amy115
Full Member
Posts: 340
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
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Post by amy115 on Jun 5, 2018 8:58:12 GMT
Day 6, 4 June Up at 7.30 am this morning, and on the balcony. Am loving my mornings, drinking tea, reading my kindle, sun is shining and all is well with the world (mine anyway)! Puss arrived in a very specular way this morning. She normally saunters up the path and on to the balcony in a very leisurely fashion but this morning she was like a charging bull. She came tearing across the grass and flew through the balcony railings, stopped dead, looked at me and went into my studio. And a good morning to you too puss. Two minutes later she came out and lay down and within a couple of minutes she was off, I suppose you could say it was a flying visit, the first of the day! 😼 Got ready and off to the bar for breakfast but first, pay my bill for yesterday. Eggs on toast, tea, an ice-cream, small bottle of water, glass of wine, moussaka and small carafe of wine, €25! Breakfast this morning was a cheese toastie and cup of tea. The friends who arrived last night came into the bar and we had a nice chat. They asked what my plans were for the day and I said that I was going into Skiathos as I wanted to buy a gift for the owners as one of them had done me a kindness a couple of days before by taking my watch into town and replacing the battery. She completely refused to take any money (for you are a friend) so I wanted to repay the kindness. I had a mind to call into a wonderful shop at the top of Papadiamanti, which sells lovely items for the house and garden, so once ready I set off for the bus. I only had to wait a minute and the bus arrived so gave acropolis as my destination and 20 minutes later was alighting. The bus was quite empty so had my pick of seats. Walked down the steps where once people fed the numerous stray cats but a notice had been erected not to feed them, (none in sight) and at the bottom was a booth erected by the cat charity for food deposits. Made my way towards top of Papadiamanti and thought I would call in at the bakery for a coffee and backlava. There are two bakeries next to each other just passed the chemist, tried the first but closed so went to the one next door. The backlava was in small trays and the one I wanted had two in the tray. I asked for one piece but told, sorry you have to buy two. Such a hardship, two it is then. Sat outside and duly delivered together with a complimentary, small bottle of water. Having enjoyed my 'sin' of the day (and no, I didn’t eat both portions, brought the other back with me) I paid and left. Lovely shop, here I come. Shock horror, the shop was now a hairdressers. Now what do I do? In and out of shops as I made my way down to the front. Saw some hanging lanterns in one shop, I think the type that takes a tealight but you would have a to light one and put in the lantern as they are quite deep, so I had to forget that idea. It was so hot (was told 36° when I got back) so by the time I reached the bottom of Papadiamanti, I was flagging. Will need to put my thinking cap on and come back to town another day. Made my way to the bus station via the harbour side but not before I saw a massive, three masted yacht, black hulled, moored in the port where the ferries come in. Very impressive, not your new fangled, glossy, sleek beauty but an honest to goodness wooden yacht. Do not know if it was private or tourist b wonderful sight. Back at the terminus, bus was in and a few minutes later driver and conductor joined and we were off. Back in the valley, a Strongbow was calling my name, so had to call into Pegasus. My neighbours were passing by and joined me so chatting about our separate days. Eventually made my way back to the studios and puss made a short appearance with another cat and both decided to check out my studio. Shooed them out and off they went and I got ready for my night, off to Avli for dinner. Not disappointed, started with bread and olive paste and the special of the night, red snapper, which was accompanied with potatoes done in the oven, carrots, a small head of broccoli and a little salad decoration of lettuce and chopped peppers. Never had red snapper before so nice to try something new and best part, no bones. I also had a small water and glass of red and total cost was €16 plus tip. Called into Pegasus as saw the girls and joined them for another glass of red then back to the studios. Big, milky coffee at bar before leaving at 1.30 am and bed.
