|
Post by balddave on May 31, 2024 20:32:31 GMT
Last night drinks in More, ex Mythos, then off to see Demitris in Helloniki, warm welcome from an old friend. As we arrived one of the local fisherman arrived carrying a sword fish, tonight’s special sorted. I chose to eat a huge succulent tomahawk chop, Sue had kleftico to accompany a bottle of Parrissi wine, total cost 71€, Up handy this morning, Australian relatives arriving on 9:50 ferry from Volos, breakfast in apartments then a stroll to ferry port, Portofina for a coffee whilst ferry docked. Relatives managed to book a couple of nights at our accommodation , a staggering 165€ a night, they catch flight to Rome on Sunday. After they’d unpacked etc walked into town as a visit to the pharmacy necessary for them, bit of a wander round then to sea u for drinks, had a light lunch in Spiros restaurant then back to accommodation for a swim, similar to previous day a gathering of residents around pool bar, really a nice atmosphere. This evening headed to Main Street bar for pre dinner drinks, chose to eat at Moura a beautiful courtyard setting, , I chose linguine Marianna a tasty seafood pasta, others had lamb shank, chicken in creamy curry sauce and stuffed peppers, with wine 81€ all in. Relatives tired after travelling so early night in order.
|
|
|
Post by balddave on Jun 1, 2024 4:51:30 GMT
Need to mention the boat taxi situation, Girginis blue boats not yet running to kanapitsa as the captain has broken his ribs and in recovery, the smaller of the boats is moored up in its usual position,so hopefully back in service soon. The cookanaris boats aren’t running frequently, I guess this is down to the fact there are currently no beds on the beach, or kiosks open, evidently the tender/bidding process begins in July, this seems odd half a season in ?
|
|
|
Post by katet on Jun 1, 2024 7:09:01 GMT
How lovely to have your birthday in Skiathos, Dave! Hope you really enjoyed your special day 🥳
Great to read your reports … it’s helping me to get back into holiday mode again. Aspronissos sounds like it was a good choice ~ though you must have been slightly concerned there might still be unfinished work. It seems that all the stops were pulled out in true Greek style … “no worries” as they always say! Am not surprised though that the owners are unhappy about a new supermarket springing up so close. It’s very sad to hear the news as the Tennis Club will be very sadly missed by many. I suppose Lidl must have made them an offer too good to refuse.
July is VERY late for Koukounaries to be fully operational! I’d heard the auction would be at the end of May, so there must be some sort of glitch in the process. It’s really bad for the village - I’ve read a few FB posts from people saying they’re going to change their accommodation to elsewhere on the island due to the beach situation and as Kouk is so run down these days. Not good for the businesses there at all. Unfortunately, they are all being dragged down by the dereliction of the Captain’s properties and it’s very sad.
Looking forward to hearing more of your adventures, Dave … and I hope that Skiathos is working its magic and making Sue feel much better.
|
|
|
Post by kevb on Jun 1, 2024 7:42:18 GMT
The Lidl development will be an issue for Aspronissos, people will be looking out out onto a building site for probably a couple of seasons and that might affect bookings? I'm also wondering if Lidl might make an offer to the family as Asiminas House too, it would effectively expand their plot. I definitely wouldn't want to stay there during the building work, it's literally next door. I'd assume the tennis courts will become the car park. It will probably kill off the supermarket near bus stop 1 as well, they wouldn't compete with Lidl prices. Surprised another supermarket needed in that area to be honest, the big one on airport road isn't that far away and was only opened a few years back.
|
|
|
Post by balddave on Jun 2, 2024 14:42:07 GMT
Update on boat taxis, blue boats back up and running to Kanapitsa from tomorrow, fast boat running from Koukounaries however running people into town from resort rather than the normal alternative, quite a few visitors trying to currently relocate away from Koukounaries due to sunbeds/beach kiosk situation, this probably explains why town feels busier than normal for time of year. Saturday took a taxi to Kanapitsa, weather getting hotter daily so beach beckons, it looks like nobody has informed sunbeds operators on Kanapitsa of new spacing rules, beds as normal. Beach was far from full, put this down to boat taxi not operating?. Long lazy lunch in taverna snack bar then dip in the sea, sea temperatures very pleasant. Our Australian relatives are in awe of the beauty of the island and everything associated with its hospitality, I seem to recall back in the 90s far more Australian visitors and businesses owners, wonder why no longer? Taxi back from beach, think driver related to Louis Hamilton, some scary overtaking moves. Family wanted Italian for evening meal so headed to pizza/pasta opposite ferry port, meal was ok but certainly better options to be had. Funnily the restaurant had a large German party in, i think on sailing holiday, they came to both eat and watch the champions league final, think Italian prefer German to Spanish. Shame we didn’t stay to witness their disappointment. Aussies having an early night due to them flying to Rome tomorrow, Sue and I headed to Main Street with the best of intentions but after one drink headed back to accommodation. Night cap at pool bar, really friendly atmosphere at our apartments , one drink then bed beckoned.
