Back at the Boat in Dubrovnik

Last week I returned to the boat to get started on some jobs that need doing.  Unfortunately, I haven't done very much due to the heavy rain that has been falling.

It feels strange to have left the village after being there so long.  It was a wonderful experience getting to know the family that I have here and discovering that they are all so nice.  In fact, it turns out I have another cousin that lives in the town right near the marina.  I had lunch with her and her family yesterday and they, too, are very nice.  After growing up an only child with very little family around, it is delightful having one scattered around Croatia like this.

Speaking of family, it is very lonely on the boat without Maggie (she is in Toronto) and Sophie (in retirement in Palesnik).  I am planning a trip to Toronto myself once I get the jobs done - if it stops raining long enough.

Branko

An Observation(s)

A lamb

I may not have mentioned it earlier, but my cousin has a few sheep that will be turned into food at a later date - we call it mutton.  Well, two of those muttons gave birth to lambs (confusingly, a meat without a euphemistic name like "mutton") a couple of weeks ago and I didn't even know about it until three days ago.  It made me wonder "Why all the fuss surrounding childbirth?"

First picture that came up when I Googled "picture  of a lamb"

H2OBO Crew Update 2013

Last heard,  Sophie was living in the back area of Branko's cousin's farm.   Although a warm and protected place,  she was alone.


Sophie

Sophie's old home

Barn with cows and haystacks

Sophie did learn to open the door of her 'home' by standing on the latch and presto,  she was free.    It took us awhile to figure out what she was doing,  after everyone denied letting her out.  Finally Branko (Branko's cousin) saw her in action and advised the rest of us.

So,  after that we had to bolt the door from the outside.   Sophie did get to run around outside, everyday, visiting her neighbours,  the cows, the dogs, and the chickens . She seemed to always find a nice warm, sunny spot in the haystacks.   Most times she would return with dust bunnies on her whiskers and hay stuck to her fur.  But always full of chatter,  about what had happened to her that day :-)

Alas,  it was not the best place for her,  often we found her at the door to the family home,  wondering where we were.    Branko and Danijela took it upon themselves to find a better home for Sophie,  one where she could live indoors and be with people who appreciated her special personality.

Danijela and Branko

Danijela, as always, came to the rescue and introduced Branko to Lidia - a lovely woman who lives with her parents, 3 cats and a dog named Lily.   Lidia and her family,  readily agreed to adopt Sophie, if, Lily and Sophie got along.   Now Branko and I knew that would not be a problem,  as Sophie loves dogs. Cats are a little different, however.  

Currently Sophie has moved to Lidia's and is enjoying life in the village,  in a house,  full of attention, humans and animals - and seems that Sophie's new best friend is Lily the dog.

I am very sad to have left her,  but happy she is safe and loved.   She is an amazing cat who has travelled distances and seen things that most people will never see.   I love her and miss her.

As for me,  I left Branko, Sophie and the village mid January and went back to Canada.   I am currently staying with my family  and plan to return to Croatia at the end of April. 

Mag.

Pictures of Lily the dog, Sophie's new flat mates and scenes from the village.