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Post by dennisn on May 19, 2023 13:48:40 GMT
the sun shines on the rightous Dennis ! If you could hear some recent third party comments, you'd understand why I've just been rained on!
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Post by balddave on May 19, 2023 21:19:41 GMT
Awoke to a bright ,sunny but very windy day, after breakfast we had arranged to pick the car up at 11 , I know they have had a rush on rental due to the inclement weather but wasn’t expecting to pick up a Nissan micra , what the heck , it’s got 4 wheels and an engine, also air conditioning, unsure how it will cope with some of the inclines but time will tell. Another issue we have to get over is a manual gear box , both our cars back home are automatic , must remember left foot required. We headed to Vromolominis with the idea of spending the day on the beach and having lunch in Porto Fino the on site taverna, quite surprising that the beach was bereft of sunbeds , the restaurant shut and the bar only in early stages of setting up, plans up the wall we ordered 2’ small beers whilst we decided what to do next, maybe a good move not to stay because 2 small beers cost 10€. We headed back to Kanapitsa, the beach was quiet but very windswept, also building works going on to the water sports hut, so rather noisy. We did however ensconce ourselves in a couple of deckchairs ( free of charge) in the outside area of the taverna, purchased a couple of drinks and spent a relaxing hour or so. The decision for lunch was to drive down to Cafe del mar at megali ammos, lunch consisted of a large tuna salad for herself and a club sandwich for myself, they sell Repi here so I was quite happy, lunch and a couple of drinks each 36€ Drove back into town late afternoon and spent some time on the balcony, due to the location of the Alkyon the balcony provides a brilliant place to watch all the goings on in the port, many more sailboats arriving today, it’s a skill the way the skipper’s manoeuvre them into tight mooring spaces, I lose myself watching all the vessels arriving and leaving, the turn around time of the ferry’s just wouldn’t happen in the UK. Tonight we decided to visit one on the islands characters ‘ Dimitri’ at his latest venture ‘ Helloniki’ , set in a traditional Greek courtyard with some fabulous murals on the walls painted by a local artist, as always a warm welcome from the main man, dinner consisted of tzatziki and toasted bread to start, the wife had stuffed tomatoes and peppers, I opted for the lamb chops, washed down with a carafe of wine and a large bottle of water, all for the princely sum of 39€! Excellent value and i recommend the place. Wandering back along the port we noticed what was previously Mythos bar despite its upmarket makeover was virtually empty in comparison to its neighbours, we stopped at Seagull for a nightcap before heading back to our hotel. Tomorrow we intend to be up and out early making the most of the forecast good weather, we have discussed that after nearly 40 visits we have never eaten in koukanaris, we therefore hope to lunch there tomorrow, any recommendations from those who know the area will be greatly appreciated
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Post by *Di* on May 19, 2023 21:24:35 GMT
Augustera bar always a good choice for drinks and food for us as we drive about Dave. Had a nice gyros at under the pine tree (think thats its name) years ago… Thanks for your days report by the way! 👍🏻
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Post by balddave on May 20, 2023 19:21:01 GMT
Aware of the changes in the weather tomorrow we were up and out this morning, on kanapitsa beach just after 9 even before taverna opened, absolute solitude until the first boat taxi arrived at 10:20. Today was the warmest of the week , not sweltering by any means but comfortably around 20+ , yesterday’s winds had subsided and replaced by the occasional breeze. I know there is a lot said about the sea temperatures during May, this has not put of numerous brave souls who have taken a dip , our Scandinavia friends who love to swim are saying they’re not ready to swim with polar bears. As the forecast (sorry Dennis) for tomorrow is far from good we decided to make the most of the sun and stayed on the beach till late afternoon, it is now our intention to do a round island tour tomorrow, making a point of taking in some previously unvisited sites. Herself decided she was going to purchase the bowl she saw earlier in the week along with other essential holiday purchases so late afternoon we headed to town, I was deposited into the man crèche AKA phedrock to watch the football, this is myself being completely unselfish by not wanting to influence any crucial purchase decisions ,I thoroughly enjoyed the football, without upsetting any forum members, my team won . For our evening meal we headed to Fresh Bar, we always visit as it was the place I had my first drink in Skiathos back in the 90s, it has changed hands but still remains within the same family, in fact all of the current staff are 3 generations of the same family, I know others on this site also visit. The meal we ate tonight was the best we have eaten this week by far. Starter of creamed mushrooms, plentiful to share, we both opted for beef stifado , absolutely delicious. A complimentary orange cake pudding, a carafe of wine, 1 G&T, 54€! Early night tonight as we want to make the most of our last day tomorrow
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Post by dennisn on May 20, 2023 19:47:08 GMT
Last day tomorrow? You gotta be joking. I’m not ready to give up on you yet. Please stay another week or three. You’ve set the bar pretty high for the next visitors.
