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Post by bvrc on Aug 25, 2020 7:53:48 GMT
Lovely pics!
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Post by Tre on Aug 25, 2020 19:56:24 GMT
Fab pics. Enjoy
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Aug 26, 2020 9:11:22 GMT
This is the beer.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Aug 26, 2020 9:16:22 GMT
Okay, a lack of posts from me this year as there’s not much new to say. Koukounaries and town are both...not busy, but not quiet, sort of ticking over. I’ve not seen anywhere empty, but I don’t feel I’d ever to get a seat. Busier than when I was here for the last week of the season, but quieter than when I’ve been at peak season before. I’m very impressed with efforts to maintain social distancing. Spacing is good. Lots of hand gel. Lots of masks, though that perhaps slips a little at times. I definitely don’t feel unsafe at all; it does feel safer than being at home. If anyone has any questions, please ask.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Aug 27, 2020 6:18:53 GMT
One negative from the virus this year, it’s curtailed the buses. The last bus from town is now 10:30, which begins its return journey from Koukounaries at 11:00.
Now this isn’t the end of the world by any means, but it’s more of a pain than I first thought. We usually get the 8:00 complimentary bus from the hotel into town. We did this a few nights ago, had a pint at Mythos Bar, went for a meal, then found ourselves running to bus stop 4 for the last bus. I DO NOT RUN ON SKIATHOS.
And guess what? Bus full - drove straight past. We had to get a taxi big enough for 6 of us = €30.
Last night we tried to book a place on the 7:00 again but it was full, so it was the 8:00 and a rushed evening again, though this time we went to Bus Stop 0 and managed to get on.
Given that fewer places are open in the resorts, whilst town is still busy enough, coupled with fewer bus seats due to social distancing, I think the early curtailment of buses this year is a poor move.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Aug 27, 2020 20:31:47 GMT
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Post by bvrc on Aug 27, 2020 22:11:13 GMT
I can understand the frustration of an early bus home because 10.30pm can come round very quick of an evening especially if you’ve only got into town after 8pm. A rushed dinner is ok at home but not what you want on holidays! Poor move indeed by the bus company, shortsighted given the less availability of places to eat outside of town and the reduced capacity on buses.
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Post by dennisn on Aug 27, 2020 22:35:34 GMT
Has anybody asked (of somebody in authority - bus company or Town Council/Mayor) why the buses are not running more frequently and later?
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amy115
Full Member
Posts: 340
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
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Post by amy115 on Aug 28, 2020 8:21:31 GMT
It has been mentioned on TA that there were only two buses running this year and one of them had broken down.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Aug 28, 2020 8:58:50 GMT
It has been mentioned on TA that there were only two buses running this year and one of them had broken down. So, okay. That explains the number of buses. What appears to be happening is that each bus is on a 1 hour timetable, starting at town, half an hour to 26, half an hour back, repeat. The second bus is staggered on the same timetable by 30 minutes. But why stop so soon? The last bus is 10:30 from town, then 11:00 from Koukounaries. Why is the other one not keeping going and leaving town at 11:00? And the one that leaves Koukounaries at 11:00 reaches town at 11:30, so why not turn round for one more run? The buses, whilst not being jam packed, are far from empty. And the ones we’ve seen at the end of the day appear busier than most during the day.
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Post by kevb on Aug 28, 2020 12:08:41 GMT
This is why I've gravitated toward town for my last couple of visits. I can go down somewhere like Blind Dog and not worry about buses or taxis back to the accommodation. Its not overrun in town once you get beyond third week in August when most of the youngsters from mainland get the ferries home.
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amy115
Full Member
Posts: 340
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
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Post by amy115 on Aug 28, 2020 12:39:10 GMT
Unfortunately I cannot answer that YM, it does seem odd as the early finishes usually happen at the end of the season. Would a chat with conductor/driver or even your hotel reception/one of the bar owners help with tbe answer?
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Post by dennisn on Aug 28, 2020 20:26:47 GMT
So, only two buses. Would any of you fancy 16 hours wrestling one of those buses Skiathos to and from Koukounaries?
Or perhaps (heaven forbid) they have four drivers for the two buses and the drivers actually observe European Driving Hours Regulations?
Excuse me, as a professional driver I have to admire those who handle the heavy stuff.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Aug 29, 2020 6:22:26 GMT
I’m not suggesting anyone works a longer shift.
They must have something in place during normal times.
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Post by dennisn on Aug 29, 2020 7:30:13 GMT
I was offering possible reasons for the “poor” service today - they have more buses available during normal times and I have no information as to why they don’t have them right now. For example, I’m pretty sure I once heard of a driver who lives on the mainland. If that’s true, maybe he hasn’t come over during the virus situation. But I just don’t know, only that a full day’s bus timetable is long.
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