Out to the islands again, with Charlie
Wednesday 11th August... Linda - So we're out on the islands again, this time with Charlie. The morning was so calm and we could clearly see the anchor below us. Small problem, it looked like it was tucked into a hole in a big rock. It was going to be a windy day so we offloaded the dinghy and all went on a reccie around the cove looking for a better spot. No luck, so we went back to the boat and hoped some boats would leave around 10am. Charlie was very patient with the wait. But patience pays off and dead on 10am three boats left. Luckily Dean managed to wangle the anchor free and we moved into the space that had become available. With some tips about where to anchor from two local fishermen. We got a lovely sandy spot in 6 metres. The anchorage got busy as the day went on.
The new anchor spot.... lovely
Lowering the outboard engine onto the dinghy
(now we have Charlie to take photos of us both together)
It was definately a windy day but Dean and Charlie managed to get in for a couple of swims. Dean set up a safety line for them to hold on to.
The boys holding onto the safety line
It worked a treat, and Charlie followed
instructions not to let go of it
Some small boats arriving
One of the small boats next to us had a dog. The dog swam ashore and went for a pee then got back into the water and swam back. Trouble was the dog swam back to the wrong boat (almost identical to his own). We were watching it all happen, but the dog owner didn't notice. It was quite scary to watch the dog trying to get on the swim platform of the unsuspecting wrong boat. Luckily the lady grabbed the dog onboard. Dean and Charlie had to shout over to the proper owner to tell him his dog was on somebody else's boat!!
This beast decided it was a good idea to anchor right next to us
and stayed all day
Tonight a superyacht in the anchorage
We think we saw this yacht in Vilamoura, Portugal a few years ago
Today's game was draughts. My brain is a bit rusty on draughts and Charlie was new to it. Nevertheless we had some practise games.
Charlie's 10th day in Croatia, and it was another good one for the memory store.
Firstly all three of us got up at 1am to watch some of the Perseids meteor shower. We lay on deck for an hour in almost complete darkness watching the shooting stars. It was quite magical, and we counted 14 shooting stars, some more spectacular than others. The sky was so clear, and being on a small island there was hardly any light pollution.
It all seemed like a dream when we got up this morning at around 8am. Time to move on today, and we did a bit earlier than expected, moving just a short hop across to Malinska on the west end of Solta. But this was only a quick swim stop for Charlie and I, and a coffee too.
Morning swimsies in a new anchorage
By 11am we had left Malinska and were sailing! yes sailing! across to Hvar Island. A crossing of around 3 hours at about 4 knots average. The conditions were perfect for Charlie to take the helm all on his own following a compass course of 145 degrees, which he did with ease, even one handed and sitting down. I think I shall be out of a job soon.
Captain Charlie, look he can even helm with his eyes closed
Weaving our way through a flotilla
2.45pm arrival at Uvala Vela Garska, Hvar Island. We came here a number of weeks ago shortly after arriving in Croatia. It was very very busy and initially we were unsure about where to anchor. There was at least 6 massive gullets tied to shore taking up most of the bay. We chose a spot between two boats and tied to shore. It wasn't the easiest berthing, somehow I think this cove has a jinx on me.
We all got in the lovely water for another swim and a big cool off.
2nd dip of the day
in another beautiful blue sea
Later on all three of us got on the paddleboard with our walking shoes in a wet bay. Dean paddled us to shore and we walked up to the donkeys again. They weren't so noisy this time, but we did see lots more deer. This part of the cove is so lovely, actually idyllic.
This is Uvala Vela Garska, tonight's stop
Charlie gives it a thumbs up
Trecking for deer and donkey spotting
Peekaboo, this deer has spotted us
This one too
At the deer hide
Climbing up
Views but no deer here
Then the donkeys appeared
Charlie performs a donkey dance
One is not impressed
More deer
Back to the shore
This is where we are
💙 Lovvvvvvvvely 💙
The big story of the day however came after dinner. Charlie wanted to jump in the water from the side of the boat. I thought he would be a bit apprehensive when it came down to it as the boat decks are a good 2 metres off the waterline. Grandad went first, then without any hesitation at all Charlie was next. I was lucky I had the camera ready! Well done Charlie!
Dean to jump first
... and there he goes
Charlie's first jump from Thesee's deck
WOW
Charlie... I was excited to jump my first jump of the height of Thesee. We jumped from a couple of meters high and landed into the freezing cold waters of Hvar`s Uvala Vela Garska.
