Wheels Around Europe . . . . . . . : Unexpectedly Elegant Opatija

Well, today we have made it to five weeks on the road Wheelin` Around Europe with no major mishaps, incidents or fall outs. Oh, more on that later. We have had an amazing time so far with some great memories of the places we visited.

We are probably at the half way point and now have four to five weeks for the return leg. It has gone so fast I can hardly believe it. Seems like only yesterday we were rained off in Bruges !

I think we have reached about as far south as we are going to go on this trip and some replanning of the onward route has been done.

It has been decided not to go down to Split to get the ferry across to Ancona in Italy and up through Tuscany. The knock on effect will also be to rule out visiting the French Riviera which Sue is not happy about.

A discussion was had and the driver and the dog out voted her and reached a democratic decision. Louis looking for a cooler route home !

I am disappointed in missing Tuscany but not bothered about French Riviera which my instinct tells me will be too hot, too expensive, too crowded and not in the least bit motorhome friendly.

The main reasons for the change are we found it really hot and humid in north Italy and going down to Split and Tuscany may involve similar or higher tempertures.

Also the cost of living is very much much higher in Italy and France so our money will go so much further on our new route ! Which is……….

From the PlitviceLakes National Park where we are tonight to drive to the island of Krk, just off the Croatia mainland coast and linked by a toll bridge.

We`ll have a few days at a campsite that is highly recommended and directly on the beach so plenty of sunbathing options. The elusive fridge part is being couriered there all being well.

From there we will head north into Slovenia to visit the Soca Valley and Lake Bled.

Then on to Austria which I expect will be stunning. Into Germany and west through the Bavaria region where I`m led to believe nearly every town and village is picture postcard good. Exact route is a bit vague yet.

Then probably Luxembourg and Belgium but I`ve not thought that far ahead yet !

So there we have it, not as originally planned but I`m sure it will be every bit as good, just different from the Tuscany / France route.

Today we drove to a small town further up the coast of Istria called Opatija, and what a surprise it was. Quite unlike any Croatina town I had ever been to. It has at it`s centre Victorian style elegant villa mansions, now mostly hotels but it is remenicient of UK coastal resorts like Llandudno, except for the climate of course.

We took in the atmosphere and elegance of the surroundings, admired the neatly tended gardens and flower beds and took plenty of photographs of course.

This is most unlike a mediterranian town.

We were then caught in a rain shower, so it felt even more like Llandudno. This sent us scuttling into a café bar to shelter. The shower didn`t last long and soon there was steam rising off the paving as the sun re-emerged.

After lunch we headed in the direction Plitvice Lakes National Park and we are on the outskirts tonight parked up in beautiful rolling hills with lush green fields all around us. The camp is called Zelena Dolina translates as green valley (GPS 44.85803 15.34602). The owner is very friendly and the German man in the next motorhome told me he brings his own homemade peach schnaps around for a nightcap ! He`s not been yet but there`s time.

Tomorrow we are getting up early to head to the Lakes, Trip Advisor recommends an early start to avoid the tour buses full of Japanese and Chinese tourists with selfie sticks.