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Post by amy114 on Sept 20, 2015 6:23:57 GMT
Hi everyone, apologies for the late feedback but been a combination of tiredness & problems connecting to the internet. The latter is now resolved but former will sort itself out once I have an early night. :-):-)
Did my usual pre-holiday procrastination and ended up not going to bed on Thursday evening but managed to be ready for the taxi which arrived bang on 4.30 am! Had a really nice smooth ride to the airport (hardly any traffic at that time in the morning) and despite the 50 mph speed limit, arrived at 5.00 am. Had to check in on the ground floor but was all done by 5.30 am. Back up to departures and went straight to the security check which was absolutely heaving! Didn't expect that. Had to use two of the trays for my gear, went through the machine & the alarm went off. Wasn't patted down as per usual, but I had my hands (front & back) & he top of my shoes and end of my trousers swabbed! Hmm, whatever were they testing me for! Anyway, I was obviously clean as they let me through! My first tray arrived with my handbag & and cardigan but no hand luggage! Could see that it had been set aside for inspection! Only one person doing the inspecting and there were four trays before mine. (The old supermarket dilemma, do I stand in this queue or the next one) and as usual I ended up in the slowest! It appeared I had been flagged because I had forgotten to remove my tablet & kindle!
Finally cleared and breakfast was a tuna & sweet corn sandwich, bag of crisps & bottle of water (very healthy)!
Originally the flight was due to take off at 7.35 am but on arrival at the airport, time had been changed to 7.40 am. No problem there. As the time approached, the announcement was to go to the lounge for 7.10 am for boarding. At the appointed time, no ground staff! It was 7.25 am before we started and we were all accounted for and strapped I to our seats by 7.50 pm. OK only 10 minutes but the pilot will make up the time. Then came the announcement, he didn't have a slot (at least that is what I thought had happened but it took my brain a while to take in his accent and by the time it did, I only heard quite distinctly that we had to wait for another 35 minutes before we could take off). There was a collective grumble. It is so frustrating - there you are, strapped into a sardines can, and I wanted to say, "OK, I'll just nip back into the terminal and get myself a cup of tea, and see you in 30". We eventually took off 55 minutes late!
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Post by amy114 on Sept 20, 2015 6:33:03 GMT
Gosh, I struggled with my copy and paste facility to send my first post so will take a chance and just type the next ones into the thread!
So, we finally touched down, off the plane to a blast of 27 degrees, oh bliss. Had the joy of joining the queue for the loo, before finally getting my luggage. Remembered this time to pick up a map, and left arrivals. Waited for all the hoohar to clear and crossed over to the taxi rank. Once in the cab and on our way, the driver asked me how many times I had visited the island. I countered with "how do you know it is not my first time?". He replied that first timers have a certain look about them and I did not look that way". Ah, nearly as good as being recognised :-)
Had a pleasant chat all the way to the apartments, it was lovely to recognise everything along the way, and within a short time I was being dropped off at the door. Had a lovely warm welcome from Cost as, followed by his daughter, Efi, and asked what I would like for a welcome drink. I tried a Fix beer, oh so much nicer than Mythos!
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Post by amy114 on Sept 20, 2015 6:47:52 GMT
I got chatting to a very nice couple who, unfortunately were going home in the late afternoon having had a lovely week here. When my room was ready, Costas showed me the way, and the first thing I did was open the balcony doors and look at the view. I face the hills and there is just one villa opposite my studio. BUT THE BLISS of total peace and quiet (apart from the crows cawing) and I thought to myself that I had made the right decision on choosing the countryside over the town this time! Plus the fact that the balcony gets the sun all afternoon - result! :-):-):-)
Unpacked and took a trip down the lane to check things out. Passed the Pegasus, Avli & Maistrali and at the bottom of the lane I spied the Kohyli and thought I would go and say hello to Christo. I can check out the beach later. Unfortunately Christo hadn't arrived back from his siesta yet so thought it would be churlish to walk out and ordered a glass of red! :-):-)
He finally arrived, looking very tired, we said our hellos and I left to get myself some supplies from the supermarket. I can always check out the beach tomorrow.
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Post by amy114 on Sept 20, 2015 7:08:10 GMT
So for dinner I decided I would go to the Pegasus and hope to repeat my wonderful e experience of my first meal in Skiathos back in May. I ordered the plaza again (beef in tomato sauce) and although the meat was again very tender, it came in more of a gravy rather than a tomato sauce so was very slightly, disappointing. I was also given a dish of side salad but picked at that as there was a generous splurge of salad dressing on the top and I cannot stand the taste!
After dinner, I got my tablet out and checked out the proboard after getting the wi-fi address and happily minding my own business when I noticed a group of people leaving the restaurant. The first woman approached me and asked if I was?? I said yes whilst thinking oh my goodness, this is shades of weird how does she know my name as I have never laid eyes on her before. Turns out she is staying down the lane at the Elisabeh and is a friend of my brothers ex-pat friend and was told to look out for me!
