We all love a day with a Happy Ending – and today was no exception.

It started well with pancakes for breakfast (and there were some very creative toppings) and continued on throughout the day.

Before leaving we had a ‘do it yourself’ lunch, where everyone made their own wrap. Some became every creative and I’m sure there will be a competition for the best wrap at lunchtime! The Gluten Free eaters are well looked after as well and put together a very good salad

We motored along the bay and found a good spot to start our first crossing.Pinks in first led by the Little Mermaid and off they bobbed.

Next the combined yellows and orange. Steve is leading with Lady Mary and Serial Trekker and I swam along with Jackie Wills ( now know as the Singing Budgie) keeping arm by arm. It’s wonderful to swim along comfortably and not feel pressured. I’m still in fins but that doesn’t bother me. I love being able to swim and know I’ll finish easily.

We stopped at a small settlement with a church perched high in the hill behind it. Pietro even provided an outdoor shower. Delicious!

Eleven swimmers became walkers and set off for the church. A few of us stayed behind for coffee and spent some time fitting nicknames for all the Trekkers.

If you are reading this swimmers, only you know who you are and HOW you got your nick name!!

By the time the walkers returned it was hot, hot, hot – so in they went for a swim and started a synchronised swimming session. We are thinking of asking SwimTrek to include Synchronised swimming as one of its activities. So much fun. They are almost Olympic standard.

Our second crossing was planned and this time we would be crossing back over the Bay of Kotor and finishing at a beach bar! Now that’s a great incentive to swim straight and fast.

It was about 2 km back over and we all made it in good time. The people relaxing on the beach looked somewhat surprised to see us swim in and walk out of the water to the showers followed quickly by a trip to the bar.  These bay-side bars are very popular here and with good reason.

We enjoyed a few beers, and boy do they taste great after a long swim. Sometimes we even have 2!

Back to the Orca and heading for home with Racey Tracey  dancing up a storm before we noticed one of the Duckies had broken loose! A quick turn around and our very sober guide ‘Colldark’ rescued it to a chorus of cheering from the swimmers.

After much needed showers we had another group dinner and farewelled Jen.  You’ll be missed Jen – especially Racey as she’ll miss her morning cup of tea .And so ends another day.

Breakfast was again a feast, especially the Montenegran style donuts. Our host was very pleased with the glowing comments and has promised pancakes tomorrow ! Lucky we’re swimming.

Down to the boat and Captain Pietro welcomed us on board and off we went to the little island we swam to yesterday. It was hot so we were rather sorry we didn’t swum there again. The church is a lovely little Chapel called “Our Lady of the Rock”and was built in 1630 on an artificial island built by local fishermen.

lunch on board

We then swam  between the islands of Prevlaka, Sveti Marko and Gospa od Milosrda. Crossing from one little island to another is always exciting –  the group swam together and we were very pleased with ourselves.  Our ‘Sister Act’ Sam ‘Tea Wallah’ and Anya rewarded us with another cup of tea ! No champagne for swimmers – no matter how good! They have become the tea experts and run a very slick operation aboard our little boat.

We stopped near the white-stone village of Bjelila which gave swimmers time to relax while our guides Colldark and The Pirate wore their chef hats and made a delicious lunch and then it was rest time! Draped on sun lounges we snoozed, though the more energetic swam or had a one on one lesson with The Pirate our guide.

We’ve all settled in to our little on board routines and our group are enjoying getting to know each other. And with getting to know each other the Nick Names are starting to take on a life of their own.

‘Rocky’ and  ‘Rapper aka One Hit Wonder’ sat at the back of the boat entertaining ‘Lady Mary’, ‘Jackie Wills’ and ‘The Butler’.

‘Flamingo’ and ‘Flower Girl’ had a goggle mishap and borrowed from ‘Jackie Wills’.

So off we set for our last glorious swim of the day – along the coast and the pink group set off with ‘The Mermaid’ bobbing out the front. Synchronised swimmers eat your heart out these swimmers are amazing.

I swam with Jackie Wills and we set a comfortable pace stopping for a sticky beak every now and then at some of the holiday homes set along the bay. Some lovely places to stay.

Back to The Palace for a quick change and off to Kotor for the evening with a few of the party people. Sister Act ( Tea Wallah and Mother) , the Spirit, Flamingo and Flower Girl and Serial Trekker (3rd swim trek this year) . We took the local bus and Flower Girl brought out her mini champagne and I was particularly jealous. It was crowded and we were all slightly parched by the time we arrived in Kotor.

The old town is shiny clean and washed,  definitely tourist friendly. Many big cruise boats come here for a day stop and I think the old town would be overrun. For us in the evening it was perfect.

We had a drink at one bar and moved onto a restaurant on the town wall. The waiter was a funny guy, dripping with perspiration and an eagerness to sell us one his fresh fish. He brought the trolley of fish out. We selected a lovely shiny eyed Dorata and he priced it well. Delicious.

