Tučepi - we 'bags' our spot

An excerpt from Shane's Facebook status...

"From Tučepi, Dalmatian Coast, Croatia: today I went down to the beach (ten steps from door) at 7am, and in true central and eastern European style, placed our mats, inflatable Aegean Sea toys, and towels in a prime location for all morning shade. Then the family went for breakfast, had a coffee and milkshakes, a walk, and went to the beach about 1030. Later we went for lunch, stayed out of the mid day sun, and returned to our patch around 230. If you can't beat em, beat em."

That pretty much sums up our day. I am ashamed to admit that, yes, we have become those people who 'bags' the good spot on the beach with their stuff in the morning and then leave until later in the day!!!! But when EVERYONE does it - does that make it OK? I may not be able to forgive myself when I think back on it....but for the moment...I am totally fine with it....I consider it 'respecting the culture'....!

Our 'spot' secured in an early morning stealth move.....

So our day was - swimming, aimless wandering, eating, more swimming, pedalling a paddle boat (with on-board slippery slide) out to sea, pedalling back, more swimming, more eating (some drinking).....and on and on....

The other major event that happened today (besides the paddle boat - which was lots of fun, except Eloise was too scared to go in the water because she could see little fish in the water (which was probably 10 metres deep but SO clear you could see all the way to the bottom).....was that the pebbles finally cracked Eloise too and she got a pair of beach shoes!!!

Of course they HAD to be pink and the most stylish shoes we could find!

Eloise modelling her new 'stylish' beach shoes.






















But they have made the world of difference to us all - I no longer flinch at the thought of going on the beach. And EVERYONE is wearing them so there is no need to feel daggy - although people still stare at us because we are so overdressed. I think we are also the only English speaking people in the town - the rest are Croatian (obviously) and Russian and Polish and Czechs and Bosnian.....

 Captain Eloise steering the boat back to shore

First-mate Neve putting her legs to good use

Step 1: climb ladder and slide down

Step 2: Splash into water

Step 3: Climb back on boat and repeat steps 1 and 2 (x 100).....

















Tough day at the office again tomorrow....