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Post by katet on Jun 30, 2017 21:52:41 GMT
Thanks, Bob. I only managed it because I had fish for both meals, and the Myrtia salmon doesn't come with potatoes or rice (unusual for Greece). The others seem to be able to eat for England!!
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Post by amy114 on Jun 30, 2017 22:18:05 GMT
Wonderful reporting Kate, well worth the wait. :-):-) looking forward to the next installment.
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Post by Tre on Jun 30, 2017 22:49:17 GMT
Great reads Kate. Thanks. I ought to unpack but......... tomorrow is another day
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Post by katet on Jul 1, 2017 8:33:08 GMT
Hahaha - exactly, T. Have a fabulous first day ........... Looking forwards to reading all about it x
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Post by katet on Jul 3, 2017 9:59:35 GMT
Loving all these superb feedbacks!!! It's reminded me to get on with my somewhat long-winded one Day 6: Wednesday dawned clear and bright and we all decided on a pool day, after the various excitements of yesterday. It was glorious and sunny ~ I even ventured into the water (very unusual). Paul dived in, instantly regretting it as he's had ear problems lately …... oops! We decided to stretch our legs at lunchtime and wandered down to the Agustera to see Maverick (and Efi & Dino, of course). We shared mini cheese pies and a Greek salad with our refreshing beers – just under Ɛ20. A quick look in the supermarket ~ bought some nibbles & cans of Mythos for the beach tomorrow and made our way back to the pool for more lazing around in the sun. We had booked Ricchi e Poveri for dinner for the six of us, so met up in Stamelos at 6.30pm for a drink before catching the bus to stop No 4. The bus was fairly packed, but we all managed to get a seat. There was quite a to get off at the Acropolis through the throngs, but we managed …. phew! We had a lovely stroll through the back streets, past Amfaliki and the little church and down to Ricchi e Poveri, however – there had been a double booking and the table for six at the front of the balcony was separated occupied by three couples. There were profuse apologies offered and a table just at the side of the balcony was free. Four of us were happy to go with this, but one of our friends was adamant he wasn't and he and his wife left – eating at the fish restaurant next door but one (can't remember the name). This was a little unfortunate, but the lovely manageress couldn't apologise enough and we were given a complimentary bottle of red wine. Mistakes happen. Paul and I shared tapas of: lamb koftas, patatas bravas, crispy belly pork, duck spring rolls and spicy chicken wings ~ wow ~ it was so tasty and we were full to the brim! I think the bill was just over Ɛ45 per couple. We rejoined the others ~ who had luckily enjoyed a lovely fish meal (sea bream and sea bass), also with a fabulous view of the old port & Bourtzi. A slow walk down the steps and along the harbour to the terminus, ending with a quick sprint as there was a bus just about to leave. It was a bit packed at first, but we soon got to sit down. Off at stop 23 and we all negotiated the track safely (armed with our trusty phone torches) and just had the one nightcap at the bar before retiring at midnight. The Scops owls were calling to each other – a lovely sound. View of the Bourtzi from Ricchi e Poveri:
Sorry - having trouble with the Bucket .... will re-read instructions in case I'm doing it wrong UPDATE~ Photobucket has moved its buttons around, so now need to use the bottom one, not the second down. How dare it!!!
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Post by kevb on Jul 3, 2017 11:35:59 GMT
Another thread I've only just caught up with - sorry Kate! Interesting for me as I've done Kouk twice (Caravos and Sunset) so good to see Efi & Dino still at Agustera, still one of my fave bars on the island. As I'm originally from Yorkshire and mum still lives there I might just take her on the bus down to Stamelos one evening for food and then stroll down to Agustera for old times sake. I did eat there once in 2012 but that was when it was still the Caravos's own restaurant so would be interesting to see it under new ownership. If the BBW is getting a bit hyped up and crowded I could give it a miss for one holiday. We are staying in Meg Ammos so I expect we will only get down to Kouk one night as only there 1 week.
