Nick and Sally are joining us for 10 days, so after a week of taking it easy in the Pakleni Islands off Hvar we headed back to Split to collect them, this time we just tied up on the town quay - no water or electricity, but no charges either.
Nick adopts the role of Tour Guide, Split town quay.
We head for the Old Town, where Sally checks the quality of the Ice Cream as fortification before embarking on Nick's Cultural Tour of the sights.
And on to the old Palace, now occupied by Restaurants, Cafes and Tourist Tat
The skyline is dominated by the Belfry - originally built between the 12th and 16th centuries, but rebuilt in 1908 after it collapsed. For the sum of 5 kuna (60p) you could climb to the top.
The Belfry - built from stone quarried in Brac, the island a few miles away from Split. The Americans like it so much they imported the very same stone to build The White House.
It was a long way up
And eventually we reach the top
The view over the Ferry terminal, Brac island on the left, Solta island on the right
The ACI Marina and Town Quay in the distance, looking over the old town roofs
Split has a fantastic market
One of the many vegetable stalls
And then the fish
The fridge stocked, we headed off to the Islands
Keeping watch
Easy helming
Our Tour Guide stated we had to stop at Zlatni Rat, on Brac. It is described as 'A famous beach' and features on all Croatian tourist maps.
It was crowded (publicity is working), and as a beach, Bexhill would give it a run for its money (when the sun shines)
Our Tour Guide did find us some spectacular caves - first the Green Cave, Ravnic Island off Vis
No photos inside this cave, but this diving boat had a good attempt at running Sprigs over! We took it in turns to swim into the cave from the yacht. It certainly was an adrenaline moment!
The next cave was the Blue Cave, Bisevo island, off Vis. This was much more orderly - there was an entrance fee, and no swimming allowed - but at least the camera made it.
The entrance to the cave - 1.5m high, 2.5m wide, 16m deep and 25m long
The sun's rays pass through an underwater opening in the cave to 'bathe the interior in unearthly blue light' (The Tour Guide speaks!)
It was fantastic
Continuing our circumnavigation of Vis, we moored on a buoy in Komiza bay
Komiza, Vis Island
Our Personal Tour Guide had found us an old Castle and Church on the hill, past the olive grove and vineyard
The view from the Church - Nautilus is one of the yachts in the bay.
We had decided to eat on shore, so took the essentials back to the boat first
Nautilus, in the middle of the bay.
The restaurant - another lovely setting
Scampi - sucking the heads dry - I've conquered my demons!
A nice drop of wine with the meal
After 3 bottles, Nick had met his demons!!!
The challenge was to find the best lunch spot - this secluded bay was possibly our favourite
Gradac Bay, Vis
And in Second Place - Nick's Naked Dive!
The On Board Catering reached new heights - look out Masterchef, we have a new contestant!!
I may have conquered demons with the scampi, but there was no way I was eating that! Sally prepares squid.
Post dinner disco - Bruce Springstein 'Dancing in the Dark' at max volume - and not a drop of wine spilt.
It wasn't all drinking and eating
We did do some sailing as well!
After a fun filled 10 days, it was time to say good bye
Nick and Sally left us in Ubli, Lastovo island where they took a ferry back to Split.
And as for us - we sailed on to Mljet, back to Polace anchorage. After the weekend we plan to go on to Dubrovnic for a few days and then back to Sicily where we'll meet our last visitors of the season - my sister Rose Anne, and nephew Oscar.
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