I am sorry for the late posting of  our June trip . We arrived to sparkling weather and after unloading the car and getting set for our adventure, we jumped into our bay for a leisurely swim and vacation had begun. We caught up with pontoon neighbors and had a dinner at our restaurant as well as on board the Mungo on Monday night , with Eric and Rosita. Of course we also made a dinner stop at our favorite restaurant in Preko, Joso and we sat outside for the first time. Before having dinner Martin wanted to get gas, but forgot his wallet, we offered me as a deposit (Martin sped off to get the money, as he had already pumped gas), as he left, I turned to my lovely Roberta (also I believe the owner of the gas station) and said, I hope he comes back.  She laughed. She regaled me with stories of Ugljan and Martin did indeed return. Provisioning in Preko also turned out to show the islands general friendliness, we found a great vegetable market. Gorgeous peaches, tomatoes and we discovered broad beans. I asked how one prepared them, and the owner turned to another customer, who rattled away in English. After much back and forth, our translator took a bow and got free cherries and a big kiss from our relieved shop owner. The Croatians are so happy to accommodate English, but many are older and did not learn it as the younger generation does now.

Martin in his spare time, seems to be saving people from themselves. On the day of our departure, I had gotten a stomach flu and was gearing up to go, by resting. I could hear a commotion and then Martin’s voice, the ambulance is on its way. My fuzzy brain waited for the report. It turns out our neighbor fell down his companionway and cut his toe, but badly. His wife flagged down Martin, who processed his first aid moves and put pressure on the wound and called the ambulance. The poor guy needed 3 stiches and they took him to Kali, Martin has secured a place in our neighbors hearts and we feel their thankfulness will know no bounds. So sweet.

As I was still loopy, we took it slow and went out to our favorite anchorage, Planatak Veli, I recovered slowly over the next two days, it sure helped to be at a secluded bay, swinging between panoramic views of the  Kornati islands. Swimming was also a dream.  Back to Martin saving people.  Between the two small islands, is a well-charted shallow hazard, in other words a non-passable depth of a meter. As Martin was reading he saw a yacht passing behind us  and charging towards the hazard, at first he thought he was seeking anchorage on the other side of us, but the yacht did not slow speed and was intent on passing through the hazard! Martin yelled out to them, and thank goodness they stopped. Martin told them the depth and they still looked uncertain, pointing toward the edges, and asking if that was deeper. Uh. Buddy, turn around. I think he must have hit bottom, because he suddenly back up with such force and drama, that we think he got the message. They set off towards the correct exit and waved and smiled at Martin, nodding their consent. Well, I should hope so, he just saved you from a lot of agony.

Yesterday we had a nice sail up to Veli Rat and are hanging off a buoy, the weather is rather pessimistic, and we will wait for it to clear before setting off for Molat.