Platavicka

Driving through to the lakes was really moving- the bullet holes, destruction and bombing of buildings still in evidence and the occasional scrawl across a deserted and partially destroyed home ‘Serbian’. The whole area is still quite depressed perhaps a sadness would be a better description and in some respects with the war only 10 years past in their recent history the memories and lose of life in communities must still be very fresh in their minds. There is a lot of new building going on and rebuilding but some houses are just as they would have been after the ravages of the war. We had taken a slightly wrong turn and were well into areas off the tourist track at this time. After four hours we found a major road or rather something better than an almost one car potted carriage way and headed for the UNESCO world heritage park at Platavicka, consisting of several lakes at various levels all flowing by waterfalls from the upper lakes to the lower lakes. , Extremely interesting, well worth it and well run with all ferry ride and two train trips included in the entry price. It took us about 4hours of solid walking to complete the round trip and just towards the end the heavens opened and the lightening flashed and thunder and we were drenched to the skin returning to our car a little more than wet and exhausted to head south to the coast. The bush was very much like the Redwoods and the lakes similar to Rotoma in Rotorua.

Kay’s navigation skills were excellent finding us a place just out of Zadar with water views and at an affordable price with cooking facilities. Will probably stay two or three days to check out the area as it is another national park area but this time canyons and rocky barren environs.

Life’s great. Having a tremendous trip. Not missing work at all. The Croatian people are lovely even with my inability to speak the language.

Brsec just out of Opatija

Brsec another great sobe ( zimmer/rooms) find on the hill tops overlooking the sea, we strolled down to the beach thinking it was only a short walk down from our accommodation 2.5 kms later we were in the water crystal clear ,warm and salty just wonderful and dreading the thought of 2.5 kms walk back up the hill. Found a tree with some small yellow fruit a cross between cumquats and yellow plums which all the locals were picking and eating so joined in. The fruit here is so fresh and has such strong flavours probably as it is all tree ripened no cool stores in sight!! After all that exercise (which the locals do on a regular basis as they were carrying groceries) ended up at the local pub for a drink and cool down. The next morning drove the car down to the beach we had wised up and had another swim. Leaving Brsec we explored the historic medieval village of Moscenicka narrow alleyways, entrances so small even I had to duck to walk through them and all perched on the hillside overlooking the bay. The church clock was in full force seems to be very much part of every village here.
Opatija dripped money, old hotels of a previous era perch above the walkway and we were stung well for parking. There is a 12km walk along the waterfront which needless to say in 37 degrees we didn’t finish opting instead for a swim after 2 hours. The coastline is rocky and crowded with people bathing on concrete sun-baking areas, the sun-burnt bodies, bums and boobs would have the NZ cancer society fuming.

Sv Ivan Fishing Village

What a find we traveled out from the resort towns and ended up in a traditional fishing village postcard perfect. Finding a reasonably priced apartment was the icing on the cake and a lovely restaurant for dinner over looking an ideallic bay. Only locals and a few tourists staying. Headed for a swim the water is crystal clear, warm and salty. No effort required just to laze on our backs as the water suspended us without any effort. Today heading for Opatija another resort town of the rich and famous.

Goodbye to Slovenia

Yesterday we headed out of Slovenia for the coastal coolness of Croatia. Watching the team clean up, pack up and head out laden for Munich airport was quiet sad. They had all had a great time over the past six weeks.

Heading out of Slovenia we went down to PortoRosa, Croatia- a resort town right on the coast. What a shock to our idea of a beach. Literally thousands of paid for umbrellas and lounging deck chairs littered the beach. The promenade was lovely but in 40 degree heat we were seeking shade and more shade. The beach was cordoned off for swimming and the area allocated was where you had purchased the umbrella. Men were raking up the weed and placing into jumbo size bins which with the heat were smelling quite putrid. The water was lovely just like a tepid bath. After a time we decided it was too busy for us with its hotels and casinos, mad traffic and thousands of holiday seekers.

opening ceremony and course

Junior World Championships

The world champs are nearing to a close and the competition has been fierce. Abby had the two poor individual runs finishing up at 44th but then did the best two runs in the teams race in the afternoon so disappointment was followed by a positive finish.
The C2 boys are into the finals this afternoon so the excitement is immmense. They put down a great run and at present are sitting in 6th place with a run still to go. All is well weather continues to be warm- really warm and the suntans are just happening without any work.

Fruits

Les after some exercise Lofer

Europe

We had the normal epic flight over to Europe delays etc and finished with the mad rush down the concourse in Dubai to our flight. We had stood there watching the flight information screen for an hour before realising it was malfunctioning and only registering flights after their departure. found an english speaker to be told our flight was now closing for departure hence the mad run with trolley in motion to the departure longe and straight onto the plane. Guess saves queing!!
Caught up with Jmaes, Mike SJ , jared and mark in Munich checked out the goss and Sj's dislocated sholder efore heading to Lofer and the lads to Prague. Great to see the boys and their summer suntans we were the whities!!!. Lofer was just awesome a couple of days there to get over jetlag and relax. We hired a couple mountain bikes and did an epic ride between villages and over farmland. A good work out after a 40 hour flight. had some fab photos but unfortunately thought they were on the computer but had the techo glitch and lost them all. We may have to go back just to reshoot the photos. Loved Austria and then headed towards Italy catching a train shuttle between a mountain range which was spectacular after we emerged from the tunnels.

Now in Slovenia in Solkan where the junior worlds will be held- Kidda has done a wonderful job coahing the team and they are all looking fit and happy, Sue is holding out well and still smiling!!. The girls race Friday both individual and teams

We are here for the next few days heading to explore Bovec shortly just waiting for Les to return from hoon along the motorway in Johann car!! Boys and their toys.

Look at this

The Desert Road yesterday.
1/2 a metre of snow fell roll on Whakapapa

The ski season will be awesome

Our Harbour

Tauranga Harbour on a still morning

The Extended Family

Top-Nana with all the grandchildren plus one great grand daughter
Bottom -Family get to gether

The Dawson Grandies

Nana after walking around the Mount

Knocking on 80 she can still keep up with the younger generation

The Mount Beach

Les and Mike on a great day after walking around the Moount

The next generation of kayakers

The great nieces starting young

All in a days work

Kawau island

Les at the old coppermine smelter Kawau Island. He didn't quite see the do not climb the ruins!! Built in the 1800's the remains of the chimney are still very obvious from both land and sea. The old workings are riddled with copper crystals and a bright blue hue hangs over the walls.

In the big smoke

After dropping off Abby, Les and I headed to a friend's apartment in Auckland for some R&R and a glass of vino ending out at a great food court serving sizzling asian food.The next day we headed to Mansion House ( just in the background), Kawau Island a small island in the Hauraki Gulf. The weather was wonderful and we loved the flora and fauna just a bit different from the mainland. The resident wallabies turned out in force along the tracks keeping a watchful eye on us. We spent the day walking just about all the tracks on the DOC map, viewing Mansion House before heading back to Auckland central late afternoon.

Abby leaves for Europe

The Junior team left for Europe on Friday highly excited and have now arrived safely in Germany!!

Abby is all grins as she heads towards departures at Auckland Airport