View from our balcony
Our balcony
Pick my Hertz mobile up. Good news we’re upgraded to a Kia Sportage. I seem to recall we had one but now it’s with Fiona.
Roads are a nightmare of one way streets, narrow and lined with parked cars. Getting the monster into the garage takes more turns than a politician’s promise.
Get checked into our Airbnb. It’s lovely; well organised; and the views over Dubrovnik Old Town make up for the stairs. Only 366 steps down to the old Town, the smart move is to get an Uber back. There’s a welcoming bottle of red wine and some beer etc., a nice touch. Marko, our host is very friendly and helpful.
Sit out in the gorgeous sunshine on the balcony admiring the view over the Old Town.
Pop along to the local super market for essentials for tonight. Only about 61 steps. Sadly they don’t really sell much.
Old Town at night
Our tour guide Paula told us that the best way to identify somebody from Croatia was by the fact that they have a big head. Actually, I think it’s a lot simpler. You can always tell them by the fact that they never smile and look miserable, although to be fair today I did encounter a nun and she was smiling.
The photo that still haunts me. Forget climate change and the Singularity, this is one for my biggest fears.
Muslim fears
Check in to the Escape lounge at terminal one, welcomed by a Frau Groupen Fuhrer, obviously not chosen for her charm and customer service skills – she hates her job. Don’t you just love the size of plates, more the size of a saucer; and dinky knifes and forks – a finance director strikes again – so small and petite I wouldn’t dare inflict them on Esther or Beatrix, would be more at home in their dolls house.
While Manchester airport is the epitome of greed, W H Smiths comes a close second with a small bottle of water at £2.79. Never again.
Got up a tad late, 0920 a new laziness record.
OK so lets get some proper food shopping over. A so called hyper market is only 3 miles away, but because of the crazy, narrow one way streets we have to drive 6 miles away from it to get to it. Not very hyper, the corner shop when I was a kid had a better choice. Will go to Lidl next time.
Get back and squeeze the car into the garage, perhaps a large Sportage wasn’t such a great upgrade, even a SMART car would struggle; lug the vitals up to the apartment; then its coffee on the balcony in tee shirt; awesome blue skies; a view to die for. Wendy has lunch and sits there chunering on about the rooftops spoiling the view. 
In the afternoon we take a stroll down the 366 steps to the old town and have a pleasant sunny stroll around. A couple of stops for beer and coffee. Manage to find the Jewish Fountain – starting point for tomorrows guided tour.
Wendy wanted me to get a picture of the Jesuit Steps, Walk of shame from the Game of Thrones. Sadly only found this.
Finally found a picture of the Jesuit Steps.
Then came a choice. 366 steps back up or Uber. I’ll leave it to your imagination as to the choice we made. Walked about 5 miles today.
Thank the Flying Spaghetti Monster for Google Lens, helps translate all the weird produce.
Our tour guide Paula told us that the best way to identify a somebody from Croatia was by the fact that they have a big head. Actually, I think it’s a lot simpler. You can always tell them by the fact that they never smile and look miserable, although to be fair today I did encounter a smiling nun.
What is wrong with most of the shop assistants, they’re so morose and miserable. Even, openly pull their face when asked. In general most Croatians seem pretty miserable, not many smiles or joy and laughter around here.
A recent Happiness index – Country rankings showed Croatians as third from the bottom of all the EU countries. Mind you being in the EU can you blame them.
Red Keep from Game of Thrones. It does have another name but it’s unpronounceable.
It’s an awesome History of Dubrovnik and Game of Thrones site tour. Paula, our guide, adds so many local and personal snippets to the tour, as well as being very knowledgeable and entertaining. She was a child during the war and an extra in the Game Of Thrones. It all adds another dimension to the Old Town. She also WhatsApps us loads of places to visit outside Dubrovnik. Really enjoyed it and didn’t even begrudge a decent tip. All part of GuruWalk app, free walking tour, you tip for what it’s worth.
Walking tour.
Walked about 4 miles, so as you can imagine it was an Uber back home.
Pleasant evening in trying the fig liqueur we’d bought and some local wine.
Have you ever noticed that when discussing departure times with a women they will say “leave ABOUT 1100”, whereas a man will say “leave AT 1100”. And you can guarantee that just as you step out the door, at 1112 no doubt, the women always has to nip back in for something.
Old Town from the Red Keep.
Red Keep.
Uber home.
In Croatia the EU accession referendum passed with 66.27% of votes cast in support and 33.13% against EU membership for Croatia. There were 0.6% blank or invalid votes.
