First stop on the island of Šipan

30th August 2010
Freshly caught sea bream grilled to perfection, washed down with a light local summer white - the ripest of red tomatoes in the salad, dressed by olive oil from Tony the captain's own olive trees; a perfect start to the holiday sitting on the aft deck of 'Linda', moored alongside other yachts in the harbour of the small village of  Šipanska Luka, a village on the northern part of Šipan island, at the end of a 2.5 kilometre bay. We are only a couple of hours sailing from Dubrovnik, but already many years from any hustle and bustle.

Our 27-metre, Linda

Three hours under motor and we glide into the peaceful saltwater 'Great Lake' on the island of Mljet. It's been designated a Nation al Park to protect the holm oak and Aleppo pine forests. Over the mountain is the smaller lake with the 12th century Benedictine Monastery of St Mary in the middle.

The little isle of St. Mary in the Great lake, with an ancient Benedictine monastery and a church dating from 12th century.

"All friends on deck" - four of us have known each other for nearly 50 years!