Published: April 2020
I can’t take you on a new adventure right now, so I thought I share my memories with you instead. Hopefully a virtual wander around these crystal clear lakes in Slovenia might offer a moment of peace, a breath of fresh air, or a new place to dream of going to one day soon.
It occurred to me how strange this state of limbo is… we dream of going places, yet we only really feel safe at home. We are desperate for human contact, yet the thought of being in proximity to someones “droplets” is more mortifying than usual.
Our dreams of leaving our homes, hugging our friends and neighbours, strolling down a street, browsing a shop, are keeping us going but at the same time feel rather remote, and unsafe.
There’s been no other time like it in living memory – so connected, yet so far apart. But those days will return, the world will open up again, hugs will still be free and perhaps more appreciated than ever before ☺️
With the rain, comes still waters and beautiful reflections
The view of the island from Bled Castle. It’s well worth the hike up and the small entrance fee for these views.
I set off early from my little Airbnb, one morning at the end of October 2019. The air was cool and the rain was a fine, soaking mist… One advantage of a rainy morning meant most of the boats stayed off the lake and the water was calm and clear.
There is an easy walk right around the edge of Lake Bled, which takes a couple of hours allowing for plenty of photo stops. Occasionally I heard a loud splash as a fish dived out of the water, I would stop and watch but never managed to see one.
There was a few fishermen sat on the banks, and their chat would occasionally drift across the water. There was a few other walkers out too, but mostly it was very quiet and peaceful.
Lake Bled Island with Bled Castle perched on the cliff behind
Legend has it that the island in middle of Lake Bled used to just be a grassy hill in the middle of a valley, and it’s where the fairies lived. By night the mound was lit up by the fairies dancing barefoot on the grassy slopes.
The local farmers angered the fairies by allowing their sheep to graze on the hill, ruining the grass. So the angry fairies flooded the valley, and the hill became an island – a safe haven. The fairies danced barefoot once again.
The rowing boats for hire at the top end of the lake
You can read more about the story of how I to this splash on my Instagram post here
Two Pletna’s make their way out to the island. These are the traditional boats made my the locals, and they are perfectly photogenic
Crystal clear waters of Lake Bohinj
In the afternoon I decided to visit Lake Bohinj, lying around 40 minutes from Bled. It’s stunningly beautiful and tends to be quieter than Lake Bled. There is an easy place to park at the bottom of the lake, near the church and the bridge. I would also recommend driving further on, with the lake to your right, to see another little church nestled in the trees, and the beautiful jetty in the pictures below.
Cool mountain air and clear water
The clear waters and perfect reflections of Lake Bohinj
Imagine how lovely it would be to swim here in the summer
The painted details on the churches are absolutely beautiful
Slovenia is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen, and one day I’ll go back with my boys. There’s so much more to see than I managed in a day and a half there – lakes, churches, waterfalls, caves, forests and ravines… all of which will be helped along by a slice of Bled cake or two.
Stay safe, sending love to you all until we meet again ☺️ x
A moment to reflect – just before the sun set on my time in Slovenia
