Swimming off the back of our small ship is a delight most of our fellow passengers have enjoyed on the couple of occasions the opportunity has arisen. Despite most of us being at the age where taut and beautiful bodies are long forgotten memories any self consciousness was quickly overcome. Mljet, another small island town, also walled to protect from marauding neighbours looking to steal a goat or wife - interesting that 150 years ago, once the threat of pirates had become just a memory, the city walls were lowered by 4 metres to increase the flow of cool air. The cost of protection offered by high walls was to live in an oven. Each night we've dined ashore, choosing from the many restaurants offering mediterranean fare, almost always including pizza and pasta. Last night we opted for steak, very generous in both size and the quantity of mushroom sauce, although more well done than rare. We stopped at an open air bar on the way back to the boat and enjoyed an hour of live music - far from traditional Croatian music, three young guys played American rock. Today we travel back to Dubrovnik where the tour officially ends tomorrow, but by then we'll be in Munich, a taxi hopefully booked to collect us from the dock at 2pm. In the past week we have not come across any riff raff, no beggars, no mongrels, no one threatening or dangerous - hardly a policeman either, which is quite remarkable. Just as I'm settling into the swing of things (and nearly over the last of my head cold), we're off! Don Yesterday we left Split, a town that rather disappointingly didn't live up to expectations. As we sailed away the less historic parts of the city reflected the ugly architecture of the 50's & 60's, dour high-rise apartment buildings very unsympathetic to the past. First stop a beautiful seaside village of Pucisca on the island of Brac, home of a world famous school for would be stone masons. I now have a new found admiration for these artisans, who require an expertise in many seemingly conflicting skills, including the intricacies of geometry, the eye and gentle touch of an artist as well as the callouses earned with hammer and chisel. Two years work can be spoiled with one errant slip. Unlike most of the other places we've visited so far, being on an island, Pucisca is off the beaten track, with few significant concessions to tourism - very nice. Makaska was our final destination, shared by a dozen other vessels similar to our own, most catering to a specific demographic, be it age, language or nationality - and you'd really want to be sure you were a fit when booking your cruise. Being on the mainland and quite accessible, It is apparent that Croatians travel to enjoy the delights of Makaska's beaches - not broad white sandy beaches as we're used to, but narrow stretches of small stones, far more crowded than we'd ever see, with loungers to rent for 50 Kuna, (about $12). Even more intriguing were the hawkers stalls adjacent to the beach, probably 100 or so in lines and lanes, each one a copy of 20 others exactly the same, same stock, same prices - sunglasses and hats, bags and shoes, Croatian flags and figurines, toys and trinkets, everything every tourist needs. We people watched from a couple of bars, moving from one to the next each time gentle background music was replaced by the roar of the tv, reliving last nights glorious victory over Spain, enjoying ever reducing prices for drinks as we moved the hundred metres from city centre to the boat. I then qualified for the "dope of the day" award - rather than leaving our room key on the hook behind the bar signifying that we were ashore, i'd put it in my pocket ... Alas, not there on our return and we faced the ignominy of having to confess to the crew. We later retraced our steps returning to each bar and fortunately a diligent barmaid had more than a cursory look in the lost key basket, saving me from further embarrassment - phew. We're now underway, the sea like ice, with a haze in all directions, with a stop for a swim off the boat an hour away. Don It is just after dawn and Split is starting to awaken, church bells ringing to jar the tardy. Croatia's unlikely win over Spain in the football last night will be blamed for many a sore head this morning, the locals being very passionate and patriotic. Our "host" Sasha has just appeared looking jaded, bags under his eyes evidence of his late night, not altogether looking forward to the day ahead dealing with some of our more difficult travelling companions, a party of French whose command of English is limited compounded by traditional Gallic arrogance. Hi I am really regretting trying to use Webbly, very disappointing. We left Dubrovink at 8am Saturday morning having spent a fairly restless night tied up to the wharf. A combination of Confused body clocks, a very small cabin and an even smaller bed, and a decent dose of "travellers flu" for me. Yes cabins are small, about the size of a king sized bed (plus bathroom), and to compensate everything else is made to fit, the rationale quitr rightly being the action is up on deck. Apolona is only 4 months old and is very ship shape in every way, the crew spending time cleaning and polishing, so it bodes well for her future. There are only 40 passengers aboard, so none of the "cruise liner" feel, one of thousands being feed and herded about. Scenery is very much as expected, very Mediterranian, dry, with azure blue waters, incredibly crystal