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Post by *Di* on Jul 3, 2017 16:46:54 GMT
Really enjoying all things re your holiday Katet.. thanks again 😀👍🏼 Kevb not wanting to know EXACTLY but whereabouts in Yorkshire are you from? Im near Pontefract... 😀
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Post by katet on Jul 4, 2017 11:05:06 GMT
Day7: Paul and I had the use of the Jimny for the day, as our friends had booked on to the Mama Mia trip through the rep (very expensive at Ɛ70 pp!!) We decided to use the car to visit Kanapitsa and set off at 10am, after I'd cooked(!!) us a breakfast of bacon & cheese sandwiches. The parking area was quiet, but we were lucky as there were only two sunbeds left by 10.30! Skiathos certainly was busier than ever this visit. Some people on social media have complained about being charged more for beds on some beaches, but this was the usual Ɛ8 with complimentary water. It was a lovely hot and sunny day, but rather windy on the beach – good job I'd remembered the towel pegs. We broke off from sunbathing for lunch ~ eating at the outside section as we didn't really want a full-blown meal. Paul had cheese & ham baguette, I had a (huge) rocket, parmesan & balsamic salad, plus a large bottle of Mythos for Paul and soft drink for me - a very reasonable Ɛ14. A siesta back on the beds and then we headed back to the Myrtia pool for an hour. We had hired a car last September for the whole time, but this was my only day of driving this holiday, and I found that after a slow & cautious start it quickly all came back to me and I felt very confident on the return journey. I liked the Jimny, but the gears were hard work! It was Greek night at the Myrtia, so we had booked a table for the six of us and met in the bar at half seven. Our friends had only just had time for a quick shower and change after getting back from their boat adventure. They had spent a lovely day on the Pure boat (adj to the ferry terminal) and hadn't really noticed the windy weather out at sea as it is a fairly large boat. (Last time we all went sailing it had been very choppy and Karen had spent the whole day being seasick, poor girl!) We looked at their pics of Skopelos and the chapel – they had really enjoyed it all and had some super photos. We had a lovely meal ~ Paul had double souvlaki (pork and chicken) and I had cheese Boudinari (feta baked in a clay pot with onions and peppers – nice and spicy) and a Myrtia special salad, Jill had her Nagasaki prawns again ~ sorry, can't remember what the others ate. We had three carafes of red wine between us and a lovely time was had by all. The Greek music started and Vlatco encouraged us all to get clapping, shouting 'Opa!' and dancing. There was also plate smashing ~ something I've not seen before. Nearly everyone joined in with the dancing, which (as you'll know if you've been to one of these nights) gets faster and faster …..... working off some of that food & drink! The Myrtia Greek music night is fab – all you need to do is pop in & book a table at the bar beforehand as there's no charge for the night – just your food and drink cost. An excellent evening. Bed about 1am – a late one for us!! We slept very soundly. Vlatco (usually known as V) and the plate smashing dance
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Post by kevb on Jul 4, 2017 11:20:34 GMT
SEVENTY each for Mamma Mia trip these days? was that direct from the boat owner or via a middle man? sounds a lot of money but I've never done the 'official' one, just a day trip to Skopelos & Alonissos in 2012 so maybe it has always been on the top side. Well, they are on holiday after all... ;-)
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Post by kevb on Jul 4, 2017 11:24:24 GMT
Really enjoying all things re your holiday Katet.. thanks again 😀👍🏼 Kevb not wanting to know EXACTLY but whereabouts in Yorkshire are you from? Im near Pontefract... 😀 I grew up in Cleckheaton but moved to Nottingham to be a student, liked it and got a job as soon as I graduated. Will have been in Nottm for 35 years this September. Still support Huddersfield Town though, can't change your football team
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jul 4, 2017 11:28:02 GMT
Really enjoying all things re your holiday Katet.. thanks again 😀👍🏼 Kevb not wanting to know EXACTLY but whereabouts in Yorkshire are you from? Im near Pontefract... 😀 I grew up in Cleckheaton but moved to Nottingham to be a student, liked it and got a job as soon as I graduated. Will have been in Nottm for 35 years this September. Still support Huddersfield Town though, can't change your football team I live in Fenay Bridge, and SWMBO works in Kirkburton.
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Post by kevb on Jul 4, 2017 11:36:54 GMT
It's official then, a Yorkshire forum takeover!
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Post by katet on Jul 4, 2017 11:56:59 GMT
Day 8: I spent the morning on Koukounaries beach with the 'gang' and met Paul at the Agustera for lunch. He had promised me he wouldn't go on any pub crawls!! We shared a Special pizza – delicious, but very filling. We could have done with an extra person to share it with! A lazy afternoon by the pool, followed by an hour's rest in our studio. Paul and I then got spruced up and wandered down to Sunset for dinner. It was our first time there and it was pleasant to eat overlooking the pool. We thought that everything looked very well maintained. I had pork fillet with a blue cheese sauce, rice & chips and Paul opted for pork chop (rice& chips) washed down with sparkling water and a half litre of red wine. Ɛ28 in total. It was very nice, though not memorable. As we were next door to the Agustera it would have been rude not to call in! We had a couple of drinks – Fix Dark for Paul and Havana Gold and coke for me and then walked back 'home' for an early-ish night. Must just tell you about Paul and his Fix Dark. At home, Paul is a bitter man – never drinks lager. His favourite beers are Boddingtons, Timothy Taylor or Black Sheep when we're in Yorkshire. Over the years he has learned to suffer and even quite like Mythos, although it wouldn't be his drink of choice. Anyway, a couple of years ago – after many discussions about beer - Dino presented him with a bottle of Fix Dark to try & he loved it! It is now appearing all over the island – much to Paul's delight. However ….... because of the heat, the Greeks serve it freezing cold. Paul dislikes cold beer, so now when we're around Dino keeps some bottles out of the chiller, especially. On our first night he had forgotten, so warmed the bottle up with the coffee machine hot squirty thing! (Much to the amusement of the staff and other punters.) What service!! Yammas, Fix Dark!!! The t-shirt was a surprise present from Sue, a lovely lady we used to meet regularly in the Agustera with her husband. We had many happy evenings with them ~ sadly, he passed away a couple of years ago. We managed to re-connect with Sue this holiday and spent a lovely couple of hours with her. We'll keep in touch.
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Post by katet on Jul 4, 2017 12:02:39 GMT
Actually, Kev, it could have been 70 per couple - but it WAS through the Thomas Cook rep! Other people we met did much cheaper trips that were just as good.
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Post by kevb on Jul 4, 2017 12:09:42 GMT
Splendid chap is Dino, always prepared to go the extra mile for his regulars. I did try the Fix when it first reappeared on Skiathos a few years back but, despite drinking mostly real ales at home (admittedly mostly the blonde ales), I just couldnt get on with a beer like that in Skiathos temperatures. I tend to remain in 'Mythos, then move onto ouzo & lemonade' mode whilst in Greece. There's a very nice alternative to Mythos in Cyprus called Keo but I doubt your OH would like it. Re boat trip, yes 35 each via a rep sounds about right, probably about 20 or 25 direct from the harbour!
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