The HSP president Daniel Srbargued claimed that the referendum was illegitimate since 71% of Croatian voters had not taken part in the referendum or had voted against the entry of Croatia into the EU, and warned that only 28% of Croatian voters had supported joining the EU. Srb also added that Croatian citizens had shown distrust of the Croatian Government. Željko Sačić, a right-wing politician, stated that the government destroyed the concept of Croatian citizens and created an impression that Croatia was unable to govern itself. Sačić stated that the government had brought Croatia into a decaying organization in an illegitimate way, adding that the referendum result was a defeat of Croatian independence and they would challenge its validity in court. By the 3 March 2012 deadline, the Constitutional Court of Croatia received 22 appeals challenging the referendum’s legality; it ruled against them all.
Oh well, tough titties, you’re in the EU. Shit happens, suck it up.
A nice lazy start to the day, rain is forecast. By 1130 the rain has stopped so we Uber down to the Pile Gate.
There a free Traditional dancing display in local costumes at 1130, Croatian Morris dancing. Very entertaining and well worth the money.
I go to the Ethonological Museum (Ethnography is a branch of anthropology and the systematic study of individual cultures. It explores cultural phenomena from the point of view of the subject of the study). Wendy takes one look at the steps, yes there’s 80+ of them, so she goes for a coffee. Unfortunately I’m stupid enough to go for it, as it’s free on our 1 day pass. What a waste of time, fortunately no money. I wouldn’t bother going up one step to see this.
Then we use our pass to do the walls all the way around the Old Town. Fortunately it’s stopped raining and well worth the effort.
After all those steps we stop for lunch and I finally get crni rižot (black risotto). Made with cuttlefish or squid, this famous food gets its black color from the ink, and is a must-eat food in Dubrovnik for seafood lovers. Finally we Uber back for coffee and a lazy afternoon. Whilst it wasn’t sunny at least we had no rain.
I think by now we’ve done Dubrovnik to death and as all the shops are shut Wendy’s quite happy to call it a wrap.
You’d think with all the H&S obsessions of the EU they would manage to spend some of their tax funds, robbed from the peasants of Europe, on some safety rails on the millions of dodgy steps around this town.
Rain forecast for most of the day so after a lazy start we take a drive around a few places recommended to us. A tad disappointing, not really that much to see, but despite it being grey and miserable the rain held off.
I suppose the highlight of the afternoon had to be a trip to Kaufland, at last an almost reasonable supermarket – apparently part of the same group as Lidl. We also popped into Lidl. The wine was so cheap I refused to buy it. A Carmenera for 4E?
Back to apartment for afternoon tea and a leisurely night in with Netflix and wine.
The UK Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), which implements the EU ePrivacy Directive (2002/58/EC), is the legislation that requires websites to provide users with an option to accept or reject cookies. Specifically, Regulation 6 of the PECR stipulates that websites must:
1. Obtain informed consent before storing or accessing cookies on a user’s device.
2. Provide clear and comprehensive information about the cookies being used, including their purpose.
3. Offer users the ability to opt in or opt out of non-essential cookies (e.g., tracking or marketing cookies).
This law was originally part of EU legislation but was retained in UK law after Brexit. It is enforced by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the UK.
Websites usually comply with these rules by using cookie consent banners that allow users to accept, reject, or manage their cookie preferences.
Why haven’t we used our EU escape to get rid of this stupid annoyance. Does anyone really give a damn. At least if nothing else you should be able to create a cookie that stipulates you an accept all cookies and therefore never waste valuable time in your life – us old folks haven’t got long left, so every second counts – or risk RSI.
Rain forecast for most of the day so we hunker dow. Mind you every morning’s a lazy start these days. I go for a last stroll around town and then meet Wendy for a last meal at Dundo Maroje. I have the traditional Octopus stew. It was OK but I wish Octopi would not eat so much sand.
Dubrovnik Old Town within the City walls is lovely. At this time of year you take a chance on the weather but at least there’s no crowds nor 40C temperatures to contend with. It well deserves its UNESCO world Heritage Site rating.
Sadly outside the city walls the roads, parking and parked cars are a nightmare.
A primary school has scrapped its annual Easter celebration and service in order to “respect diverse religious beliefs”.
The announcement has been criticised in online comments, with one suggesting that Christmas celebrations will be cancelled next.
Norwood Primary School in Eastleigh, Hants, sent a letter to parents and carers informing them that neither their Easter Bonnet Parade nor their Easter Service would be held this year.
Stephanie Mander, woke self rightness do gooder, the school’s headteacher who wrote the letter, explained that this was because of the state school’s “respect for diversity”. She said: “By not holding specific religious celebrations, we aim to create a more inclusive atmosphere that honours and respects the beliefs of all our children and their families.”
