Gulf of Venice with a background of Italian Alps

We slept peacefully in a clearing outside Koper and woke up to dramatic views across the Gulf of Venice. The white clouds in the distance were in fact snow capped Italian Alps and we watched as ships glided past, presumably planning to dock in Trieste.
After vacating the plot by the rough stony track, we descended into Koper to pick up our route. We noted that the road signs warned of the 20% climb (or descent). I used the drive down as a chance to practice again controlling the van with minimal use of the brakes. I had bad memories of burning out Landy’s brakes in Tajikistan where the descents could last for hours! Not a good experience and a big learning lesson to rely more on 4WD etc. The Sprinter is a bit different from Landy as there is an automatic gearbox. However it can be controlled once you know how. I think she has got it!
Jim wanted to start the day with a climb up into the mountains to take us into Croatia via a little used border post via a windy road where anything over 3.5 tons is discouraged! Slovenia is pretty narrow across at this point and we anticipated an early arrival into Croatia. On approaching the border crossing we were surprised to find a flimsy barrier across the road, which prevented us passing between one European Country to another. The solitary guard came out and on hearing we were British, announced that since Brexit we were not allowed to pass this way, plus the roads would be too narrow for our van. He said we would need to go to a bigger crossing where we would have to show our passports and be stamped. His English was good. I asked if he was joking. He retorted that policemen do not joke and we had to turn around.

Podgorje Border from Slovenia into Croatia

The solitary Slovenia border guars who said he was not joking!

He told us to go to a bigger border - Kozina. We were stunned. It was the first time we had failed at a border and yes it was in Europe! We duly did as we were told. (We actually crossed at Kozamor, some 20kms beyond Kozina).
There, we found no border guards stopping traffic at all and in fact there was a sign that specifically said that UK passport holders did not need to check in. The good news was, that before leaving Slovenia we filled up the fuel tank with seriously cheaper diesel. (€1.55 a litre).
Today after crossing, we had no big plans and had opted to drive down the Dalmation sea coast and to marvel at the views and the multitude of tiny islands that protected the shores from oncoming winds.

Progress was slow as we drove into traffic and it was a while before we could really enjoy the views over the sea and the windy roads clutching the hillside. The viaducts were amazing and whilst they do the job, I prefer to have terra firma beneath me as we sally forth!

The only other remarkable thing about our day was where we decided to stop for the night. We pulled up in a small fishing village of 900 inhabitants called Karlobag. Its main street with a handful of cafes and eateries frequented mainly by bikers and cyclists, fronted directly onto the sea.

Its two car parks which are largely empty after 5pm look out onto the Ocean and hills on all sides. What it lacked was a laundromat!