Domestic duties often occupy exploring time while on holiday or can be part of the whole holiday experience. Mike and I set off to deliver the washing to a laundry service. The little blue dot danced around on the gps as we walked up and down to find the laundromat. Finally after muddling for quite awhile, we discovered it was in an alcove in the middle of the markets. No drop off today ,said her neighbour. I show you how to do it. So tokens added, washing added, machines on, 51 minutes. You go have coffee. So we did and sat with the elderly male locals as they drank coffee, read papers and chatted to their friends.
Meanwhile, Pauline and John prised the car out of its spot and headed to the Krka National Park. As I told you a few days ago, it has beautiful waterfalls and lakes similiar to Plitvicka Lakes. I am reliably informed that it was beautiful. John had a catastrophic phone failure and so could not send me photos. Pauline agreed they were stunning so we will believe them even without proof. They watched a water powered mill grind flour, saw traditional costumes and fabrics and tasted local nuts and figs. The waterfall is powerful enough to run a hydroelectric system. It was started at the same time as an identical system at Niagara Falls.
This is this is the view of Split that greeted us on our walk into The Marjun Park area on the peninsula at Split. The park is a favourite for Split as it accommodates a variety of activities . Along the coast fringes , there are swimming areas with man made dirt beaches. Bikes can move safely ,as can joggers , as limited car traffic is allowed. While we were there, bikes, joggers, people doing yoga or meditating, climbers, hikers , swimmers and slow walkers like us, all used the park. The views are magnificent.
Pathways vary from gravel to concrete to the original stone. Edging these are drystone walls. Settlement of the area was in the 13th century. Hermets lived up in the rocks and remnants of their homes can still be seen.
This little chapel is still in use ,but look beside it . A hermet priest built and lived in this house hollowed out of the rock walls.
See the windows on the side of the cliff.
This is another hermet’s home. You wonder how they climbed up ,and then , how they managed to carve the houses out of the stone.
Plants also seem to grow in odd places
Just below, on terraces were houses and market gardens. Great views of the ocean as you tend your garden.
When we returned , there were two Roman centurions checking out the tourists 
John and Pauline arrived back, just a little stressed. The drive on the freeway, too busy at the Park, difficulty finding street? None of those, it was parking! The streets are so narrow, one car can only travel up at a time. Meet another car, one has to relent and back. It took a few journeys up and down the streets before John could safely park. Not the place to have a big car!
Author
suzannesingletonbrown@hotmail.com