Hello Croatia

Sunday 1st July
Walked up the hill again, but earlier in the day, to visit the church containing the remains of St Clare. Another interesting church. Going back to the hotel stopped at the local deli, amazing array of goods. Bought a small bottle of truffle oil to take back for when I get excited about making something Italian!

Headed towards Rome but 3kms from Assisi we stopped at a church which had a small church inside it. The frescos were stunning & the little church was one that St Francis had used and was bought down from the hills & built again then the large church was built around it.

Caught flight to Split. We knew the plane was small when we were taken out to the runway on a bus! There she was a little propeller number. If my seat was any further back I would have been on the tail! We arrived on time so that was ok.

Had a mad drive - think the driver wanted to get back to watch Italy v Spain. We couldn’t be dropped right at our hotel because it’s in the old city & it’s a pedestrian area only. After a few false turns we finally found where we were staying. You notice the change in the weather not quite as hot as Italy but very humid.

Monday 2nd July

Spent morning on a walking tour of the old city. It was very interesting to see how the city once was although so much has gone now. We are right opposite the water & there are ferries leaving all the time. There was also a large cruise ship which meant a lot of people were doing the walking tours.

Had a wonderful lunch & watched the people go by in the main Piaza then off for a nanny nap - the heat & humidity take it out of you.

Tuesday 3rd July

Kerry arrived in Split & that afternoon we caught the ferry to Hvar - a one hour crossing. Picked up at the port and driven to the hotel. Beautiful spot with pools overlooking the sea. It’s very hot & I’m now covered in a heat rash.

Thursday 5th July

The last 2 days have been spent laying at the pool trying to stay in the shade. We went down to the sea - no beach just pebbles and difficult to get into. Kerry & I landed in the sea none too gracefully when trying to get in in flip flops! We have since bought bought funny little shoes to not only get us across the pebbles but because there are many sea urchins & if you step on one you are in trouble.

The sea is crystal clear in the morning & a bit mucky in the afternoon. It’s so saltly that you can just lay there & as we are in the Med there are no waves to contend with. 

We walked into the town for dinner & the harbour is a bustling place of boats - we are looking at millions of dollars bobbing around! Some are small yachts & others are massive motor cruisers!

Fish is on the menu everywhere & we finally gor our taste of sardines - delicious.

It’s very hot & I had to go to the chemist for cream for my rash - the chemist, female, told me in no uncertain terms that I needed to have my arms covered so I went straight out & bought a long sleeved top!