The weeks in the marina were quickly forgotten as we dropped our pick in Kolocep, a small island just out of Dubrovnik.

The passage north from Corfu was very painless, we had a gentle headwind for most of the way, then motored for the last part. The worst was passing Albania overnight – the number of fishing boats with weird lights was frightening, we weren’t sure whether they were coming or going. We had left Corfu, not sure if we were heading for Croatia, Sicily or Montenegro. We decided to check into Cavtat, arriving there late in the afternoon only to be told that they were closed, so on to the big port in Dubrovnik.

Check in was very efficient. Due to the late hour we thought we’d stay in Gruz marina for the evening- until we found out the price-  170 euros. That was to hang off your own anchor, no facilities and had to leave by 10am the next day! Its not often that we head off at sunset looking through the pilot book to find an anchorage for the night, not advisable when you have just done an overnight passage! Luckily we found Kolocep, part of the Elafite island group just north of Dubrovnik. Kolocep was the perfect anchorage for a few days – a ferry to Dubrovnik to sort out wifi,   walks, good meals and perfect sunsets….

Worries (unnecessary) about our alternator sent us to Dubrovnik marina where we met Robert and Holly from the lovely yacht Sequoia. We joined them for a pre dinner tour up the river from the marina, to the weir we did not know existed,

then dinner  where we ate the smallest fish we’d ever eaten, some great octopus, and too much local red wine.

The plan for the next few weeks was to revisit our favourite islands in Croatia. Holly and Robert introduced us to Prozura, a beautiful small bay on Mljet where we picked up a mooring buoy for a few nights.

Polace, the large bay inside Mljet’s national park is one of our favourite spots. As well as being a lovely anchorage, it is a great base for walking and bike riding.

 

After a enjoyable days of exercise, dinners and fun with Holly and Robert, we had a very pleasant, rather gentle sail to Lastovo.

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Skrivena Luka is a huge, safe anchorage with a small marina, on the south east corner of Lastovo. The capital, Lastovo, is about a 7km walk along a well marked path. After the steep climb to the top of the ridge, we were rewarded by the sight of the lovely hilltop town which we had so enjoyed on our last visit in 2009.

The village had changed very little since our last visit. The island still has only one hotel, a few restaurants and is not at all touristy, our ideal island.

There were wonderful views from every direction.

We could have stayed much longer in Lastovo. We headed for the north side of Hvar, where we picked up a mooring at Konoba Arsenol in Pribinja. Great spot  – new mooring buoys and a good restaurant where we were joined by Sequoia. The restaurant’s very friendly owner, took us in his car into Hvar, via the scenic spots of the island.

Hvar town was pleasantly uncrowded.

 

After a great week with Holly and Robert, we said our goodbyes as they headed north and we south. The weather is very unsettled, lots of southerly winds, clouds and rain.