Day 11. Saturday 11 April.

Thoughts about post-Hvar got to outline stage. And a kayak tour to Pakleni Islands (4 hours) and boat hire had brief consideration. Because the ‘season’ hasn’t started yet, water excursions are limited & water is pretty cold (we’d felt that in Dubrovnik), we decided to skip a possible Sunday expedition.

A day to explore the city of Hvar (a village really). First challenge after coffee was the walk to the Fortica (also known as Spagnola) a overlooking the city. Fortunately, after getting to the city centre, the walk up the hill, although looping, was a flat zig zag surface through a Mediterranean garden of pine trees, lavender, irises, herbs & succulents. It was a very slow day for lavender sellers and Fortress staff but for us it was perfect.

There were, of course, steps. And we peered into the Church of St. Anthony the Abbott, only open by appointment until the season starts.

There were some interesting stops on the way….

The fortress dates from 12th century, but primary construction was 16 th. A small collection of items salvaged from shipwrecks nearby has been dated at 2nd century BC: amphora and clay dining crockery.

Coming back to the waterfront we strolled past the gelato stand (pistachio was chosen).

The walk continued around to the Franciscan Monastery where the steps were being swept; there’d been a wedding and flower petals & rice needed cleaning up.

We noticed a guy throwing baguettes into the water…yes, he was feeding the fish (& later, the pigeons would have their turn).

Back toward the town square: we’d noticed earlier in the day that an event was being prepared in the Arsenal; with flowers and white organza draped, white cloths over tables, it looked like a serious Saturday wedding would happen. By afternoon, the lamb spits were being finalised & the guys were rewarding themselves with glasses of white & loud chatter…it was actually the Hvar Wine Festival event, starting at 5pm.

We weren’t up for joining…dress code seemed to be sports jacket & jeans & loafers & ladies would have been dressed to the 9s.

So what is for our dinner? Dropped into Konzum & with cauliflower on special, it was decided…roasted chickpeas & cauli would do…of course D asked ‘and the meat’???

Another perfect sunset.