The girls got up early this morning to do some shopping for our trip to Korcula. It was good as all the young people were sleeping off what would have been some very sore heads. As a result the ablutions were vacant and the shops were empty. It didn't take long for us to pack up and get moving. Getting out was much easier than getting in, as we were going forward. Mind you the Captain did just manage to clip an anchor on the bow of a boat in front of us. No damage though. He has to buy the next round!

We managed to leave the Thompsons in our wake, they hadn't even got out of bed. This will be a breeze. Again we had a great breakfast on the run. Brian decided to take us into Hvar to show us what a great little spot it was. I have included a photo that I took off the boat. I agree, it is very picturesque.

The trip to Korcula was great. It took less time than we thought. We didn't actually moor in Korcula itself, but further around the island in a marina called Lumbarda. Jo had radioed ahead because she can speak some Croation, which was good as we were able to book both the boats in.

Cheryl was the skipper for the day, and did a good job, for the 5 1/2 hours or so, of the trip. We had left the Thompson's behind in our wake. All was well, ....well nearly until we heard this very muffled, BRIAN! BRIAN!. Well Brian was at the back of the boat, and couldn't hear a thing.(and he suffers badly from selective deafness) I was up front with Cheryl and Roz, so I stuck my head down the forward hatch. Dianne, was stuck in the toilet, her door handle had fallen off. Well, we couldn't leave her there as it was her birthday tomorrow. As it turned out, her panic was an over reaction, she managed to break out herself. The girls would have eventually noticed she was missing, because they wouldn't have had anyone to serve up their next round of gin and tonic.

We managed to arrive on time, the Thompsons were nowhere in site. The marina boat showed around to our pen. As we rounded the corner, there in front of us were the Thompsons and crew! and too rub salt into the wound, they seemed to have been there for quite a while because they were eating and drinking. We were astonished that a tub like theirs would even make let alone beat us! If this happens again we are going have to put in a protest and order a swab. Brian and I looked at each other, and came to an agreement WE NEED A PLAN. If you take the time to analyse it though, you can understand why we failed the test. On the Thompsons boat they have 2 skippers and two airline pilots. Clearly they have good navigation skills and know how to fly. On our boat we have one skipper, 2 lawyers and a accountant. We are still trying to make a case to go somewhere, and the accountant is saying we can't afford it!

Korcula is magic and like the rest of Croatia very vibrant. We all caught a Taxi from Lumbardi into the town square. Korcula was founded in the 12th century BC so it is very old. Historically it has had lots of owners, too many to cover in this blog. Needless to say there are some very old and very beautiful buildings. The café strip overlooks a nice harbour, and because it is perched on the edge of a cliff, it is very spectacular.

Cheryl and I, visited the Marco Polo Shop to buy some more Marco Polo shirts for me and the boys. After that I joined the rest of the boys in a bar overlooking the bay. We stayed there until the girls had finished their shopping. Once all that was done, it was time to find a place to eat. Like before, Brian and Dianne (and Heather and Stuart) knew a good place to eat, just off the town square in a very narrow lane. We were lucky to get a table as it was very popular. Everything was going well until I put pepper onto my beautiful lamb chops. Because I was in another zone, I didn't look at the top of the pepper shaker, thinking that it was grinder (which it clearly wasn't) I ended unscrewing the top, and tipped nearly a whole jar of pepper onto my meal! Suffice to say my food was quite spicy. I think will go to India on my next trip, as I know I will fit in with the locals real well.

The Thompson bunch were very considerate buying Captain Brian, a local Tuna spread. (Brian absolutely detests fish) so I would suggest there is a message in this thoughtful gesture NOT!. Brian we need a cunning plan. This can't go on. So Brian and I ordered a litre of house red to drink while we came up with this cunning plan. Which we didn't but the wine was nice. Brian was going to sleep on it.

We ordered the taxi to pick us up once again to take us back to the marina. It was an awesome night out. Great company, great meal.

Brian and I went over to the bar at the end of the pier because there was live music. A very good band. We weren't surprised to see Stuart there as well, with his friends Jenn and Keith. Not that much longer Ray Ray turned up as well, and he was ready to party.

It was still a very hot and muggy night, so having Cheryl tell me to have another cold shower didn't phase me at all. I decided to sleep up on deck where it was much cooler. Plus I could listen to the band. Brian eventually wandered back later, and Ray Ray stayed till stumps. (I understand)

Tomorrow we will be taking a short trip of about 2 1/2 hours to MLjet.