Our tour started at Brankovica, a small village including a village school museum. It is a very peaceful place offering shade from the strong summer sun and stifling heat!
A candle was lit for the family members alive - above, and one for Opapa Rudolf below. Earlier in the year a lady was gracious enough to point out the distinction of above and below to us when Ella Tili was ready to take the convenience of the lower tray.
Then it was on to Valjevo and a much needed cool off in the River Gradac that flows down from Divcibare through a gorge that keeps the water refreshingly cold even in the hottest of weather - up to 40 degrees Celsius this summer! Ella Tili practiced her jumping.
Up at "Marko's" on Povlen, we discovered that in the intervening weeks since our last visit - on our way to Pogar - the mountain bike routes had been marked. We had discussed the routes with the main driving force behind the project earlier in the year when we visited the Krusic Hunters' Lodge and cycled Medvednik and Jablanik.
As the sun was setting we climbed up to Veliki (Big) Povlen (1271m) for sundowner drinks.
The setting sun, and the direction of our route in two days time.
The budding mountaineer; as is now the norm, Ella Tili climbed up on her own to the summit.
The following morning and an early start for our first 'big day'! Behind the haystack in the distance can be seen the gently ascending track (left to right) which was to be our return route home later in the day.
Gradually decaying houses picket the route.
'Pause' at a bell tower next to a small chapel between Sredni (Middle) and Mali (Small) Povlen - 1301m and 1347m respectively; yes, Mali Povlen is higher than Veliki Povlen!
After the descent from Mali Povlen, we began our way home on a round about route.
The start of day three, and looking back on the forested slopes under Sredni and Veliki Povlen through which we cycled the previous day on a wonderful contouring track. Again an incredible day with not a cloud in the sky.
The ubiquitous haystacks that dot the landscape, fenced off ready for what could turn out to be another hard winter like the last.
Heavily laden plum trees in the frequent orchards along the route.
Apero in the shade of a rather ugly cabin on the summit of Bobija (1272m).
And looking back along our return route home with Veliki Povlen on the far left. The Podrinjsko-Valjevske ridge is the final massif of the Dinar Mountain system, and runs west-northwest-east-southeast (from Ljubovija to Rudnik). From the approximate 16 summits, you can look north-northeast towards Belgrade, Avala, Fruska Gora, Vojvodina and mountains of Romania. It is challenging but fantastic cycling country.
The Tresnjica Gorge that lies to the south of Bobjia, is the home of a huge Griffin Vulture colony. We had observed occasional raptors on the ride out, but on the ride home we counted more than 20 vultures at one time soaring high in the thermals.
It was an amazing sight.
The homestead typical of the massif. The small house, fenced-in vegetable and flower garden, haystacks and stacks of firewood. It is the land of earth toilets and water springs. When water is plentiful perhaps some houses have piped water (at least to outside the door) but when we passed towards the end of an extremely long and dry summer, water was running very slowly and one had to descend down to the actual spring to replenish.
