SailTime Croatia Flotilla - Day 7

Day 7 - Friday 29th May

Rogoznica - Kremik - Krka Falls (ACI Marina)

We had planned an early start today - as we hoped to get sail from Marina Frappa past Kremik to the Krka falls. This entailed sailing to Sibenik, then navigating a river to the town of Skradin - where we’d park our yachts and take a ferry upto the national park. Three hours there and three hours back - with a 2 hour walk in the park to boot.

However, the wind had other plans - it was blowing 20kts again and we decided to sail directly to Kremik - park the boats there - then go overland by taxi to the national park - a 45 minute journey.

Everyone briefed and agreed to the plan, Lola set off first - the wind was quite lively now - and as we were pulling out, we were pressed on the downwind yacht alongside. Our skipper of the day helped to fend the stern - and I was on the bow dropping the lazy line - as we came out of the berth - the wind caught the bow and pushed us towards to row of anchors on the adjacent boats - the lazy line caught on the dingy and then fouled the prop - we were dead in the water - so rather ignonomously drifted onto the awaiting anchors. Fenders in hand, we held the boat off - no damage done then but dented pride! We were however pressed against the bow of three yachts - two of which has a local racing crew on board who were ready to go - but we were going nowhere!

After a wait - where everybody in the marina came to see us - we finally managed to make contact with the marina who sent out a crew on a rib to review the situation. After much discussion, pointing, conferencing and the odd expletive - a diver was summoned to the excitement of the kids on board. Action Man arrived in the form of an old sea dog - probably makes a fortune out of this kind of mis-hap in the height of the summer. Before we know it, we’re free and we motor around to an empty pontoon whilst our skipper is dragged off to pay! Whilst we’re waiting, all the SailTime fleet set sail ahead of us - an the racing boats are away in a flash - all still smiling. 45 minutes later, we’ve all completed the short sail around to Kremik without further incident and are moored safely stern-to in the Sunsail Marina - no lazy lines here - you’d think they’d have them to give some of their guests well needed practice in parking . . !

A taxi has been ordered whilst we were waiting at Marina Frappa - so we’re all aboard and we’re off to the Krka Falls in the national park. John still isn’t feeling too great and as it’s prize giving tonight - he decides to get some rest - before the big night out!

We reach the park after 45 minutes and following a 5 minute journey into the valley find our selves in an idyllic place. A walkway around the river and waterfall has been installed and the falls are spectacular. We spend a welcome couple of hours on land - and grab a quick lunch before meeting a bus back to our waiting taxi at 4.00. We’re all onboard bar one - so at 4.05, the coach doors are un-cerimoniously closed - almost squashing David - and Aiden, Sandra and I are left waiting for Dee. Two minutes later she appears unaware - but we have a 20 minute wait for next bus - and a grumpy taxi driver awaits us. He wasn’t too impressed when I then asked him to stop on the way back so I could pick up some prizes for prize giving at the local supermarket.

We finally got back to the boat at around 6pm and then out to dinner at 8pm - back to Rogoznica so our skipper of the day could investigate the scene of the earlier shenanigans from the view from the restaurant we had booked for the evening.

The wine was free flowing this evening and even John was feeling better - although there were some cringeworthy moments to follow in prize giving - a tradition at the end of a flotilla - recognising everyone’s unique contribution and skills. So the roll-call is:

The Kids

• Chloe: Most scared/biggest scream
• Catherine: Biggest lady of leisure
• Joseph: Best black eye
• Sam: Special Award - action man of the week

The rest of Lola’s crew:

• Sophie: Galley slave of the week

Bagpuss:

• David: Best radio etiquette and meteorologist award
• Penny: Most in charge second mate award
• Graham: Best dressed sailor
• Vivienne: Most safety conscious sailor award - for wearing a lifejacket when it got rough

Little West:

• John: Speeding ticket of the week on the trip around Brac
• Sue: Best Crew of the week - John helmed - Sue did everything else!

Catalina:

• Aiden: Rookie of the Week award - not bad for a power boater!
• Sandra: Most improved sailor award
• Dee - Most late/ Most clumsiest / biggest bruise of the week award

RUBBER DUCK AWARDS - The Big Ones

• Sue: "The Over and Out - Big Beer fine" sign off on the radio award
• Aiden: Definitely the worst parking of the week award

and drum roll - the major award of the week - The Captain Duck Award goes to:

John B - 0 metres on the depth gauge, lazy line round prop, getting sick!

Other Special award:

Non Romance of the week: Sam & Catherine - we tried to encourage them, but I guess the spark just wasn’t there . . . or was it? Late breaking news - rumour has the young couple possibly spotted holding hands at a recent sailing outing in Poole!

After a very enjoyable evening, and everyone cherishing their highly valued prizes, we finally get the taxi back to our waiting boats, for our last night on board - but not before a few drinks on Little West with a few late night stragglers.