DAY FOUR

Four country corner - and rain, rain, rain!

We left for Kosice in good spirits and high hopes. First we followed the river and found ourselves in a narrow valley with steep, wooded hills on each side; quite pretty. Continuing east our first stop was for breakfast at a wayside restaurant. Up until now I had been surprised at how few restaurants there had been along the roadside. From here there were more and most would have been inviting. We were also approaching the High Tatra - a small mountain range which spreads only about 40 km but has peaks ranging from 2100 to 2600 meters in height (almost double Ben Nevis!). Rolf calls it Europe´s smallest mountain range - but he hasn´t toured Britain that much: just a study trip to learn English in Torquay (plus a few later trips!).


Unfortunately, the rain started quite early and although we could see the mountains, drizzle, rain and then a complete thunderstorm meant we could take no photographs. Instead we headed for coffee in a small town and ran between the heavy showers to and from the cafe.

Our first real sightseeing was at Spissky Stvrtok, a small town with an unusual church. An immensely high outside wall and very attractive tower. Once inside, Rolf was given a personal guided tour by the resident guide (my Russian is non-existent!).



Another hour through driving rain brought us to Spissky Hrad, a giant ruin complex on an imposing rise of ground. Fortunately the rain stopped sufficiently for us to have a good look round before we headed further towards the Ukraine border.









Now we are at Kosice. This insignificant is a town situated in a small corner of Slovakia: Poland is 60 km to the north; Ukraine 60 km to the east; and Hungary is just 30 km south. The rain was still falling when we arrived, so we will have to wait until tomorrow to find out how it is.


Go to DAY ONE - CLICK HERE.

Go to DAY TWO - CLICK HERE.
Go to DAY THREE - CLICK HERE.
 
Go to DAY FIVE - CLICK HERE.
Go to DAY SIX - CLICK HERE.
Go to DAY SEVEN - CLICK HERE.
Go to DAY EIGHT - CLICK HERE.
Go to DAY NINE - CLICK HERE.
Go to DAY TEN - CLICK HERE.
Go to DAY ELEVEN- CLICK HERE.
Go to DAY TWELVE- CLICK HERE.
Go to DAY THIRTEEN - CLICK HERE.

For a list of my other (mainly map) blogs - CLICK HERE.


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