Jánošíkove Diery

 May 28, 2026

Leaving Bratislava on the early express train to Žilina

Považský hrad (Castle) from the train

Bus connection at Žilina to Mala Fatra

Dropped off at Vratna Novy Dvor

Trailhead

Approaching Vrchpodžiar

The three limestone protrusions in the background are the start of the Dolné Diery (lower gorge)

In the lower gorge

Junction to Novy Diery

Domáca Kapustnica (Sauerkraut soup) at Koliba Podžiar

Good day to relax

Steep climb up Boboty

Views south from Boboty ledges

Hovedøye, Oslo Fjord

 May 27, 2026

An 8 hour layover at Oslo is plenty of time to get to the city center. Sitting in front of Parliament on this warm late-Spring day planning what museums to visit, I espied a nearby wooded island on a map.

Hovedøye sits in the Oslo Fjorden and ferries run every 20 minutes. A lively crowd was heading over, people wanting to enjoy the fine weather. Circumambulating the island, the crowd thinned out, especially on the eastern side, where the trails were thinner and a bit overgrown. The 3 mile island walk was a good break from sitting on a overnight plane.

Leaving Oslo

On Hovedøye, the western side was like a public park

The east side was woodsier with narrow paths

Smells and looks like a lilac

Climbing to the island's summit 

The striations run north-south

Views to the southwest 

Seasonal fences protect the flowers 

Landing at Bratislava, Slovakia late on a hot day