Friday 13th August... Linda - A peaceful night in this lovely place, and an early morning swim followed for me and Charlie. So we had planned to leave after lunch but that had to be brought forward to 10.30am, when the good old wind got up a bit from the wrong direction and pushed us towards the shore. I was busy making chicken and leek pie at the time and the boys had been outside doing boys stuff. All had to be put on hold pretty swiftly. It was quite awkward releasing the stern lines as one was extremely tight. Dean swam ashore (his new way of doing things) and for him to release the line I had to let more anchor chain out meaning we were taken even closer to shore. Charlie was keeping me informed how close we were, and as soon as the line was off I could go into gear and take chain in. At this point we were also pulling the line to get Dean back to the boat with his line and chain. It was an all round great team effort, leaving the anchorage safely.
We were about two hours ahead of schedule which meant after we left Hvar we had to motor for a couple of hours then sail for the last hour and half. For the third time running we had lunch on the go. En-route one of the large ferries passed us quite closely. Charlie doesn't like the wash that boats make because it means that Thesee sways about a bit. But he did get a wave from 4 ferry passengers.
Hvar town
The castle
Big ferry approaching
Charlie is not amused
Yes, it was pretty close
Then a military boat passed us
We had been quite shady about our exact destination because it was a surprise for Charlie. A fabulous blue water bay called Uvala Gradina, on the west end of Korcula. It's only a few metres deep with a sandy seabed so the water looks amazing. A first for Charlie, we picked up a buoy for the night.
Within only a couple of minutes of arrival I challenged the boys to see who would be first (and last) into the water. Dean won, and I lost. But there was a big surprise in store for me too. Charlie jumped right in WITHOUT his pool noodle float. Turns out that this morning whilst I was making my chicken and leek pie, Charlie had been practising this exact manoevre.
Look at him go...no float
Now off the side decks... no float again
Charlie adores being in the water, and today we spent loads of time swimming and boarding. In fact when he's in the water he turns into a crazy child! How much energy he uses up.
Having a splashing time this afternoon
Playing pull in on the small float
Yet another good day for us and it was made even better when the Port Officials came round to collect the buoy fees they only asked for 200 kuna, when were expecting it to be 400 kuna!
We finally managed to get Charlie out of the water, had dinner and then tonight's game was Beetledrive. Guess who won? Obviously.
Saturday 14th August... Charlie - In the morning we had a walk and climbed to the church- what a lovely view it had! We got back and I was so eager to get back in the water I nearly jumped in without anyone looking. We threw some bread in the water for the fish... out of nowhere fish started fighting for their own food. Me and grandad went snorkeling at the front of the boat, checked the buoy and came back and I practiced doing a duck dive. I was just getting out of the water when out of nowhere nanny dropped a peg into the water, I rushed back in and saved the peg. Phew🤦♂️. Me and nanny played scrabble and with a bit of help by nanny I won. Nanny asked me how it would feel to be stuck in Croatia and I had to think who would give me the less homework... Ha-ha.🤣
Linda - A nice little blog post from Charlie today. We are so busy enjoying ourselves we hardly have any time left in the day to write the blog at night, and we are worn out with the heat too.
Lovely morning
Desirable residences
Old fashioned fishing boat going out
Going ashore
A lesson in Olive groves
Now what are they looking at?
.... a swimming doggie cooling off
Walkies
What a beautiful place this is
The little causeway between our bay and
the main inlet into Vela Luka
A bit of info about the church
Short climb to the top
Here we are with the view Charlie talked about
Nanny spots something out there
(i have no idea what it was now!)
Picturesque the other way too
The little church with a bell activated
by pulling a twig on a piece of string
Dean thinks he's going to attempt a dive
off this high rocky edge
Serene waters in the bay
Thesee in this photo
.... and closer up
Picture of our bay on Google, we
are the dot in the middle
The first time Dean has got the sail on the board
in over two years
Need more wind though
Changing direction
Snorkelling time with grandad
Even practising duck diving now!
Bit more wind so back on the board
Doing much better, but hard work
Sunday 15th August... Linda - First and only dip of the day before moving on round the corner to Vela Luka and a new buoy field.
A quick 5 minutes as Charlie's eyes were a bit sore
from all the jumping in
Charlie & Grandad releasing us from the buoy
We popped into Uvala Poplat to have a look for future reference, then right into the inlet and town at Vela Luka. It was a hot day. Our buoy was only 50 metres from the shore. We went for a walk to check out restaurants and cafes with internet wifi, and some fruit, and crusty bread. Before going back to Thesee we had a drink and ended up sharing pizza and chips too.
