- News from Australia -

Family trip to the UK and Croatia

PART 1: Stickwick Lodge

Everyone together in this amazing farmhouse Liz arranged for us - it was a wonderful place

Daniel, Jon, Susie, Peter, Steve & Liz at Stickwick

Steve & Hazel with Katie at Stickwick

Steve in the mighty Land Cruiser.

PART 2: Sailing in Croatia

Just before departure...   Fast cars? Not me, Guv.

First night - flat calm at Agana

At the start of our trip - approaching Trogir to fill out the permits etc.

Flat calm at Scedro, before: the wind blew up, the crappy CQR anchor slipped & no sleep that night.

Danny's favourite teddy.

Oliver at the helm.

Messing around off the back of the boat, whilst under very gentle sail. Oli could swim at 0.7 kts!

Pippa is becoming a very accomplished swimmer.

Danny says 'Where'?

Danny loved watermelon, much to our amusement.

The entrance to the town of Korcula.

One of many old churches in Korcula town.

Keeping the boy happy (and cool) on the boat.  Later we got him a paddling pool which was great.

Bathing the boy - in the kitchen sink!

The islands around Mljet were delightful.

Sunsail flotilla at Mljet

Pull up to the quay and its not too far to walk to the restaurant.

Sammora at anchor in Slano, near Dubrovnik.

Happy boy on a stony beach.

Approaching Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik old town - no Aussie style quarter acre blocks here...

Sleeptime

The city walls of Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik harbour - and hoards of tourists.

Now this would be a good replacement for Sammora's anchor!

Dubrovnik

At the Rectors Palace, Dubrovnik

Viska Luka - the main harbour at Vis

Sammora stern-to at Vis.

Caves on the south side of Vis

Sunrise departure from Komisa on the island of Vis

Early morning having left Vis at sunrise for Rogoznica, a long sail.  (Or motor, as it turned out)

At Primosten

No mooring buoys at Primosten - No problem.  Pippa dived down and pulled through a line. 4m, no less.

A great sail into Vinisce

Pinocchio!  (Vinisce beach)

All sailing done and back on the berth.  (20kts of wind for arrival...)

Pippa at the restaurant on our last night in Croatia.

Mr Seafood Eatfood

Amusing times but it was our last night...

Us in front of the tower at Agana marina where the boat lives.

Sunset, and farewell Sammora.

PART 3: Pippas 10th Birthday &
Jon and Katies engagment party

All together for Pippa's birthday / Jon & Katies engagement party

Well, I suppose it is her birthday!

Mary and Freddy, having a ball.

What, a present for me?  I'll come running for that.

We call Oliver the 'baby whisperer'.

Danny and Freddy played for quite a while on the stairs - good pass!

Relaxing on the hammock.  Don't swing in it, or you get dumped on the floor.

Now which piece went there?

Oliver goes shopping.

A carefully supervised hug after the last one landed them in a heap - with tears.

PART 4: Dads 70th celebrations
at steve and hazels

All together at Steve and Hazels for Dads 70th

These guys did us proud.  A brilliant spread thanks to Hazel and maybe Steve did a bit too :-)

Susie brought this rather delicious Guinness cake.  None left.

Deep breath for all those candles.  Not too many though, there were some handy decade counters on the cake too.

Not quite there yet, boyo.

Danny and Uncle Steve

For his 60th Dad went gliding, for his 70th it was 4x4 driving with Steve.  Whatever next?

This is the tiny path we went up.  It is a lot steeper than it looks, and triple diff locks are very handy indeed.

Luke did a brilliant job of looking after all the kids and kept Danny out of mischief too.