We hadn’t planned to spend five days in Bled, but lack of public transportation to surrounding areas meant we didn’t have the choice but to base ourselves there. It’s picture postcard perfect, with lots of hiking opportunities and loved-up oldies.

Recalling the fiasco in the Dolomites two years ago and not wanting a death warrant issued for lack of appropriate gear, we dismissed the idea of climbing Mt Triglav. Instead we did some easy hikes, walked the scenic route to Vintgar Gorge and indulged in some rafting and canyoning.

The rafting was part of a day trip we did with the guys from 3Glav – highly recommended if anyone is ever in the area. They have some great guides and take photos for you that are then posted on their website: http://www.3glav-adventures.com/photos/05_09_14.html

We had a great group full of Aussies and our guide Jigar drove us to Bovec through the Vrsic Pass, stopping for short walks along the way. At Bovec we got kitted up in sexy all-in-one wetsuits, lifejackets and helmets before embarking on a 1.5-hour rafting excursion on the Soca River with our lovely guide, Roly and Jacques the Alaskan malamute. Unfortunately the water was low so there weren’t too hair-raising moments but we did get flipped a few times and turned our raft into a slippery dip and surfboard. The Soca River is just amazing – crystal clear, bloody freezing and the most amazing shade of turquoise in the sunlight. I have never seen anything like it.

Just when we thought we’d had enough of freezing water, Jigar took us to a waterfall where, without the protection of wetsuits and risking hypothermia, we stripped down and took a plunge. It was unbearably icy. 

Our plan was to leave Bled the day after rafting but one of the girls in the tour group convinced us to try our hand at canyoning. So the next day we got kitted up serious full wetsuits and helmets before descending into a canyon somewhere near Bohninj.

It was an hour of jumps, slippery slides and abseiling. While I would love to say it was exhilarating and fun, the majority of the time my stomach was churning at the thought of what was to come. The first jump was the most difficult. It was only about 5 or 6 metres high but in a confined space and I hesitated for about five minutes before going for gold. I let out a blood-curdling scream all the way down.