Despite our best efforts and the help of Mr Google, we missed the turnoff to Dubrovnik on Highway One, TWICE! We opted to go part of the way along the coast road and turn inland at Omiš. All well and good but it was rather nerve wracking....we have a habit of ending up off the beaten track and today was no exception.

The road became steadily narrower and snaked its way up the mountains, through small villages perched on what appeared to be sheer cliff faces. I managed to video a tiny portion of it, but it was just too stressful..... And that was when we had reached a wider portion of the road! Oncoming cars passed by with millimeters to spare and we thanked our lucky stars that it was Sunday and we didn't have to tackle trucks or buses! We both heaved a sigh of relief when we finally reached the turnoff- bring on those glorious tolls!!!

Cousin Ned and his wife Madeline met us in Vrgorac a small town nestled in the mountains and a hub for the numerous small villages in the area. We drove to Ljubuški in Bosnia and Hercegovina (as you do..) and lunched at Ned's favourite restaurant of twenty five years called Most . It is right next to the river of three names- Tihaljina/Mlade/Trebižat, (I think it joins the Neretva somewhere .....) the meal which followed was amazing as always; grilled lamb, čevapčići, schnitzel and trout......

Back at Ned's, we sat outside on the terrace, in the shade of the overhanging walnut tree, drinking homemade wine in the sweltering afternoon heat.(35 degrees).) it is difficult to describe how it felt to be back in the village, except that it felt so right.... The mountains surround you and no matter how hard I try, I cannot capture their splendour and majesty on film.

Later on, we went to my grandfather's house and Ned also showed us the school they attended in Dragljane. There was also,a memorial to those who died in both world wars from the village, lots of Jović names there....Sadly, there are only a few people living in the village now as the young ones have moved away.....

It cooled down a little in the evening and Madeline spoiled us with a meal of cold meats, Pag cheese , salad and fresh bread. The history of the Jović family both past and present was mulled over and we finished the night off with a lively game of 500 .

I must add that we were offered a typical "Dubrava" breakfast this morning- cherries picked fresh from their tree and a shot of Rakija! (We passed on the rakija... this time......)