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Post by kevb on Jun 5, 2018 9:09:26 GMT
Only just caught up with this Amy, great read as always. You have more late nights than I do these days, it would wear me out! If you decide to walk round the lake at Koukounaries just get off the bus outside the Caravos hotel (bus stop 23) then cross the road to the bus stop you would take to be heading back to town, the one with a little wooden waiting shelter. Immediately to the left of the shelter as you look at it is an iron gate, usually fastened in place with a piece of tatty string. If you go through this gate there is a path that leads down to one end of the lake. It is possible to walk right round but the paths on the side closest to the road get quite overgrown. Another option is walk half way round to the other end then take a path off toward the beach and get back on the main road and walk back round to where you started. Doing it this way also means you go past the Agustera bar which is always worth a visit. If you had the time and energy there is also the road off to the left just before the gyros under the pines/agustera area and that's the path that can get you all the way up to Mandraki beach, really nice walk but doing that and a full walk round the lake is a day's outing really (if you want to spend some time at Mandraki beach at least).
Go to the map on the forum and zoom in to the Koukounaries area, its all pretty easy to see :
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Post by kevb on Jun 5, 2018 9:28:59 GMT
By the way that dark blue three masted yacht you saw was EOS, owned by a guy named Barry Diller who made his fortune in movies and media companies. It's worth around 100 million pounds ;-)
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amy115
Full Member
Posts: 340
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
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Post by amy115 on Jun 5, 2018 10:33:21 GMT
Thanks Kev, very helpful information regarding lake walk. One that's best to do early I think. Also, great that you know whom the yacht belongs to. It really is a beauty. Was tempted to get closer and take a pic of it but could see someone moving around and did not want to intrude or get chased off LOL! On the other hand I may have been invited aboard. Lost opportunity? 😀
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Post by cariad23 on Jun 5, 2018 14:41:09 GMT
Another great report, thank you . Very good price for snapper
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amy115
Full Member
Posts: 340
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
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Post by amy115 on Jun 6, 2018 9:18:13 GMT
Day 7, 5 June
Another beautiful day, did I mention how hot it is? Eased into my morning routine like a duck to water. Could enjoy this routine for weeks and weeks but unfortunately, I only have two. You know that saying “be careful what you wish for, it may just happen” or words to that effect? Well this is one wish that I would welcome with open arms!
I am definitely in for a slow day today, not doing anything strenuous in this heat. Languid it is then. Off to bar for brunch, today new on the menu is Skiathan breakfast. This is French toast with a cheese and ham filling. Very enjoyable and filling and only €3 and washed down with a strawberry milkshake.
Around 2.15 pm decided to go back to room, slap on the sunscreen, then find a bed in the shade around the pool! Hmm, closed door, room dark, just lie down for a short siesta. Two hours later, I woke up. No point in sitting by the pool after all, so again settled on the balcony with my kindle and enjoy my current book.
A little excitement in the day, puss decided to put an identical puss in her place. The fight started around the back of the studios and both cats burst around the side and into the garden. My girl had the other in a very defensive position against the hedge and was giving her what for. Puss no 2’s companion strolled over to see what all the fuss was about and stood by eyeing up the situation. Di, another guest, was walking along the path and asked me to do something as she wouldn’t walk past for fear of getting in the middle of it all, so I stood up and went over. My puss then finished her tirade and with tail in the air, calmly walked away, probably feeling somewhat vindicated that she had put an interloper in her place.
Excitement over, peace now reigning, I went back to my kindle before getting ready for this evening. Off to Kohyli for dinner.
Met the girls in the bar at 7.30 pm and off we went in the car. Wonderful greeting from Christo, chose our table, ordered drinks and checked out the menu. I had the 'grilled streaky' which was belly pork, one had salmon, a third moussaka and, the bravest of us ordered the goat. We had a Greek salad, garlic bread and ztatiki to start and a half of white and half of red to wash it all down. Christo also gave us a second half of white, compliments from himself. I was brave enough to risk the offered taste of goat – would not personally order myself but satisfied that I did try. It tasted a little like lamb to me and as I am not a lover of lamb, will not cross my tongue again.
Meal eaten, €70, we each put in €20, then back in the car and off to the studios, where V got behind the bar to work. My order was a milky coffee with Baileys. Had another Baileys for a nightcap before saying my goodnight’s and leaving the bar at 1.45 am.
Another day in paradise concluded! 😊
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Post by kevb on Jun 6, 2018 13:53:33 GMT
As you mention goat, the only time I've ever ordered it was the night I stayed over on Skopelos for a night in 2015. To be honest I found it rather bland and tasteless in itself but fortunately they served it with some kind of sauce that had good flavour. Any plans on popping over to either of the other islands this time?
