Welcome to December ...

Last Saturday I watched BBC World's interesting "Hot Cities" about climate change and the fact that hurricanes and flooding around the world are increasing (apparently NYC is threatened to be at risk of flooding!).

For the last 24 hours we have endured a vicious coastal storm - winds up to 110km (directed straight at my apt, I am sure!). I thought my windows would blow in, so spent a sleepless night wandering the apt considering if I should bed down in the living room. Every storm seems worse than the one the previous year. By 4pm today, a sliver of sunshine showed through, but by 4.15pm for sunset - it was gone. These photos show nothing, if there was sound - it would be deafening. Ah memories of living on the coast in summertime ...

Where I'd like to be ...

I took a photo from the balcony today, but makes for a depressing sight; grey low clouds, huge waves crashing, strong wind, lashings of rain etc. So, rather than using that I prefer this inspiring photo, above, of the days of summer instead. Not sure of the source of photo, but looks like Croatia with the pine trees and islands.

Autumn's on its way ...

Saturday my friend was swimming, today we are wearing boots! Yes, the weekend brought a turn in the weather and a dip in the temps. Still blue sky and sunshine, but a cold raw north wind. What to wear? Long sleeves? Short sleeves? Inbetween days this week. Jumpers at the ready.

Dinner then Breakfast

8pm last night

9am this morning

I was just setting the table for dinner last night waiting for friend Azra to come around. The heavens closed in ..... big time thunderstorm. We ate inside with shutters and windows firmly shut - lots of wind! So much for a summer's supper al fresco. At least we could venture out for coffee later hearing water dripping everywhere. This morning? Perfect!

No rain, just humidity

If you're living in a place with lots of rain ... take a look at Dubrovnik! 40 degrees and hot. Yesterday was so high humidity we experienced 'fog'. My Croatian neighbour told me the day was bad for UV rays and that I should stay indoors until 8pm!. Today is breezy, sunny, hot yet uplifting. What a difference a day makes!

No more thunder storms

Another middle-of-the-night race against time today at 3am to bring in sofa cushions and washing; big thunderstorm looming. Will they ever end in the Adriatic? Finally I think they are over, and for once July 12th onwards we can enjoy a summer without storms .... the air is refreshed, the sky is Caribbean-like and the humidity is low. Anyone sailing had a great time today, with the mistral wind.

Perfect weather for boats

Fabulous weather today for boating .... 30 degrees and a slight wind. Certainly the people on these yachts sailing by were having fun with their sails up, catching the breeze. Perfect Sunday weather for relaxing.

Dolphins and Parasailing

To join 2 posts together from this week. Tuesday at 7.30pm the sea was calm and mirror-like and out of the sea bounced 1 .... 3 .... 6 dolphins! Too late to get the camera, but ok for binoculars. Here is a beautiful wooden/pewter pot I bought somewhere in the 90's on my travels, probably Key West. Wednesday saw again the same calm seas and this time parasailing. Normally our unexpected strong winds prohibit this sport, but that day was perfect.

No more winter storms

I went swimming today ... the inside pool of the 5* Hotel Libertas Rixos. Above shows a photo from the local paper during one of the January storms and you can see how powerful the waves are (with our little place at the end!). Yes, the hotel was damaged, the builders never thought the wind could ravage the outside pool and terraces never mind all the glass windows .... Now there is a team of workmen repairing the damage, building low stone walls to prevent future high seas.

Sunday 29th March

Windy, rainy day today and very noisy with the sea pounding on the rocks below. We all can't wait until spring actually springs! Our clocks went forward last night, so will be lighter at night which is good, but would be nice to see sunshine at the weekend! Hopefully April will be better.

Spring-like Weather?

Wonderful to wake up this Sunday moring to this glorious weather after the storms this week. Also 15 degrees (58 F) registered on the thermo. Edin is confused though (all sailors are!) the wind is a "mistral" - which is a summer wind. I do not care. As long as I can dry my washing, sit on my balcony in March and see pleasant Caribbean-like-clouds - I am a happy bunny.

Changes in Weather

Well I hope to concentrate on sunny blue sky photos, but here to show you we do have big changes in weather during winter. The bura wind is a strong north wind which brings clear skies but brrr cold. The jugo is a south wind, which makes everyone crazy, muggy, damp but warm. The difference for us here in the apartment is with the bura we cannot easily open the front door (pressure from the mountain as the wind races down) and the jugo we cannot easily open the shutters on the sea-side balcony! I read we might get snow this week!!!