Ok, not that weird. Went back to my perusing, when a chap came bouncing over, said he would just join me, and helped himself to a chair! Now, a number of thoughts went speeding through my head at this - I am a friendly person but if someone is going to join me I at least would like to be asked first, I mean he could have been a nut job! Then a lightbulb went off and I recognised him, a holiday friend of my brother's who I had met back in May, so that was Ok. Turns out that as he was taking an unexpected week (usually does the first two in September) my brother had texted him and told him to look out for me.
Now why did everyone think I would be at the Pegasus!
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Post by amy114 on Sept 20, 2015 7:11:29 GMT
I'm going to take a break here as breakfast is calling my name and I am off to town today to buy Dennis a glass of his favourite wine and whatever Vera fancies,
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Post by amy114 on Sept 20, 2015 16:37:37 GMT
Saturday
Today I decide I was going to visit my brother's ex-pat friend to say hello and see how she was feeling as she had hurt her back and I was told she was in pain. I was then going to take a look at AP beach probably have a swim and an hour's sunbathing before coming back to the apartments and maybe do my nails before going out to dinner! Ha! Some things just don't work to plan.
I did the visit after having breakfast and didn't get back till nearly 7.00 pm. Vanessa was feeling a lot better and we got to chatting, then her friends joined us and a good time was had by all. When I arrived back at the apartments, I joined Costas & Efi for a coffee under the Plane tree and it wasn't until I left them 30 minutes later, that I realised I had been well bitten by the mosquitoes! A bite on my left leg, left ankle, behind my left ear, small of my back and one high up on my right cheekbone! That will teach me to sit under greenery after dusk without a liberal coating of SOS!
Had a quick shower and off back to the Elisabeth apartments for pizza night. As I was leaving I was met at the gates by the little fat cat I met in the lane the night before and three rather skinny companions. One thought I had food in a carrier bag and kept jumping up against the bag but unfortunately for the cat it was a box of chocolates! They walked down the lane with me but when they realised that there was no food for them, I was finally left alone.
Chose a half and half - Greek and four cheese pizza for my dinner. Really delicious! Of course I could not eat it all or drink the full half carafe of red so left others at the table conformity justice. The bill came to a ridiculous 14.50 and when I asked about my drinks from earlier in the day,was told it was further 2 euros! I think the drinks where mate's rates so gave them 20 euros & refused the change.
Walked back to the apartments with a couple of V's friends, had a cup of tea on balcony and went to bed.
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Post by amy114 on Sept 21, 2015 1:34:39 GMT
Sunday
Woke this morning to another beautiful day. Had a late breakfast then went to catch the bus to meet Dennis and Vera at the Bourtzi. Only waited 2 minutes then the bus arrived. It was election day today and Efi was surprised that in was going into town. She said all the restaurants would be full of Greek people who had voted this morning, all talking very loudly discussing the election, but the reality was something quite different!
Arrived at the Bourtzi but could not see Dennis. I saw a lady sat on her own and did think about going over and asking if she was Vera but decided I would wait a few minutes. Took a seat further down and turned to see, that it was indeed Vera as Dennis, in his minions T-shirt had just joined her. So I went over to meet them.
Spent a lovely couple of hours chatting, and if you have already read Dennis's feedback of today, you will already know about the drinks fiasco! I know that Dennis calls the waitress who served us and came back with the bills, "the one who thinks she knows it all" but I would give her a different description! When I ordered a round of drinks, Dennis opted for a glass of white (as they didn't have his favourite wine, I asked for a glass of red and Vera asked for a frappe without sugar. I ended up with a sangria and Vera ended up with a frappe with sugar! Then when the bills arrived I pointed out that there were only two drinks on mine and there should be three, she was most put out! (At home most would thank you for your honesty, she seemed to take it as a personal insult)!
After testing out the loos, left Dennis and Vera, to go and say hello to Spiros and Touli at he Koubourialis (not sure if the spelling) Inc the old harbour but neither were there so I climbed the steps to the square with the church, and went for a walk round he lanes.
