A Month in Croatia, Klimno, Krk

Zagan the motorhome has again braved the M1 of Krk (tongue-in-cheek there, I’m referring to the little-trafficked Road 102), taking us back to the northern end of the island. We’ve pulled on the handbrake at the calm, small Slamni Camping at Klimno, Krk (N45.15345 E14.61611). The site’s literature (all Croatian campsites seem to have a colour brochure, no matter how small they are) declares it to be Croatia’s Best Campsite 2016. Wow! But wait, what’s this, there are actually 50 ‘Best Campsites 2016′ in Croatia? But having spent the last month here, we do know there are loads of cracking campsites, and appreciate it would be hard to narrow ’em down to just the one.

Zagan at Camping Slamni on Krk Island, Croatia

The weatherman predicted rain, and rain it did. Under yesterday’s crying sky we looked out to the hunched-over caravans and motorhomes spread across the terraces at Camping Krk, rain bouncing off their backs, turned the fan heater up and turned back to our books. I’ve hammered my way through Hemmingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls in two days, the darkness outside reflecting the book’s grim theme. The story speaks of the Spanish Civil War, something so awful even the Spanish chose for decades to officially remain silent about. Like here in Croatia it’s hard, while wandering about in such pristine beauty, to gain any grasp of war in these places.

The tree-lined 102 across Krk, the fresh new leaves look green and eager

We’ve been in Croatia a little over a month, and have thoroughly enjoyed it (depressing books about war aside). Being the month end, Ju’s run through our personal accounts, and we’re under-budget, again. Even staying on campsites every night in April (which cost us £376.90), we’ve spent £877.23 (against a 30 day budget of £1233). We’ve only done about 300km though, so have only filled up with diesel once. We’ve hardly used any LPG either, so have only filled up once (this morning, dish-type connector, and someone comes out to do it for you, in our case usefully speaking German). All-in-all, the £15k a year budget is looking safe.

The figs are coming on well on Krk, Croatia

Croatia’s campsites seem to me to be exceptionally good. The showers and toilets we’ve seen have been relatively (or even brand) new. They have water points, WiFi and 230V hook-up everywhere. The pitches have been large and nicely marked out or, even nicer in low-season, not marked at all. Like on the campsite here, the sea is usually all-of a few meters away and is joyfully clear. In-season, they look like they’ll be lively affairs too, with on-site beach bars, sports facilities and restaurants. An all-season pitch can be had for €3000, not bad for 6 month’s digs in such a cracking environment. I’ve had to remind myself I prefer off-site parking though. As we head north and east, I’ll no doubt get a chance to reconfirm that bias in my ageing noggin.

Mini-camp Slamni, only 170-odd people allowed on here compared to thousands on the big sites

After arriving and going through the usual motions of being checked-in (I’m vague here, as Ju always does it, so I have no clue what mystic stuff goes on in there), we’ve had a walk into Klimno. There’s not a great deal over there folks, but a small marina and boat yard, three restaurants and a mini-market where Ju’s picked me up a bottle of Tomislav Crno Pivo, Croatian red beer. At 7.3%, it’s making my face wubbery. The sun has been scheduled to make an appearance tomorrow, and the €17 a night fee here includes unlimited use of the washing machines, so tomorrow we will wash, wash and wash summor!

Ju’s crimes against campsite washing machines may have caught up with her!

Old cart on Krk

Don’t know why, but I like goats

Note the long fork thing – used for catching octopus

Marina at Klimno, mountains in the background beckon us towards Slovenia

Cheers, Jay