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 6, 2018 16:48:01 GMT
I regularly Curried Goat (a Jamaican dish), it's very nice.
I've also cooked traditional (Indian) curries using goat, and found them to be great.
Never had it roasted or in any kind of 'steak' on its own, though.
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amy115
Full Member
Posts: 340
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
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Post by amy115 on Jun 7, 2018 19:46:09 GMT
As you mention goat, the only time I've ever ordered it was the night I stayed over on Skopelos for a night in 2015. To be honest I found it rather bland and tasteless in itself but fortunately they served it with some kind of sauce that had good flavour. Any plans on popping over to either of the other islands this time? When I started looking for this year, I thought about 4 days each on alonnisos and skyros, but the ferries to skyros don't start running until 15 June and after last year I couldn't bear the heat of a late June holiday, so had to rethink my plans. Even the beginning of June this ear on Skiathos is really hot for me so maybe I should revert to May holidays again and a heat i can cope with! Will see as I would really like to spend some time on both islands before landing back on skiathos.
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amy115
Full Member
Posts: 340
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
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Post by amy115 on Jun 7, 2018 19:49:00 GMT
Day 8, 6 June
Up at 8.00 am this morning and out on balcony. No sign of puss or her adversary but their shared pal put in an appearance. She really does get under your feet and you need to be very careful you neither trip up over her or stand on her accidentally!
Two sets of neighbours that I have gotten to know, are leaving today. I will miss them but also look forward to new people coming in. Five studios emptied this morning and expect when I return this afternoon, all five will be occupied again. Only one week left of my holiday so feeling a tad envious of new people arriving for two weeks.
Cloudy and overcast this morning, a great day to get out and about but was not long before sun came out. Hung around to say my goodbyes before heading out to the bar for brunch. The girls were already ensconced at a table so joined them, wrote up my post and ordered a tomato and onion omelette with a cup of tea. Chatted for a while then paid my food/drinks bill for yesterday and today. Not bad at €30 so now again, up to date and out of debt. Should really work on a pay as you go basis but so easy to slip into the Greek mind-frame. Still yet to pay the new tax for my stay, will only cost €7.
Girls left for sunbeds around the pool and me to the studio to get ready and go somewhere. Decided on Koukounaries lake, tick off one item on my bucket list. Waited a while for the bus but followed Kev's directions when I got off at BS 23. First encounter was with a lizard that shot across my path just after I closed the gate. Area looked to have been recently mowed and followed the track, which took me to the bridge and the beach. Not where I wanted to be, so retraced my steps until I could walk parallel with the lake.
I was joined by a lone goat, who constantly bleated to the point that he sounded quite hysterical! I thought he was possibly calling for his mother but he could have been telling me to clear off his territory. Didn’t get far, defeated by age and heat, i made my way back to the gate. Goat long gone by now and could hear intermittent bleating in the distance.
Not far from the gate, in a shaded area, I could hear louder bleating then suddenly he was there watching me walk up the track! Definitely wanted me off his territory LOL. Stopped to take some photos of him before leaving.
Turned left and came across the supermarket and the Augustera bar so had to call in for a drink, would have been churlish not to 😎. Settled down with a Strongbow and write up post for today. Have a sneaky feeling that I may have another before returning to AP! Update, did have a second, very refreshing!
I also called into the supermarket, wow, very well stocked. Was impressed.
Tonight we are off to the Iguana bar for the quiz night for the dog charity. Normally we would dine at the Dream House but the girls want to go to Bus Stop opposite the Kohyli. V has managed to get another few hours off (two nights in a row) so we will again be a team of four.
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Post by kevb on Jun 8, 2018 10:16:10 GMT
Glad you got down to Kouk, sorry should have mentioned not to go too far down the path before bearing off right to lakeside or you get to the bridge! Its nice down there anyway, usually swans about down by the bridge. Agustera always worth a call. If you are back again when its not too hot the walk through the pine forest up to Mandraki is definitely worth a go, takes around 30-40 minutes to do it though. It's the blue line that has been drawn in on the map posted on this site, the one starting at gyros under the pines.