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Post by amy114 on Sept 21, 2015 1:56:22 GMT
It was all very quiet with all the restaurants closed but found places I had missed on my first trip. Ended up on Papadiamantis and called into one of he tavernas that was open for a drink before I had a mooch around the shops! Bought a bottle of Ouzo to take home with me to remind me of my holiday (but if it is like the last bottle I bought, it will remain unopened for years) :-) Why do we do that, or is it just me? I then stopped at a patisserie and purchased some baklava. Shouldn't really but no Greek trip can pass without me having at least one piece. :-) my next stop was a dress shop that Vera recommended but alas, nothing in my size. Made my way to the bus terminus, just missing one, so called in at the Green bakery and bought a refreshing fresh orange with ice. The bus timetable has changed again. Majority at 10, 30 & 50 minutes passed the hour, then the odd change to on the hour & 15 minutes passed (not sure what timings follow as was just interested in how long I had to wait until the next one). Got back to the apartment and had my slice of baklava with a cup of tea, then thought I would have ten minutes before getting ready for dinner. Fatal mistake, as I did not wake up until 10.30 pm! Oh well, nothing for it but to go back to sleep. Woken again by the spectacular storm, nodded off again, but the extremely loud thunder woke me again, so opened by balcony doors to watch the hoohar. Nothing for it but to make a cup of tea and write a post. It is still raining, lovely breeze and the cicadas are singing so it may be safe to say that the worst is over. I have brought my trip up to date (which I think will please Dennis), I am wide awake, it's nearly 5,00 am, so think I will make myself another cuppa. :-)
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Post by kelso on Sept 21, 2015 8:29:43 GMT
I hope it clears up as quickly as it usually does and doesn't interfere too much with your plans. Bob
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Post by amy114 on Sept 21, 2015 8:38:30 GMT
Wishful thinking Bob, thunder has started again so don't know if we are going to get a repeat of the early hours. No lighting yet but thunder every 10/15 seconds! :-(
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Post by amy114 on Sept 24, 2015 10:44:07 GMT
Still Monday (but being written on Thursday as most of the modems have been down due to the storms and first time I have been able to connect)!
Caught a break in the weather after the second thunderstorm so thought I would take myself off to the Elisabeth to see how everyone fared during theEnight. Had to paddle through a fast flowing stream of water pouring down from the hills across the road and continued soggingly up the lane. Everyone was fine so spent a couple of hours there andDwatxhed the rain come down again with more thunder and lightning (is it ever going to stop)!
We decided we would all go out to Calma for dinner so with an hour to spare repeated my soggy slog back up the lane to get ready. I ordered the mushrooms a late creme for starter. It was really delicious and a good choice. For my main I had the Moussaka and although enjoyable, I have eaten better. With. 11 for dinner, we decided to split the bill equally between us, so it only cost me 15 euros and that was with a glass or two of wine. Went back with everyone to the Elisabeth, where a Greek birthday party was in full swing. We were all treated to birthday cake and watched some impromptu Greek dancing.
Made my way back to my apartments down a very dark lane as all the lights were out, forged the stream, walked through the very soggy grass, before arriving at my door!
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Post by kelso on Sept 24, 2015 11:13:28 GMT
I really feel for you all there just now. I've had some storms in September over the years but they have usually just lasted a few hours and then cleared up quickly afterwards. The poor people on Skopelos have really had a terrible time. The pictures online are horrific. I hope that they get the help they need quickly, with a state of emergency having been declared there. I hope that this hasn't put you off of Skiathos though Amy. Bob
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Post by amy114 on Sept 24, 2015 11:33:22 GMT
Hi Bob saw the news on Skopelos last night. Reminiscent of the storms down south and Wales in the last couple of years! I do feel for the people on the island having visited them earlier this year. Just hope there is enough of the harbour left for the ferries, etc to moor up!
Weather not put me off at all but losing 3 days out of 7 is not good especially as the first 3 days here I was doing, rather than wandering, so didn't get much time in the sun! Will go back as white as I was when I arrived! :-)
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Post by amy114 on Sept 24, 2015 11:39:17 GMT
Tuesday
Well lost my original post so hope I can finish this one!
Day dawned with more black clouds and heavy rain, so when their was a break in the weather early afternoon I caught the bus into town for a birthday present for Vanessa. Got off at bus stop 4 and walked down papadiamantis but after going in only 2 shops, the heavens opened once again, and papadiamantis was like a river! In and out of shops u til I had made my purchase, then through the lanes to say hello to Spiros in the old harbour. Stayed a while and watched the rain continue to come down and had two cups of his delicious milky coffees and a quick chat on the phone with Toula, who was back on the mainland.
As soon as the rain stopped, said my goodbyes and made my way to he terminus, where a bus was in. Climbed aboard and 5 minutes later we were off.
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Post by amy114 on Sept 24, 2015 11:52:14 GMT
Well, you've guessed it, half way to AP, the heavens opened again so got off at my stop and crossed he road to the Kohyli for a glass of red and to wait out the rain. Unfortunately, it was coming down rather heavily with no sign of letting up, so I ended up staying for dinner! :-) good choice as it turned out!
I had garlic bread and spicy cheese dip for my starter. Yum! Followed by sea bream with plain rice and a side salad of rocket and plum tomatoes in a balsamic sauce drizzle! The rocket was really fresh and peppery, the tomatoes firm & sweet & he sauce was gorgeous. The bream was excellent and with wine & water it came to 22.50 euros. Handed over 25 euros, as it was so good.
When the rain was as light as it could be, I left the taverna and made my way down a very wet & muddy lane back to the apartments for an early night. :-)
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