During our 4 month stay in Cabopino, amongst many other wonderful people, we met the lovely couple Phil and Andrea when they produced the first quiz we attended back in November at Jorge’s Bar. When we announced on the Cabopino FB page that we were making our way from Spain through Italy to Split, I received a call from Andrea to let me know they were making their way back to blighty until they read our announcement, which gave them the idea to change their minds, do a U turn and change direction to Split. 

We kept in touch by WhatsApp in the days up to the ferry sailing, exchanging notes on what documents we needed, which websites to check, covid tests, ferry crossings and campsite choice.  As Steve and I drove from the magical Garden of Elves through many tunnels through the Apenines, it occurred to me we had crossed Italy West to East without me trying on any shoes or clothes which was actually impossible as all the shops were closed.  I wondered how much the continental women must be suffering.

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Anyway, without any planning of what time or where to meet up, both couples arrived early at Ancona Ferry Port around 3pm; they in their motorhome and us in our caravan.   The check in office didn’t open until 4pm, with sailing until 7:45pm. It was no problem occupying ourselves as we could each cook a meal, relax in our travelling homes and catch up on our phones and laptops using the Ferry Terminal’s free wifi.

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With procedures completed, lining up in our lane for embarkation on to the Marko Polo Ferry, part of the Jadrolinija fleet, Steve and I looked at each other, jaws dropping.  We realised this was not one of the big ferries we were used to, it was not a drive on, drive off, and each vehicle had to reverse into the garage area of the ship.  We watched all sizes of lorries, mostly huge, driving up to the boarding area, making a tight left turn, then straightening up with the rear of their vehicles facing the ship. Then with guidance from the Jadrolinija crew reverse into the ship parking tightly to the vehicle behind.  One of the senior men came to speak with Steve, checked our total length, which is an unbelievable 13 metres, and asked Steve if he would like to board now, but that would mean negotiating a reversing distance of over 100 metres, or wait to be last on and reduce the reversing to minimal.  Steve chose the latter and we spent an hour waiting for the ordeal. Again I say ‘we’ but Steve was going to do all the hard work. When called and in position, the same man, close to Steve’s driver’s window giving the directions left, more left, right, left, right, more right and so on so Steve knew which way to turn the wheel as they both carefully and expertly guided our vehicle pushing the caravan backwards into the ship.  Steve had total confidence in him (well, he had to didn’t he!), I had total confidence in Steve, Steve followed instructions whilst I didn’t dare move for fear of reducing sight in the passenger side rear view mirrors or being a distraction.   Without any need for correction, Steve was man of the moment, superbly parked up with just enough space for a playing card, left, right, back and front. The look on his face as he set the hand brake said ‘get me to the nearest bar – and make it quick’.

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Our crossing was just under 12 hours due to pull into Split at 7am Saturday morning 27th March. Dropping our stuff off in our cabin, which was tiny, equipped with two tier bunk beds (I drew short straw and had the top one) and a small, very small, bathroom. Looking at the shower, I shook my head and thought I’d wait for a proper one. It’s looked like too much hassle and hard work. We’d arranged to meet Phil and Andrea at the bar, but due to very few passengers, it was closed so, after being on deck experiencing departure from Italy and taking photos, we met in the restaurant and enjoyed an evening meal together with a glass or two of wine.

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Phil and Andrea sold up five years ago and have since been touring in their state of the art motorhome. It’s one of the few we have seen that we thought we live in. We exchanged thoughts and experiences, talking about internet banking, languages, who spoke what, food, wifi, mobile phones and how to get the best out of our adventures. Our excitement grew looking forward to arrival in Croatia. Our waiter was so delighted to have his first tourists this year, that we were treated to deserts and, despite the a la cart restaurant closing, were told we could linger as long as we liked. He showed Andrea the route out, back to the lounge. When we were ready to leave the restaurant, we followed Andrea through the kitchens and it reminded me of my days producing prohibition themed parties.

Knowing meaning last on, meant first off, and hardly having slept that night we were ready by 6am .  It helped that we had a porthole on the Adriatic Sea, forgot to close the curtains (we didn’t realise there were any) and the rising sun woke us up. Having negotiated Passport Control and got our passports stamped for the second time, the first was departure at Ancona on our first ferry, we were off to our next campsite which was only about 10km away called Camping Stobreč – Camping Stobreč Split – The best middle sized campsite in Croatia (campingsplit.com)

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It’s wasn’t long out of Split that we saw the Mediterranean, the shore line on our left and the beauty of Croatia. Having planned the choice carefully to stay at a campsite on a beach we checked in to find out that out of the 294 pitches, there are only 15 campers, us included, of which 10 are English!  We chose a pitch as close to the beach as you can get. That meant the excitement of the maiden launch of our inflatable dingy – the Teddy. The water is crystal clear and not too cold.

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Due to the low occupancy, all the facilities of beach bars, restaurant and pool are unfortunately, closed but we’re used to that. In fact renovation on the restaurant began March last year and it’s still work in progress, The good news is the shops are open and the bars and restaurants are too – only with seating outside – until 10pm. It’s taken us two days to set up, catch up with chores and relax.

We have yet to explore – Happy days!