16652

Slovenia: Exploring Velenje

We continued with the workshop in my company Gorenje in Velenje, but in the morning, I first visited the remains of Šalek Castle and explored the city a little bit.

Morning in Velenje.

 

Alongside visiting the Šalek castle, I also saw the sculpture Woman by the Sea / Žena ob morju. It stands on the renovated banks of the Paka River and was created by the renowned Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. The city acquired it in 1981, when it was renamed Titovo Velenje.

Geocache found:

- Žena ob morju, GCADQQ7, that received  a visit  by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55, "Ojstrica (2350 m) - ti moje kraljestvo / you my kingdom...", TB8MHFG and "Twin Star", TB33TN8

#worktrip #castle #geocaching

16651

Slovenia: Šalek Castle

The ruins of Šalek Castle lie on the northeastern edge of the Šalek Valley. To this day, only what was once a five-storey triangular defensive tower has been preserved, exceptional both in the Slovenian context and in the wider European space. The castle, after which the entire valley is named, was abandoned at the end of the 18th century, when it had already been united with the Turn estate, then owned by the Gabelkhoven family.

During a workshop in Velenje, I caught sight of its beautiful silhouette on my way to the hostel.

Dark night below the ruins.

How the castle looked like in the past (source: https://muzej-velenje.si/).

#worktrip #castle

16649

Slovenia: Povna peč

After a little shorter night (16648), I took Bronco and we went out to a sobering hike. Our goal was Povna peč and we made it without issues, so we also grabbed a beer at Koča na Ljubelju for the finish of our hike - Garmin Connect.

In less than an hour we were above 1500 m.

Bronco's nose never rests.

A peek at the neighbours.

  

On our way back we quickly stopped for a beer.

#hiking #mountains #Karawanks #CatahoulaLeopardDog

16648

Slovenia: Men's Night Out - Karting

After some work on sledding track Zelenica (Garmin Connect), I returned the "Pony" bike to Tom (Garmin Connect) in Bistrica pri Tržiču and then I was ready for another December session of men's night out. In the evening 4 guys gathered and we went karting in Kranj. This year the brave ones were Dejan, Aleš, Grega and me, so 2 less than last year. We had 2 nice runs, this time also with some other drivers. After the race was finished, we continued with the pool, where Aleš and Dejan challenged Grega and me.

Men's Night Out previous years: 2023 - 16270, 2022 - 15912, 2021 - 15542.

 

First run was dominated by Aleš, while I won the second run by only 0.008 s.

We continued with pool, 2 floors up.

Of course we played in VIP section.

Showing some tricks - how to miss.

We played 8-Ball Pool.

After 3,5 hours we ended with sport games for today.

#karting #pool

16647

Slovenia: Čaruhle in Zima

Čaruhle in Zima (Čaruhle and Winter) is a short theatrical performance for children, prepared by KUD Podljubelj. At the center of the story are the Čaruhle - mischievous yet kind-hearted magical creatures. This time, Aunt Winter also joined them on stage, played by Nada, and of course I couldn't miss the performance either.

Stage in our village was alive again.

Nada's first role for KUD Podljubelj.

#KUDPodljubelj #stage

16642

Slovenia: Korošica

It was a lazy and foggy day, still Bronco and managed to get out and we did a nice hike to mountain pasture Korošica - Garmin Connect.

At this time of year and weather conditions, you are usually alone here.

View towards Baba/Košutica.

I guess someone was here before us and he made a guardian.

#hiking #mountains #Karawanks #CatahoulaLeopardDog