Van life

We drove into Croatia this morning making it 3 countries in under a day (Italy-Slovenia-Croatia). Slovenia was an overnight stop, up a mountain, up a track, in the middle of the forest (bit spooky but we survived...it must be the off season for axe-murderers like everyone else...) 

Slovenia

The border policeman was doing a very good job of looking stern and unbribeable despite our best cheery "Dobro Dans" which I thought was hello but I've just found out is 'good afternoon'...it was 10am. He looked at the passports and our covid green passes and after a suitably dramatic pause announced that we also needed a negative PCR test to enter. The alternative was to isolate for 10 days which he said wouldn't be possible in the van as it wasn't a house. Despite telling him (in my best Queen's English) that that wasn't what the FCO website said, he stuck to his guns, told us to park on the right and kept our passports. A few nervous minutes passed in which Buzz and I went through all scenarios from going back to Slovenia to trying to convince him we could isolate in the van and slipping him 20 euro on the handshake, when we saw him walking over. To our amazement he handed us the passports, said he had the wrong information, was sorry and we were free to go. I think he may have even cracked a thin smile. Relief! Unfortunately he hadn't stamped them so I had to dodge traffic to run back to the booth a few minutes later and ask him to do that...he would have been glad to see the back of us. 

Not the first time I've dodged traffic on a major road during this trip. On the approach to Italy, round Monaco, on the rather bonkers stretch of bridges and tunnels that must have cost a fortune and explains why there are so many peages, twice in succession Buzz went to the wrong lane at the peage which was only for automatic telepass travelers. The second one I knew to sit tight, press the buzzer, apologise profusely, read the payment card numbers out and be on our way but the first I actually made the woman behind the tannoid say 'zut alors' three times! We had realised our mistake and with noone behind us Buzz had backed out of the lane and put the hazards on. Unfortunately the lane we needed to be in was 3 lanes up and cars were constantly whizzing in so too unsafe to cross. I then got out of the van (very safe) and ran up to the tannoid of our lane to ask what to do. The zut alors came when I think the woman realised I wasn't in the vehicle. Sorry Mrs - we live and learn! 

Italian peages make me laugh. When you go through the one just to collect a ticket there is no instruction, just a big red button. Surely it should be green..? Every time I fight with the voice inside my head that says 'don't press the red button!'

Don't push the big red button!! 

Our van 'Flash/Flashford' as named by the boys is doing well. We are slowly getting to understand him and have actually done the odd bit of problem diagnosis, not always right, and even fix (largely thanks to a very practical brother and a thin bit of picture hanging wire I'd put in the tool box - excellent for unclogging gas jet holes - who knew!).


The boys love their little bunks and Buzz and I are getting used to smacking our heads on the roof of the over cab bed, or the bed itself when trying to clamber into the driving seat. 

Meal times are fun and cleaning such a small space doesn't take too long which is a bonus.


Van school is a bit sporadic around the seeings and doings but works quite well on long journeys to do a bit on the road. Thank goodness our two don't get travel sick (and haven't been clever enough to think of it as an excuse not to work even if they don't!) We're all looking forward to a bit of settled time in Croatia now to get into a bit of a study, exercise, explore routine. May even get the guitar out tomorrow night...it's Friday and we all know Friday night is music night! 

Picking this up from night before we did indeed have a bit of music. Found this stunning wild camping spot on Vir Island...watched the sunset & moon rise, cooked on the fire and had some music. Wild swim from our private beach in the morning...and all for free... This'll do 😊


Lots of love to all...its been a tough week emotionally for a couple of reasons. Feeling grateful for life and loved ones xx

Comments

  1. Ashley Smith19 November 2021 at 14:44

    How fabulous. So pleased you have got to Croatia safely. Enjoy every minute of it, and definitely eat plenty of prsut when you see it on the menu. (Warty Venus clams too, if you can find them. Way more delicious than they sound...)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Buzzblog21 November 2021 at 13:49

      I'm going to trust you on that one Ash! Thanks for all your brilliant advice xx

      Delete

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