Of course swimming works up an appetite so we moved onto a gelato then a night cap.

Arrived back at the Palace to find Jen swathed in bandages after a nasty fall on some steps resulting in a broken shoulder which will send her home. Poor Jen.

And so ends another great swimming day.

This quiet little village had one party place last night. Next door to our beautiful Palace Hotel. Lucky I was too tired to worry as the singing and loud music continued until 3 am!
Breakfast at 7.30 sounded early but all the fellow Trekkers were up and ready. It was once again a feast. Far too much to have before swimming.

By 8 we were ready to stroll  through the village along the water front to Pirates Beach with its inviting blue deck chairs and umbrellas. But no lazing for us as it was a short swim of about 1.3 km across the bay to the 2 little islands.

photo opportunity along the foreshore.

Preparation before a swim involves a lot of sun cream, watersafety talk and the dreaded vasoline. Yes we have it rubbed under arms, straps and any areas that could be the victim of chaffing! Oh I do remember Francesco with his call of  ‘Vasolina’ on my first swim trek. Now it’s known as the Coll cry!

Off we went in our little groups. 3 pink swimmers first. Then the bigger yellow caps group and finally the 4 Orange cappers. I was much more confident today with my trusty fins!

Each group is different and this one is as well. No wet suits, I’m the only one in fins and very similar speeds. Steve would be the fastest, but is happy pottering along with me. No ‘swift swimmers’ like the ‘dream team’ from Sardinia.

The little island for our first swim. Note the wonderful yacht

Out and around the two picturesque islands sitting like jewels in the middle of the bay. It was a fun refreshing swim.

Then the videoing of us swimming, for our feedback session later this evening – hopefully with a drink in hand to face ourselves on screen. We all had to swim along and back, in and out to a buoy while  John filmed us on his go-pro. It won’t be a pretty sight looking at my cellulite in the water!

That’s all so far today and we are relaxing back at the Palace before lunch and a 3 km swim this afternoon.

Lunch prepared by our guides Coll and John was a huge hit with our hungry swimmers. Salads meatballs, gluten free pasta, fruit and a touch of ice cream. How far did they say we were swimming this afternoon!

We rested again after eating to make sure we didn’t drown and back down the 90 + steps to the boat. We met our boat captain a very friendly local with good English and a sense of humour to go with it

Our friendly Captai 

The swim trek group bonding on the boat

Gathering on the boat we joked as we puttered along. We found a good spot to jump in and pinks jumped first. Then yellow and finally orange.

We swam along past attractive hotel and apartments for about a kilometre before bad weather got us out of the water.  A bit of thunder and lightening! So back on the boat and we motored along to another part of the bay. Lots of funny comments from the swimmers.

Eventually  back in  the water and off we swam again. This time covering about 2 km. past bathers paddling around, sunbathers, walkers strolling along the waterfront- no doubt all wondering what on earth we were doing 🏊🏊🏊🏊🏊🏊🏊.

It’s been interesting how the group are moving between the three coloured groups. Lucy decided she’d be more comfortable with the yellow caps for the first swim – then husband Matt followed for the second swim! That left Steve and I in the Orange. So for the second swim we swam along with the yellow group as well!  So now it looks like just two groups. The pace is pretty even but a few like RaceyTracey are considering fins!!

I had my first Aperol Spritz this afternoon after the swim. We all stopped at a favourite little bay side bar for a sundowner!

Then to the ‘Palace’ for showers and video analysis by John. He looked at our stroke in slo mo and told us how to improve! I was too busy looking at me swimming in my new swimmers to notice much about my stroke. All the group said it helped and watch out tomorrow as they’ll all be swimming faster!

John actually told me to slow down my stroke and think about it more. Good advice I say.

So going to dinner at a lovely restaurant nearby. And so ends a lovely day.

Flying in over Dubovnik was magical,  creating  excitement for the start of our swim trek holiday. 

Waiting for 2 1/2 hrs in Dubovnik wasn’t quite so exciting! We had coffee, read and played ‘I Spy’ trying to spot fellow Swim Trekkers waiting for the transfer. I spotted Tracey from Melbourne  before we made our way to the transfer bus where we met up with Matt and Lucy from near Liverpool and Ellie and her friend Sophie from London. 

The drive to Perest took about 1 1/2 through green treed roads with mountains to the left and as we got close,  the sea and the bay to our right. 

Excitement mounted as we drove around the bay and  guessed which village was Perest. 

Arrival was through a gate as the small village is restricted to local cars to maintain its heritage status. It’s beautiful. This small village lines up along the waterfront looking across the bay to other small settlements. 

