The campsite Polaris has everything you could ask for from a 3 star campsite. Everything is very clean and tidy but the old fashioned shower block had a weird smell. Sort of a mixture of perming lotion and stagnant water. Not my kind of smell. We 17walk around the pools, bars, restaurants, supermarkets but drew a line at the nudist beach! The swinging Germany sausage section didn’t hold any appeal. Although I believe it was us Brits that popularised the bare all trend. When King Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson visited Croatia in summer 1936.

Rovinj is about 5km from the campsite.  Our original plan was to cycle with the dudes in the basket. But the journey is quite up and down, so we opted for a zoom on Eor. As we approach from the coastline, Rovinj is like a picture postcard place. A perfect hill top village perched on the end of a peninsula and surrounded by bright blue sea. 

We park Eor near the harbour and wind our way up through the old section towards the peak, St. Euphemia Church. We purchase a nice selection of local breads and a bottle of coke to enjoy along the way. Followed by a procession of noisy seagulls and cheeky pigeons. click on the images to enlarge 

A tangle of steep pedestrian streets are paved with death defining slippy cobblestones.  I dare anyone not to slip and if you think its bad going up just wait until you’re coming down! Its a toe gripping work out. The narrow, winding streets feel very Italiano and are lined with galleries, quaint shops, bars and cafes. On every terrace, balcony and stone porch, a basket of flowers, a vine covered canopy or potted lavender plants.  All filing the alleys with the most beautiful of aroma.  

The church was delivering weekly Sunday service, so we stroll around the outside. The elevated view provided a good vantage point for the surrounding islands, countryside and harbour. Bracing ourselves we slowly but surely amble through the narrow streets.  Down on to the promenade and along the waterfront.  It is almost like walking back in time. At the bottom, a small market with vendors selling everything from candy by the kilo to lavender oil by the litre. 

Mac n Tosh were pleased to see us with cries of excitement and wagging tales all round (click here dad this will make you smile). Oh and before I forget, I know I have to finish off some blogs from Sardinia and Corsica. So don’t be surprised if all of a sudden you get a few odd 2017 posts thrown in the middle of 2018. Both islands were absolutely fantastic and worth sharing. As most of you know, our journey last year was cut short rather quickly.

Our dog Mac became quite ill. We took him to several vets on Sardinian and Corsica but he didn’t improve. In the end we became quite worried and made a mad dash for home.  Our decision turned out to be right. Mac developed a massive tumour and under went several hours of surgery and post operative treatment. The size of the tumour really shocked us but thankfully the tests showed no signs of cancer. Mac has made a full recovery and glad to report he is back to his normal, floppy, yapping self.

After a ball game at sunset we head back to Vin for dinner. Tonight a feast of Mexican chicken quesadilla cooked on the BBQ hot plate. Boy they were good, its been ages since we enjoyed them with our travelling friend Dave. We should have these more often, I thought.

Our Bumble paid camping spot N045.062135, E013.673487

After a few days at Polaris, we decided it was time to move on. But it was one of those days when maybe I should have stopped in bed. First, it started with realisation that of my body is no longer at youthful as I thought. When in the echoing shower block, I bent down for the shampoo bottle and out popped an unplanned ball of gas. Loud as bloody thunder. I frightened myself never mind the person in the cubicle next to me. Needless to say, my exit from the shower block was rather swift.  

Then at reception, I pay the bill. The charge didn’t seem right but with a queue of people I decide to take the bill, check it out and then return later if it is wrong. I leave the reception, head down, trying to work out the bill. I stop at the entrance road and wait for a motorhome to pass under the barrier. Motorhome passes and proceed to walk, head down learning Croatian on the go. Then whoosh. The end of the barrier came crashing down and bopped me right on the head. Stars, angels and every other kind of heaven object blurred my vision.

I hugged my head and returned to Vin. “Are you OK?” Craig asked. To which I quickly replied “Yes, I just stupidly decided to walk under a moving object and the bill is wrong”. He smiled, held his hand out and said “Lets have a look at the bill then”.  The heavenly objects started to fade but quietly they whispered… ignore him, he’s a fella with selective hearing. Anyway, it turns out the bill was wrong and the receptionist had charged us the full asking price as opposed to ASCI price (which is 50% cheaper). I returned for my no hassle refund, this time avoiding all moving objects.

Onward and upward to our next stop, Pula.  The journey is both eye catching and an eye opener.  The coastline is attractive with fields of rich red soil and pinewoods sloping gently down to the sea.  Then a succession of ‘in construction’, purpose built resorts has all but swallowed up the shoreline. The new constructions look like a terraced block from the 50’s. All concrete and no design or consideration for the landscape.  Inland, the coastal strip fades imperceptibly into conifer studded heathlands and dotted with poppies.  Fields bounded by dry stone walls and dotted with traditional characteristic stone huts with conical roofs.

We arrive in the village of Fazana just north of Pula. Upon arrival, we park on the roadside and walk in to the reception of Bi Village, our 3rd ASCI campsite. We select our spot, set up our stall and put our feet up. In my case, console my egg head and reflect on the day.