Day 40 – We never know what to expect . . .

We all love surprises. Or to be more exact, surprises that delight rather than disappoint. Moving on from one site to another brings a sense of anticipation. Like that feeling when you’re ripping off the wrapping paper and eager to open the box. Remain positive. Expect the best, but always ready for the worst.

Having ticked off seventy per cent of our must do’s in Croatia, we leave Split. Continue north on the D8. Head for, according to the book, a Holiday Resort. This time of the year they often offer the best value and best facilities. Our expectation levels are high. The forecast is wall to wall sun for the next ten days. We’re going to make the most of it.

On arrival it’s plainly not a resort. That’s on the other side of the road. Shut up for the season, along with many others. We can’t be picky. There’s less to pick from. So it’s in for a penny. We’re just outside Zaton. 250 metres from the beach (pebbles) and within striking distance of Nin and Zadar.

We fall on our feet. We’re allocated a large and lovely pitch with open views.

We have our own private pool . . . well not quite. Nobody else seems interested. We decide to stay four nights! Take time to swim off the day’s drive.

Before we know it, it’s time to watch the sunset. A simple pleasure. Not to be taken for granted. As I was reminded in Dubrovnik. A polite exchange with a young shop assistant urges her to remark “It’s the small things that bring happiness”.

We drink in the view. Gulp down the rays. Quench our thirst. Start a photo competition . . .