Day six - still Dubrovnik

The weather has remained as predicted out at sea - high winds and plunging waves. The rain battered the boat and the wind howled around us for most of the night. We had broken sleep, but at least we were safe in Lazaret anchored opposite the cruise liners and hidden among the local boats. We've been fully expecting someone to turn up with an official looking pass clipped to their clothing, and rush us an exorbitant fee for sitting out the storm, but thankfully, we have been left alone. (That may have been because we closed the blinds and kept the anchor light off last night!)


We decided it would be a good idea to return to the safety of the marina for the night as the weather was predicted to carry on blowing. The girls wanted a shower and we thought we would make use of the marina's shore power, water and clothes washing service. (Everything washed and dried within 2 hours by the Croatian equivalent of a Washing Walla).

Jessie had several attempts at radioing for a berth, but all we could hear was an argument between the marina staff and an Italian crew. We were refused entry along with several other yachts because of the weather - possibly the reason for the argument! The staff gesticulated wildly at us to leave as we entered. So, in defiance, we are currently anchored just outside the marina, swinging on our anchor along with 7 other yachts and two catamarans while the wind continues to howl and the rain pours intermittently.

While we sit anchored more yachts arrive and circle us and the river looking for a safe spot to drop their anchor. I'm glad we got here early and found our spot before the rush. We spoke to an English couple who arrived in full wet weather gear and said it was gusting 35 knots with a 3-5m swell! Despite the wind the temperature here is 21 degrees with the odd burst of sunshine, so although it is inconvenient at least we are not cold. (Laura)

Later: This afternoon we had the usual fun with the dinghy outboard. Having motored into the small boat dock at the marina to visit the laundry and supermarket, it decided that enough was enough. There are few things as frustrating in life as hacking away at a recoil starter on a small outboard when it's quite clear that it's simply NOT going to start. I had left Jessie and Becky at the marina as they were going for a swim in the pool and a shower so I decided to row back to Sea Bird as the wind and current would be on my side. This all went according to plan until a few yards from the boat when suddenly a gust of wind blew me off course and then the oar came out of its rowlock. As a result, I shot past and had to quickly u-turn and try to row back or be swept down river towards the sea. Rowing like Steve Redgrave I was doing a yard a minute! Thankfully Laura was on board and threw me a line before I expired. Rather as in that Fawlty Towers episode when he thrashes the car that would not start - I retrieved the boat toolkit and set about the offending outboard. Surgery without anaesthetic was its just deserts! Having removed the covers, it turned out the wire from the stop button had somehow got wound around the throttle lever rendering it permanently in 'stop' mode. A little re-routing and the problem was solved. No sailing holiday would be complete without a malfunctioning outboard incident!

As I write the rain is pouring down again - and the thunder is crashing overhead. This was forecast - but it still seems pretty dismal. The forecast isn't great for tomorrow either. It's a pity as we are now losing our opportunity to get to some of the places we'd planned to visit.

setting off in the dinghy with the washing

this is not the weather we ordered!