Day 7 – to Zgornje Jezersko (Slovenia)

Getting closer to that ‘highway of diamonds with nobody on it’.

Since passing Würzburg some days ago, the route has been scenic and the roads quiet, really good driving. I’ll post a map in a few days, but basically from there I’ve headed south-east, to the north of Nuremberg, and with the weekend travelling up the Aisch Valley.

I awoke to the expected snow, several centimetres had accumulated. A day to drive it seems, bearing in mind the weather south of the Alps divide seems much warmer and brighter.

This morning I crossed into Austria at Passau, the whole morning spent in heavy snow, and from there south through Austria on the A9 through the Bosruck tunnel and to Völkermarkt. On emerging from the tunnel there was no snow, the temperature 10C higher, and some sun. The A9 is a toll road, the first I have taken this trip, but covered under the standard Austrian Vignette, available at fuel stations for 9€. The tunnel was 6€, both the same for all vehicles, so all in all, a reasonably priced way to get here. Austrian fuel is at 1.80€ per litre, much cheaper than Germany, but Slovenia is cheaper again.

I stocked up at the supermarket before heading into Slovenia over the Sadnika pass. I was headed for a farm campsite at the small village of Jezersko, just below the pass at 985 metres asl. Though it was technically closed, the friendly owners said no problem to stay. They have two huge and amicable dogs and many hens and geese. It’s one of those occasions when it’s so good to have such a well behaved dog. He will say hello to the dogs, but having been brought up at New Ing, he just completely ignores the birds.

The place is incredible at this time of year. Other than the owners, no one is around. This is the Logarska Valley looking directly at the Kamnisko Alps. There is good hiking below the snow level, which is about 1500 metres here. I’ll stay here a few days I expect.