Onwards and ever upwards, on the wind!

After the very pleasant evening anchored in Uvala Krknjas, on the island of Drevnik Veli Camilla and Kurukulla set sail in company to continue our passage NW against the prevailing winds. The first part of the passage took us through the inshore passage N of Drevnik, close reaching, along the coast towards Rogoznica where we set off on the beat to the island of Kaprije, off the coast at Sibenik. Here we anchored for the night, ignoring the buoys, which had been laid since the pilot was written, preferring to use our own ground-tackle, (you know the state of maintenance of your own gear, the sight of the occasional mooring buoy lying on the beach does nothing for ones confidence in them!). The water was crystal clear but cool in these islands, still warm enough to be enjoyable for a swim though. Next day we set off for the island of Murter and anchored in the bay at Kosirina, taking advantage of the camp-site bar ashore for a pre-dinner drink as the sun set. Our progress north was relatively leisurely as David had a crew change planned in Zadar the following weekend, hence we were under no pressure. The next day saw us negotiating the Pasmanski Canal, a relatively narrow and shallow stretch of water separating the island of Pasman from the mainland, in very light and flooky winds and from there onwards to Zadar at a somewhat better pace but still beating against the NW winds. At Zadar we decided to have a night in the town marina and a meal ashore in order to say goodbye to Raf', David's crew, who had to leave at 0500 the next day.

The next morning David and I took advantage of the local shops and chandlers to resupply our boats. David's next crew members were not arriving for another 48 hours so time was not pressing. The only pressing matter was to get out of the marina early enough to avoid paying another 60 Euro for a second night! In the mid afternoon we set off, both single handed, for the anchorage at the northern end of Otoc Ugljan, an anchorage which is easy to access, good holding and one I had used several times last year. Other than a short move to an adjacent bay to avoid the worst of the wind we passed the next two days doing a bit of maintenance and cleaning up the boats, interspersed with the occasional swim and glass of beer! On Friday evening David set off to collect his new crew, from the Zadar fuelling jetty (closed at that time of night and therefore an easy pick-up point) returning to the anchorage about 2300.

Next morning we set off for a short leg to Molat where we went alongside the town quay, originally to drop off a friend of one of David's new crew members and to pick up fresh victuals. Molat is a delightful tiny port and almost unspoilt by tourism, almost! After a pair of mid afternoon beers staying the night seemed a better option and hence we ate ashore again in the local fish restaurant.

From here it was onwards to the next overnight anchorage at Vele Orjule, near Losinj. Having agreed to meet at a lunchtime anchorage we set off independently, I spent a very pleasant two hours swimming and sunning in the appointed place, David never did find it but we both arrived at Orjule at approximately the same time, 2000. Curry supper on-board Camilla and then a late evening swim before bed.

Our plan for the next day was to finish in Rab with a lunch stop in Uvala Vrc, southern tip of Cres. This changed however on arrival in Vrc. Following a fantastic sail, in which both boats at last managed to get their spinnakers up, we arrived in Cres. The cove in which we anchored was devastatingly beautiful, almost deserted and far too attractive to leave after such a short stay so plans were modified and we stayed the night. There followed a pasta supper for all and a film-night on Kurukulla, topped off with a late night swim for some.

This morning has dawned bright and clear with a forecast S/SE wind blowing at 15 kts so it will be a lively sail to Rab.