Matilda on Tour — Back to Croatia, On to the Lakes

Saturday 25 April — Lonjsko Polje Nature Park (Jasenovac)

Day 56 — Straight into relax mode
Croatia 🇭🇷

We left Bosnia and headed north into Croatia — a short run with only a brief wait at the border.

Before long we’d left the main road, following the Sava River for about 15 miles to tonight’s campsite. One of those places where your body just says… relax.

It really does feel like the middle of nowhere - the whole area is a nature park, and it shows.

Once we’d settled in, we got the bikes out and headed north along the river. Easy riding, and such a lovely setting.

Storks everywhere — nesting on platforms provided by the community and right on rooftops. They’re encouraged here and seen as a sign of good luck.

Back at the site, we wandered over to the local restaurant for a cold beer and a bite to eat. A walking group from Austria had just arrived, and we got chatting.

The conversation drifted to Berlin. Richard was posted there, and we were lucky enough to be there in 1989 when the wall came down — one of those moments that still feels quite surreal to look back on.

It was great to be back in the warmth — no extra blankets needed tonight, although the mosquitoes are making their presence known.

Sunday 26 April - Jasenovac (Sava River)

Day 57 - Not Just a Puncture… an Explosion
Croatia 🇭🇷

A really relaxing day.

Early morning visitor — a cockerel, looking very pleased with himself.

Out on the bikes towards the nature reserve… not quite straightforward. A puncture, followed by an exploding inner tube (first go with the electric pump 😄). I think the tube must have been twisted.

Second attempt went much better.

Easy riding along the river — flat, warm, sunny, and some stunning views.

We stopped at the Nature Reserve at Krape, There was a small museum there with examples of the wooden houses that the area is known for.

Our planned walk went by the by with the inner tube fiasco, a quick look round and it was back to camp.

A simple day, but a good one.

Off again tomorrow - Plitvice Lakes - let’s see how that goes


Sunday 27 April — Near Plitvice Lakes

Day 58 — Wildlife, storks and back on track
Croatia 🇭🇷

A full-on day today as we headed for Plitvice Lakes.

It started well, with a black woodpecker right near the van. Not long after, we spotted a sparrowhawk perched on a pole as we drove by.

We stopped at Čigoč — the Stork Village, known for its huge number of nests. I’d just said to Richard I hadn’t seen one in flight, when a few minutes later we spotted one by the river.

It lifted off, and I managed to catch it on video as it came in to land — that loud clattering of beaks as it reached the nest.

The countryside really was beautiful — rolling hills rather than steep mountains. I enjoyed the drive - it really felt like a proper journey, not just about getting there.

It was a longer drive than usual, but nicely broken up with a stop for groceries, a roadside lunch, and a wander round the waterfalls at Rastoke — they really are something else.

We arrived at the campsite late afternoon. It’s really well set out, and we were able to drive round and pick a sunny spot — early morning sun should take the chill off our still unheated van.

Looking forward to tomorrow — Plitvice at last.

Monday 28 April — Plitvice Lakes

Day 59 — Water, waterfalls and something a bit special
Croatia 🇭🇷

Another fabulous day.

We visited Plitvice Lakes — what a place. Lakes everywhere, and even more waterfalls.

There are various routes through the park and the one we chose takes you straight into the waterfalls.

The path winds through the valley on boardwalks, zigzagging back and forth over the water.

We crossed one of the larger lakes by boat, then a beautiful walk for a couple of hours up to the top — stunning all the way.

Thankfully we had a bus back down.

A truly unforgettable day.

The weather is set to change tomorrow, so we’ll head back down the valley.

It’s been a few days of contrasts — quiet rivers, unexpected moments, and somewhere that really does live up to everything you’ve heard.

That’s what makes this journey feel so special.