I slept soundly despite the rounded rocks beneath me, however as 6 am approached I needed a wee and decided to pack up. On leaving my tent I admired the surrounding white wood anemones covering the ground, and the mist making more distant trees fade into whiteness.
My morning began with a climb to the top of Čierna Hora, my first summit at 1073 metres, the highest on my trip so far. A few ups and downs followed as I meandered along paths through the mist shrouded woodland. Then a long, steep uphill section seemed unending. However at the top I was pleased as sign indicated that I had reached the top of Tri Chotáre, at 1025 metres, it was almost the last big mountain on my route today. The fingerposts were reassuring, slowly decreasing the time needed to reach Prešov. After Tri Chotáre there was an area of meadow, with seats under a shelter and an information board. I had passed several such shelters on my trip but this one had a "living roof" with grasses growing on it, which I thought my neighbours at home would like. Although the information board was in Slovak, I gained the impression that the meadow was being managed to encourage biodiversity. I guess deer could graze on the grass then dissappear into the surrounding woodland if disturbed. However the hunting tower suggested that they were exposed to the risk of being shot.
As I continued I heard gunshots off to my right. Not hunters as there were too many in close succession. Later I saw a few green army trucks, so I assume the shots were soldiers practicing.
Although I had no need to climb the final hill, I walked up the short distance to the castle ruins on top, called Zbojnicky Hrad. Dating from the 13th century only a few low walls were now standing, topped by a fraying Slovak flag. A board was illustrated with the panorama before it, labelling all the places you could see, except today you could not. It had been raining continuously since shortly after I set off this morning (and my tent was wet from overnight rain). The views varied from white mist to low clouds.
Nevertheless from the castle I knew it was a short distance to the village of Ruská Nová Ves where there was a Coop supermarket. Ignoring the men with beer bottles outside I went in and bought a Coke and some chocolate which I ate in the dry of a bus shelter. Greatly revived I continued along the road into Prešov.
I am now booked into a hotel for two nights. A chance to regain strength and rest my left knee which is now swollen (on the plus side my back ache seems to have been chased away by my continued movement). As I was extremely wet on entering the hotel I was a little embarrassed as I dripped on the floor. Fortunately the receptionist made no mention of it. Clothes are drapped around the room drying. Despite the discomfort of walking in the rain in full waterproofs I am hoping that it causes the springs to flow again. It is also needed to maintain the vivid green of all the beech trees, and water the occasional hawthorns now in flower. After my chores I visited a patisserie for a latte and cheesecake, part of a nearby retail park, I was in that part of town.
For dinner I caught a bus into the old centre to visit a restaurant the Internet recommended for Slovak food. The place was not obvious from the street, although there was a sign that led below an arch, then a closed door with Slovak words on it. I tentatively opened the door and walked down steps. The restaurant was in the old, brick vaulted cellars. Eventually a waitress approached, said sit down and gave me a long menu. There were two other tables each with several burly men in black sweat shirts. The waitress returned before I had time to digest the numerous offerings, so I asked her to recommend a Slovak dish. She said something with dumplings and pointed to a page in the menu. I picked the top item and also asked for soup. The chicken noodle soup had lots of carrots which was welcome as I was missing vegetables. For the main course the dumplings were like gnocchi in a cheese sauce with bits of bacon on top.
I successfully caught the bus back to the hotel and am now in bed on the fifth floor, with the curtains open so I can see the orange street lights and those in the surrounding appartment blocks. Cities always look good in the dark.
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