After struggling to decamp on the slippery slope avoiding tree branches, my next challenge of the day was to climb over Tilva Njagra. Mature oak and beech covered this hill, obscuring any view, although they were pleasant in a green sort of way. On the other side of the hill was Borsko Jezero, a reservoir fringed by trees and walkways. There was a hotel (where I might have stayed if I had managed to walk further in the last two days), holiday homes and at least two cafés, both closed. The place looked more run down than I remembered although people were out cutting the grass and keeping it tidy. Near the end of the town I found a campsite, mainly static caravans and huts, which had a shop where I indulged in a Coke and ice cream.
There followed a complex route, around the lake, up a hill, along the bed of an old railway line, down roads and across fields. One section, using the route from Waymarkedtrails.org rather the one I walked before, ended at a farm. An older man, missing a few teeth, was picking dandelion flowers. Despite language issues he established I was headed for Krivelj and led me through his outbuildings, upsetting the dogs who barked loudly, and pointed out the right track. On learning I was walking to Krivelj he asked "why". I could not think of an answer so just shrugged my shoulders.
On reaching Krivelj some hours later, I concluded it was time for another Coke and chocolate. The shop keeper spoke good English. I remembered him from my last visit, although he had moved across the road to a larger, but still small shop. He topped up my water bottle for me before I climbed the road out of Krivelj. I then had a dilemma. Facing me was the mountain of Veliki Krs, the next milestone on my route. Rising steeply to 1060 metres I could conclude from the tightly spaced contours on my GPS map that there was not going to be a flat spot suitable for camping once I started climbing. Lacking time and energy to reach the top and descend the other side, which was even steeper, I decided to camp early after 29 kilometres of walking. A nettle filled valley among woods seemed the best place to camp. At least it was flat and there was a stream for washing. After trampling down a lot of nettles I erected my tent. It is a bit lopsided as the ground is uneven but it will do for the night.
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