Scradin

Friday 19 May 2023

During interim since last entry we've been as far north as Zadar, spent a day holding on to our keesters as thirty five knots plowed us around anchorage in Murter, visited an amazing series of cascades in Skradin and explored several really charming towns along Dalmatian coast and adjacent islands. Despite really wretched weather until recently, have had an excellent experience: delicious food, good local wine and even a pint or two of Guinness. Now back in Split for tonight. Would have gone to reportedly even more awesome waterfalls in Plitvica Park, but area was flooded out with extended deluge. Expect arrival back in Dubrovnik by Tuesday, twenty third, to see more of that wonderful town before clearing out to Montenegro. Although cruising season has not started, coastal waters are chock-a-block with charter boats. Wharfs are still three and four deep in small cruising ships awaiting the real onslaught, so glad we're leaving now. Pleased we came early to avoid crowds and also because prices, although high, are not yet astronomical.

Saturday

Reveled in two days of sun and even some usable breeze, but now cloudy with rain forecast beginning tomorrow for several days and no wind until we stop getting scientific insights from children - could be awhile. Pshaw! or stronger words to that effect. Fortunately we have lots of fuel - expensive fuel. Should be able to make Malta without a refill where diesel is some of cheapest in the Med and still much higher than US.

In addition to prescient adolescents, has anyone noticed that Paul Ehrlich, "The Population Bomb", is still given credibility after over fifty years of being continually and spectacularly wrong as global population more than doubled and current anxiety is that it will now stop growing? Few remember, but intellectual elites in the day were also fretting about onset of a new ice age. Humans are the preeminent species on the planet because we are stunningly adaptable and will, if allowed, i.e. not scared stupid, continue to be. For some perspective, suggest Steven Pinker's, "Enlightenment Now".

"Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future."
- Niels Bohr

"There are many methods for predicting the future. For example, you can read horoscopes, tea leaves, tarot cards, or crystal balls. Collectively, these methods are known as "nutty methods." Or you can put well-researched facts into sophisticated computer models, more commonly referred to as "a complete waste of time."
- Scott Adams

Jack & Jan