Vela Luka shoreline
...and again, very nice
The mosaic
Statues here
This is apparently the World's longest mosaic
It goes all along the seafront
Big bottle of wine hugs
Another games afternoon followed, then a snooze, shower, and back ashore for dinner. How lucky we are 😊
Monday 16th August... Linda - You would think that Charlie would still have a full tummy after yesterday's two meals out, and in fact he said he was stuffed last night. But today by 2pm he had already eaten breakfast, a chocolate croissant, a doughnuty thingybob, and then his lunch. I had planned to take a photo of everything he ate, but I forgot to photograph his chicken nugget dinner, and then the early evening ride ashore for ice cream.
Croissant
Doughnut thingybob
Lunch
In fact we went ashore three times today. This afternoon's visit was to the swimming area, where all three of us went in for a very enjoyable cool off and swim.
My writings today are all a bit jumbled up for some reason. This morning Dean started the generator so that we could give the boat batteries a good charge. This also allowed us to do some washing and charge up all our phones and electronic devices. The harbour is much much busier tonight and all the buoys are full.
Charlie's happy to have his computer games charged up
Rickety pontoon here, near to our dinghy landing place
Tuesday 17th August... Linda - New day, new island. And this island, Otok Vis, was a place we had been trying to get to for a while. The weather wasn't perfect as the sea was lumpy but we decided we could manage the four hour journey. Charlie was so brave and although a little apprehensive at first, he soon got into the feel of things and did very well.
Grr...as always, the sea looks perfect on a photo!
Approaching Vis north shore
The wind coming at us now with some white horses
When we got into the inlet and to the buoy field it took us maybe 3 or 4 attempts to pick up the buoy. It was quite windy and tempers were flared, but we got the buoy eventually. As soon as all was safe and tidy, Grandad and Charlie got in for a 5 minute swim.
First swim on Vis island
The water so blue it looked like it had blue dye in it
Hold on Grandad
Late afternoon we took a walk ashore into the village called Kut, on the south east side of the inlet. It was very nice, but we were of the mind that 'you've seen one, you've seen them all'. The island has a fascinating military history apparantly, we shall have to investigate.
Charlie and Grandad on the old canons
Found this creature on a glass window
...and this large furry panda in some bamboo trees
Back streets of Kut
Sounds interesting
Kut church
and again
We are here
Before heading back we stopped for a drink. Unfortunately for me and Charlie they didn't serve Fanta or Coke, so we had to have freshly squeezed orange juice. Didn't go down too well with Charlie. Then we had our very own BBQ chicken drumsticks on our new gadget holder specifically for drumsticks.
It's late again, and my eyes are tired. We have been rolling around for the last three hours. I hope it stops or it could be a long night.
Wednesday 18th August... Linda - Had a lovely walk along the quay into Vis town this morning. Late afternoon we went on a guided Military Tour in a Land Rover. The tour lasted 3 hours and was great fun visiting a number of old military locations and then to the highest point on Vis island where Charlie became the highest person in the whole of Vis!! Then if that wasn't enough excitement, we met up with our friends Debbie & Paul, Alli & Roman & Millie the dog, who have also been spending a number of weeks touring Croatia on their catamarans. We had a lovely dinner and evening together and it was 11pm when we dinghy'd back to the boat. What a day! Lots of photos,
The Church bells are always ringing here
Across the bay is the cemetary
Vis town quay
Old buildings
Advert for our tour
Cemetary & Church of St Jerome
Swinging on the swings
Another view from the park
Pizzeria CHARLY
Local handicrafts, very original
Looking for a cafe now
Black Ice Cream??
Really
Our friends arriving
First stop on the tour, Fort George
Fort George is now a desirable bar and restaurant
....and also a Wedding Venue
Views from the fort
Not many people today
Entrance to the fort
Inside
Signs of the old days
Upper level
Now to the submarine pen
We walked right inside and around to the other
Looking out
Now with headtorch ready to go into the underground bunkers
Here we go
En route to the airfield we can look down
on Thesee (in the middle)
The old RAF airfield in the middle of the island
Memorial to the fallen
Looking down on Komiza town (south of the island)
from the highest point
Dinky chapel on top
Looking out of the chapel window!
Mountain tops
Charlie, the highest person on Vis island
East coast
Charlie chatting with our guide
Thumbs up for a super tour
The next blog post will be called 'Charlie's last week in Croatia'
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