Croatia Online - Split's Saint's Day

Split always celebrates it's Saint's day, Sv Duje, in style, and today was the seventh year that it held a weekend international rowing regatta. The grand finale is a showcase race that can be viewed from the riva, featuring Oxford and Cambridge rowing legends. Together with roving reporters Sarah Cattrall and Penelope Bell, on an all to brief visit to Split from England, we were lucky enough to view the race from the press boat in perfect weather. In a rowing boat that could have been weighed down by 20 olympic medals, had the team chosen to bring them, Cambridge were a convincing first followed by Split and then Oxford. Full marks to the organisers for making this a great start to the Sv Duje celebrations.

For those that want to participate in the week's events, there's a funfair for children in the grand Venetian square at the west end of the Riva, we're told that the saint's coffin is opened in the cathedral on the eve of his saint's day, and, on the day itself, Wednesday, there's a full program of processions and festivities.

Talking of our roving reporters, it's interesting to have a look at Croatia through enlightened and vivacious 20 something eyes. Great that they can see past the pre season and prolific roadworks and construction sites and still find something to appreciate around the next corner. A breath of fresh air!