Monday, 29th May

Arrived in Gruz which is a Croatian port of entry near Dubrovnik at 0900 hrs local.  Almost exactly one month since departing Guernsey, and what a lot of fun.  From Malta we eventually had some wind.  Also a spectacular thunder storm one night - luckily in the distance!  After formalities and being quoted 180 Euro per night to be moored on the quayside with the 'super super' yachts, we moved up river to a marina where costs were nearly as bad!   Steve (my computer technician, as well as 1st Mate) did a characteristically rapid departure and 'then we were two'.  He appeared to have left me with a malfunctioning satellite internet link - typical, isnt it?!  Anyway after a couple of days and hours of blindly tweeking 'settings' , it seems that the problem was in the satellite, and not aboard WII, so we are now back in communication. I take back all I was saying about you, Steve!

 

We had only been there an hour when another Oyster 62 - Carpe Diem, squeezed in beside us.  She was immaculate and in the care of her full time and paid skipper (Tod) and his partner crew.  They immediately set too cleaning and polishing.  This activity had little effect on John, who only seemed hell bent on interrupting them by engaging them in conversation.  The next morning before departing, John did somewhat reluctantly, help me wash down our decks!

 

Tuesday 30th

We moved South again to Cavtat on the recomendation of Tod.  This is closer to Dubrovnik airport, and more typical of what I had expected.  We are anchored in the harbour - all very clean, particularly the water, a little bit 'twee' with two awful looking 'mega yachts' spoiling the view and driving up the prices!  Also, two more Oysters - Rock Oyster an Oyster 56, and Roulette a very impressive Oyster 655 - Claudine, do you remember nearly buying one at the 2008 London Excel boatshow  - before reality set in!!!  We liked the oilskin locker!!

 

Wednesday 1 July

John has departed, so now I am 'one' !  Solitude after such a busy month, but not for long - Claudine and the boys arrive on Sunday!  At least I can enjoy a cup of 'Earl Grey' tea - something my crew would never put in the pot! Malc got close to it - 1 Earl Grey to 2 Yorkshire, but you should have heard the comments!

 

I have 'been ordered' to do the cleaning, polishing, washing, and MUCH tidying before Sunday. Plenty of excuses, Claudine!  It's too hot and the water (sea) is too clean to polute.  Maybe very early starts before the heat of the day - at least that puts off starting til tomorrow!

 

Must stop now, the kettle has boiled!

 

Regards to all.

 

Brian

(crewless)

 

PS

Steve has called the satellite phone and claimed the prize!  He thinks the prize is a week on the boat in August with three '30 something' girls!  No chance, Steve - skipper's veto!!

 

PPS

Before arriving, I enquired of fellow members of the Cruising Association if they had any experience of fuelling up in Tunisia.  I received a number of favourable replies (unfortunately too late to assist) but one from Maxwell Hubbard was interesting and I quote:

 

"Prior to fuelling up we had sailed through Algerian territorial waters - some 10 miles off the coast.  The official armed coast guard patrol boat was extremely helpful and called us up on VHF and approved of our plan to sail through Algerian waters to refuel in Tunisia.  They offered assistance and wished us a pleasant voyage.  Some two hours later we were accosted by three 'unofficial' coast guards in a RIB who had neither uniforms nor official identity and who asked us to immediately enter the nearest Algerian harbour, whilst demanding our passports and ships papers. They were extremely aggressive and loaded a sub-machine gun when we did not do as they asked.  Shortly afterwards another 'unofficial' coast guard RIB arrived with five persons on board with a loaded rifle.  They also did not have uniforms or official identity, one was wearing a Chelsea football shirt.  They boarded our yacht and were menacing.  We argued that we had clearance from the official coast guard to sail through Algerian waters and showed them the entry in the log of our earlier VHF conversation.  Luckily I had a crew member on board who spoke Arabic and I speak fluent French.  After two hours they allowed us to sail out of Algerian territorial waters."

 

Thank goodness, and to avoid 'pirates', we remained in international waters , 12 miles off shore, although at times I think it was actually less!!

B