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amy115
Full Member
Posts: 340
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
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Post by amy115 on Jun 8, 2018 15:29:25 GMT
Day 9, 7 June
Morning started again overcast but not for long. Had a brief visit from puss, who decided to jump on my lap and proceed to rub her head against my hand as I was reading. As she pushed my hand out of reach with her earnest scenting, her paw whipped out onto my hand so she could guide it back to her face. She has some strength!
Job done, she jumped down and lay on be floor from a couple of minutes, then up and off, no doubt to visit others and repeat the ritual.
However, to get back to last night. We met in the bar as agreed and drove down to the Iguana bar, parked up and made our way back to Bus Stop. I chose a tuna salad as I have had very little in the way of greens, etc, this holiday, one had tuna sandwich accompanied by chips, and my two remaining friends chose gyros, on a plate. Hmm, I think I may have chosen wrong, maybe healthier but not as appealing as the rest of the table's offering! By the times I had ploughed through most of it, I was beginning to feel like a rabbit and was casting my envious eyes over the others' plates. None of us were in the mood for alcohol so we ordered a large bottle of water and two also had a frappé each. The total bill came to €35 so we each put €10 into the pot and left the change for a tip.
Off to the Iguana for the quiz night. We thought that as no men were with us, we would have a poor score as we did expect some questions about sport, something all of us agreed we were pretty bad at. We were surprised when, of the two questions I remember relating to sport, one we got correct and one only half right choosing the correct sport but misinterpreting the question, which was about the sporting event and not the sport itself.
Enough about sport, we ended up with a healthy 44 out of a possible 50 points. Not bad when the winning team of 6 scored 48 and the runners up scored 46. The quiz generated €268 (or thereabouts) for the dog sanctuary to a huge round of applause.
So back to today. I had made plans to go into town to search out a gift for the owners as previously noted. The P word, never to be uttered when on holiday. So up around 8.00 am, although I didn’t get to bed until 2.00am, to fall into my daily ritual. I was so enjoying my read, I kept thinking “after this paragraph/page I will get my act together and be off”. Well let me just say, my plans never materialised and after a very well deserved siesta, lasting a lot longer than anticipated, before I knew it, it was time to get ready for my evening out! Wasted precious day's holiday or a much needed R & R?
I did notice whilst on the balcony during the day some really lovely blue/lilac flowers had bloomed in my patch of garden. They reminded me of cornflowers but later in the day they disappeared so think they are the type that close up around dusk only to appear the following morning.
Took myself back to Pegasus for dinner and had a great meal. Started with garlic cheese bread followed by carbonara, which made me smile a little when I got to thinking that here I was eating Italian in a Greek restaurant. Oh but it was delicious. You would not get the amount of mushrooms, bacon and ham that came in the dish in an Italian restaurant at home, and the sauce so creamy, very delicious! Could not finish there was so much of it. A small bottle of water and complimentary wine (long story) and the bill came to €12 plus tip. Best meal of the holiday so far!
A couple I have come to know were also in the restaurant so we all went back in their hire car to the studios, where they elected to go to bed and I of course, elected to join my friends in the bar for a Bailey’s coffee! Another latish night – 1.45am – before going to bed myself.
Off to Hidden beach tomorrow! Oh dear, there's the P word again! 😴
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Post by *Di* on Jun 8, 2018 18:26:45 GMT
Fabulous reading once again Amy... really puts me in holiday mode indeed... thank you
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amy115
Full Member
Posts: 340
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
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Post by amy115 on Jun 9, 2018 7:19:29 GMT
thanks Di, not seen you on forum for a while, hope all is well with you 😎
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Post by *Di* on Jun 9, 2018 9:49:24 GMT
thanks Di, not seen you on forum for a while, hope all is well with you 😎 Hi Amy.... thanks for missing me Yeh, Im fine tho full of cold atm... not been around online quite as much lately, real life taking over ha and to be honest not been in the holidays spirit since coming back from visiting daughter in Aus over Christmas, still struggling coping with her not being here/around anymore... I think this will be our last Skiathos visit this time, want to concentrate on saving for future Aus visits, to be honest what we spend going to Skiathos we can go stay with daughter so its a no brainer really?... We will be there in 4 weeks, I am looking forward to it immensely now the mood is back a bit, thanks again for your fab reports, love them! xx
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