I should have known that our big travel delay yesterday would mean a ‘compromise’ today. I don’t mean that wimpy 50/50 stuff, no, when we ‘compromise’, it’s either zero/100 or nothing. Here’s how it typically unfolds.
It’s very late afternoon (yesterday). We’re crawling slowly up to the Wurzenpass in the Austrian Alps. Me – “Looks like there’s just no chance to get to Vintgar Gorge. At this rate, we’ll be lucky to reach Bled by 8PM.” Nanette – “That’s fine. I’ll just be happy to get there safely.”
Today dawns bright and sunny. When we planned this trip, we set aside today to simply relax around Bled and recover from running ‘hierhin und dorthin’ across Germany and Austria. And, boy, after our big day yesterday, we really need it. Then – it starts – so subtly that I don’t even notice at first.
“We probably should get going as soon as you finish that coffee. Those boats across to the island get really busy around now, so, if we get that done early, we’ll still have time to do other stuff later.” Sounds fine to me. The boat dock is just across the road from the apartment, so we can nip over to the island, then come back and relax.
Ten minutes later, we’re on the boat. Nanette is admiring the view. “Isn’t that island gorgeous.” “Yep, very nice.” “And the weather’s gorge-ous too.” “Yeah, nice to see the sun.” “Oh, and look, the boatman’s name is George, or Jorge, or Gorge or something like that.” Somewhere in my brain, a half-euro coin is starting to drop. I know it’s pointless, but need to at least put up a token resistance. “You’re not still thinking about visiting Vintgar Gorge are you? Remember what the guy said when we checked in? You need at least three hours. And, besides, the circuit bus only stops at the gorge a few times a day.” (This last bit is meant to head off any chance of the “Well, we could just stop in for a quick look and come straight back” argument.) Only then do I fully understand the skilful way the trap has been laid. “It says here in the brochure that you can get a shuttle from the bus station all the way to the gorge. And, they come and collect you afterwards. We need to find the bus station before tomorrow anyway, and it’s such a gorgeous day.”
It’s now 4:07 PM. We know this because it has taken us a bit over an hour to wend our way along the 1.6 km track from the Vintgar Gorge entrance to the final waterfall. We also know this, because the shuttle guy said he would be back at 5PM, and would leave immediately after. I admit that it has been pretty special trekking ever downward, following a stream which is constantly changing from rushing cascades to deep turquoise pools. Ever downward, ever downward – which, of course, means our mad dash to be back in time for the shuttle is ever upward, ever upward.
Fortunately, we make it in time, and climb gratefully into the van. Nanette leans over. “Since we’ve done such a big trip today, I’m happy for you to just buy us dinner at one of the places in the centre of town. That’ll save you having to go out later to find something.” How’s that for a compromise eh?
LamondG 