Happy Branko birthday!

Today is my father’s birthday and we have been celebrating all weekend. This post will have three galleries: of dogs, of goodies, and of our past year together.

It’s not every year that you hit 77, currently the most popular Slovenian number:

This year we are together on your birthday for a change, but throughout the year you like to tease me with dogs and food. You keep sending me photos of dogs that you meet or that come on a visit. Now there is only one around, our bestia.

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  A friend of a friend. Her name is Joy.

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  The fisherman and his dog got mom’s book with poems for children as a present.

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  Face to face.

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  A neighbour and a visitor.

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  This is now. There can be only one.

Just as much you like sending me photos of the goodies you make, and when I arrive you make many new ones. Sometimes we go out to try other people’s too.

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  Yum!

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  Yum, yum, yum!!

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  Preparation.

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  Final product.

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  Dressed up asparagus.

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  Nothing like a homemade pie.

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  “Pohorska omleta” with fruit and cream.

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  Lunch in Maribor at Jack & Joe.

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  Your dessert right there.

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  Homemade pasta at Rostelin, a new marvellous pasta restaurant in Piran.

And finally, these are our summers, previous and this year’s. We couldn’t see each other during the year but at least I’m here now. The most memorable day of last summer included a trip to Maribor, your city of birth. But let’s start with two photos that you sent me.

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  You like to take door photos too, especially with mom.

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  With your long-time friend Srečko who left us not long ago.

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  This was “his” footbridge in Maribor with the swans, the topic of his regular reports.

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  In your Maribor.

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  At Betnava Castle we found this plane tree, Miss Tree 2020.

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  In this shop you found an acquaintance who may or may not have gone to the same dances in your youth.

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  The Three Angels in Maribor, your idea for a stop, highly appreciated.

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  While you two rested in the shade.

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  You came second at our garden card tournament. Sorry (not sorry) about that. Photo: Lenča

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  Happy together at Pirat in Piran.

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  Your Piran garden on national holiday.

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  Your last year’s best crop. Over one kilo!

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  This year the grapes still have a while to go.

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  But raspberries are ready for my breakfast.

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  On the way to dinner.

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  Piran has the best sunsets.

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  And your favourite ice-cream walnut + fig for good night.

Happy 77th birthday, Dad! You know that you are my superhero too.