Remember us?!

Hey there! I know it’s been a while but you are not all forgotten! We spent 2 weeks in Bosnia Herzegovina, and Croatia with family. My (Debs) sister got married and with all the preparations and catching up with family we didn’t get a chance to up date the blog. Now we’re relaxing in New Zealand so thought I’d fill you in on some of the highlights!

Our first full day in Bosnia we visited a place called Pocitelj, an old Turkish town. I think it was over 30 degrees so choosing to climb up this hillside village at midday might not have been the most wise move as we acclimatized, but we got some great views! Having worked up a bit of a sweat we headed to a nearby waterfall. The setting was just idyllic although the water temperature was not. Tim dived in although I stayed on the bank having dipped a toes into the freezing water. Then seeing my 4 year old niece jumping in the challenge was set so I joined them, screaming and squealing as never before as I hit the water!

That evening we went into Mostar to have a drink and admire the new Bridge. For those that don’t know, the bridge Stari Most, an icon, of Mostar was blown up in the war (early 90’s I think) and was rebuilt last year amongst great celebration. I guess my lasting impression of it is how it must be the most slippy structure I have ever been on! It’s marble and walking along in my faithful Birkenstock style sandals was pretty hopeless.

The next day was civil ceremony day! In Bosnia you have to have a wedding in a registry office where they read out the family law. Parties of about 4 or 6 were waiting for there turn and we marched up in a group of about 20! We crammed into the little room and listened to the detailed reading of exactly who owns what if you received a present before you were wed, or if you received it after you got married as a couple, or if it had one particular persons name on it . It was all very precise even going into what to do in the case of a lottery win!

Later that day we went for a walk in a local park and thanks to my Mum spotting a tortoise on the roadside Tim had a holiday highlight as he got to pick it up, at which point it felt the need to relieve itself! Anyway, here’s the photo!

Saturday was the day of the big wedding. We’d all been busy with responsibilities for the flower arrangements and furniture arranging and car dressing (flowers and ribbons and sweets, will explain later!). Naomi looked absolutely stunning of course and the wedding was beautiful. After we all jumped back in our cars for the local tradition of processing. Usually the wedding party going to the reception drive with their cars dressed (hence earlier need for flowers and ribbons) and toot the horn throw sweets to kids and car drive through red lights. I’d seen a procession earlier in the week and there were about 10 - 15 cars. Now, the U.K. and the Netherlands guests (did I mention Naomi’s Husband is called Herman and from Amsterdam?!) had 20 cars between them already, including big people carriers with flags from both representative countries billowing out behind them. Plus all the local crowd (there had been about 200 in the wedding congregation), I think we just about brought Mostar to a standstill as we all drove round waving, sweets and flags flying and hands on car horns!

The rest of the day was filled with good food, fun, dancing, music. To any that know Adele Cushing, she didn’t let the side down, when the band stopped for a break she offered to take the mic and did her own Abba tribute (with the help of a few other Norfolk types, e.g. Emma Thurston and Sam I believe).

On the Sunday the celebration continued as we went to church together and then had a bbq. In between Herman asked Tim to take his parents to see the bridge. Why ask Tim I don’t know as they got pretty lost BUT lucky as he is, by the time he found the bridge who should he bump into setting up to film, none other than the legendary Michael Palin! When he got back to the main group and shared his news some of Naomi’s team said, Oh, that must have been the film crew we disturbed yesterday as we traveled past in convoy! So look out! If you happen to be watching one of Michael Palin’s travel shows and see a noisy wedding party in Mostar it could be us!

The following Monday Tim, Mum and I traveled to Dubrovnik. Sarah (N.Z. sister) and family were already there and Rachel (France sister) and family arrived a couple of hours after. We had a relaxing few days in this medieval city. We walked the 2km around the city walls, spent some time by the sea and caught up with the latest member of the family, Jonathan Hodgson.

(can you see us in the photo?)

(try looking at the small huddle just to the left here!)

After 3 we caught up with Sarah again who’d hopped off to a Croatian Island. Now in the guidebook this island (name escapes me) claims to be the sunniest Island in the Dalmatian coast. It's Hvar (Tim). (Thanks! D). So much so that many of the hotel will give up a free night stay if it rains. So we turn up to grey drizzle, to our beautiful apartment that of course does not participate in this no fee scheme! The next day was sunny again thought and it really was beautiful and well worth a visit. This photo is taken from a Spanish castle in the main town.

Drizzle again the next day but we head back to the mainland as our flight leaves the following day. Although pretty grim weather we have a look around Split which has some incredible architecture due to it’s original purpose as a palace for some retired, er, important bloke I guess ! Anyway, we had a great time over the 2 weeks and it works out as a pretty cheap, really beautiful and amazing place to visit. Go if you get the chance!

So now we’re in N.Z. I forget how long the flight was although Tim did time us. We’ve spent a few days adjusting to being on our head awake when we should be sleeping and vice versa. Yes, it is winter here so you can have a little smug smile to yourself however it doesn’t get so cold here in Auckland, around 14 degrees is the expected winter temperature and we’ve had some brilliant bright sunny skies. However we’ve also had some torrential downpours (yes smile away) and yesterday the city came to a standstill as the power went out for most of the day. Luckily we live out a bit so were OK! On the sunny days we’ve done some walking up the volcano mounds of Auckland, and along stretches of beautiful coastline and dense temperate forest. On the wet days we’ve tasted the delights of their food halls and explored the museum. We’re planning some skiing trips and rafting and glacier walking so we’ll keep you informed. Enjoy the warmer weather up there!