More DEI, woke nonsense and bullshit. It’s simple. If you don’t like the traditions of this country then go somewhere else. Stop pandering to those who MIGHT be offended. The Headteacher and the governing body should be sacked.
More nonsense courtesy of the EU. Now we’re out why don’t we ban this stupidity.
Plastic bottles have retainers (or tethered caps) on their tops to reduce litter and improve recycling. These retainers ensure that the cap stays attached to the bottle even after it is opened, preventing the cap from being discarded separately, which often leads to environmental pollution.
The introduction of tethered caps is largely driven by environmental concerns and regulations, such as the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, which mandates that all plastic bottles must have caps that remain attached by 2024. The goal is to:
1. Reduce plastic waste: Caps are one of the most common forms of plastic litter found in oceans and landfills. Retainers help prevent them from being improperly disposed of.
2. Improve recycling efficiency: By keeping the cap attached, it is more likely to be recycled along with the bottle, ensuring both components are processed together.
This small design change encourages more sustainable use of plastic bottles and aims to reduce their impact on the environment.
I realised as we did our walking tour how little I knew of the war in the Balkans – just another war in a distant country. Anyway, here’s a brief summary:
The war in the Balkans refers primarily to the violent conflicts that erupted in the 1990s following the breakup of Yugoslavia, a multi-ethnic federation in southeastern Europe. These wars were fueled by a complex mix of nationalism, ethnic tensions, and political instability. The conflicts led to widespread violence, war crimes, and the redrawing of borders in the region. Here’s an overview of the key events and components:
1. Breakup of Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia was a federation made up of six republics: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia (then known as Macedonia). After the death of its long-time leader, Josip Broz Tito, in 1980, the federation began to experience growing ethnic nationalism and economic issues. The collapse of communism in Eastern Europe in 1989 further destabilized Yugoslavia, and by the early 1990s, republics began declaring independence.
2. Slovenia (1991)
* The Ten-Day War: Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia in June 1991. The Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA), dominated by Serbs, responded with a brief military intervention. However, the war lasted only ten days, resulting in a quick Slovenian victory and its independence being recognized.
3. Croatia (1991-1995)
* War of Independence: Croatia also declared independence in 1991. However, Croatia had a significant Serb minority, and Serbs living in Croatia opposed the separation. They declared their own breakaway regions, with support from Serbia and the JNA.
* The war was marked by intense fighting, ethnic cleansing, and atrocities committed on both sides. The war culminated in 1995 with a Croatian military operation that effectively ended the conflict and reasserted control over most of the country.
4. Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992-1995)
* Bosnian War: This was the most complex and violent conflict in the Balkans. Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence in 1992, but its population was divided among Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims), Croats, and Serbs. The Serb population, backed by Serbia, sought to create a “Greater Serbia” and engaged in a campaign of ethnic cleansing.
* Srebrenica Massacre: The war included the notorious genocide at Srebrenica in 1995, where over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were killed by Bosnian Serb forces.
* Dayton Agreement: The war ended in 1995 with the U.S.-brokered Dayton Peace Agreement, which divided Bosnia into two autonomous entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (mainly Bosniak and Croat) and Republika Srpska (mainly Serb).
5. Kosovo (1998-1999)
* Kosovo War: Kosovo, a region within Serbia, was predominantly Albanian but under Serbian control. The Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) fought for independence from Serbia. Serbian forces responded with brutal campaigns against the Albanian population, leading to accusations of war crimes.
* NATO Intervention: In 1999, NATO intervened, launching an air campaign against Serbia to stop the ethnic cleansing and atrocities. Serbian forces eventually withdrew, and Kosovo came under UN administration, later declaring independence in 2008 (though this remains contested by Serbia and some other nations).
Key Issues of the War
* Ethnic Nationalism: The wars were heavily driven by ethnic nationalism, with different groups seeking to assert control over territories based on their ethnic makeup.
* Ethnic Cleansing and War Crimes: Throughout the conflicts, large-scale atrocities were committed, including the systematic targeting of civilians, ethnic cleansing, massacres, and mass displacement.
* International Involvement: The international community, especially the United Nations and NATO, played significant roles, with varying degrees of success, in peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. NATO’s intervention in Kosovo marked a turning point in international military engagement.
Aftermath
* The wars left deep scars in the Balkans, with thousands of deaths, displacement of millions, and shattered economies. War crimes trials, notably at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), sought to bring justice to victims, although tensions remain in the region.
* New countries were born from the conflict: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo (whose status is disputed).
The wars in the Balkans were some of the worst conflicts in Europe since World War II and had lasting political, social, and economic impacts on the region.