Typically of boat life, and life and boating in general - all our plans have changed. Kiki and Cora are leaving us partly due to uncertainty re her health and also they want to complete a few courses in the New Year that will involve some considerable time off the boat. We all reluctantly agreed to part ways. The end of a happy little era. Kiki is back with us now for the month and Cora flies in on Thursday, after the last of her tests, to finish up, pack etc. It appears she may have had a massive infection that was treated with antibiotics. Still results to come. We decided to abandon the Sicily wintering idea and EN is staying in Portonovi while we are away. A local man is to look after things, starting engines etc. Not ideal - but what can you do?

We met an English couple and some Australians who are here and have had drinks etc with them a few times. They also will watch out for us. We have installed a remote video doorbell that will alert us in Australia when anyone comes on board.

The weather has been a pre winter combination of blowy, rainy and lovely - the mountains showing very dramatic in the background. Peter and I rode round to Bijela about 6 klms away. Peter was wanting to keep going but I felt quite tired but couldn't work out why. Then I realised my bike motor was not kicking is as usual and I had cycled all the way with no assist! They are not the easiest bikes to ride that way as there are no gears as such and they are quite heavy with smallish tyres! We went a bit further then and stopped for lunch. I tried to reset my bike settings but the app had got in a freeze. By the time Peter suggested stopping the bike and shutting down the app and my phone and starting up again we were nearly back! 12.5 klms later. My battery showed 100% while Peter's was at 70. No wonder I was a bit tired…..

There is a nice little gym here at the marina and I have been going most days. The marina is new and very clean and organised with some super (and expensive) restaurants along with cheaper options. Once you leave the precinct the prices settle down dramatically.

One day we decided to catch the bus along to Herceg Novi, a very historic little town about 20 minutes away. The bus was a complete horror. We were jammed in with hardly room to wriggle a shoulder and the driver made three more stops to pick up yet more people. The minute you step up from the road the doors slam shut whether you're quite in or not! I could hardly draw breath! It wasn't what we would have expected for the time of the day Not rush hour or anything special. The next time we went along that way to the chandlery it was no better! As we bravely waited at the bus stop to come back a man came over and asked us if we wanted a taxi for 5 euros. A no brainer if ever there was one! Not at all sure he was even a taxi as there was no signage, no trip metre, no business cards. I did check the door handle in the back seat worked before hopping in! He got us back to the marina safely and in comfort. I had been worrying a bit about the bus trip as I was carrying a boat hook we had bought and it might have got interesting.

We are busy eating down the food in the freezer now so as not to leave anything that might go off if there is a power failure. We've had that experience before. We are flying out of Dubrovnik and will spend a few days there around the old town so I'll finish this after that.

Early December and we have had snow on the mountains and a couple of two degree days - brrr but very pretty. The Christmas decorations have gone up around the place, we met the H Dock boats for drinks at the One and Only Hotel to watch their tree light up, free Taittinger and nibbles. Very nice, thank you. Peter and I had dinner at The Square for our wedding anniversary - 6th.

Our two days in Dubrovnik lived up to the hype pretty much. A lovely old town and incredibly well preserved fortified walls which we got blown off for one morning! Actually it was only the seaward side that was blowy otherwise a lovely day in which to do it. 1.9 klm walk up and down slopes and stairs but well worth it.

The trip home was uneventful but tiring as usual. It is now New Year. We spent Christmas at Morton Island as well as New Year which was supposed to be a quiet affair but ended up next door with many of the neighbours. Good fun though.

We're now getting through all our usual appointments with doctors, accountants etc.

Happy New Year to you all who follow this blog.