Living the dream

1st Mate Lyndi

As Wabo was unable to be put into the water, due to bad weather, we decided to do tool shopping, to Franks delight we found the “Bauhaus” . This is a giant hardware similar to Bunnings but twice the size . so that took care of that day. Using public transport we have spent quite a bit of time hanging out at bus stops! We decided to eat at Bibiannas  again! , I ordered what i thought was Squid and mango salad – turns out the salad was vegie similar to spinach, It was very nice all the same – some how lost in the translation.

Alan left 2 fold up bikes on board these  are fabulous for getting around the marina, tiny wheels with heaps of power, what a sight .

The day has now finally arrived and WABO is going into the water, Main sail done, Jib only just ready for the launch at 12.30pm (or so we thought) at 11.45 Mr boat Launch arrives with the giant remote control boat lifter on wheels ……..ready !!!!!!! We had WABO  Soooo organized, in about 2 minutes it was a shamble, we forgot the mooring lines – AGH we knew we had seen them somewhere!!!! mattress off again. I am scrambling to locate them while Frank is tying fenders to the rails, all this time Mr Boat Launch is rolling his eyes and not looking very happy.

The moment finally arrived Mr Boat Launch has done this many times, we didn’t need fenders of lines ,she was gently placed in the water and the Marinero’s held the stern while Frank and I stepped on, like royalty .We started the motor and off we went. What a moment , they all gave us a departing wave. How fantastic WABO is really ours.

We did a couple of hours sailing around Kastella just to work out and fine tune sailing this beauty. It wasn’t to difficult for me as I was at the helm. For those of you who aren’t familiar with a Halburg Rassy it has a  centre cockpit – so the main sail is hoisted from the mast. we have a furling jib and self tailing winches.(much better system for Frank to be at the main than me!). So its all very tame until there is another boat on the water – then the race is on!!! It was a very nice sail and we were very happy with the way we all sailed well together.

We stayed in the Marina a couple of nights – Frank had another visit to the Bauhaus for chart plotter fittings , we did final shopping at getro and it is now time to start our adventure.

We set sail late in the afternoon , it was force 4-5 winds so we were reefed in, but once we were away from the influence of the mountains the wind dropped . I was a very pleasant sail to a tiny cove called Stipanska This cove has a 300year old house (former oil mill) it still looks old and run down from the outside but inside is very nice. It was owned by a German family called Sauers , the brother s manage an electronics and engine business , which they now operated from Milna. They have since sold the mill house and it is now owned by an Austrian family.This family have built another house at the back of the mill house – the 2 days that we were there, they were busy working on this house. There is no fresh water – so they must some how provide there own. The weather forecast doesn’t seem to change a great deal gorgeous in the morning  with force 3 winds by the afternoon,  we have been swimming a couple of times and the water is ICY. Frank spent the days here installing the chart plotter while i relaxed and read agh this is the life!! We set sail at about 13.00 arriving at Milna, very pleasant light sail, we were in need of out board fuel and diesel top up, but as it sunday the fuel station was closed !!!!! NO sunday trading here. It has a private jetty at the beginning of the harbour and an ACI further in We were able to Moore at the jetty near the fuel station and decided to do a much needed walk into the little village and have a look around. . We ate lunch at a newly oped hotel Sedro – first impression we may not fit there clientele, as the chairs were all covered in white linen with beautiful table settings , as if it was set for a wedding – inside just the same with every table set to perfection. We were made to feel most welcome even wearing flip flops.we had a nice meal , wine, beer , coffee and an after meal drink, all for 1ookn The Manger who is a fifa rep was very friendly  and accommodating I would defiantly recommend this restaurant Here we met an English couple who s starter motor had broken – they suggested we sail to Lucice for the night.We set sail from Milna to Lucice force 3-4 winds – WABO cruised along nicely. We tacked a 45deg for about and hour and then was able to tack in the bay It has mooring bouys which are from the restaurant and cost about 150kn depending on the boat length. The restaurant here is in a beautiful setting but a bit expensive.

We set sail at 11.30 am , unfortunately  of fortunately depending on on your view of a sail holiday – there was absolutely no wind  not a white horse to be seen  . we were “dead in the water” we had to motor much to Franks displeasure. It was a glorious day , we set off to Hvar.

We arrived at Hvar for a fuel stop which unfortunately wasn’t as easy as first thought . there is a lot of fishing boats to manoeuvre through and depth wasn’t sufficient for us.We really only required out board fuel so we decided as we have been to Hvar and walked up to the old fort we would push on , took a couple of photos from the ocean  side  its very picturesque.

