Taking the Biscuit

I came across a motoryacht called "Biscuit" launched this summer and the interior grabbed my eye! Aubergine deck chairs! Fabulous. Yacht interiors are as attractive to me as house interiors even more so, as every minute detail has to be thought about.

Sleek and stylish as all Italian-built yachts are, this 29 metre (95') yacht was built by the Filippetti Yard.
The custom made interior has been designed by Milan based Hot Lab Studio with attention to detail throughout. Great music on the website if you click on the link.





The yacht is on two levels and boasts 2 twin staterooms, a VIP suite and a master cabin. There are comfortable crew quarters for 4 crew.

Precious leather flooring

Looking forward to seeing this yacht (perhaps) gracing our Adriatic shores here in Croatia next year.

Thinking of Summer Sailing

The week just gone has been a week of HEAVY rains in Dubrovnik. The Old Town turned into Venice and friends as far away as New Zealand emailed me; the news had gone around the world. So, instead of posting miserable pictures of floods, collapsed walls, rocks on main roads and cars in gutters, I thought I would post a happier picture of yachts - a photo taken during a regatta on Cres, an island in the north of Croatia.

From There to Here, 7 Years Ago ...

7 years ago today we arrived in Dubrovnik from Mallorca, Balearic Islands. Sometimes Dubrovnik feels like an island - bordered by coasts of Bosnia (albeit tiny) and Montenegro.

We started with this in Mallorca ... great little car (one previous lady owner, non smoker)

Then progressed to .... NO! I jest, this is a rental car on the island of Mljet, so cute!

Then progressed to this for our drive across the Continent. This little beast is now happily back in Mallorca, we returned and sold it to an Argentinean family.

One of the many golden sand beaches of Mallorca, this being Playa de Palma at dawn

The same beach in Mallorca during the day, off season. I admit, I still do miss my sandy beaches

The town beach of Dubrovnik, Banja. What a glorious backdrop of the Old Town!

My old drive to work in Palma used to take me past the breathtaking beauty of the impressive Gothic Cathedral along the Paseo Maritimo

Now, when I drive to the supermarket I pass this glorious sight of the Old Town Dubrovnik

Mallorca: Our old apartment building (one of 4 apartments in 4 years! we liked to move ... then)

With a lovely swimming pool and gardens ...

Mallorca: one of our previous apartments with a smidgen of sea view ... and view of the neighbours swimming pool ...

Dubrovnik: where we live now ... er ... no, you didn't think I would show you where I live now did you? Might get the paparazzi ... needless to say we live in a stone house with a red roof ...

Mallorca: My man's former place of work ...

Croatia: my man's former place of work last year. I love blue hulls on yachts ...

Croatia: My man's current place of work .... well over 60 metres ... but currently not in Croatia

Mallorca: The beautiful Puerto Portals marina

Mallorca: The gorgeous Puerto Portals promenade with expensive restaurants ...

Mallorca: another view of the marina with the glorious turquoise sea

Croatia: the ACI marina in Dubrovnik, sleepy little place until summer, when it's full of action. Great restaurant too and not expensive as Mallorca!

Mallorca: our old beach and sunbathing area. The clear waters are stunning

Mallorca: one of my favourite places of Maioris, overlooking the Bay of Palma

Croatia: a deserted cove on the Peljesac Peninsula .... a little piece of heaven

Croatia: My view at dawn .................................. great start to the day when you see this

Croatia: fabulous Adriatic Sea and sunshine

Croatia: Azure Croatia! (NB I did not post a pic of our view in Mallorca, as we did not have a view as such, just onto a neighbours villa ....)


So, 7 years ago today we made the big leap over to Croatia ... lots of great memories of Mallorca of course. Croatia is the longest time ever in one place, since I began my travels in 1987. Just by seeing some of the above photos and reading this blog makes you realise what has captivated me and kept me here for all those years .....

Shadow Vessel for M/Y Queen K

The yacht Queen K is still in port here, enjoying our autumnal weather. Our friends dug out some photos taken this summer of the massive support vessel, named "Sputnik". Painted in the same colours as her mother ship she is quite a sight at 60m. Boasting a heli-platform, and holding the numerous tenders, incl. "yacht toys" for the owner the shadow vessel is an impressive if unusual sight. (photos by MAP)

Motor Yacht Queen K

A "monster" of a yacht could be seen berthing in Gruz Harbour this afternoon. Now, after dinner at 11pm in the pouring rain we had to drive round to see the name - Queen K. At 72m / 238 ft she is certainly a sight for Dubrovnik, and especially now in November, when most yachts are gearing up for the Caribbean season. She is Lurssen by design, built in 2004 and formerly known as Queen M.

Her owner remains a mystery though she's been linked to Oleg Deripaska whose estimated wealth of $13 billion exceeds that of Roman Abramovich. Queen K moored alongside the yacht my partner was working on this summer (62m), and the family ate onboard, "Impeccable manners of children!", he remembers.

Late afternoon sunshine

Autumn seems to be closing in now with dusk being earlier every night. The legendary tall ship Sea Cloud came sailing past at 5.30pm and into a fabulous sunset on her way to Venice. By 7.30pm we had darkness! Daily temps are still 28c/82f, blue skies and sunshine with tourists continuing to enjoy the beaches.

Colourful entrance

I love this photo from the Baotic Yachting website. First of all I love bourgainvillea growing anywhere, looks very welcoming and cheery - then the delicate light blue painted door and window. The renovated stone cottage could be anywhere in Croatia, but especially coastal and probably the photo is taken on one of the islands.

If I had a yacht ...

Photos in a Croatian yachting magazine yesterday caught my eye for the interior. Superb! Not the usual interior boating colours, but look great and certainly ones to remember, when I get my yacht ... ha ha! This boat is a Sealine SC47 Luxury Sports Cruiser. Sealine is a British company founded over 30 years ago. Of course Edin would prefer a yacht with a mast .... men! See more here.