Monday, June 29, 2009

Sailing Croatia

Just back from a great week in Croatia where we joined some kiwi friends for a weeks sailing...



Departed from Split and visited several islands...











Look who got the "primo" spot...




Evidence still exists of submarine bunkers used by the allies in the second world war.



and also evidence of later conflicts as depicted in the church doors.


Of course, in the Adriatic or Mediteranean you are never too far away from culinary delights...


On one of the islands we stumbled across a vineyard restaurant which slow cooks dishes "under the Bell" in a wood fired oven. A real treat...






















The local vino was excellent quality and exceptional value...


We had a bit of competition for berths in one or two places. Bill Gates was in the area at the time and we were not sure if this was his yacht of not tied up in Hvar.


Unfortunately the weather was a little unsettled one or two days, but at least it gave us some good sailing as well!




Korcula was special...

as was Hvar...

and Skraden...


and Primosten...

and Vela Luka...
and Trogir....


and if I returned I would probably head straight to Vis.

Now of course, we are thinking of when we can do some more!!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Danny Schuster

If you don't already know my good friend Danny Schuster, you will want to after watching this interview....


and he really hits his straps in the second part....

The West Coast

Believe it or not, but we have been avoiding airports lately and when Adele's sister Joy and friend Barbara visited in May it was a good excuse to head west and reacquaint ourselves with some of our favourite places.





West Clare has some dramatic coast-line, none moreso that the Cliffs of Moher



The beach at Doolin puts on a good show when the sea is running, and it's always a good bet for a music session in any of the 3 pubs



A bit further north and we stopped a night in Westport (Ireland's "Tidiest Town") and enjoyed a delightful meal at the Quay Cottage.



Irish Riviera

A couple of weeks ago we ventured South West to the "Irish Riviera" and visited Mizen Head.

It is the most Southern point of Ireland - next stop New York!





The Fastnet Rock is clearly visible from here, even in this image if you study it hard enough!





The scenery is stunning and we have discovered another gem!



We spent a night at Crookhaven...


...and a night at Baltimore.




Even discovered an artisan French Chocolatier - tres bon!!



And of course, you are never very far from another stone circle. What were they on?