Holiday part 1

Holiday part 1. Off on a plane at the sophisticated hour of 9pm from Gatwick. It was a BA flight. So mid-flight meal. And leg room. And allocated seats and so no mad scramble to get aisles next to each other.

And then we got off the other end in beautiful Croatia.

For those that have never been, you must. It is my favourite holiday destination. Miles and miles of beautiful coast, great climate (sunny, but not muggy, hot, but with a breeze off the sea) cheapy cheap cheap and yummy food.

We had a little villa about 12km outside of Dubrovnik. Perfect in everyway it was halfway up a mega hill (as is everything on the coast) with a pool, lots of sunloungers and just enough space for 6.

Directly below was the sea and a lovely little restaurant/bar called the Hawaii (dinner and drinks for 6 came to just under £35. No I kid you not).

It was the perfect chilled out break. In the mornings we would travel to an island, or Dubrovnik or a little beach. When we were tired we'd drive back and eat lunch (followed by Milka - the novelty of being abroad). And then the rest of the day would be spent tanning and swimming and reading (read 3 books - Winter in Madrid - amazing, Fahrenhiet 451 - hmmmmm, and The Help - totally wonderful).

We then showered and went for more dinner.

One day we hired kayaks (being in the Adriatic made this an infinitely more enjoyable experience than being in the freezing depths of the Lake District). I was paired with my father (who, despite whinging about being put with me, was actually the greater hindrance). We paddled out to a cove, got out, ate sandwiches and went snorkling. Then back in the boats and round one of the little islands just off the coast.

I left on the Thursday. They all stayed until the Saturday. But I was brown and rested and ready to go on to holiday part 2.