jvali - Recent messages

@bagi (Emil), hello! Can't believe it! I have this camino chosen for this year's vacation and while browsing for useful info, I stumble on your report. Again, and again insanely cool! Congrats first to both you and your wife. My husband and I are also heading there this year and looking for a flight ticket. Found Zagreb - LaCoruna. Did you fly like that too? After last year's Camino Frances which I walked alone for my 5x10, now going again as a couple, like for Camino Primitivo, Fisterra and Muxia and Camino Portuguese coastal route. No other option but July, are membrane shoes really necessary, since I'm used to walking without? And about accommodations, can all be arranged on the go - given this lighthouse path isn't like classic other caminos. Since I have your private number, can send some questions there too? You two have an infinitely nice time too. Buen Camino. Thanks.

July 2022: My vacation plans get turned upside down a bit, but I don't allow myself to end up on my head because of it. Actually my head quickly grinds and grinds an alternative: yellow arrows can be followed on home soil too. I offer the bait to a friend, who bites right away. Wisely we set the departure day, I study the logistics, spin some contacts and everything falls into place. We go into the embrace of Storžič, where the patched part of the Upper Carniola branch of the Way of St. James runs.
Hraše near Smlednik - Preddvor with St. James is the first part of our journey. We overnight at camino friend Francesca in Bela. Second day I write the story of Camino baby. Preddvor- Križe, where we seek Eva and together we tick off part of the path with her and doggy Luna, who is used to walking. Then with Mojca we hike all the way to Brezje, where the duo unites into a quartet again and toasts.
Beautiful is this world, exceptionally beautiful path, step on it if backpack is dear friend to you and eyes are accustomed to yellow signs.

majdag: Praise fits, in it hides thanks, heartfelt thanks I add and it's meant for you. May the year be colored by hiking, I wish myself and you and everyone on this side.

bagi/Emil, yes, wherever I click, I find your path description. At home or in Spain, Portugal. You've done a lot of work already. Bravo. I even meet some of my own comments among the advertisers, still from the time when I was just thinking about long walks. I'm glad I've gone from thoughts to actions. I'll ask and announce when I'm in a dilemma. Porto-Santiago pulls strongly, because the length suits husband's vacation span. You too enjoy wherever your step takes you.

From holiday to holiday, 27.4.22 - 1.5.22: I accept the offer and lead my mountain friend along the Lower Carniolan branch of the Way of St. James. We're going to Dol(enjsko) walk, we say. This time I have a different role, not walking alone and responsibility is greater. I don't dare improvise, so I arrange all accommodations before departure. The path excites. Exceptional architecture, wine-growing slopes, forest paths, new places and villages, picturesque towns, yes, exceptional to step on home soil. If not the best experience. Lower Carniola is not flat, lots of daily ascent, one kilometer of elevation each day. Distances are long too, over 30 km each day, up to 40 km. Not easy, but doable. We manage. With singing, laughter, talk, beautiful nature, excellent company, good people on the path we reach the capital as planned. Labor Day is walking holiday. The third branch of the Way of St. James completed. With greatest pleasure I share pieces of this beautiful path and recommend it to all tempted to explore the homeland. The path is exceptionally well marked, no fear of losing the goal. Buen Camino in Slovenia.

bagi, zokipoki: thanks to both for the comment. Every quarter hour, no, even less, I connect to this page regarding the Way of St. James. Now I'm intensively preparing lectures in libraries and I've pilgrimaged here. It's good to read something new. Yes, soles itch. Bagi, last year I walked the Lower Carniolan end too, Slovenska vas-Ljubljana and also the Preddvor branch of JP. Walking on home soil is a special pleasure. We have such a beautiful country! I'll post my photos and description here too, maybe accompany someone to pack the backpack and step on the trails. Intensively preparing for Camino Portugal, I'm just before buying tickets. And again I find Emil your record. We're destined, ha ha, less so for us with husband and the Norte. Twice it slipped through our fingers. But time will come for it too. I know.
Good luck to all who walk for yellow arrows, at home or beyond borders.

@Majdag, it really is nice, yes. Our country is a gem, although every now and then you need to escape out and far, horizons expand. Shells and arrows our pilgrim eye really finds quickly, they catch the eye! I'll share some glimpses of the Gorenjska branch. I'll check yours too.
@turbo, yes, Krk pulls, it's planned. Last year the arrows there found me, called, I'm already wondering when.

