Day 19 – Part 1 – It’s time to go and say hello to some cows . . .

With no need to tog up in our running spikes, we take an amble down to the western end of Lake Bihinj – we hope it’s going to be worth it.

Directly from the site we catch the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus into Bohinj. It nestles alongside its namesake lake in a large plateau beneath the Julian Alps. Neither of us must have paid attention at the time of asking, or we would have known that a second Hop-On-Hop-Off bus would then take us down to the far side of the lake, where we could meet some cows. Both operated free of charge. We walk the second leg. We’re off to the Cow’s Ball! (a bit of a contradiction, if you ask me) A unique Slovenian event, celebrating the end of grazing and tourist summer season. It’s in its 61st year.

It turns out to be a huge food festival, with a parading of cows the main event. A couple of MCs are providing an entertaining commentary as the cows are walked through. At one point the crowd bursts into infectious laughter. We can’t help but join in, although we have no idea what’s been said. The other MC expands a little, but in English. Seems the beloved cows all have names and some nick-names. Shitty-Arse being the butt of their humour. The best looking ones even get presented with a garland . . .

Mary-Ann reckons it’s about time I was put out to pasture . . .

Then it’s time for some dancing . . .

And the star turn . . .