Pero Učkar reports that he has been lucky with wild asparagus not far from Motovun. Loads of it, too. “Not normal,” he laughs. “From the tracks on the ground,” he adds, “I can tell that people started picking the delicacy a week or so ago!” For him, this is a first. The weather in Istria is wonderful, and the tourist season is expected to start soon. He agrees with me that we may have another bout of winter in March, but that it will most likely not last more than a few days. Still, the weather is just stunning across Croatia. It is sunny and balmy in the capital, as well. Sheer spring. Returning to wild asparagus, Pero expects loads of it this season. “Not normal,” he keeps repeating and laughing, laughing.