Interesting. I'm browsing the web a bit because I'm itching to walk around our country again. I type JP and find Emil's post and even my own comment. Back then I was just thinking about this hike...So much time has passed! So many years actually.
In the meantime, I've been breaking steps myself, both in Spain with my husband and solo at home. In 2020 the world situation took away our Camino del Norte and for myself I found an alternative; from Lj on foot to the west, to Holy Višarje. For the yellow shells. Alone. Crazy, exceptional experience that filled me with courage and optimism. Everything is possible. Our paths are not easy, especially the Gorenjska branch requires good fitness.
Last year I strapped my "little house" on my back again, attached the little Jakob girl who walks with me for luck, and wandered from the capital to Trieste. Four good days, from Monday to Friday-Friday morning I was already standing in front of St. James' church.
Interesting journey! Follow the arrows, let go and expect nothing, share smiles and receive them, meet new people who come on the path like a blessing. Just walk, believe in the good, because the path takes care of everything. Even accommodations, which are rarely scattered here. The landscape is beautiful, the closer to the Karst, the more magical, solitary, among vineyards and foot-friendly terrain.
Sharing some photos from my path, if anyone is tempted, just path under feet and off to hunt for yellow signs.

@zokipoki: Three years ago I did the ascent on this beautiful mountain, Okrešelj route. In the first part there were already some chains and pegs back then. But are these new and in a different place? Thanks.
What "surprises" me more is the picture without a helmet on the head, knowing the rockfall risk here is high. Well, it's an individual's decision, as everywhere. Otherwise good luck on all paths.

Emil, browsing again for info, impressions. At the same time I'm looking forward to a new path, since soon after I asked you whether Norte or Portuguese direction, I bought plane tickets. On 7.7. my husband and I are setting off on the northern path. When I need useful tips again (it's still far and at the same time close), I'll write to you on ZS. OK? Oh, our presentation of Camino Primitivo was so successful that a repeat follows. I'll post it on this side too, as you suggested. Good luck on your paths! Valerija

Tadej, is this described path part of Juliana Trail? Thanks for answer. Val.

Yesterday, 26.10.2019, Ojstrica was fully visited from all possible approaches. Probably the same today. We two hiked from Planina Podvežak on the scenic ridge path over Mala Ojstrica, back the same way, just a bit around, on the Kocbek marked path to Molička peč. The day pampered us with weather: blue sky, sun, clear views. Wonderful it was.

Emil and Mateja, congratulations. Emil, Camino Primitivo and Camino de Fisterra y Muxia have left such a strong mark on my husband and me that a new wish, new longing is born. This way of traveling is close to us, gives us freedom, connection, peace, that's us. We're thinking about the next Path. Can I "announce" myself again on ZS? The dilemma is Camino del Norte or Camino Portugues from Lisbon. Is there anything else from your experience that you would advise? Valerija

Yesterday was a beautiful day for climbing Raduha. The morning was fairytale-like. Blue sky, clear views far around, fresh air. The mountain was quite visited. We extended the path with ascent to Lanež. Beautiful circular path.

Emil, Camino Primitivo is the scent of nature. My husband and I have had an extremely pleasant and purely positive experience. From first to last day everything went as one can only wish in dreams. Our first Camino and I already dare say it's the most beautiful. We both enjoyed endlessly the picturesque nature, constant ascents and descents through high pastures and meadows, farmsteads, stone villages where kind locals make the day even better. Peace is spiced by cow bells, gallop of horses, braying of donkeys and crowing of roosters, above us numerous swallows, between us colorful butterflies, everywhere colorful flowers. Path pleasant to feet, those century-old forests, natural trails, scent of eucalyptus... Some pilgrims really from all over the world we shared stories and friendly bonds were woven among us. What more can one wish? Weather excellent, I believe someone up there traveled with us. We arrived in Santiago on July 25, a great day for us and St. James. Then we continued the path to Fisterre and Muxie, a fairy-tale village where time stops, and for us there couldn't be a nicer end to the Path. Home three days, organizing impressions and photos. Thanks again for your "contribution" on ZS, you were in our thoughts during the journey. Buen Camino, Valerija.