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Post by balddave on May 21, 2023 6:41:40 GMT
I have failed to mention in previous posts, the new roundabout at bus stop 4 , most tourists seem ok with it however the locals who are used to turning left to go to the top of town don’t seem to have grasped the fact you need to keep right and go around the roundabout, also confusing is all directional signage is painted on the road, hence if you’re following a bus or lorry the sign becomes hidden
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Post by yorkshiremouth on May 21, 2023 11:16:41 GMT
A goldmine of information, as well as being an interesting and entertaining read.
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Post by *Di* on May 21, 2023 11:28:29 GMT
Cannot wait to experience the shenanigans at this roundabout! Driver hubby even more so 🤦♀️😁
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Post by cariad23 on May 21, 2023 14:23:25 GMT
Your holiday seems to have gone so quickly been great read.
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Post by balddave on May 21, 2023 16:52:13 GMT
Before my main post, Dennis,YM the blue bus started operating today
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Post by balddave on May 21, 2023 19:50:14 GMT
My pen ultimate post, last full day on Skiathos, Overcast this morning with rain forecast, after breakfast drove up over the top to above the airport, fantastic views, viewing the airport from above you realise how small it is in comparison to most major airports. From here we headed to the monastery, first visit on a Sunday, a fantastic experience, there was a service underway , I think it was either a christening, but I think more a first communion/ naming day or the Greek equivalent, service booming out over the loudspeakers, almost chanting but very moving. Lots of youngsters,probably 4/5 years of age involved. I really appreciate events of local meaningfulness such as submarine ceremony etc, glad we experienced it. From here we drove to Platanos a favourite stop of point, the most amazing views over the town , although weather not great still spectacular.they also do fabulous coffee and cake, an added bonus. I need to add we did all this in a Nissan Micra, basically a roller skate with an engine, however it coped with Skiathos most daunting inclines without issue although the gear box may not agree. Back down a drive to kouk and back to town. to get a parking space, only later we found out it’s the main Greek elections so every man and his dog,goat,chicken, had come into town to vote. Eventually parked up and headed into to the bourtzi, not visited all week but there’s something magical about the location that makes time pass, 2 hours and a couple of drinks later we departed as rain was forecast, we strolled around town for a while saying our goodbye to friends, fortunately the sun decided to show its face so sat at main street for a while watching the world go by. Tonight dined at baliliko on club strip, bread and dips to start, wife had monk fish in a curry sauce, I opted for lamb shank which was excellent apart from the S. in front of the mash, those of an age know,’ we peel them with our little knifes’, can’t get my head around, why cook a decent piece of meet and then serve it on synthetic mash ?? Got talking to a lovely couple, turns out they’re over for the First time as the man of the couple was playing in the Skiathos tennis open, which he incidentally won. Night cap in the Liminaki draft bar and a reasonably early night. Home tomorrow, but despite weather not being 100% ,we’ve had a great week
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Post by *Di* on May 21, 2023 19:54:04 GMT
Thank you Dave for your updates really enjoyed them! On countdown here now 23 days to go. Ps if it’s ANY consolation the weather has picked up here at last! 🙂
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Post by dennisn on May 21, 2023 19:54:57 GMT
And I’ve had a great week following your holiday - put me down as regretting your departure as much as I’m sure you are.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on May 22, 2023 5:37:40 GMT
I completely agree with Dennis, it’s been like being there.
A safe journey home.
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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 22, 2023 9:42:19 GMT
Your week has flown by Dave, thanks for posting. Have enjoyed your daily diary :-)
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