On Fishing and Fishermen’s Tales

2018 marks the 450th anniversary of the publication of Ribanje i Ribarsko Prigovaranje (On Fishing and Fishermen’s Tales), Petar Hektorović’s classic travelogue poem. It’s a fascinating tale of a three day sailing trip from Stari Hvar to Šolta, though the old language of the original makes for a tricky read, even for Croatians.  Here’s the…

Želko's cove

More painting on the beach

I’ve decided I much prefer a rocky shoreline to pebble or shingle beaches. For a start it’s easier on the feet, but also so much more interesting for sketching or painting. I’m sure the ever popular Milna beach is great for families, but the north shore of Glavica gives me a view of Zečevo island,…

Vineyard

A Walk in the Ager

We set out early this morning for a walk in the fields while it was still cool and pleasant. The “streets” of the Stari Grad Plain are wide enough for carts, and generally run in an easy-to-navigate grid pattern, though at the eastern end they tend to turn and meander a little more. Connecting the…

Darnekusa wine

Darnekuša – a different red from Hvar

Visited the Plančić winery in Vrbanj yesterday in search of a bottle of their wonderful Pharos Grand Cru. We had tasted it at the Dalmatian Wine Expo in May, and have wanted a bottle all to ourselves ever since! So, seeing the lovely new sign on the Stari Grad – Jelsa road for “Plančić Winery…

Painting on the beach

Most people go to the beach to lie around, have a swim and get a tan. For the locals of all ages, it’s nice and cool in the water to hang out and chat with your friends. Me, I take my paints to the beach. After a swim to cool down, I park myself on…

Morning walk in Vrboska

My favourite time of day here is the early morning, especially in the heat of a Hvar summer. It’s fresh and cool then, the water surface is like polished glass, and we get soft lighting low from the east. What a perfect time to take the camera for a walk! The houses in the pjaca…

Vrboska website

Vrboska.info

Vrboska has a new website. The tourist office has recently launched a completely redesigned site that will tell you about this lovely little place, and what’s to see and do during your visit. The content isn’t quite there yet, but it’s a good start and has the advantage of being in English. It already has…

Marinka's art

Atelier Marinka

Up a narrow winding road in the village of Dol Sv. Marije lies an artist’s studio. It’s not easy to find, even with instructions (turn right in front of the Cafe Trocadero and keep going til the signs run out). In a peaceful corner of the village, Marinka creates not just her own artwork but…

Plavac Mali

I’ve just been reading a great book on Plavac Mali, the quintessential Dalmatian red wine. Very readable, and how nice to find such a good source of information written in English! I was particularly interested to read the history, and amazed at how far back it goes. Plavac Mali comes out of a cross between…