Split
Wishanger2
Brian Bonniwell and Claudine
Sun 26 Jul 2009 23:07
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43:30.04N 16:25.98E
Claudine and boys duly departed in Cavtat.
This was not before Ben assisted the 46 metre Perini Navi
"Klosters" disentangle her anchor from an adjacent boat's anchor
chain. The sight of Ben in our 'tiny' rib beneath the massive bows
of Klosters was quite amusing. Anyway, Ben (and the skipper of WII!)
received an acknowledgement from Kloster' Captain. An invite on board
wouldn't go amiss - will keep looking out for her!! Shouldn't be too
difficult as she has that GPS technicalogical marvel - AIS, which
displays her position on our chart plotter. As does her tender ,
Klosters 2!!
I have now taken the boat from Dubrovnik to Split.
Again not much wind. Stopped the night on Mljet Island and departed
for Split at 0530 arriving at 1600 hrs. I decided to anchor in Kastela Bay
and opted for Kastel Novi which appeared to be closest to Splt airport. The
large bay is interesting in that it has seven villages originating from
the 15th and 16th centuries, and each with one or more Castles (Kastellas).
Reminded me a little of Carrickfergus in Co Antrim and its Norman Castle.
Kastel Novi was a bad choice. Although
pleasant enough to look at, ashore the small harbour was smelly - you know what
- and it wasn't from boats - I was the only boat there with Black Water tanks
firmly sealed. As this wasn't enough, at about 10pm the local beach
bar started its Friday music night - incessant throbbing 'music' which I call
'rap'. This reverberated over the still water until the early hours of
Saturday - I mean 0400hrs! The next morning I went exploring determined not
to experience Saturday music night! I found an anchorage even closer
to the airport - literally less than 10 mins walk along a minor tar road leading
directly from the airport terminal. Ideal for all the crew changes I
am expecting via Split airport. On enquiring from the local beach bar, I was
told that it was called Tsunami! On reflection, I think they must
have meant the bar, and not the place, although later events leave me
wondering. I moved the boat to 'Tsunami' and was able to watch
progress on the construction of a breakwater, probably the beginning of a new
marina. Earlier readers of this diary will have noted my interest in all things
JCB, as recorded in Lopud. Hear in Kastella they had two JCB's mounted on
'rafts' digging out the foundations for the breakwater!!
Rachael and her two friends were due to
arrive Easyjet at 2050 but when I got to the airport to 'meet and greet' the
arrivals board showed a 50 min delay. By the time they cleared passport control
it was gone 2300 hrs. The walk to the boat proved easy with 'wheelie
cases', but by then the wind had increased with an adverse change of
direction. Anyway, the four of us together with all cases filled the rib
and we made the boat without mishap. Soon the wind increased to 28 knots
with large seas rolling down the Kastela. A very sleepless night was had
by, all accompanied by the sound of distant 'rap' music 4 Km
away! Later, when checking the anchor we noticed a bright glow
coming from the surrounding hills. At first we thought it must have been a
fire, but concluded that it was the glow of the distant town of
Trogir. What an introduction to three young girls who had never
been on a yacht before! I could not contemplate the thought of weighing
anchor in the pitch black, with a crew who had hardly seen an anchor
before! Anyway, the anchor held with 40 metres of chain in 6 metres of
water and things looked a lot better in the morning even though we seemed a lot
closer to the windward side of that new breakwater! But, that
bright glow WAS a fire. The hill was ablaze and we were able to watch
a fleet of helicopters collecting water from the bay in large 'buckets'
suspended beneath, and dropping the contents onto, or ahead , of
the advancing fire. Even more impressive, were two or three 'sea
planes' which skimmed the surface scooping water into
their 'tanks', before rapidly climbing and discharging the contents onto
the fire! This went on and on, only to be interrupted by the requirement
of the aircraft to refuel at the local Split airport. What a grandstand
view. If only I had a digital camera, you could have seen for
yourselves!! (Sorry about the lack of photos recently)
After a safety briefing, and an introduction and
practice to some of the essential yachting 'skills' likely to be needed
that day - fender knots, bowlines, warp handling, weighing and setting
anchor, we departed 'Tsunami anchorage' and set sail for Split where we
were required to change the boats 'crew list'.
Split harbour was very pleasant and extremely
clean. Unfotunately the 'historic' area was focused on the cruise ship
tourists. Instead, we found a 'Tommy's' supermarket and bought
provisions!
After lunch on board, we (expertly!) weighed anchor
and set sail for Brac. I could sense the envy emanating from the crew
(mainly of super yachts) as we sailed past other anchored boats
with three, 30 something, bikini clad crew! Utopia!!
We are now anchored in Uvala Lucice on the
South coast of Brac. We had quite a job finding space. I have
noticed a considerable increase in the number of boats compared to
Dubrovnik. This maybe the location (near Split airport with more
regular flights) or the fact that we are now into the height the
season. Whatever reason, I don't like it!!
We have had a swim - warm water again, and
the girls have gone to bed. Worn out after little sleep last night, an intense
training program, and all that sunbathing on the foredeck. Apart from anchoring,
its a bit like single handed sailing again!!
Regards to all
Brian and the '30 something' bikini crew -
Rachael, Donna and Alex
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