101 Dalmations or none at all

1. A dalmation coast but no dalmation to be seen anywhere. Mountains and hairpin bends but nothing like the black and white variety.

2. The coastal views are splendid and the bays picturesque. The Western idea of living is more pronouned than in the capital. Some ideas of services come across and English is more widely spoken. I take it that the holiday makers have arrived here. According to rumours Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones have bought a house in Kotor.

3. We stayed in an 18th century restored Palazza just outside Kotor overlooking the bays and the various churches dotted about on the hillside. According to the owner her architect father had bought the derelict property in 2000 and renovated it. The decor reflects the local fixtures and fittings and the thick stone walls give it a rustic feel.

4. Kotor itself is a lovely walled town ruled by the Venetians over 400 years ago. Churches are found everywhere; many in ruins and some have both Catholic and Orthodox altars in them. They functioned side by side.

5. Catholics used to account for 51% of people, now it is a mere 11%. I cannot say that I have noticed any Muslims. All the women seem to be scantily dressed in either short shorts or sundresses.

6. According to Kaaren the workers still cling onto the Communist ethos; the State provides and nobody loses their job even if they are no good at it. A shake up is occurring in Promonte. They want to outsource the cleaners who are not doing their job. They seem unable to understand that if they did a good job, the job would be secure.

7. I may have got it wrong, I meant to say Bar which is on the coast, not Bari in Italy. However, I will probably have a home based day tomorrow. Let the cold settle down a bit and see what is what with my Dad. One is never far from the worry of it all. The usual difficulties always arise with Mum.

8. As you can imagine a young lad of nearly a year takes up considerable time, attending to his needs, though he is a good lad.

9. How did Max's first day at St. Paul's go?

10. South Grinstead is over an hour's walk away along an unfriendly road, so no chance of taking a stroll there. The local supermarket is just down the road, but sadly does not have a coffee shop. No bubble, just in the country.