We were finally able to set sail and head NNW to vinogradisce this as a beautiful cove and safe anchor (there is an ACI Marina on the other side.quite expensive to stay at a marina)Here we met some fellow aussies who were a bit jealous of  our aussie flag on WABO , so her mustered up a towel with a flag on it and hung that from the side of his yacht! We were also able to catchup with kate and Andrew from Lady Olivia ,they are good friends of Alan and Maureen (previous owners of WABO) the knowledge that Kate has on the places to visit is mind blowing.from now on i will take a pen and paper with me when i visit people as its a challenge to remember everything. The cove has been quite busy .There are a couple of restaurants which  have set up beach chairs all in a row for the tourist to bake in the sun – a little like Phuket. i suspect it will probably be best avoided in the high season if a more relaxing time is needed. Frank decided house work was now required yep scrubbing the decks and polishing the hull. This was watched by many lazy tourist im sure they were thinking crazy aussies (for those who knew the flag wasn’t NZ) the second night we decided to try out the new bar called Novak , its so funky , frank and i sat in a tree house, rope mats for our beehinds , coffee bags as cushions and had a cocktail looking out over the bay , I am sure this concept would never be approved at home. some days its tougher than others !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have worked out that  it is free and easy going here – nakedness everywhere (around the water of course) two pairs of bathers is 2 to many.

We set off to Vis to prepare for the formalities of the leaving the country (it is a requirement that every 18months the yacht must be taken out of the country otherwise import duty is payable and if it is not done with correct procedure , there is a heavy fine) I will get to this later. Arrived at Vis town  we anchored 43 deg 3 min N 16 deg 11min east near the church with a cemetery – this cost 50kn , the other option is tying up  to the jetty and rafting with other boats , this is something we don’t like to do and at 300kn a night is only done when absolutely necessary. We now finally have outboard fuel, its my job as first mate to be skipper of this vessel – what a pro – docked at the jetty as if I had done that many times before (Leith and Helen would be impressed). This town was celebrating the anniversary of the Yugoslav army leaving 20 years ago. There was quite a festival . A very popular Croatian band playing , who have been around the traps for 35 years, they rocked on until the early hours. didnt get to bed till after midnight!

Now to the formalities We must see the police ,customs and Harbour Master all in different locations. The police location is at “The reception” and not manned so we had to call 192 , this puts us through to Police and they then organize the customs , we all meet in one location – customs was a very stern but friendly chap who required all our documents copied twice. Customs man was sitting nice an relaexed having a coffee. Then the police arrive , passports and more paperwork done! we all shake hands , and now off to the  Harbour Maters office. This is located on the other side of the harbour  down and alley between a cafe and tourist information (just having renovations). The flag is in front of the building so it was really just locating  the correct alley and now to International Water’s

We set off from Vis town at 11.30 heading for 43 deg 14 74 3n 15 deg 45 151 – well there was not a puff of wind, I don’t think I have never seen such calm water so we had to motor. We arrived at our destination – we had to take  photos from the GPS and chart plotter , toasted the occasion with nice Croatian red , then started on our journey back  to Komiza We arrived back at 18.30 . We used a buoy mooring here not at the jetty. Frank has found a implement on board this is used to attach a rope to the buoy, quote “its the most useful instrument i’ve ever seen!”its called and “ezymoore” Komiza is more convenient for the customs gentleman as this is where he lives. Same procedure again only in reverse. The formality’s now done it is time to head back to Kastela as mick and Marty will be arriving from Berlin. Leaving Komiza the wind was brilliant, force 3 , so we were able to sail to the passage between Solta and Brac , with the wind behind us we gull winged through the passage. Very impressed indeed. we decided to anchor at Necujam, near the resort. There we decided to have toasted cheesy  after spending some time trying to light the  grill to no avail even with the instruction book we gave up . (similar to building  something from Ikea) we will tackle this another time!!

Wabo has now become our home and its a such a pleasure , we sit in the evening with a glass of Croatian red and reminisce  about our day. one of the things that does come to mind is the fact there are no lazy jacks – so dropping the main sail is always a challenge. We have tried several options ,with me at the main and then with Frank. It does seem to work better when I am at the Helm and franks is dropping the sail. The only problem I have is staying into the wind as it seems to change direction often SO!!!! Frank says Head it into the wind – “NO” Head it into the Wind  – watch the wind vain, I AM watching the wind vain He says HEAD IT INTO THE WIND. Scheisse!!!!! the only wind that is going anywhere is the wind going past his ears as i push him overboard. We have another couple of months to resolve this problem I will keep you posted./

**about me** For those of you following this blog and don’t know the history of the journey i will now fill you in. Frank has had a dream , we all have dreams and thats where they stay , just a dream! Franks dream has now become OUR  reality. Frank is very much at home on the water , but for me i have had to move from my comfort zone. I have pushed boundaries that I never thought possible at 52. I have learnt to sail, now have a skippers ticket , VHF radio licence, all of these are required to sail in croatia. Frank spent hours on the net and finally found WABO his dream yacht which was located in Croatia at Marina Kastela, near split So the dream begins