The 3 "M's" on the island of Lastovo

Here we have Maria, Michelle and Mandy-Jo! Not bad for 3 women just turned 40! Taken when we were sailing for a week, Dubrovnik to Split. Here on Lastovo. Both women I have known since school days so great to keep the friendship going. Great memories.

Edin and cat on island of Vis

I have over 100 albums of actual photos from my 20 years of travel. Now I use a digital camera keeping them on a computer, not seeing the light of day for years. This is a striking photo of Edin on the island of Vis, Croatia. Red is a good colour in a photo (not bad for a 10 yr old t-shirt!). The kitten is actually a stray, but is a double for our cat here in Dubrovnik. Uncanny!

Mondays

I am tired today, as didn't sleep well last night and the birds began their dawn chorus at 5 o'clock! Actually nice to hear the chirruping birds as where we live it is silent. Will only post one today, of our affectionate mother cat, Bunny, sat on the coffee-table books at sunset. Another couple of weeks until we change our clocks for summer time.

Afternoon with our friends

What an enjoyable afternoon today with our friends, Nada and Bosko. Bosko I know from QE2 days and his delightful wife Nada (florist) and 2 children, Dolores 7 and Maro 3. Just a couple of hours at their house to catch up on news, and also to reminisce on our Barcelona trip exactly one year ago. 48 hrs in the Spanish city was marvellous: shopping and eating! You will meet our friends again in future posts when we go out with them soon to a newly opened restaurant here in Dubrovnik.

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.

Shopping - coffee - dinner

As is usual in Croatia, life has a slow pace. Late afternoon shopping, turns into coffee and chatting, then out for dinner. Azra (photo) has just returned from an exciting trip to London and Marrakesh; where in Morocco not only did it rain, but hailed! So we had a lovely girlie Friday night talking about her travels. We ate at a super cozy restaurant, near to the Hotel Lapad by the sea, called "Blidinje" (forgettable name!), where the chicken gorgonzola is "historic".

New Homeshop in Dubrovnik

I was very suprised yesterday when I got a call from my friend to check out the new home store. Called Magma Home, it is part of a chain throughout Croatia, however as Dubrovnik is "at the end of the line" geographically, we have had to accept either tacky or very expensive homeware for many years. It was great to visit, see modern items, cheap prices and what a variety! Also a joy to see people shopping! I got my mobile out to take photos (see above) & I saw at least 3 others do the same. I think people were astounded that finally Dubrovnik has woken up to having a store full of tasteful modern items. Well done! I will be visiting the shop again soon.

Our Living Room Art

We have a contemporary painting in our living room showing Dubrovnik Old Town. It is a massive 1.60m x 1 metre (63 x 40 inches) and dominates the room. We were given it "free" by a friend, whose (famous) father painted it, and had it in his kitchen for years. So is it abstract or is that splashes of cooking fat?? Will look at getting it restored one of these days.

"You're so lucky to live by the sea!"

"You're so lucky to live by the sea!" ... yeah right, but perhaps not on Wednesday night when we had a big storm all night, lashings of rain, high seas and NOISE! Couldn't sleep all night. I was reminded the next day that people pay a lot to hear the sound of "the ocean", well they could have had my bed that night. I went to sleep at 9pm yesterday exhausted. I missed the shot of the big waves shooting up on the rocks which was a shame, would have been more impressive. Still, a few more days and we will have calm seas again.

Card - seashore

It was Edin's birthday this week. Croatians don't have the (expensive) habit of sending cards like we do in the UK or US so it's always nice to receive cards from England. They brighten up the top of the telly for a week or so. This is from my mother for Edin - she always find lovely cards and this is no exception. One to frame later on.

Motor Yacht "New Century"

A big coincidence this morning at breakfast. We were just talking about "New Century" the superyacht which Edin used to work on for 3 years - and an hour later we got a call from the former Captain! Thrilled to hear from Captain and his wife and all their news. MY New Century was in the superyacht category at 43m (143 ft) long, 12 pax and 8 full time crew. She has a new owner now and has been renamed. The interior was immaculate and super tasteful as you can see here in the pictures.

This brings great memories to what is a VERY stormy day here in Dubrovnik.

Taj Mahal in Dubrovnik?

Before the cinema last night we ate at the Taj Mahal restaurant in the Old Town. Alas, not a curry house (please can someone open one here!!) but a Bosnian restaurant. It was nearly full - 3 of the 4 tables were occupied. Good cheap food in a cozy restaurant. Owner is called Edin, same as my partner, but unfortunately this didn't give us a discount!

Dubrovnik's Cinema

We went out to the cinema last night in Dubrovnik. The films now are all the latest ones (5 yrs ago they were a tad old). Saw Slumdog Millionaire which was fantastic and deserved all its Oscars. Dubrovnik cinema is showing signs of ageing though - very hard seats, no more popcorn or drinks .... well what do you expect for 20 kuna (2.42 GBP, 2.75 Euros, 3.41 USD) ??? The cinema was full about 300 people, very good for a winter's evening. I feel someone is missing a business opportunity there.

QE2 sailing by

I received a lovely email today from a former passenger on the QE2 4 month World Cruise. New Yorker Bernice was on the Captain's Table for the full duration and we became great friends.

Photos here are of the QE2's final visit to Dubrovnik in 2008. The ship was my home for 3 years - 1997-2000 where I worked both in the technical office (below the waterline!) and then up on the bridge - with the best views. An incredible ship which created a stir wherever she went. We all miss her ... and hope the arabs look after her well.

View with a "wow"!

We drove up the hill last summer to look down upon Dubrovnik Old Town. What a magnificent sight! Driving from the airport you see a similar view from the road below, and really has the "wow" factor on a clear day. Mornings are best for the sun to be in the right position.

First motor yacht of the season

Excitement! Today was the first day of the year to see a private motoryacht pass the balcony since early Dec '08. Although fishing boats have been scooting about in the cold plus the odd police boat, this was the first "yacht". Not in the Abramovich category (they arrive in June) but at least something nice to look at. 14 deg./58 deg. and warm!

Harbour View

This is the view from my friend's apartment - overlooking the harbour and islands beyond. Whereas my view can be (dare I say it) sometimes "boring" with just expansive sea, my friend's view always has some activity to look at.

Friday's Flowers

I had a lovely suprise this morning - found this gorgeous HUGE bouquet of flowers on my office desk. Sent from Belgium from Peter, my client who is buying an apartment near Dubrovnik. Very kind words too on the pretty card. We haven't completed just yet, but will be soon. I wish all my clients were as lovely as Peter! Thank you.

Friday's Sunset

Although with a band of cloud on the horizon tonight, we still had a lovely sunset with a golden glow before losing the sun ... around 5.30pm. Getting later every day which is encouraging.

Mussels and Oysters from Ston

This is one of our favourite restaurants in Mali Ston - about 50km north of Dubrovnik. Restaurant Bota Sare is full of character with stone walls and vaulted ceilings. Lunch here is always superb with a platter to share of oysters and mussels, washed down with white wine. Grown in the sea right in front, you can see the chefs hauling the molluscs fresh out out of the water. Incredibly the restaurant has reasonable prices for the service and food you get. Recommended. Check here for some great aerial photos of Ston and Mali Ston.