It was a cool night and cool morning after some rain last night.

We took our time to get ready for only 1 visit today to the amazing Predjama castle – a castle in a cave. It inspired George RR Martin to write Games of Thrones. It was also used in the Jackie Chan film Armour of God. Apparently he was injured quite badly during filming.

We passed the cave we visited yesterday and it was only 15 minutes further up the hill from there.

There was no space in the car park for us so we were put beside the cemetery opposite the castle.

It is quite an imposing view of the castle which uses the cave as part of its structure.

The castle is definitely as old as the 13th century and potentially older. It looks it!!

The entrance shows the combination of the construction next to the natural rock wall.

The cave parts had been used in interesting ways – like the torture chamber and channeling water down from within the caves to a cistern.

We all enjoyed the terrace with an amazing view.

There is a strange story linked to the toilet next to the terrace.

In the 15th century Erasmus in revenge for the killing of his friend he killed a member of the Habsburgs and then fled to the castle where there was a siege. He was able to go through the caves to go to the next valley for food. He obtained ripe cherries there while the cherries in the siege valley were still unripe. He threw these to his enemy who thought he was a magician.

He was betrayed by his servant who told the enemy that the toilet on the balcony had the thinnest walls. He signaled them when Erasmus was using the toilet. The enemy then killed Erasmus with a canon ball. There were a few sitting around.

Sean gave us the toilet demo.

We continued climbing up through more rooms.

The castle was getting more basic as we moved upwards – up some big slippy steep staircases.

The very top of the castle is actually a cave where Erasmus’s tunnel to the next valley is.

There is a contraption to collect water from the rocks in the cave and channel it down to the lower areas.

Here is Gus sat beside the cemetery.

We got more views of the castle as we left including the coat of arms on the side.

After enjoying all those sights we had to pick up cash on the way back to the campsite / as they only accept cash – it sounds like a tax dodge!

Lisa and I found a bakery next to the ATM where we picked up some burek for lunch – very delicious.

We then had a relaxed afternoon reading, snoozing and researching and booking the next campsites. It got a lot windier and cooler so we all had our jumpers on – very unusual.

I made a dinner of harissa salmon – followed by melon – fairly healthy.

We then had a game of 5 Crowns where Glenn looked like he was a sure winner – but then had a big blow out round. I then took the advantage and won!

We had a cosy sleep in the van.