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Post by kevb on Aug 26, 2019 12:48:37 GMT
No it hasn't really put a damper on things. It was Sunday so Greek family night out and it was clear that's who they wanted in. The young couple that were moved seemed ok with it but the family who took the table were clearly old mates of the owners, the waiters were sitting with them for their fag breaks which you don't see a lot. In fact being seated as far away as possible from the live music (not thumpy stuff Dennis) turned out to be a blessing as the bloke accompanying the girl singer spent most of my meal time make a dogs breakfast of setting the p.a. up with ensuing shrieks of feedback at regular intervals. I nearly got up to show him how to do it at one point but it had been a long day. She'd only got through 2 songs by the time I left. Waiter disappeared after leaving me the bill so I just left the cash with minimal tip and walked out. They don't see many Brits so it's no skin off their nose not making much effort. Plenty of Athenians with money on holiday to keep them going.  Aspous beach, not far off the main town and on a Sunday but still not a lot of people around. Definitey a quieter islans than some others.
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Post by kevb on Aug 26, 2019 16:43:57 GMT
Not a huge amount to report today. Drove down to the rugged south east bit again to catch a glimpse of the eleanoras falcons that are plentiful here (you get them on Skiathos too) then all way back up to North West to see a bit of not been to before, namely Atsitsa. You see it on a lot of Skyros photos as there's a ruined building sticking up out of the sea. Naturally someone's built a snack bar overlooking the best viewpoint but it's a nice place to have a coffee and slice of cake (actually it's all I've had all day). Drove back to apts the scenic route via town to have a last look at that slightly santorini-esque pile of buildings on the side of a steep hill. Now just hanging round for the guys to come take the car back and I can eat local at the beach cafe/ restaurant place right in front of my apt. There should be 2 eating places on this beach according to Google maps. Sadly 'popis' seems to have closed, building is a sad empty shell at one end now. I still like the beach area itself with apts just behind and the area itself is a good base to go exploring either north or south from with a car. Funds permitting I'd come back again one day but it won't be an annual event like Skiathos has become (still not 100% sure I'm doing Skiathos next year or not yet). Apt owner says he will take me to the port himself tomorrow, no charge. Yea! though in typical fashion he says we will go at 6:30 am, the lady at the ferry kiosk says they start loading the boat at,,,6:30 am! Fortunately it's a short drive. 'itll be alright' he says 'if I'm not up by 6:25 that's my door, just give me a knock. It'll be alright on the night, or in this case the morning. If not I'm here until Saturday!  Another panoramic view of th ecoast heading south east to 'the wilds' This was as far as i was prepared to go out on the SE peninsular! Strange rock formations (officially not supposed to take photos here, its part of a military area) up in the hills Some sort of reservoir on the way to the north west. All I can say is its somewhere between Pefkos and Atsitsa. Think I took a slightly unorthodox route and foun dit by accident. Lots of falcons here though. Panoramic view of Atsitsa bay Closer view of the oft-photo'd ruin in the sea Final view of main town before heading back to apt to make ready for early ferry next morning
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Post by cariad23 on Aug 26, 2019 18:13:11 GMT
i'm a village potatos fan
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Post by kevb on Aug 26, 2019 19:19:03 GMT
Well that was an OK but not wildly inspiring last evening meal. The cloth eared car hire bloke interpreted my six o'clock as nine o'clock so by the time I got to eat there's was hardly anyone left in the restaurant, as if I didnt feel a bit obvious as a lone diner. Mind you one of the only 2 tables still in use is a lone sad bloke as well so I'm in good company. Shared some of my pork chop with a wandering mongrel. It's got a collar on but wanders from table looking for scraps in a very polite and we'll behaved way. You can't say no really. Well not a softy like me. No idea who it belongs to. Bill still to arrive but it won't be much. Half litre of house red, taganaki cheese and a pork chop ( not first choice but lamb ribs all finished, just like goat was in Linaria the other night) with a few fries that I've mostly left. Can't be over 20 euro. I'm making it an early night, will be at sea 5 hours tomorrow. Able seaman KevB signing off until I hit Alonnisos unless you'd prefer I stop posting at Skyros?
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Post by dennisn on Aug 26, 2019 19:23:21 GMT
Are you eventually going on to Skopelos? If so, how about giving us a wave or three from the two camera positions? (You have to tell us when you're going to do it though so that we can look at the right time. Don't do it at Bob's topiary cafe meeting time).
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Post by dennisn on Aug 26, 2019 19:24:11 GMT
i'm a village potatos fan Can ya have chips with them? |
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Post by kevb on Aug 26, 2019 19:54:28 GMT
I'd forgotten about the obligatory wave. May have to synchronise watches, I'm only on Skopelos for one night. Should arrive some time on Thursday so it might have to wait until early evening. Will get back to you all on that. Re the bill, not a bad guess. Total exactly 20 euro and as all I had in change for the tip was a 2 euro bit that's what they got. Night all, as Jack Warner used to say.
