Rovinj

We reluctantly departed from Fanzana. Everywhere we've been to on this trip we've really enjoyed but Fanzana was a surprise mainly because of the weather. Usually as we head home and north the weather deteriorates and so we push on further and faster, not really enjoying the return trip. However the weather looks good for the next week so we intend to make the most of our stopovers. Next stop Rovinj, a place we last visited in 1983 when the socialist government of the time offered to take all of our money and replace it with 'coupons' to spend in almost every place. We gladly accepted this offer as it came with an additional 10% in value. We were on a coach/ tent trip with Tentrek , an 18-30's holiday group. They took you by coach and provided you with ready erected tents. The coach was packed with characters and we laughed all through the holidays. Jugoslavia was cheap in those days, you could get drunk for less than a pound and we were happily introduced to pizza and charcoal grilled dishes.
Rovinj has kept its good looks but seems to have developed a lot more in order to cater for a greater variety of tourists...Americans are plentiful with there tendency to empty their brains and thoughts with constant chatter. The Japanese are evident with their overuse of cameras and technology. The Brits and the germans are well represented and always have been. Rovinj is still popular and deserves to be. Unfortunately with only £50 of Kuna's left we need to hit the Eurozone soon.

Fanzana

Presently in a picturesque place called Fanzana, another remarkable sunset last night as we sat at a restaurant having our meal. Large excellent site that is rapidly becoming like the graveyard most of its ageing motorhoming residents are getting close to. Everywhere is getting quieter as the season draws to an end.

Starigrad/Paklenica and Marina Camping Istria

We left the site at Sibenik on Monday and travelled about 65 miles to Starigrad. The weather was still warm and we took Jonesy for a walk to the edge of the Plaklenica National Park. It was a lovely warm evening so we ate outside at a nearby restaurant but noticed the weather starting to change. That night we had a terrific thunderstorm and the following day there was a powerful wind coming in from the sea. As we were leaving the site the receptionist warned us that the coast road and the motorway were shut due to the winds. She offered us an alternative route but as we started to use it we saw some movement on the motorway. Conditions were treacherous and limited to one lane and 30mph but after about half and hour the wind inland dropped and the weather improved. We decided that we would spend the last few days in Croatia checking out some of the Istrian sites in case we ever wanted to combine an Italian lakes trip with Istria. First one was Camping Marina near Lapin. A very good site mainly occupied by serious divers. It had most things but the 5 mile narrow road leading to it and the lack of a nearby town might put many off. We liked it but only committed ourselves to the one night.

The Infinity pool

Camping Solaris Sibenik

We really only meant to stay one night but when we leave tomorrow we will  have been 4 nights here. Great site. The weather continues to be really good with daytime temperatures in the mid 20's sorry that we are beginning to head further north where we can expect it to get a degree or two cooler but all good things must come to an end and we have to start heading home.

Thursday 27th Sibenik

We dropped Owen off and headed to Camping Solaris at Sibenik, an excellent site with good facilities, a beachside location with swimming pool and massive pitches. The campsite sits at the end of a long stretch of inlets and coves where quite a few hotels are positioned. We were therefore able to walk some distance along a promenade. On Saturday we jumped a mini bus into Sibenik. There wasn't an awful lot to see apart from The Cathedral of St James and St Michaels castle. However on arrival we discovered that it was the festival of St Michael and there was a large procession and ceremony in the cathedral. We managed to fill a bit of time watching the procession wind its way through the narrow ancient alleyways.

The early evening drink

Makarska

Zaostrog is a very beautiful little place but it was starting to close its bars and restaurants so we decided to go for the capital of the Makarska Riviera ...Makarska town.  The waterfront was as we remembered it from 1989 when we brought Tim here. But the outlying parts seem to be extended to the north. A really nice place. We pitched up at Camping Riviera, a non ACSI site that wasn't cheap at 35 euros a night but probably worth it with the excellent facilities and easy access to the beach. Owen went for a more expensive option paying 40 euros a night for really good apartment. The Bora wind swept down from the north bringing temperatures down to about 20c but a lot colder at night. However today (Wednesday) its picked up again to about 25c. Will probably drop Owen off at Split airport tomorrow and then head for Sibenik.