Finally time to leave our campsite, time to head to a Croatian island. We chose Mljet, home to Mljet national park and a host of unspoiled beaches.
Driving along the coast of Croatia is an event in itself. The new motorway network is ace, but the real gems are on the smaller roads. We stopped at a rest stop run by a vinyard. With nice playground, sea views over the vines and of course, wine (for the navigator only of course) Then to loop around the small coastal section of Bosnia & Herzagovina, we crossed a shiny new bridge! Before the ferry we had time for a tapas snack in Ston, which we will come back to later, before a short ride to Mljet island.
Overnight we were both awakened by a huge thunderstorm. Mostly Adam as it dripped onto his leg throught the door we’d left ajar… (Both boys slept through, winning!) Not like those soothing thunderstorm CDs, the rain lashed and the sky was flashing so quickly it was impossible to count the delay between lightning and thunder.
Morning came and all looked calm, just a few more rocks down on the side road we’d parked up on for the night.
The national park was empty due to the looming skies, and most people were probably right to stay away as the rain started just after the land train dropped us off at the start of our walk/Eddies bike ride round the lake. Shortly after starting we took shelter in a cave to avoid a real downpour, but mostly just accepted the dampness of the walk. It was still warm and Eddie still cycled, so no problems.
¾ around the lake, perserverance prevailed and the rain stopped! We even had a little bit of sunshine (and a full moon) for our lunchtime swim & snorkel.
Finishing off the loop of both lakes, we caught the solar powered catamaran (top Eco points here) to the island in the big lake to wander the monastries, ruins, stables, take another dip and eat an icecream. In full sun at the end of the day we were back in our van cooking dinner. Very glad we persevered through the weather!
Sunday rose much sunnier than the Saturday. Odyssus’s cave visit was a clean scramble down from the road, to an unexpected “3 star Hotel”
Ticking off as much as we could on the island before the 4pm ferry, Cave – tick, Hill – well, we aimed for the ruins of St. Peters church, set off in the wrong direction and ended up on a remote hill top – sort of tick. Wildlife – Saw a snake, spider & preying mantis on the way up to the hill – tick. Sandy beach – timed at 13 minutes of free time after lunch, we did sit in the sunshine, on a beach, playing in the sand with Eddie & Sammy.
The rush for the 4pm ferry was to get back to Mainland and Ston. The walls between Ston & Mini Ston could be climbed, and that was too good to miss!
So was the dinner of black “Ston style” cuttlefish rissotto (Adam bailed and went for veal…)
Parenting Responsibly 