Last night was very nice. Promonaded dear old Crispy along the harbour innher best frock and a romantic stroll through the narrow streets of the old town. We found a lovely terrace restaurant that was switched onto Crispys "special needs" and she had a great time. Its only the second real, hearty meal she has enjoyed since crunching her way through a pigs knuckle in Saltzburg. Central Europe is many things but gluten aware is not one of them. She has been living on meat, roasted veg and salads. She is half the girl she was and is sure to win slimmer of the month on her next visit to the fat club oncevwevget back to Blighty.
This morning it was a lttle overcast but warm. Very warm. The temperatures were due to reach the mid thirties and by one o-clock they had managed it. Sticky, sweaty and hot (Thats the weather by the way and not Crispy).
We decided to catch a bus and ride south to the only other town of note on the island, Baska. It is the most well known and popular "resort" here.
We got off the bus in a tiny gravel kolvodor (thats croatian for bus station) just outside the town. First impressions were not good and for us it didn't get any better. It reminded us of Llandudno on a wet weekend in May minus the see through pink pacamacs and mobility scooters. Thats not saying there is anything wrong with Llandudno, or indeed North Wales in general, to each their own. Suffice to say it wasn't the prettiest Adriatc place we have visited. Places always look better in the sunshine and it was overcast when we arrived there. Whilst Crispy was grazing on yet another salad the clouds dispersed and the sun broke through. To our utter amazement it still looked like a run down Victorian seaside town. Baska is not a place we would rush to return to but were sure it must have its own special charms. The salad was good.
We caught the first bus back to Krk town. Krk town is beautiful. Picturesque harbour. Ancient Francopian castle. Narrow paved streets.
It reminds us so much of two of our favorite places. Lindos and our secret mainland location who's name I refuse to disclose in case it becomes popular. An idilyc escape and a complete contrast to Baska.
The lady at our apartment is wonderful. Nothing is to much trouble and she goes out of her way to help. Last night she said that she had a couple of bicycles we could use for free if we wanted to. Never one to shun an opportunity for exercise Crispy's heart leapt at the opportunity. We decided that once back at Krk we would take ourselves on a little bike ride. The lady pointed out an easy tour and quickly got the bikes. They were brand new, state of the art fat boys ( those of you with a more sedentary lifestyle will have to look this up). They had never been used so the first job was to put air in the tyres as they had lived in a garage since leaving the bike shop. We called in at the local petrol station and reinflated the tyres before setting off on Island route 7. The guide describes the route as "dynamic" and that must obviously translate into
"Bloody hell, youre having a laugh". I dont think I would even attempt this in a Landrover. Poor Crispy looked like a beetroot by the time we reached the first checkpoint. It was like cycling up Everest on roads composed of very small, deep gravel. The temperature was now in the mid thirties and it was Crispy's turn to be sticky, sweaty and hot. By the time we reached checkpoint 2 I had to make the call to abandon the endeavour in the name of compassion. Being a trooper Crispy prorested and wanted to soldier on but we had to be sensible and call it a day. The upside was it was all downhill back to the town. The downside was being gravel the bike slipped and slid at every opportunity. Crispy came down screaming " waaaarrrrggghhhhh" with her legs akimbo like an olympic water skier and her face a picture of abject terror.
She loved it and is eager to try it again tomorrow.
She has put her best frock on again so it must be time for dinner.
Bare and Crispy signing off, still in Krk, Croatia
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