clear. Today, another ancient city, Hvar. Our hotel was within the walls of the "Old town" which means no cars, and you really are reliant on your ever diligent taxi driver to drop you at the gate nearest to destination. Our bloke mentioned that he was rushing to get home to watch the Croatia - Slovenia football match, which should have served as a warning.... The 3kms of walls are a real testement to the local's fear of being over run, and the cost and effort they were prepared to commit to prevent this - money well spent by all accounts as the walls were never breached. I was up at dawn, prowling the alleyways in the cool of the day, up and down the many steps a cirumnavigation og the town requires, enjoying the history ozing around every corner, sharing the early part of the day with fit young men delivering crates and kegs of beer, replentishing the stocks of the many bars and restaurants. The town is home to hundreds of cats, apparently strays, some sleek and healthy, others manky and diseased, but they are obviously accepted as citizens and no doubt prove the match to any rodents. Whilst wandering around the port, we sat in the shade and watched as a woman, , obviously a local, arrived with a line and very small hooks, closely followed by a motley collection of cats, probably a family judging by colouring. She settled down and for the next hour provided great entertainment to people wandering past, feeding first one then the others tiny fish that she jerked from the crystal clear water. We took a taxi to the boat, planning our arrival to the schedule - unfortunately the boat was 3 hours late. Not to worry, we're away now, enjoying our first breakfast on board, heading for Mljet, 3 hours hence. Our hotel was within the walls of the "Old town" which means no cars, and you really are reliant on your ever diligent taxi driver to drop you at the gate nearest to destination. Our bloke mentioned that he was rushing to get home to watch the Croatia - Slovenia football match, which should have served as a warning.... The 3kms of walls are a real testement to the local's fear of being over run, and the cost and effort they were prepared to commit to prevent this - money well spent by all accounts as the walls were never breached. I was up at dawn, prowling the alleyways in the cool of the day, up and down the many steps a cirumnavigation og the town requires, enjoying the history ozing around every corner, sharing the early part of the day with fit young men delivering crates and kegs of beer, replentishing the stocks of the many bars and restaurants. The town is home to hundreds of cats, apparently strays, some sleek and healthy, others manky and diseased, but they are obviously accepted as citizens and no doubt prove the match to any rodents. Whilst wandering around the port, we sat in the shade and watched as a woman, , obviously a local, arrived with a line and very small hooks, closely followed by a motley collection of cats, probably a family judging by colouring. She settled down and for the next hour provided great entertainment to people wandering past, feeding first one then the others tiny fish that she jerked from the crystal clear water. We took a taxi to the boat, planning our arrival to the schedule - unfortunately the boat was 3 hours late. Not to worry, we're away now, enjoying our first breakfast on board, heading for Mljet, 3 hours hence. Our hotel was within the walls of the "Old town" which means no cars, and you really are reliant on your ever diligent taxi driver to drop you at the gate nearest to destination. Our bloke mentioned that he was rushing to get home to watch the Croatia - Slovenia football match, which should have served as a warning.... The 3kms of walls are a real testement to the local's fear of being over run, and the cost and effort they were prepared to commit to prevent this - money well spent by all accounts as the walls were never breached. I was up at dawn, prowling the alleyways in the cool of the day, up and down the many steps a cirumnavigation og the town requires, enjoying the history ozing around every corner, sharing the early part of the day with fit young men delivering crates and kegs of beer, replentishing the stocks of the many bars and restaurants. The town is home to hundreds of cats, apparently strays, some sleek and healthy, others manky and diseased, but they are obviously accepted as citizens and no doubt prove the match to any rodents. Whilst wandering around the port, we sat in the shade and watched as a woman, , obviously a local, arrived with a line and very small hooks, closely followed by a motley collection of cats, probably a family judging by colouring. She settled down and for the next hour provided great entertainment to people wandering past, feeding first one then the others tiny fish that she jerked from the crystal clear water. Our hotel was within the walls of the "Old town" which means no cars, and you really are reliant on your ever diligent taxi driver to drop you at the gate nearest to destination. Our bloke mentioned that he was rushing to get home to watch the Croatia - Slovenia football match, which should have served as a warning.... The 3kms of walls are a real testement to the local's fear of being over run, and the cost and effort they were prepared to commit to prevent this - money well spent by all accounts as the walls were never breached. I was up at dawn, prowling the alleyways in the