|
|
|
Post by katet on Jun 2, 2024 18:15:05 GMT
It all sounds pretty perfect Dave. Can’t wait! Please keep up the good work 😊
|
|
|
Post by balddave on Jun 3, 2024 20:38:22 GMT
Sue not feeling great yesterday, in a bit of pain, think she overdid it trying to appease Aussie relatives, with this in mind stayed local last night, ate in Liminaki which is a regular haunt of ours, kleftico for myself, liminaki special chicken for herself half carafe of wine, 52€ , wandered over road to fresh for a drink then nightcap in accommodation. Bit hazy this morning but still hot, breakfast on roof top terrace then lazy morning around the pool, ourselves and 4 other residents have booked the wine tasting at Parrissi , we have done the trip previously and thoroughly enjoyed it, the girls behind bar/reception arranged transport, this turned out to be quite a luxurious Mercedes minibus, return fare between 6, 80€ . The wine tasting tour plus tasting is an excellent way to spend half a day, the views from the winery are absolutely stunning, the tour itself is very educational/informative, sampling of 4 of the wines produced but full 125;measures accompanied with bread and dips, excellent value at 25€ a head, our party ordered an additional bottle of the majority choice favourite at 28€, pleasantly surprised that it was accompanied with a charcuterie board of meats, cheeses,olives and tomatoes, called our transport which arrived within 20 minutes. Back at accommodation, it’s becoming a regular occurrence for several of the guests to meet in the bar area for a drink and a general civilised chat and some laughs. A couple of hours rest then out for the evening, headed to Malavaci ,at least I think thats the name, my favourite place for lamb chops, 6; on the plate succulent as ever, Sue had pork medallions in a mustard sauce , with half carafe of wine it cost the princely sum of 45€. Sue a bit achy so headed back with a pit stop in fresh for a G&T, all in all a good day
|
|
|
Post by katet on Jun 4, 2024 5:05:43 GMT
Sorry Sue wasn’t too well - but it’s very easy to get carried away and do a bit too much when you’re all lovely and relaxed in that lovely sunshine. Hope she’s back on track again now?
Is the place you had the lamb chops the one on a side street not far from Mouria (on the left as you go up Pap St from the port) … To Manavaki? If so It’s one I’ve always meant to try but never have. Great value!
|
|
|
Post by balddave on Jun 4, 2024 5:17:10 GMT
Hi Kate, yes that is the restaurant I referred to
|
|
|
Post by balddave on Jun 4, 2024 15:31:30 GMT
Just a quick note before I forget, spent today on Kanapitsa, boat taxi 4:50€, sunbeds 15€ for 2 including brolly, most beaches appear to be 20€ plus
|
|
|
Post by dennisn on Jun 4, 2024 16:38:31 GMT
Odd, innit? I wouldn’t use a sun lounger if you paid me (nor a towel on the sand either) - just can’t lie in the sun. Yet no matter where you look online, they’re all interested to learn the price of the beds. It’s almost like the British discussing the weather!
|
|
|
Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 4, 2024 20:34:14 GMT
Odd, innit? I wouldn’t use a sun lounger if you paid me (nor a towel on the sand either) - just can’t lie in the sun. Yet no matter where you look online, they’re all interested to learn the price of the beds. It’s almost like the British discussing the weather! What do you prefer, Dennis? Do you stay off the beach?
|
|
|
Post by dennisn on Jun 4, 2024 21:00:34 GMT
With the proviso that I/we cannot do any of it now, I enjoy being in the sea (the warm sea, not the brass monkey May sea!) and happily swim slowly back and forth for an hour. When I get out, I have no desire to lounge in the sun so I head for the shade. I like to watch from the shade whatever is going on, people people-ing, waves waving. I like hot, but not sunbathing. I wear a hat to protect my head from burning and my eyes from glare.
|
|
|
Post by balddave on Jun 5, 2024 12:42:09 GMT
Beach day yesterday, boat taxi from the old port, a great way to travel on Skiathos, Nicos the old captain is still injured with broken ribs so his usual crew member and grandson are operating the boat. Usually Nicos spends some time early may repairing the jetty’s at both Kanapitsa and Nostos, unfortunately this hasn’t happened this year and it’s a bit rickety with the last couple of feet of walkway to the beach missing, so a bit of a step down and inevitably wet feet. A relaxing day , the beach was noticeably busier, but not packed, I put this down to the boat taxi being back in service. Neither of us very hungry last night so went to Main Street for a drink then onto phedrocks where a party was underway for on of the islands expats, from there headed to benbows which is now a lot more user friendly since the bar has been repositioned to the back wall. We had to hand over some promotional material for a guy who’s on the northern comedy circuit ( our daughter is a stand up comedian) , he’s doing a set in benbows on 7th September. Feeling peckish now so headed to Nicos for Gyros , 2nd of week, pork for myself chicken for Sue with half carafe of wine a grand total of 24€
|
|
|
Post by dennisn on Jun 5, 2024 13:03:32 GMT
Another “oddity”. I’ll swear we didn’t often pay the same in Nikos on other days for the same victuals (hah, that gave predictive text a difficult moment!). Nikos himself used to throw a quick glance at the sky and come up with a figure out of the clouds. His son and daughter seemed to manage it with less sky work. Mind you, I never paid much attention to the price, so my whole thinking could be utterly skewed.
|
|