Sorry for delay between Blog postings - have been out out internet contact - now will revert to posting every approx 5 days.
Envoy is now at Murter Island, north of Split.
After nearly three weeks back in New Zealand we decided that I should return to Croatia with Diane to follow. The main reasons were the huge marina costs mounting up at Euro 110 (about NZ$185) per day, and the water maker needed to be run - this is hugely important for our cruising, and supposed to be run at least once per week to avoid damage to the membrane (although we’ve heard cases of people leaving them for months without using the special storage chemicals and not having any problems). This is not a job you can get someone else to do without a lot of prior explanation.
This three week period was the longest we’d left Envoy unattended in the water, and when I stepped aboard after the long flight from Auckland, everything was exactly how we’d left it.
By now it was mid-July and very much high season, so the marina was full and a hive of activity. Diane and I had got a bit of a shock arriving back to Auckland’s winter weather, not having experienced it for four years, and it was great to get back into the Croatian summer.
First priority was to install the reconditioned alternator for the SeaPower 115V power supply driven by the Lugger engine. This worked fine so we again have AC power anytime the engine is running, dramatically reducing generator use.
I arranged a mooring in Cavtat, our original Croatian port of entry, where the cost is Euro 28 (about NZ$47) per day, and the marina supplied one of their staff, Harry, as crew for the three hour trip there. I asked Harry about payment and he asked that we send him a New Zealand All Blacks shirt, and although he doesn’t follow rugby he loves to watch the team perform their haka.
Cavtat is a stunning, atmosphere-loaded village with beautiful clear water, and lots of activity as all boats entering Croatia from the south clear-in here. It’s not perfectly sheltered as exposed to the north-west, and the locals said if a NW blow comes it may be a bit uncomfortable, but safe on the mooring. In fact I never had wind much above 10 knots and couldn’t have found a better place to be alone on Envoy for nine days. I wasn’t totally lazy though and re-varnished Envoy’s foredeck bright work with five coats.
Views of Cavtat from Envoy’s mooring
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During this time two Kiwi yachts came in and I met both of their crews.
I took the bus into Dubrovnik and rode the spectacular cable car up to the War Museum located in a fortress built by Napoleon, strategically located on top of Mt Srd overlooking Dubrovnik. The Homeland War is very fresh in people’s minds here, and the exhibits don’t mince words when describing the aggression of the Serbs and Montenegrins. The Croatians were vastly outnumbered and poorly equipped but doggedly held this fortress against shelling, bombing and infantry attacks. There is sobering video footage of the bombing and shelling of Dubrovnik, leaving you wondering what the purpose was of attacking such an historic UNESCO-listed city that contained only residents and refugees and no military targets. Over 2,000 shells were fired at Dubrovnik damaging 70% of its 824 buildings, gutting nine historic palaces and together with sniper fire killing 250 people.
TECHNICAL – SeaPower alternator – see above.
The water maker worked fine after three weeks non-use, and without pickling.
Chris – I fitted the new back plate for the guest head switch, and the gasket for the cockpit storage box – thanks.
Envoy is now at Murter Island, north of Split.
After nearly three weeks back in New Zealand we decided that I should return to Croatia with Diane to follow. The main reasons were the huge marina costs mounting up at Euro 110 (about NZ$185) per day, and the water maker needed to be run - this is hugely important for our cruising, and supposed to be run at least once per week to avoid damage to the membrane (although we’ve heard cases of people leaving them for months without using the special storage chemicals and not having any problems). This is not a job you can get someone else to do without a lot of prior explanation.
This three week period was the longest we’d left Envoy unattended in the water, and when I stepped aboard after the long flight from Auckland, everything was exactly how we’d left it.
By now it was mid-July and very much high season, so the marina was full and a hive of activity. Diane and I had got a bit of a shock arriving back to Auckland’s winter weather, not having experienced it for four years, and it was great to get back into the Croatian summer.
First priority was to install the reconditioned alternator for the SeaPower 115V power supply driven by the Lugger engine. This worked fine so we again have AC power anytime the engine is running, dramatically reducing generator use.
I arranged a mooring in Cavtat, our original Croatian port of entry, where the cost is Euro 28 (about NZ$47) per day, and the marina supplied one of their staff, Harry, as crew for the three hour trip there. I asked Harry about payment and he asked that we send him a New Zealand All Blacks shirt, and although he doesn’t follow rugby he loves to watch the team perform their haka.
Cavtat is a stunning, atmosphere-loaded village with beautiful clear water, and lots of activity as all boats entering Croatia from the south clear-in here. It’s not perfectly sheltered as exposed to the north-west, and the locals said if a NW blow comes it may be a bit uncomfortable, but safe on the mooring. In fact I never had wind much above 10 knots and couldn’t have found a better place to be alone on Envoy for nine days. I wasn’t totally lazy though and re-varnished Envoy’s foredeck bright work with five coats.
Views of Cavtat from Envoy’s mooring
.JPG)
.JPG)
During this time two Kiwi yachts came in and I met both of their crews.
I took the bus into Dubrovnik and rode the spectacular cable car up to the War Museum located in a fortress built by Napoleon, strategically located on top of Mt Srd overlooking Dubrovnik. The Homeland War is very fresh in people’s minds here, and the exhibits don’t mince words when describing the aggression of the Serbs and Montenegrins. The Croatians were vastly outnumbered and poorly equipped but doggedly held this fortress against shelling, bombing and infantry attacks. There is sobering video footage of the bombing and shelling of Dubrovnik, leaving you wondering what the purpose was of attacking such an historic UNESCO-listed city that contained only residents and refugees and no military targets. Over 2,000 shells were fired at Dubrovnik damaging 70% of its 824 buildings, gutting nine historic palaces and together with sniper fire killing 250 people.
TECHNICAL – SeaPower alternator – see above.
The water maker worked fine after three weeks non-use, and without pickling.
Chris – I fitted the new back plate for the guest head switch, and the gasket for the cockpit storage box – thanks.
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