I caught a bug last week and I've been still fighting it off, together with the other members of our family, who quickly got it from me. Unfortunately, though a garden-variety rhinovirus, it is persistent and very virulent. It was really bad luck, as we had our Indian summer last week and husband and i were planning our last big hike - Strashnoto ezero on Rila.
Early October autumn in the mountains is at its best - so colorful and warm.
Despite the perfect weather, the day was a work day and the atmosphere around the lake was very laid back and quiet - not your weekend usual hustling and bustling with people, athletes and fishermen.
This time we decided to skip our usual picnic place around the lake and continued along the river Iskar to a few less frequented gems of the area.
We had our picnic on a meadow on the other side of the lake, enjoying the warm sun and the peaceful views. And yeah, no beer for me this time - herbal tea with tortilla and home-made muffins with fig jam, which I baked in the morning.
On our return to the car we explored the opposite bank of the river, until we got back to the road by Kokalyane water power station. I am always amazed, when we find new places in regions we've hiked dozens of times.
Himalayan balsam - we hadn't seen that plant before. It is native to the Himalayas, but was introduced to Europe in the 19th century and has aggressively spread throughout European countries, thriving in damp, nutrient-rich soils right along riverbanks, lakeshores, and wetland edges. An interesting fact - its ripe seed pods build up internal tension and explode upon touch, shooting the seeds far away. I tried it and it is fun and a bit startling to experience.
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