Štrbské Pleso

Next morning we were treated to a fine breakfast before checking we had enough warm clothes: we were heading two hours west to the High Tatras 🏔️

A smooth drive later and we were at Štrbské Pleso - a small ski resort in winter with a very fine lake to walk around 💪

Plenty of interesting information on our circuit, & quite a few people out enjoying the crisp fresh day.
When groups are trying to take their own photo, I usually offer to take one of all of them. Strangely pleasing to discover the family I snapped by the lake were from Ukraine.

The clouds, however, kept the peaks hidden from us….

We went up past some snowy ground to take a look at the very scary looking ski jump: so high we could see the concrete from across the lake. It was used in the 1970 World Championships, but is no longer in use: not meeting current standards. They have left it as a “memorial” of those heady days. A smaller jump sat next to it.

The Tatras Tower was tempting, especially since it had a slide down the middle, but after our long walk, we gave it a miss.

Lunch was in the traditional Restauracia Koliba: the garlic, sheep cheese and ham soup was to die for, & the main courses were equally tasty: great decision 👍

Frank drove us on to Stary Smokovek so we could step aboard the funicular train to reach Hrebienok, 1,285m high.

The summits continued to be covered in thick cloud, but we did get nice views of the waterfall and across the valley to the Low Tatras…..& enjoy another cuppa in a lovely old restaurant 🫖☕️

Finally, it was time to head back down and for Frank to stay awake driving home….the rest of us were decidedly dozy 😴

Back at the flat, I took one for the team and jogged up the stairs 💪
Some soup and rest before the Eurovision Song Contest later.

When it came to it, there was no English commentary, so we watched in Czech, with Mel explaining some points: most notably that the Czech entry was sung in the Ukrainian language 💪
We bantered with family and friends on WhatsApp and in our Older Crowd Facebook group. For the results, now past midnight, we retired to bed….Frank had wisely given up much earlier 🤣

A great day 😎👍Lue lisää