Day 211 - Around Crimean Coast - Sun 22 Sept

Day 211 - Around Crimean Coast - Sun 22 Sept
Condensation from our warm bodies versus the cold air outside made our internal window vinyl covers wet. Such a cool morning we decided to try house heater for first time - so successful had to turn it off within 10 minutes because it was too stuffy! Farewelled friends, may not meet again until Austria (that part of decision made!). Drove to Pesto Trattoria for breakfast and internet to ensure all maps downloaded for Pocket Earth on both iPad and mini, then drove on down to Alushta, to complete drive of Crimea Coast. Demerdzhi Mountain stone sculptures (including giant penis) (blush blush) somewhat obscured by cloud. Drove down into township to have lunch overlooking two huge rocks off coast but so crowded by cars and people in narrow streets we couldn't park. Buildings took up very inch of space and didn't even get a glimpse of water – preserving the Ukraine Riviera for those who can pay to stay! Passed Ayu-Dar (Bear) Mountain rising from water, and peered up at Ay-Petri Mountain, limestone peaks 1234m high. At Haspra detoured for a quick view of "Whimsical" Swallows Nest, 1912 castle.

Drove into Yalta to tour Livadia Palace-Museum, former family residence of Tzar Nicholas and family, 1911. Site of signing Yalta Convention by Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin, dividing up Europe after WW11. Found sentries lining up around red carpet for film crew. In following crowd through gardens to catch a glimpse of a band doing a jazz number, GirlRob tripped over tree root trapping leg under her - had to abandon dignity and accept hand of man in pink polo shirt who looked pityingly down whilst offering a hand up. Had to limp back to the safety of Ozzie on a rapidly swelling ankle.