in Slovenia's Kamnik-Savinja Alps to the north of Ljubljana. Unlike the tourist hotspots of the Julian Alps, this area boasts no lakes nor flashy tourist resorts: there are only lush meadows, crystal clear rivers and steep soaring mountains rising almost vertically from the... Continue Reading →
Putting your own mask on first
It's been used so much in the self-help world that it's become something of a cliche: the analogy of putting your own mask on first as a metaphor for self-care. However, this analogy has a special significance when it comes to recovery from alcoholism, or any other kind of addictive behaviour, particularly as this relates... Continue Reading →
Postcards from Slovenia #25: Bled – Bohinj by bike
Lakes Bled and Bohinj, twin jewels of the Julian Alps, are linked by the Sava Bohinjka river which flows between them through the breathtakingly beautiful Bohinj Valley. If you enjoy cycling, you might well want to cycle between the two lakes when visiting the area. This post describes the route, including alternatives to using the... Continue Reading →
Postcards from Slovenia #24: Most na Soči via the Bohinj Railway
'Most na Soči' means 'Bridge on the Soča,' the Soča being a fabulously turquoise green river which winds its way from the Alps to Italy via the Tolmin and Soča valleys. From the Julian Alps, the Bohinj railway provides a scenic and memorable route to this picturesque and idyllic destination. History of the Bohinj Railway... Continue Reading →
#PMDD Update: Better The Devil You Know
I promised an update on my latest PMDD treatment 'about the time I would normally be entering "hell week,"' but as the treatment has not lasted that long, I thought it would be more appropriate to give that update now. This post is intended to offer help and support to other sufferers. Please be advised,... Continue Reading →