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Post by yorkshiremouth on May 9, 2022 12:21:55 GMT
Another good ‘un Dave.
Many thanks.
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Post by katet on May 9, 2022 15:03:36 GMT
Excellent posts, Dave - you have really whetted my appetite! Many thanks :-)
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Post by balddave on May 10, 2022 16:39:41 GMT
Drivel finale, Sod’s law but yesterday, being our last, the sun decided to shine, after packing and breakfast we headed to the town beach, still very quiet , sunbeds outside Thessaloniki taverna, whiled away the hours admiring the vista, reading and just relaxing, about 3 o’clock we headed back stopping for a drink in one of our favourite places ‘cafe del mar’ such a beautiful view and chilled out place to spend an hour or so. Walked back down papadiamanti street and along the port to the hotel, stopping at the taxi rank to book a taxi for 6:30, after showering and changing we headed to Liminaki to meet our friends who don’t fly till Wednesday, a bite to eat looking back at the town, a lovely way to end our holidays. Said our goodbyes and headed to the holidays, this is where the fun began. It appears the travel companies reps are all local this year, possibly another result of brexit,90 day rules etc. Our friendly airport chappie informed us check in should be quick as only 96 on the flight, how wrong was he. We queued 4th in line, it appeared trainees where undertaking check in each being overseen by a senior member of staff. The first difficulty we encountered was the passport recognition system failed, This was quickly rectified, then their system only indicating one hold bag, after us producing our booking confirmation and the senior member having to check with the supervisor our bags checked in, it gets better, the boarding pass printers failed, after much discussion and pressing of computers keyboards a tec person arrived, you would not believe the issue was with the printer paper being incorrectly installed. Security no problems whatsoever, only upstairs duty free open so up we ventured to buy cigarettes for the brother in law, strictly only allowing 200 per passenger, not a problem. We paid in cash, again you would not believe not a single coin in the change drawers, others encountered the same issue, ended paying by card. Down to the lounge, TAKE HEED, adhesive labels blanking use of every other seat to enable social distancing have been removed, however the have not gone as far as to move the backing adhesive, some unhappy passengers with clothes sticking to the seat backs. Flight back on time, booked fast track passport control so breezed through, baggage off quickly so in the car less than half an hour after landing, happy days, Not. Upon leaving the airport the M56 shut between junctions 5&8, diversion in place, this meant heading in the completely wrong direction towards Manchester, from their the M60 then 62, coming off and going through Warrington then on the M6 and eventually the M56, we arrived home 40 minutes later than our normal journey.
To summarise, although the weather not at its best we had an excellent relaxing week, its fantastic to see the enthusiasm of all the local business owners looking forward to the prospect of a full season, I just hope the staffing issues across the island get resolved quickly. I think next year we will travel a week or so later and also book earlier flight times, keeping one eye on the holiday sites looking for a cheeky week in September.
I’m really looking forward to the reports of others to see how their personal view of this season compare. To all traveling this year, enjoy
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Post by dennisn on May 10, 2022 17:25:41 GMT
Dave, thank you thissssssssssss much and more for your drivel. Absolutely what I (and surely all other members) have been waiting for. My heart aches with the desire to follow you to Skiathos now that you have set the ball rolling. Again, thank you very much.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on May 10, 2022 22:39:17 GMT
Great stuff, Dave.
A very interesting point on going later next year - maybe the second week of the season instead of the first?
Interesting to me as I’m doing something at the other end; having twice been for the last week, this year I’m going for the penultimate.
Longer term, possibly after retirement, I’d like to go for a three week straddle: the week before the season, then the first and second weeks, or the last two weeks of the season and the week after.
I just want to say that your posts have meant a lot to me this year. A smashing, mouth-watering introduction to the year to come.
My thanks.
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Post by kevb on May 11, 2022 10:25:24 GMT
Thanks for the posts Dave Going up to the winery was one of my favourite memories from last year and as you say it's best done in a small group. It's prompted me to go for an avatar photo change That's another restaurant you have got me going for as well now - Secret Garden. It was firmly on my 'to do' list last year and then for one reason or another it didn't happen. Heard lots of favourable reports. Must make the effort this year.
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amy115
Full Member
Posts: 341
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
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Post by amy115 on May 11, 2022 12:46:46 GMT
Dave, really enjoyed your reports and pleased that you had a good holiday, despite the vagaries with the weather. A bit like at home at moment 😉
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Post by cariad23 on May 11, 2022 15:33:44 GMT
yes its been great reading all these reports, wetting our appetite for the pleasure to come. i wonder if thst lady conductor is still on the buses, looking forward eagerly to Dennis and veras arrival
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Post by dennisn on May 11, 2022 19:31:32 GMT
Somebody last year said that Katerina is no longer on the buses. We were unable to check in September because Vera had her fall so early on that the bus was not an option. I do hope she is still conducting, just another of the great characters of our holidays.
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Post by balddave on May 12, 2022 19:00:58 GMT
YM, I see your staying at the palace, if you don’t know they run a courtesy bus between there and the Alkyon, I think morning, afternoons and early evening (6:30ish)
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Post by balddave on May 12, 2022 19:02:49 GMT
Somebody last year said that Katerina is no longer on the buses. We were unable to check in September because Vera had her fall so early on that the bus was not an option. I do hope she is still conducting, just another of the great characters of our holidays. We didn’t see Katerina, nor the resident dog, however the bus conductor was a very helpful cheery chappie
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Post by katet on May 13, 2022 10:24:52 GMT
I'm so pleased to see that Kevb and Yorkshiremouth have changed your avatars to proper pics - if more did it would make it easier to say hello. Although having met both of you, I know what you look like!
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Post by yorkshiremouth on May 13, 2022 10:30:55 GMT
YM, I see your staying at the palace, if you don’t know they run a courtesy bus between there and the Alkyon, I think morning, afternoons and early evening (6:30ish) This’ll be my fourth time at the Palace. I know about the evening mini bus, but I wasn’t aware of the earlier ones. Many thanks.
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Post by balddave on May 13, 2022 11:03:14 GMT
I'm so pleased to see that Kevb and Yorkshiremouth have changed your avatars to proper pics - if more did it would make it easier to say hello. Although having met both of you, I know what you look like! Having met me kate, you know my current avatar is accurate 🤣
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Post by cariad23 on May 13, 2022 11:59:01 GMT
how do you upload photo please, nice to see face behind the name.
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