Finally after 28 hrs we arrived at Perest Palace our beautiful home for the week. Our fellow Trekkers arrived  – Michael from Germany, Yannick –  Switzerland ,  sisters Anya and Sam from France and England, friends Rosanna  and Catherine from London, friends Ellie, Will and Sophie also from London, couple Matt and Lucy from near Liverpool, experienced trekker Jen from the lakes district and our fellow Aussie Tracey. A great group! 

We met our guides for the week. Coll from Cornwall and John from Newcastle and they look like good fun and ready to take on our mixed group of 16 swimmers. 

the view from our room.

Our room for the week. With glorious views.

Coll allocated our group colour hats according to the 1km time we submitted online. Did we tell the truth about our speed?  Did we over or underestimate our swiftness?  That will be the question. 

I was given orange along with Steve, Lucy and Matt. What! It can’t be. Steve is much faster than I am. And apparently it’s the fast group! I think there’s been an error  – but all shall be revealed at the first swim!  

We headed down to the waters edge down about 50 steps to the most picturesque spot. I love this place already! 

The group were bonding and everyone seems to be ready to get to know each other and have some fun. 

In we went. It was a bit crowed for me and swimming with out fins I quickly dropped to the back of the group and decided to enjoy the swim. Not orange group speed I’m sure! We went for about 300 metres had a chat then  continued on towards our hotel along the shore line. About 800 all up.  Lovely water temperature lovely swimming. 

First night of the week is a  group dinner held in the dining room of our Palace. Our hosts prepared a feast of local foods and kindly catered for the three gluten free eaters. Washed down with local wines the night was a great success and set the tone for what is sure to be a fantastic week. 

breakfast in the dining room with a view.

Arriving  at the airport is a great feeling!

There’s nothing else you can do to get ready. If you’re not ready now…….

I’m certainly feeling relaxed and ready to go. Though I’m not getting into the champagne just yet! I’ll leave that for the plane after Steve says as always as we take off. “Chocks away!”. And so our holiday will begin.

Packing went to plan. All on the ‘packing’ bed till last night. I didn’t add anything and stuck to my packing plans. Everything in 3’s though I only packed 2 bottoms so allowed myself an extra dress. As usual the toiletries and add ons take up space. Oh well I need my hair stuff, creams and assorted ‘stuff’.

Total weight 14.5! And my suitcase is bigger than I’d like – that often leads to overpacking. Resist I say!

We’re in the lounge about to board. Keep reading as the swimming starts on Saturday afternoon!

I’m all layered up,  wearing my trusty cardi over a black maxi with my new Frankie4 shoes. Hope they are as comfortable as everyone says!

Last month I wrote about my niece Pip’s wedding to Hugh Smith. 

This month it’s her brother Patrick who ‘ tied the knot’

So once again the family gathered but in  very different way to Pip’s wedding.

This one was held south of Port Macquarie at a small beachside town called Bonny Hills. I had searched for a place to stay and found a Big 4 Cabin park just near the beach , close to the vineyard and the surf club. Perfect.

We drove down from Brisbane on Friday afternoon with Jordan and Rob tucked into the back seat along with snacks and drinks and Steve up front with me supplying him with lollies to keep his blood sugars high!

We stopped at Little Italy just north of Grafton for a coffee and a quick tour of the museum. It was an area that a group of Italians made home back in the 1880’s after they missed New Zealand and found Australia.  They set to work and made a life for themselves in the timber industry in the area.

A short dinner break was made at Port Macquarie at around 7.30 and we finally got to the cabins at about 9pm All up about an 8 hour drive! My sister Catherine, David and her daughter Clare had arrived earlier and were settled in their cabin which turned out to be really comfortable.

The next morning we spent walking on the beach , catching up with other relatives and watching our children- all cousins having fun together – just like when they were little kids. They went for a surf and then ‘played’ in the water park in the grounds of the cabin park. Such great fun.

After some some lunch washed down with lovely champagne we got ourselves all glammed up and left for the ceremony at the Long yard vineyard about 10 mins away.

The weather was perfect as we walked down the gravel drive to the deck where the wedding was held and Patrick and his bride Lauren looked wonderfully happy and so beautiful.

The cousins  ( except Pete who was missed) had fun together posing for photos and then we danced the night away.

There is something wonderful about family weddings. They are such happy occasions for bringing people together.

We can now look forward to the trifecta of the cousins weddings with Peter and Elena’s wedding in Cambodia in December. A little further to travel but it will be a fun happy wedding and somewhat different to the ones we have been to already this year .

Unfortunately  I heard I didn’t get the Senior Internship! There were 5,000 applications! Enough said!

Are you heading to Paris over the next few months? 

Lots of my friends seem to be heading to this gorgeous city and have asked for some suggestions about things to do other than the ‘big iconic sights’.

It always seems best , to me,  to spend as much time in one city as you can than to jump around and Paris is no exception. Stay as long as you can, to discover the side of Paris most people miss.

