Day 1 - A Walk in the Rain

A Walk in the Rain

monday, 9th of September

Prologue

We woke up to a rainy morning. Menacing storm clouds, rolling in from the west, were persistently approaching us and seemed like a bad omen. We disassembled the bikes, loaded them into cars and headed towards Jeruzalem in Slovenske Gorice. That took a while due to unpredictable weather and road conditions and our drowsy sense of orientation. Full attendance was achieved during our first meeting. The project didn’t only attract enthusiastic cyclists and hikers but also professionals from many fields, for example geodesy, geography and photography. This diversity has shown to be essential for successful cooperation.

One

Prleška razvojna agencija (the Development Agency of Prlekija, hereinafter named PRA) in cooperation with the municipalities of Ljutomer and Ormož are implementing the project KOLESARSKE IN SPREHAJALNE POTI V KRAJINSKEM PARKU JERUZALEM (Cycling and walking routes in the landscape park Jeruzalem). The project is supported by the EU LEADER program. A part of the aforementioned project is also a research camp, taking place from the 9^th to 13^th of September. Preceding the camp there were workshops with the aim of generating suggestions and expectations by conversing with local residents, service providers and amateur athletes.

Despite a few participants missing due to the weather conditions, we started the introductory meeting according to schedule. The director of PRA, Goran Šoster explained us the main goals of the project and the research camp and presented the findings of previous workshops, the results of which were often self-contradictive. These goals included reviewing existing cycling and walking routes and finding new ones, evaluating their difficulty and duration and finding sensible and scenic points for rest. Naturally, we were expected to contribute fresh ideas and plans on constructing new infrastructure or restoring existing objects, to make the region friendlier towards cyclists and hikers. 

Our area of interest can be roughly divided into three parts.

1.       Svetinje-Jeruzalem, meant to be intensely developed in the near future to suit hiking and biking needs.

2.       Ljutomer-Jeruzalem-Ormož, to establish a backbone connection between Ljutomer aand Ormož via Jeruzalem.

3.       Wider surrounding areas, which would be used for more intense or longer routes, more suitable for professional or semi-professional bikers and hikers.

More intricate details on the focus areas will be available in the publication at the end of the camp, but for now let’s just say we’re expected to be innovative, watchful and bold.

Two

Despite the project’s name containing the word “camp” we settled into rooms in the hotel Vinski Hram Jeruzalem. After a splendid lunch we headed down the Vinska pot (Wine Route) towards Svetinje, armed with maps, photo cameras, GPS devices and rain jackets. We were on the lookout for existing markings leading down the Jeruzalem Wine Route and pathways suitable for biking and hiking. We also considered whether some existing roads could be used according to the “shared space” principle. Since the roads are narrow, we agreed on the necessity of a separate route for bikes, either on a sidewalk or divided from the road by a green belt. In addition to the roads being narrow, they offer a limited vision of the way ahead and the asphalt is worn and cracked. In the worst case, the roads may pose a danger to bikers and pedestrians. It needs to be renovated and broadened. 

While exploring the routes, it’s impossible to miss many locations very suitable for resting or sightseeing. We also warn interested visitors of the food and wine providers. Their cuisine tends to be irresistible. We arrived to Svetinje, soaked but in a good mood. We were silently greeted by the old Črna pot (Black path) and by the now crumbling school, which also served as an apartment, recording studio and an art atelier in its better days. 

To return back to Jeruzalem, we explored a road, which lead us to a steep slope downwards, a cemetery and finally to a valley, where it converged with the existing Wine Route. As rain intensified, we walked past a herd of sheep, many rural homes and cottages, all surrounded by vineyard terraces. We returned to Vinski Hram. 

Three

The plentiful dinner prepared us for a session in the conference room. It was just a spacious room, with enough chairs to keep us all seated and enough electricity sockets to keep all of our laptops running. But it felt better to give it a more professional name. Anyway, we summarized our results and impressions of the viewed tracks, debated options for improvement and sought other successful examples. We sorted through about 200 pictures, selected the best ones. All for you people out there reading this blog. We swear.

Epilogue

The blog started as a joke, but stuck around during the course of the day. Thanks for keeping step with us and remember to check our other blog entries, if interested.