What a gorgeous spot Maslinica is!!! Brand new hotel by marina for those with the money to enjoy luxury and fine-dining. Westerly outlook with setting sun and charming little town nestled around the Harbour. A wonderful way to end our Adriatic adventure!

Sailed for 1-1/2 hours, close teaching in light SE winds, which sadly diminished so we're forced to turn on the iron genny!

Split beckoned in the distance and we motored in at 15.30 to refuel at the dock before heading into ACI Marina to dock one last time.

Thank you MATEA – we sure had our problems along the way – broken/replaced throttle on Day 1 (could finally go in reverse!!!), depth gauge repaired on Day 2, no GPS after Day 5 so chart work and line of sight sailing plus lots of radio contact with other boats saved the day!

Novice crew settled well into their tasks, the daily routine and learned a great deal about life on board. Steep learning experience for them all and one they undoubtedly will not forget. Very proud of them all for being so willing and such a support to their Skipper!!!

Looking forward to seeing all the photos and re-living the whole adventure when we all return home to Gibsons.

In the meantime, First Mate Peggy is off to Budapest and Prague with Joanne, Patti is off to explore the Amalfi coast, Barbara (our galley chief extraordinaire) is off to join a cycling tour of Sicily while yours truly goes home home to UK.

Hope you've all enjoyed reading this Blog. Apologies for the delay after Day 9 – lost Wifi near Hvar.

14 days has flown by but then again, I feel as if we've been at sea for ages!

Life doesn't get any better than this.

So, from my Crew and my boat MATEA, it's farewell from Croatia for another year.

Skipper Gillie

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Cast off from mooring buoy at Hvar at 10.20 and set sail downwind in channel in SE winds around 8-10knots. Clear skies and seas 1-2 – another gorgeous day in the beautiful Adriatic. Loads of boats out sailing at the tip of the channel at western tip of Hvar island – such a pretty sight!

Crew rested, tanned and overjoyed with their Croatian experience.

Distance of 22 miles across to western end of island of Solta, west of Brac and just south of Split on the mainland. Tried anchoring in little bay along southern shoreline, but ground tackle not behaving on windlass and from the helm I decided not to push a novice crew with safety risks involved. Aborted manoeuvre and instead enjoyed leisurely lunch underway before stern tying early at new marina in Maslinica with gorgeous swim spot other side of Harbour wall.

Dinner at local taverna with local lamb roasted on a spit. Table of Slovenian sailors provided much rapture with wine, accordion playing and Polka dancing. While restaurant ended up dancing conga through restaurant and out into the streets! Best fun all trip!!!

Sore foot following morning as discovered sea urchin spines embedded in toe and had to ask another crew member, luckily a nurse, to remove! Last morning swim and shower before casting off at noon on last leg to Split – our final destination only 15 miles away.

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Cast off 08.35 and headed out into channel between Korcula and Pajelsac Peninsular in course 277m. Clouds darkened, thunder began to roll in and lightening flashes lit up the sky. After about 35-45 minutes under power, with lightening strikes down to the water ahead, rain beating down and white caps building, I decided to turn back. We docked safely back at Korcula around 09.50.

The storm passed and at 11.20am we set off again, minus one crew member who decided to take the local ferry to Hvar and meet us there. This time we were met with blue skies and flat seas, and despite some efforts to sail, we motorsailed for 5hrs40mins, past a pod of dolphins out in the blue.

Arrived in Hvar just in time to grab last mooring ball opposite town wall before setting stern line ashore.

Finally returned here after 3 years to enjoy the riviera-style glamour, trendy bars and hedonists.

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