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Post by kevb on Aug 27, 2019 4:06:07 GMT
Just to put your minds at rest ( not that you were worried I'm sure) I have successfully got up in time and boarded the ferry which is about to leave. Stumped up an extra 6 euro allowing access to a rather pleasant passenger lounge with comfy seats and it's own bar. Not seen any Baileys miniatures, sorry Dennis. Generally similar to the usual ferries around these parts but proudly saying Skyros Shipping Company on the side. Actually coming inside gets me away from the dogs people bring with them that are yapping at each other until they settle down. Free WiFi with excellent signal and no password required. Will have a mooch round deck once we are out at sea and the sun comes up properly. And we're off, courtesy of the Skyros Shipping Company Paying the extra 6 euros enables access to the 'special' place  ... Which to be fair is actually quite nice and relaxed (and sells oregano flavoured crisps!)
This is the port of Kymi which the ferry docks at for an hour before carrying on to Alonnisos.
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Post by kevb on Aug 27, 2019 14:04:37 GMT
Arrived Alonnisos pretty much on time. Slight kerfuffle at Kymi with a very late arriving car and a foot passenger realised he'd left something behind in a harbour front cafe and had to jog back for it and it's a good distance from the cafs to the actual docking bit. He got back in time though.
The room at Alonnisos digs is tiny compared with what I've had last 3 days but it's convenient for Patitiri. I've gone the other way away from town for 10-15 mins to the next little shingly beach up from town will have to look up name later. Fell asleep for over an hour after I'd partially unpacked, the 6am start suddenly got to me. Having a frappe to recharge batteries for a wander about town tonight.
Possible choice of either hiking up to the old town via coastal rural route that someone on TA told me about or getting the bus further up the coast, never been that far up previously. Even though this the quietest of the 3 well known Sporades it still seems more commercial than Skyros.
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Post by cariad23 on Aug 27, 2019 14:50:24 GMT
My friend was there last year got a taxi up to old town, i think it was reasonable
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Post by kevb on Aug 27, 2019 16:39:04 GMT
Yes in 2 minds. Went to old town on the bus as part of boat trip last year though the coastal hiking paths looks interesting. It was hot when I arrived so maybe a bit optimistic hiking right up there. Looks like some forest walking available near Steni Vala so might bus it up there, less than 2 euro each way.
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Post by kevb on Aug 27, 2019 21:07:32 GMT
Just to round today off. Not v exciting spent half of it on the ferry. Ate at Favela in town, good TA reviews. Bit pretentious presented in shabby chic way. Food nice but wine expensive. House wines 4:50 per glass ( got half litre jug for that in Skyros) so had a beer, first beer of holiday in fact. Fried mushrooms starter, main course salad with bottle of water chucked in and a dinky little bottle of what tasted like lemon juice mixed with syrup and tsipouro. It served as a free pudding I guess. 22 euro including tip. Music would be too banging for Dennis. Wanted to try Drunken Seal but they hadn't opened for the night yet. Went 2 doors down to another bar and had an ouzo. Odd selection of snacks with it. Crisps, olives, tiny tomatoes and strips of cheddar cheese on cocktail sticks. Think it was about 6 euro prob not going back. Then to Drunken Seal for the ' how much will you fleece me out of happy hour' test. 1 mojito 8 euro and some popcorn in a cute little frying pan on the side. They open up so late it might actually still be happy hour for them at 10pm. Definitely too banging for Dennis. Prob go back for a final fling tomorrow night anyway. Exhausted after early start so turning in now.  'Guardian of the plinth' outside the front part of my accommodation on Alonnisos Favela. Nice food but the prices are a bit steep The Drunk Seal. Too bangin' for Dennis Popcorn with your mojito, sir? |
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Aug 28, 2019 7:55:12 GMT
We really need to open an “Is it Too Banging for Dennis?” thread.
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Post by dennisn on Aug 28, 2019 8:28:31 GMT
We really need to open an “Is it Too Banging for Dennis?” thread. No you don't. Just assume EVERYTHING is too bangy for Dennis (except Shostakovich and Chopin). |
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Post by kevb on Aug 28, 2019 20:02:26 GMT
I've had a day that was about 90% bangin free even for Dennis. Had a bit of a lie in ( did I mention my bed in Alonnisos has a partial mosquito net?) then popped down to the harbour for a frappe and bought a one way ticket to Skopelos for tomorrow ( turns out to be the Achilleas again, same boat I came in on from Skyros). Then went for a return ticket on municipal bus running to north of island. Decided on Steni Valas as my drop off as there seems to be a long circular walking route into the hills and back I could do from there. Ten o'clock bus sets off on time and get off at Steni beach for a look but it's not worth it and I walked round to Steni port and bought a nectarine, pack of oregano crisps (Dennis wakes up) and a little container of orange juice (brought my own water) and off I went. Hiking route #10 if anyone can find it online. It started so well but I made a mistake... to be continued.
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