Mert

What a stunning country! Our first time in this wooded, green country of just over two million inhabitants dissected by rivers and winding roads. We actually stayed first just over the border from Croatia in Lovsin Estate. The river Kupa bordered the estate and the country. We had oodles of space as the major European countries had not yet commenced school holidays so it was relatively quiet. Swimming was great above the weir and we rented a canoe and paddled gently upstream to another camping spot we were glad we had not found! We met a delightful young couple Emma and Gregor who were holidaying from Celje with their two young daughters whose shyness prevented them from practising their English. The adults, however, discussed the country, its culture, customs and politics for many hours. As a ... read more

On our return from Theth we scooted over the border into Montenegro to a seaside resort south of Ulcinj and found ourselves on a wide, rather muddy beach, by Australian standards, under trees by the Green Bar where we had learnt from Park4night that Nikolas would be there to welcome us! His rather scruffy, unpretentious bar gave us a good meal of squid, chips and salad, we had a swim and a rather rousing night as the hotel entertainment next door went on until the wee hours. Great the singer had a good voice or it would have been purgatory! We decided to have a coffee at the bar the next morning but they announced their machine was broken so Graeme kindheartedly offered to make all the staff and ourselves a cup of coffee in Gino! ... read more

Landing in Vlora we managed to do the necessary, buy insurance for the motorhome, take out lek from the ATM and buy a vodaphone SIM! Although Albania is working hard to become a member state of the EU I think there is still a way to go until they satisfy the requirements regarding corruption of the police, government and general safety standards, the manner of driving being the least of it. If you are in Albania keep your distance from drivers of black Mercedes Benz . Many were imported here illegally (stolen, I've been told) and somehow the drivers feel they are above the law. Double lines on a hairpin bend, no problem, a line of traffic you want to get past heedless of oncoming traffic, no problem. A problem only for the drivers coming towards ... read more

You don't turn seventy every year, thank goodness, and really we could have done without it this year, but time is of the essence and our essence this year is ageing. A slightly musty, musky scent with a hint of nostalgia. Our daughters thought to remind us of what it was like to be young and lively in the 70s and planned an extravaganza with friends and family gathering at the party house in St Albans. The request was for 70s attire and the result was hilarious, Graeme and I providing most of the hilarity if truth be told. It was so lovely that my oldest and dearest school friend made the journey from Peterborough. The daughter of another old friend made it down from Edinburgh! One daughter and husband flew from Lisbon especially, and although ... read more

It was the eldest daughter's idea. An author friend of hers was presenting at the Hay-on-Wye literary festival. No, unfortunately I was not offered a place to talk about A Patient Obsession, but you can always order it on Amazon and let me know what you think! My launch was at the Newcastle Writers Festival (NSW) and I have given a talk on writing, but only at the local Nambucca library to a group of interested ladies and a few male interlopers! So, the tickets were booked and we were taking Gino, the newly 'made over' Chausson motorhome for a trial run for this year. Hearing that the parking was difficult it seemed sensible to book a camping spot at the Swan Inn, Letton. A lovely small camping site adjacent to the pub over the border ... read more