Having spent 2 lovely days on Lastovo, we sailed north to the island of Vis. Vis is the largest of the western islands of Croatia with a long history from Stone Age, through the Roman Empire, the successive usually short-lived rules of Austro-Hungarians, French, English and Italians. In WW2 it was the main base for the partisan navy and British Special Operation forces were on the island helping the partisans against the Germans. Like Lastovo it remained a military bastion has only been open to visitors for the past twenty years or so. The main bay we went into on the north coast has the pretty village of Kut on the Eastern edge, linked by a delightful coast street path to the main town of Vis on the Western side.
Vis is famous for its wine and olive oil and we managed to leave with both on board!
Looking ahead to our last couple of weeks, we were aware of a northerly depression threatening in a few days time, so we decided to take advantage of the southerly winds and head north again.
We decided the north coast of Hvar that Mo wants to explore, would have to wait for another trip.
We ran the cruising chute again, then goose winged with the pole out and arrived at Sesula Bay on the Eastern end of Solta Island just south of Maslinica. A place we had visited a few times before with the attraction of an excellent fish restaurant, but this time we found it crowded with the mooring buoys reserved! We took the last buoy at the alternative, untried, restaurant and spent the afternoon watching dozens more boats come into the bay, circle round, either anchor, squeeze in somewhere or disappear off again. We realised we were in mid July and the charter fleets were out in their droves – time to head home! The alternative restaurant proved to be every bit as good as the other one, so we were not disappointed.
July 15th. One more northerly run in freshening southerly winds took us, via a pleasant lunchtime anchorage in Stari Togir, to Marina Frapa, Rogoznica, where we planned to take shelter from the strong north easterly winds forecast for the next day. We knew friend Max was finishing his holiday with friends on board, so we took a berth in the Marina and were directed to the exact position opposite his boat. What a coincidence!
Needless to say we had a great time catching up with Max, Paul, Bertie, Martin and Keith, in the rather good restaurant Mario’s run by Mario’s wife.
Next couple of days forecast windy, so we ran up to Zirje, some 15 miles north, before the wind got a hold. Mo had to pick up a mooring buoy in 30knots, whilst Nigel kept the boat steady! Success and relatively easy, we were lucky as it was soon blowing 40knots over the deck. It did calm down late evening and we enjoyed the island with some good walks.
Only a few days to go now before we are back in Sukosan for the clean up before our drive home. Hoping the car will still have wheels!
Next update will most likely be The Road Trip return!
Deja Vu 