Day 26 - Prigradica, Croatia

It's been 3 1/2 weeks together for 24 hours a day and whilst all has been generally good it is taking its toll somewhat on the kids. They're at the age where their tolerance for each other's unique personalities is not as high as one would like so they are having their share of arguments. It's good in this apartment as they have their own bedroom but in a few days it's back to sharing so I say, "get over it and get on with it".

We all went for a swim. The water didn't take long to adjust to then off to Blato to have lunch at Melitca's and Peter's. We were 15 minutes late and that's just not on here. We were invited for 1pm and 1pm means 1pm. Melitca was waiting outside for us with the first course already on the table - whoops! It was four courses and absolutely wonderful. All must have been forgiven as Peter gave me a bottle of his own wine dated 1985 that he only gives to relatives and close friends. I'll save this for home as long as I can get it through customs.

The kids stayed behind whilst K and I walked the narrow backstreets to her Dida's (grandfather's) house. On the way there were many deserted stone buildings but one in particular remained furnished with portraits in frames. There was even an old hand pump for water. Canned food and utensils lay about with a calander on the wall dated 1983. It was like stepping back in time.

A few doors down from K's Dida's was a very old lady that continually spoke in Croation and we think wanted us to have coffee with her. She was a darling old thing but we had to decline as we were exhausted after a few minutes on the street trying to communicate with her.

We returned to Melitca's for Marta's (her grand daughters) birthday party. Tilly found it difficult to socialise as none of the children spoke English. One mother was a secondary (high school) teacher and spoke English so we chattered for some time. It was interesting that for a six year old's birthday there was salami and cheese and only a couple of chocolate things on a stick. This was a first for us and the kids - attending a Croatian birthday party. They did have a lovely cake and sung happy birthday both in Croatian and English. 

Back at the apartment, one of the ladies at the party that spoke very little English knocked on our door and dropped off some extra birthday cake to the kids. Not sure how she knew where we were. How nice is that?

Tomorrow we will explore the western side of the island.

Melitca and Karinne

The party in full swing with Andrea (Marta's mother)

Karinne outside her Dida's old house

A back street in Blato

View over Blato