cool of the day, up and down the many steps a cirumnavigation og the town requires, enjoying the history ozing around every corner, sharing the early part of the day with fit young men delivering crates and kegs of beer, replentishing the stocks of the many bars and restaurants. The town is home to hundreds of cats, apparently strays, some sleek and healthy, others manky and diseased, but they are obviously accepted as citizens and no doubt prove the match to any rodents. Whilst wandering Our hotel was within the walls of the "Old town" which means no cars, and you really are reliant on your ever diligent taxi driver to drop you at the gate nearest to destination. Our bloke mentioned that he was rushing to get home to watch the Croatia - Slovenia football match, which should have served as a warning.... The 3kms of walls are a real testement to the local's fear of being over run, and the cost and effort they were prepared to commit to prevent this Typical of getting anywhere in Europe, the process seems to take a long time, 17 hours to Dubai, 6 more to Frankfurt, then anothr couple to Dubrovnik, plus the 6-8 hours in between. Being nearer to the front of the aircraft than the back is a help, but, as an avid reader of history I remain ever mindful of those poor buggers who chanced months a sea to make similar journeys. Anyway, we're here now and ready to enjoy our first full day exploring before joining the boat - it only caters for 40 people, so nothing quite as grand as a ship. Tomorrow Linda and I leave for Europe, 17 hours on Emirates 777 to Dubai, apparently the world's longest commercial flight, then onwards to Frankfurt then Dubrovnik. As yet I have only thought about packing - a decision I know will haunt me as the clock ticks down, and I hunt for gear that is inevitably as important as it is elusive. As we head to Europe, the news is full of football riots and the impending "Brexit" vote - whether the UK will leave the EU, if ever was needed, proof that a that magnificent money go round is possible, a veritable trough for bureaucrats and farmers (rather than be paid not to milk one cow, use the EU subsidies to buy more..). I've never quite figured out how it can be that all those countries who are involved feel they are better off belonging rather than not belonging, particularly as Football riots are probably a fair indicator of the base level at which countries really think of each other - everyone has a score to settle, the Ukrainian's hate the Germans, the Germans hate the French and everyone hates the English. Not to worry - things probably won't seem so bad from the deck of a boat in the Adriatic, or from the seat of our Harley whilst crossing the Alps. Watch this space. Not too many days pass where the business section of which ever news site you favour does not report another business owner being successfully prosecuted as the consequence of an employee injured at work.
Having just read about a builder in Wellington, and an unfortunate injury to one of his people, I am motivated to comment. We all take risks that we deem acceptable every day, crossing a road, driving a car, riding a bicycle. Occasionally we do something that upon reflection is not too smart and shake our heads - the difference being, if we do this whilst in the employ of someone else, the burden of responsibility changes from ourselves to someone else. Having an employer to blame changes the rules. The test for guilt is very simple - "If your employee had stayed at home would they have been injured at work?" Talk about Catch 22 - obviously the answer is, "No, they couldn't have been if they weren't here". There is NO Defence! From Worksafe's point of view, that establishes guilt, and unfortunately The Courts have accepted this premise, with the only point to establish from here being culpability. I have always worked on the basis that most people are fairly intelligent, care about others and have a vested interest in the wellbeing of themselves and others - unfortunately the Courts hold a contrary view. Unfortunately there are still many employers who are rough and ready - having said that, I believe most really do their very best to provide a safe workplace. The Court does not recognise any personal responsibility on the part of the injured - quite simply, the business owner has few avenues to mitigate his position, regardless of whether the employee: a) removes safety guards or over rides protective measures b) disobeys direct instructions or operates counter to company policy c) is just stupid. I urge any employer who has yet to suffer the indignity of being prosecuted through a Kangaroo Court to speak to one who has - you'll find the unfairness, the lies (accepted by the Court) and the injustice quite frightening - in fact, probably unbelievable. Where too from here? I am aware of a number of company owners and directors (including me) who are taking what may appear to be fairly drastic action, many actually winding all (or part) of some operations down to protect themselves. This obviously impacts on the employees who rely on these jobs for their livelihoods. Everyone has the right to return home from work each day - if you are run over in the work car park the Employer is guilty - if you're hit on the footpath one step outside the work gate, he is not... |
Don MalcolmA perfect day involves being on my Harley with a long ride ahead.
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