Europe 26

Day 26. Sunday 26 April.

Today will be a quiet day, T declared, no more than 8k steps. Plan is to do a loop: Strossmayerov Park, Botanical Gardens, Art Park, and Museum of Illusions. Departed a bit before midday, after some lovely catch-up calls home.

We had in fact been through the top part of Strossmayerov Park before, so once we got there headed down towards the railway station, admiring the facades and the green space. D was desperate for a coffee – we found a nice spot right in front of the station. Coffee culture is strong here, and happens at so many outdoor ‘lounging points’, usually a drinks-only thing, so D’s hope for an accompanying pastry were dashed.

Best friends yesterday – now won’t even look at me.

Apple Maps decided it did not want to guide us to the Botanical Gardens: just dropped out repeatedly as soon as directions were asked. Google maps was more obliging. A slow walk along the shaded paths, with T delighted to see that weeds were allowed to grow in pretty much all the beds! Fisher garden joins the club.

The frogs were having a great time, making a lot of noise, and were not ashamed to show their skills, perhaps tadpoling.

Apple Maps now on best behaviour, so let’s go to the Art Park, located just opposite the entrance to the Tunnel Gric. A couple of guides promised an abandoned park, transformed by street art and a vibrant open-air museum. It is all boarded up and gates padlocked – no entry. Staff at Café Grif directly opposite had no idea what T was asking about. Seems the reviews might be a bit out of date.

Maybe we do the Museum of Illusions. As we got near, Ilica street was closed off for market stalls, probably stretching for over a kilometre. What fun! As well as the stalls, there were a couple of dance groups giving demos and inviting passers by to join in. People-watching is a lovely slow activity. Enjoying the atmosphere so much we dropped the idea of visiting the Museum AND there was a Heineken stall nearby! Folk gather in groups and as solos …a lovely atmosphere.