As you probably know Paris is divided into Arondissemnts – a bit like suburbs, but given a number. It also has the Seine to divide it into Left Bank and Right Bank. So depending on where you stay you can explore Paris yourself, mostly on foot, and discover so much as you go.

How To Start: 

1. Choose the Arondissement you wish to stay in. I have stayed both Left and Right bank and love the 4th or lower Marais ( and the 3rd or upper Marais)  A very close second is 6th into the 7th. Not the touristy end of St Michel and Saint Germaine.

2. Do see the ‘ big sights’ this means : The Eiffel Tower , the Louve, Musee D’Orsay, the Tulleries. However it’s best to incorporate them into your general wandering in Paris.

4. Plan your days – this can include wandering the Arondissements but with an end in mind.

A few of my Favourite Things: which Arondissement to stay and play?

1.   4th Arondissement: Marais.  It’s narrow streets hint at its medieval background and give it an intimate feel. It’s full of artisans and craftsmen and lots of lovely boutiques. It’s also open Sunday when other areas are all closed. So plan this area on a Sunday.

Some of the places to stop in the Marais:

The wonderful Carnavalet Museum which is housed in a building of such beauty with secret gardens  it has you feeling you are away from the crowds. It tell of the history of Paris.

Place de Voges a wonderful peaceful square to walk or sit in peace and watch the fashionable Parisians.

Explore the Village of St Paul and down to the Seine and cross on Pont Marie to the wuaint Ile Saint Louis

Take a walking tour of the area. Usually around 10euro for about 2-3 hours it is a great way to get the history of the area.

2. The 6th Arondissement: this is an area of such beauty. Grand buildings and tree lined avenues and the fabulous Luxemburg Gardens. I once spent a beautiful,  warm, winter November Sunday in the gardens just observing, taking photos and being peaceful. You can settle on one of the thousand green metal chairs and watch chess players, tennis matches, bocce, children riding miniature cars and ponies, families sailing boats on the lake, lovers walking hand in hand, old men chatting, cyclists and coffee drinkers. It’s a snap shot of Paris and costs nothing.

Some places to stop: 

The Luxemburg Gardens. A must

Bon Marche a department store to tempt even if it’s just in the food hall.

The book stores off Saint Germaine. Including my absolute favourite Shakespeare and Co which is technically in the 5th but definitely worth a visit.

The design and decorating stores are great for window shopping, the florists bursting with colour, the fashion boutiques,  usually the higher end ones which seem friendlier  than their sister shops over in the 8th Arondissement. The tea houses – Laduree for one and cafes made famous by the writers,  Cafe de Flore, Deux Magots and the Lipp. Take time to stop and have a drink or coffee. No one will mind if you sit with one drink and observe those passing.

Streets to explore:Pace de Furstemberg and the Delacroix Musem.  Rue e Buci with all it boutiques and designer stores, Rue Jacob, Rue Saint- Andre des Arts.  And if you feel like a big walk wander along Rue de Varenne and find the thoughtful Rodin Museum, across past the Invalides and follow Rue Saint Doinique to Parc Champ de Mars and the view to the Eifeel Tower. Then visit it! Make sure you make regular stops for Coffee, ice cream, French Patisserie. I promise you there are lots of places to stop along the way.

If you are now exhausted catch the no 69 local bus back. It winds its way back to the 6 th,  along the Seine crosses at Pont de Carrousel in front of the Louve then turns right and follows Rue De Rivoli, past the great Musee Palais Royal, the Hotel de Ville through the Marais to Bastille ( visit the New Opera House). It continues all the way to the Pere Lachaise Cemetry where you can easily wander or take a tour of all the famous people buried here.

What value for money! I’ve taken this bus many times. It’s slower than the metro but it passes so many places of interest and you can easily hop on and off with the price of a ticket that lasts 2 hours.

A Few More Favourite Things! 

Jacquemart-Andre Museum on Boulevard Haussmann in the 8th. A beautifully decorated mansion house with a fabulous tea house for lunch.

Museum of Decorative Arts: a treasure trove of things artistic. Palais du Louve Rue de Rivoli in the 1st.

Visit at least one tea salon: Laduree in Ave Champs Élysées in the 8th, Mariage Freres in Rue Bourg- Tibourg in the 4th or Angelina in Rue Rivoli in the 1st.

Take a walking tour of Montmartre. Definitely worth it to get the history or the place. Follow with lunch or a drink on the terrace at Hotel Terrasse on Rue Joseph de Maistre ( near the Cimetiere de Montmartre) with its view of the Eiffel Tower

Get a haircut. What an experience. Search on this blog for ‘A hair raising day’

In fact read my blog from my two week stay in Paris in October. 2012. Search Paris. 

Please tell me about your favourite things to do in Paris. Just use the Comments Box. I’d love to hear from you