Skiathos 2019 with Grandson 💙 Luca

Great news Tre! Enjoy the rest of your holiday 🤣

What great news. I hope you can all put it behind you now and pick up your holiday again. The thing about this site is that although we don't all know each other, it feels as though we do, so we share in the joys and sorrows as they are reported. Let's hope it is just joys for the rest of your holiday.
Bob

Thanks to everyone for your lovely comments. It really has been a stressful time.
Wednesday, apparently little one slept through & allowed Mum & Dad to do so too. An absolute joy to see him beaming at me this morning.
They needed to take him for check up at medical centre so we meandered round town.
This is when we randomly came face to face with Kate. It was like bumping into an old friend. Special.
Quick beer at Archontikos, Gregory needed a Luca update. Then met the family for ice cream at Ariston.
The doctor was pleased with Luca’s latest test results, no more blood tests needed, they just have to go again Friday morning for a “fit to fly” cert.
As the weather became duller we agreed a “no beach day” A bit more shopping; new beach bag from Arkos, a few presents to take home.
We stayed in town while young ones headed back to Kolios.
Meze at Pyrofani, wonderful. Cheese pie, meatballs, stuffed mushrooms, bread, Tzatziki, ok & wine €30
Why are people walking around in coats & hoodies looking miserable? Ok, the sun isn’t shining but it 20 degrees & you’re in Skiathos! 
Later; a wonderful family meal at Infinity Blue watching the sun set. Luca back on top form. Perfect

wonderful, so pleased for you. You would be worrying about Luca and your son, they are still our "little boys" no matter how big they are.
My sons said they never truly realised how much we parents had done for them until they had their children, and saw all the care and worries we had had.

What brilliant news about the fit to fly chatty. This is certainly one holiday you won't forget in a hurry and I'll bet that poor Luca will get this cast up to him many times over the years!
Bob

Thursday in Skiathos was a wonderful day. Sat on our balcony early morning watching the sunrise & listening to the goats, chickens & cockerels. By 8am I’d made breakfast, fruit, yoghurt, toast, coffee. By 9 sat by the pool drinking in the beautiful surroundings & reflecting on how we’ve all dealt with what this holiday had thrown at us.
As my late mother would have said “what doesn’t kill you will make your stronger” She was right.
Mandraki beach was chosen for the day. We set off in 2 cars. I suddenly had the urge to walk the forest, so while our bags stayed in the car, John & I did the walk from bus stop 24.
Just what we needed. The scents of pine & spring flowers, just uplifting.
It was quiet on the beach and yes, it was for me, warm enough to swim in the sea.
Little Luca; well he loved it 🥰 once again, initially apprehensive about the sand, but soon loving it. I was in my element, digging holes, building castles, little toes in the sea, skimming pebbles, finding shells. Bliss.
Greek salad & “Mamma’s Patata’s” for lunch. No sign of “Mamma” ? Though man “Only I can add feta to the salad” man is still there with his money bag.
Little one really loved the “Patata’s” and he also loved the tomato & salad & Tzatziki. Seems he’s not yet a fan of Feta!
Our final evening was at Taverna Anatoli. Wonderful as ever. Sesame prawns, crispy halloumi & feta, spaghetti marinara, prawn risotto, meatballs ..... dinner for 7 + junior + wine €160 Just special. The young ones left early but we weren’t long after as rain threatened. By the time we got back up to Kolios there was spectacular thunder & lightening & seriously heavy rain. We obviously lingered at the bar for farewell drinks.
Friday, nothing special. We packed, luggage went on truck. Lingered in Theodora bar for breakfast & long enough to meet a Skiathos friend who’d arrived on the Newcastle flight, who we’d not seen at Theodora for 5 years
Airport; we purposely left check in till late. 2:15ish for our 3:45 flight. Well no Desires so no point.
No queues & security a breeze.
Actually, though I loved the previous Skiathos airport experience, I can see this new regime as a positive.
Sandwich/snack bar in check in area, dare I say really good toilets. Once through security 3 separate gates today (work still ongoing)
Downstairs, small duty free outlet, sandwich & snack bar as you go in & at the other end, sandwich/ snack bar with bar stools !!
Alas, still no seats available, but, air con working.
Upstairs, larger duty free store open, but work in progress & sign posts show smoking area but are “taped out” so I’m assuming such areas are not quite ready.
On to the good news, once boarded & ready for take off it was announced that as flight was not full, we’d be flying direct Manchester, no refuelling. Cutting over an hour off our journey.
Arrived back home just before 8pm.

Until next time........