Mother Nature Plays Her Rain Card

When arriving in Split, the weather forecast was for 2 days of periodic thundershowers. The local people were excited because it hadn't rained for 3 months, but we didn't share their sense of enthusiasm. Touring the city of Split was optional, so we danced between threatening skies and a few showers, staying relatively close to our accommodation. At times overnight, we were wakened with the sounds of hard rain, thunder and lightning. Though hopeful, the skies hadn't cleared by morning.

We had a relatively complicated schedule for the day including ferrying to the Island of Brac, cycling through a couple of seaside villages, a land transfer over some difficult terrain, then another cycle to our destination, the town of Bol. We thought if all went well, it would be an interesting day. Rain was going to complicate things however, and it was just the extent that was unknown.

Heading out, we were a little pressed for time to meet the 9 AM ferry, and in our haste, Marlene's bike with racing tires skidded on the wet cobblestone street. She managed nicely to break her fall and land gently, but that set the priority for safety first while on our bikes.

We got on the ferry with only moments to spare, and had a smooth crossing. Threatening skies and a light rain added to our anxiety as we cycled out of Supetar. Fortunately for the first couple of hours, most of the rain cells went around us, and with our rain jackets on, we stayed comfortable and dry.

We had lots of time and only a few kilometers to go before meeting our land transfer when the rear tire on Marlene's bike went flat. Fortunately, we had a replacement tube and tools to fix the flat then rode into the little town of Postira where we had lunch.

All was in order until the rain started. We expected a short shower, but Mother Nature played her heavy rain card forcing us into a covered restaurant patio for refuge. Water ran in the streets for the best part of half an hour leaving our time short to meet our transfer. As the rain lightened, we road through the flooded streets to a welcome meeting with our connection.

The skies cleared, the remainder of our travel went without incident, and Mother Nature didn't have another rain card in her hand. By late afternoon, we were enjoying a glass of wine comfortably accommodated in the beautiful Villa of Giardino, on a quiet street in Bol.

Click this link for the next story in this series: Up and Over the Spine