Walking into Slovenia

We walked over the mountains from Italy into Slovenia.   At the top the view was blue - we could see mountain ridges into the distance.

No-one else was there.  We didn't come across any other walkers all day.  The first person we saw was an elderly farmer scything grass in a meadow.   The other striking thing about Slovenia - and actually Northern Italy - was the number of bell towers.  Every settlement had one.

 The Soca river was turquoise blue.  After a couple of nights in Kobarid we walked along the valley to the town of Bovec.   The 20km walk wasn't as arduous as the one over the mountains, even though it was longer.   But we were quite stiff when we arrived - and very pleased that we'd booked a massage.

We changed hotel to one with spectacular views and a spa.  But we soon discovered why it wasn't on our itinerary - the food was terrible.   Actually, with one notable exception - Hotel Hvala in Kobarid - the the food wasn't a highlight of this trip.

The trip was arranged by Inn Travel, who are brilliant at walking and cycling holidays.  Most appealing was that they transport all your luggage between hotels.   They also set up a great itinerary that wasn't too challenging.

I found them through the Green Traveller website.  But I have to admit that we flew to Venice and took the train North from there before starting the walk. 

Haller in the Horn of Africa

I got a very encouraging email this week.   It was from Louise Piper, director of Haller - an organisation I helped to set up nearly 10 years ago.   As follows:

 

"In light of the extensive media coverage on the drought faced in the Horn of Africa, and some very harrowing footage of barren landscapes in Northern Kenya which depict families in great distress, I wanted to let you know that water conservation projects you have funded at Haller have ensured that the communities we work with are not in the same situation. 

The drought is clearly of great concern for the region as a whole - but despite the reduced rain fall, the water harvesting techniques the communities have learned has ensured that the rain fed dams contain enough water for them to continue to farm. The dams and wells they now have access to will have  great impact in the second half of the year enabling them to continue to grow enough food to support themselves until the next rains are due in November."

Clearly, the work that Haller has done 'releasing potential' has made an enormous difference to the communities involved.