Monday 8 September: TRIBUNJ to MURTER - Driving over Figs (15 miles)

One good thing about air conditioning is that hermetically sealed windows shield us from the sound of Church Bells. Villa Diana offers us breakfast included and we join our German and Austrian neighbours in the restaurant opting for fruit and muesli rather than spam and cheese. The sun is out as we leave Tribunj soon after 9am. The road leads us through scrubland lined with Olive and Fig trees and we eat some ripe figs at the roadside. As we approach a spectacular view point of Pirovac reflected in an inlet we are joined by a large group of cyclists - on an organised guided tour, their names attached to the back of their (empty) pannier racks. We are rather cross and get caught up behind them. It is difficult to overtake and they are pretty slow and old! Over the bridge at Tisno they re-group and we cycle past relieved to have the the freedom of the open road again. We hug the coastline past crowded campsites filled with German camper vans and woodland infused with the essence of pine. We arrive in Betina before 11 am but are still welcomed openly by the owner of our apartment. She does not speak one word of English but we seem to get by in sign language and when she shows us our 2 bed roomed apartment with terrace overlooking the pool which could sleep 6 I think she says we could have a party! We unpack, get provisions and cycle off to find the beach. We get to Lucica and find a spot at the end. Clear turquoise waters as the stones become sand. We read, swim and sunbathe plus a bit of a stroll now and then. A refreshing beer in a rustic beach bar before cycling a different way home through another very full campsite. We think we are the only English around. Back in our apartment we have a quick dip in the pool before tea and then wine on out terrace watching the sunset. Still feeling the pinch from the delicious but extravagant Sea Bass last night we opt for a local Pizzeria on the harbour. We enjoy very good pizza with local Babic red wine and still have change from £20. We walk home via the old narrow streets and visit Betina Church at the top of the hill before bed.