A wonderful - but very sad - afternoon was had by a dozen or so people in Jelsa on Sunday lunchtime, as friends gathered to say their farewells to a very special German couple who are very sadly leaving Hvar after 16 very happy years.
It is fair to say I think that Renate and Volker touched everyone they met on the island with their kindness and genorosity over the years, and some of our girls' favourite Hvar memories so far are playing and swimming in their lovely home on the water next to Hotel Podstine.
Home no more, for they have decided to sell and move back to Germany. Before they left, there was time for one final farewell meal, and how fitting it was that they chose Me and Mrs Jones in Jelsa, their favourite restaurant on the island, and one which they would frequently visit by boat from their Hvar Town home.
Although not open for the season yet (although the traditional Me and Mrs Jones Valentine's Dinner is coming soon - more details as we get them), Josipa and Jurica put on a lamb extravganza, worthy of the event. As the lunch coincided with the children's carnival at Hotel Hvar, there was time for a cat and a magician to present their farewell pictures.
As I am notiously late for everything, I missed the touching speech given by Renate, in which she thanked all those who had made their Hvar experience so special, including absent friends now running successful ski hospitality businesses in Austria...
Thank you Renate and Volker for some very special memories, and we look forward to seeing you soon in Germany.
A Cat and A Magician
