,Limes, Horses & a Reluctant Princess

What a fantastic day! The air is still cool & fresh. We decide to drive about an hour to a famous lipanzza stud farm in slovenia.

Because there were 5&6 hour backups on the autostrada, fortunately we took the coast road & the views of the adriatic are spectacular.

Just outside of Trieste, we come across Miramare castle. Mikki explains it's the home of a famous princess, Sisi. The story sounds familiar but I get confused by all those Hapsburgs. We stop for spritz & coffees before walking up the hill to the castle; the harbor is filled with beautiful boats. The castle grounds are beautiful & the views are magnificent. I read some of the signs & become confused - no mention of a Sisi but lots of talk about Maxmilliano & Carlotta - who I'm pretty sure were the emperor & empress of Mexico. (about them I know a lot) there's also mention of Elizabeth, empress of Hungary, again I know a lot & I'm more than a little suspicious about this Sisi person but mikki assures me Sisi refused to marry.

Leaving the castle we make a mistake & end up in the middle of Trieste, much to my delight & Mikki's dismay. In an effort to correct our course she tells Franco we have to get to the top of the hill. Oh what a hill! At one time the car is in the wrong gear & we are sliding backwards.

We cross into Slovenia - no border guards as they are part of the EU. As we enter the farm grounds we see a pasture full of beautiful white horses. There must have been 50 or more mares & some foals.

The grounds are lovely but I can't spot the lime trees Mikki mentioned. Something about lime trees planted for the horses. We watch a training demonstration - the horses are magnificent. Then head for a tour of the farm. The guide is explaining that the linden trees (my favorite) are planted in honor of the horses. My head is swiveling, trying to catch Mikki's eye - lime trees/linden trees?? It's not like they are the same.

More later