Memories 💕💙

The cases are packed and, shock horror! One case weighing in at 19.25 & the other 17.5! Result. And, we only have minimal hand luggage.
G&T poured to celebrate.
Taxi to airport due at 2:30am for the 6am out of Manchester
It’s been a long time coming......

Tre, I echo Bob's sentiments, have a fab holiday and try not to miss your beautiful grandson! 🤣 Looking forward to your updates.

Early flight, airport chaos as Check in didn’t have Jack’s name on the booking nor did they have Vicky’s increased baggage noted.
Then nightmare through “fastrack” security as family in front literally had to empty the entire contents of the hand luggage to be scanned separately. Empty babies bottles?! Why?
No time for breakfast, quick duty free purchase & then boarding.
At Theodora bar within an hour of landing.
Quick unpack. Then planned a snooze round the pool but it didn’t happen. Nice swim then catch up with friends from last year.
World Cup semi final so earlier than usual dinner at Avli. Lived up to its expectations. Meatballs........Orange pie.... dinner for 4 with 3 starters €120 including wine & beers.
Too noisy at Yadim bar so me & Vicky came back to Theodora, Glass of wine, then over to Manos, Mythos on the terrace while Jack in bed.
Perfect 1st day. Ok well except that England didn’t win.

Thursday

Early visit to Manos for supplies, fruit & yoghurt breakfast on the balcony.
Paradise.
Thinking we’d have a morning by the pool to unwind.
No!
Phone rings; think we need the pharmacy Jack’s face is covered in spots!
He was his usual happy smiley self so we got in the bus to town getting off at number 4.
Decided it might be better to see a doctor so walked up to what I always thought was the medical centre. No, you need to be at the new medical centre on the ring road.
“You have car?” No “I take you”
So man, gets his car keys & takes baby & parents in his car to the actual medical centre.
Only in Skiathos!
So we wander down to town. Phone message; it’s chicken pox!
And so, after a beer on the Bourtzi we had lunch at Archontikos. Jack, after a little nap, sat munching bits of everyone’s meals, entertained anyone who smiled at him. Obviously, chicken pox not bothering him.
Later it was dinner at Infinity Blue.
Fabulous views over Kolios bay.
€135 Again I didn’t have a starter, chose the special Sea Bream, perfect.
Nightcaps at Theodora

Friday 13th

Apparently I agreed to cook breakfast for everyone 😬Lol!
Brought my silicon egg poachers (from Lakeland)
Actually a really good brekkie.
11am off to town & straight on the bus.
Very lazy lunch at Milos watching the planes land. So funny, Baby Jack equipped with ear defenders. The first incoming plane; he was more interested in the water than looking up to the skies!!
Olive Thea booked for 6:30pm pick up. Still struggling to cope with eating early.
What to say; the most amazing welcome from Despina & delighted to be met by Jacqui, previously known for Driftwood Art Skiathos. (Sadly not viable but now selling online via Etsy)
Fabulous, stunning views & exceptionally good food.
Garlic mushrooms, baked feta, spiced feta parcels & cheese pies, Beef Giouvetsi x 2, lamb shank & a kleftico. All washed down with more wine than needed wine €116
Wonderful evening slightly marred by pesky wasps who chose Vicky as their target! Ouch:(

Saturday 14 July

Planned an early trip to the beach but had a message from son last night; they've booked for next year!! So of course we had to copy! With iffy WiFi it took us over an hour. Even now I think we might have booked twice 😅
An early one in May & will be celebrating Grandson’s first birthday here 😍
Eventually made it to Kolios beach. Perfect 😎
First time in many years that I’ve experienced dealing with a baby on a beach. Sand mat to sit on, sun tent, mini picnic chair, inflatable ring, paddling pool, bucket & spade...... Anyway, chicken pox or not he was one happy baby. A little sick after a diet of sand & salt water but he loved being in the water.
He even obliged us by falling asleep after a quick twirl of the car park in his pushchair enabling us to have lunch.
Chicken & chips, 2 Greek salads, baked feta, portion of fries. A couple of beers each, €69.
3pm & after more sand & salt water diet we called it a day.
Vicky & co staying at Manos who have a new pool this year. Really lovely & plenty of sun loungers in the garden. Sand mat down in the shade, Jack more than happy with his ice cream. Making memories 😍

Later, walk into Ag P, Jimmy’s, had to be done. Maze platter to start, Souvlaki x 2 Moussaka & a pizza, beers & carafe of wine
€90

Sunday 15 July

Morning by the pool with lunch in our apartment for all of us. Greek salad with feta, olives, pitta & Tzatziki with a chilled bottle of Cretan white wine. Cheese toastie for Jack. Lunch cost less than €15 & that includes the wine.
Early bus into town to catch the 5pm Eleni boat to Tsougria.
I’ve come to the conclusion that a pushchair is actually more necessary to carry all the kit than the actual baby!!
A quick beer each at the bar, €3.50 each for a small tin of Mythos, then a lovely swim in the warm shallow waters, with Jack whooping & giggling in his yellow ring thingy. Leaving enough time to relax on a sun lounger before sunset. Stunning.
Jack fell asleep so missed the finale to the evening. Well he did go for free!
Back to town just after 9 with dinner at Ta Kymata.
A couple of cheese starters, a pasta, 2 chicken with Greek potatoes & stuffed tomatoes for me. €65 with wine.
To be honest it was nothing special but this morning I’ve a feeling my stuffed tomatoes have kept me in the bathroom since 6am!!!

Tre, a few years ago one of our grandchildren,then aged 2; caught chicken pox whilst we were in Tenerife.
Thomas Cook insisted we produced a fit to fly certification from the local doctor, this delayed our return by 4 days, and also a cost of 80 euro.
May be worth you checking out to save potential problems on your departure.

Thanks for the updates Tre and hope the little fella has as good a time over there as the rest of you.

Think outside the box Tre. Go to the Bourtzi and watch them from the Loo with a View.