After many years, I organised a tour of the source of the Kolpa River again this year, which reminded me of an event long ago when we set off on the Southernmost Slovenian Footpath, which follows the Kolpa River from Radenci to Damlje.

We took the bus to Radenci, where the participants received brief instructions before we set off. At first, we walked together, but gradually the line of hikers stretched out, as some walked faster than others and many stopped to take photos or observe the lush spring flowers and animals we encountered. We had agreed that a Bela Krajina cake would be waiting for us at the mill by the Kolpa, where we would all gather and learn more about life along the Kolpa, both in the past and today, from the locals. From there, we were to walk the path to the end again, each at our own pace, and lunch was arranged to conclude the outing.

The path was beautiful from the very beginning, as it was a sunny day in the middle of May. We observed the calm flow of the Kolpa River, its rapids and whirlpools, the spirally twisted fern leaves glowing in the light, and various insects searching for food on the brightly coloured flowers. Very soon, although I was walking with the last group, I caught up with my dear lady, who always walked in a skirt, with completely ordinary shoes and a bag in her hand. I watched her walking and noticed that this time she was not doing as well as usual. Since I anticipated that some participants might not be able to walk the entire route, I had arranged with the bus driver to wait for my call if anyone needed to be picked up, as in a few places it was possible to climb from the footpath to the main road. This time, the lady was the "victim" of my intransigence, as I judged that she was in too poor a physical condition to complete the route. Until then, she had walked even the most demanding routes without any problems, despite her age, but this time she stopped very often and told me she was dizzy. When we finally reached the mill, from where the route led to the main road, I called the bus driver and told him to wait at the bus stop, where I would send my lady. Of course, she resisted, but I persuaded her and she slowly began to climb the winding road into the forest. Knowing she might try to trick me, I followed her until we reached the forest, then told her to continue alone. I waited a while longer, and as she was no longer visible after more than five minutes, I was sure she had already reached the bus and was heading towards the end of the route. Pleased with myself and reassured that everything had gone well, I hurried to the mill and, with the last participants, enjoyed a piece of Bela Krajina cake, then continued my journey towards the finish line with them.

But the joy did not last long. Shortly after, when we reached the forest from a nearby meadow, I saw a familiar figure in a skirt, and from afar I noticed a bag dangling beside her. I could not understand how she had appeared there, as I had seen with my own eyes how she went down the path into the forest and could not have returned so quickly. Had she found another path? There was no time to discuss it, as I was beginning to worry. She assured me that she was feeling well, that she just needed a little rest, and that she had already walked longer and more tiring paths in her life than this one. Of course, there was nothing I could do in the forest, and the phone signal also disappeared at times, so a few participants and I decided to walk with her, just in case. At first, she was against it, but then she relented and tried to keep up with our pace. She walked without any problems for quite a long time, so the hike became pleasant again and we enjoyed the beautiful and wild nature along the wonderful Kolpa River. A few kilometres before the end, the lady began walking strangely again; her head was spinning and her heart started to ache. We began to consider what to do, and then we saw a small cottage and a gentleman who had just arrived there in an old Golf nearby. Without hesitation, two of the participants jumped over the wooden fence, ran to the local man, spoke with him for a while, then returned with an old stroller, jumped over the fence again, quickly grabbed the lady over the fence, and placed her in the stroller. As the lady was small and slight, her thin legs dangled over the edge; she began to flail them and shouted for us to let her down, insisting she would continue walking alone. She held onto the edge of the stroller with her hands, and with her flailing legs, the scene resembled something from a Stan and Ollie film, so we laughed, though I did so with a bitter aftertaste and concern. The lady, of course, got out of the stroller and into the car and was taken to the inn where we had arranged to have lunch, and we arrived there just in time. Since the lady's heart had calmed and her head had stopped spinning, the trip ended happily and beautifully, and many of the people who witnessed this event are no longer with us. I dedicate this note to them in memory and in gratitude for their selfless help.

Kranj, 28. 6. 2023