A great nights sleep and we certainly needed it. Went back into Porec last night after we both had a nanny nap. It did the trick and we felt great.
Had dinner and set off back to the apartment. The plan was to call and get a couple of "smart price" bottles of wine for the room. In Croatia wine is expensive both in the local shops and the supermarkets. It is crazy really because Croatia borders Italy, Slovenia and the other major wine producing areas of central Europe as well as producing its own, very good, wines. Saying that have you ever tried buying a Bakewell slice in Bakewell. Dont! you need a second mortgage. Plus its shite, the jams the wrong way round. Trust me I know through experience.
All the shops were closed when we left the old town and our plan was foiled. This morning I was stood outside the local Lidl thirty minutes before it opened to secure our cache. I will not be foiled again.
Crispy was still in bed dreaming of adventures to come when I got back with the evenings fruit juice and this mornings breakfast.
After breakfast on our little terrace we set off into town. At first light it was a little overcast but by the time we arrived at the bike rental shop the sky had ckeared and the temperature was climbing into the mid twenties. We secured the bikes for a discounted price and set off down the coast. I had no real idea where we were headed but worked on the theory that if there was one town on the coast then there must be another. Somewhere.
We cycled for three hours before spotting a church tower above a distant tree line. Crispy by this time was dehydrating and becoming quite fractious. I always know when she is too hot or too cold. Too wet or too dry as she always follows the same pattern. I've seen it on many occasions in mountain, jungle and swamp.
She goes quiet. Her pupils become fixed. The look she gives me changes from one of affection to one of abject hatred. Then the verbal abuse starts. Until she again regains stasis (usually alcohol based liquid) I suffer a stream of abuse and quiet, evil menacing looks.
Thankfully within a few minutes we had reached the town and a taverna.
One litre of wine and lemonade later and we had again moved from another divorce statistic to mature loving couple. Like I say I know this pattern and never take offence.
After the liquid sustenance we slowly cycled back to Porec. On the way back the sky darkened just as we were passing a German holiday camp. We cycled to the centre of the camp and sat out a 15 minute downpour alongside a group of sour faced Gernan tourists who were obviously miffed at the abrupt change in the weather. I camoflaged our unauthorised presence by pleasant small talk in Deutsche until the rain passed. I dont think anyone noticed we were trespassers until the sun came out and we cycled off singing Neil Sedaka's Laughter in the rain.
We backtracked our journey and eventually cycled through the crowds of the old town narrowly avoiding numerous children and elderly Europeans. Outside a very nice looking restaurant we were accosted by one of the many "front men" whos job it is to encourage passing tourists to eat there.
I explained that we were not tourists but infact travellers and were operating on a strict budget and as such were unable to eat at his establishment. He immediately took pity on us and invited us to sit and have a drink on the house. This turned into several freebies and only stopped when we insisted that we had to go and return the hired bicycles.
He bid us fare well and wished us safe travels. After returning the bikes Crispy had a brainwave that involved us casually calling back at the restaurant and gazing wishfully at the menu. It worked and we were ushered inside. Although we had to pay for the meal itself we were drowned in free drinks and desserts. We must remember this ploy as it worked a treat.
We are now back at the apartment and getting sorted, and imbibbing our cache of well earned Vino, to set off in thd morning for Pula. I think a bus goes at around eleven am so another lie in is in order.
Porec is gorgeous. A great little adriatic sea side town. Historic, quaint but enough going on to make it a weeks holiday destination. The only thing is that there are no real beaches. All along the sea front there are man made terraces or natural rocks to afford entry to the sea but you dont need a bucket and spade,. They would be an unnecessary expense and a pain in the
arse to fit in the backpack
Bare and Crispy signing off, Porec, Croatia
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