Greek dancing!

So today it was my first Greek dancing lesson!  Dave and Gerry had offered to give me a lift up to the old town to join in with the dancing so I gladly took up their offer.  We learnt 5 dances and had a lovely morning.  Then those immortal words were spoken ' you staying for a drink?'.  3 glasses of wine later, I was offered a lift back by a lady who had joined us, which I gratefully accepted! So, it is now 15:55 and I am off for a lie down!!!!

Pool invasion!!

Well, the 'season' has obviously started! My pool of choice for the last few days has been 'Yalis', which is in beautiful location and very quiet. However, this morning there was the first 'aqua fit' class so around 15 other people descended on MY pool!  They were actually all lovely people and the instructor, Di , introduced me to everyone. I decided that it would be cherlish not to join in so had an hour of keep fit!  After everyone had left I helped clear up and was offered a drink for a thank you...as it was lunch time, a glass of wine fitted the bill nicely!!

Kids

I had just finished a lovely meal at Taverna Ostria when I saw one of the kids sat at the bench in front of the taverna kick out at something and this was followed by lots of meowing from the harbour below. They had kicked a cat into the water and thought it was hilarious. Luckily there was a ledge that the cat had scrambled onto.  I went to the edge and demanded that as they threw it in that they got it out.  Not sure how much they understood but they must have got the idea as one of them got a canoe and rowed round to fetch the cat.  He grabbed hold of her, crying away, and when she could see the shore she leapt out of the canoe and swam for it before fleeing across the square.
Just goes to show that whether you live in the filthiest city or on a beautiful island, cruelty is never far away .... and if I ever see any of them do it again, I will push them in myself!

Lazy pool days....ish!

Having spent the previous few days endlessly walking, today was the day to find a pool.  There is a beautiful pool and bar in a hotel nearby but they are apparently not keen on non residents using it. Which is a shame as there is no-one using it whenever I walk past! I did wander in and dangled my legs in the pool and no-one threw me out so perhaps I'll try my luck in the next few days.
In the meantime, I have passed a small hotel called Yalis on my travels to Votsi and Rousoum. There is a lovely pool with sunbeds and a view to over the small harbour of Votsi so that was my destination for the day.  My Post title says 'ish' as it is still a 20 minute walk with several sets of steep steps to negotiate so by the time I got to the pool I needed a lie down! So, I chose my sunbed, laid out my towel and assumed a horizontal position for the day....bliss!  Unfortunately the pool bar is, surprise surprise, not open yet so I'll have to bring lunch tomorrow.  In the meantime, this was my view for the next couple of days...not bad huh.

Megalos Mourtias beach

So, Wednesday dawned bright and sunny and I set off to walk to what was apparently a lovely beach with a couple of tavernas that had sunbeds & umbrellas free to those who used the taverna. Easy trade off in my book.  Having already received directions from Karen I double checked with a friendly shop owner and off I went. I'd just got to the top of the first hill, it dawned on me that I'd forgotten my water.  Oh well, I thought I should be ok for the 30 mins that it will apparently take to get to the beach and there are the tavernas at the other end so I kept going.  I walked for what seemed to be ages but was only about 30 mins when I came across a track through the woods with Vythisma (or something similar!) painted on a tree with a large arrow. Luckily the shop owner had mentioned this name so off down the track I went. After another 20 mins I came to the end of the road!!!  Having heard English voices in the villas occupying this idyllic location, I asked for directions to Mortia and was told 'you're here'!.  He then showed me the track beside the villas leading to the beach and the much needed tavernas......which of course were SHUT!  I sat for a while taking in the view...which I'm sure you'll agree was rather gorgeous.

Having contemplated the world around me, I gathered my energy and started the walk back, still without water of course!  On my way back, the people who'd pointed me in the direction of the beach passed me...in a car...and didn't even ask if I wanted a lift....charming! So, I've now taken the decision that I am not walking anywhere further than 30 mins without the express knowledge that there are watering holes at my destination!

Walking and Wine

A beautiful morning on Sunday but with a cool breeze so I headed up to the Old Town...and up and up!  Good god, my legs were on fire by the time I got to the village 1 hour later!  I'd planned to join in with the Greek dancing lessons on a Tuesday but I'd be knackered by the time I got there so perhaps not! The views over the bay are fabulous but would you believe it .... my camera battery needed charging so I only got the one photo..doh! (Although it's not a bad one)

 

 

I visited a couple of other villages on the way back including Votsi, where I was hoping for a paddle.  Unfortunately the abundance of sea urchins put that idea on the back burner....I'll get my own back at some point though as I think they're on the menu of a few restaurants! One small taverna was open so I ordered a glass of wine and took in the view for a while.  When I came to ask Poso Kani? (how much) I was told 1 euro.....80p for a glass of wine....wish you were here?

 

That evening I popped my head around the door to say hi to Karen (my landlady) She invited me to stay for a drink, which turned into a bottle of Prosecco....I'm going to need a detox holiday to get over this one and it's only just begun!

The adventure begins!

Well that's it, I've arrived in Alonissos.  My studio is lovely with a sea view from my balcony and a roof top terrace with fantastic views and a BBQ. It's election time here on the island so my ferry arrived amongst an unusually busy waterfront and lots of loudhailers being used to encourage the locals to vote....not a good thing when all I wanted to do was curl up and go to sleep after a long day of travelling.
This morning my landlady, Karen, showed me all the necessary shops..supermarket, butcher, bakery etc...she introduced me to nearly everyone we met so I'm sure I'll soon be part of the village.  I was invited to join her for lunch at a lovely harbour side tavern where we had ouzo meze.  We were brought aubergine with tomato and long green peppers with local sausage...lovely.  Next thing I know, Karen is speaking to the owner who looked rather contrite and disappeared smartly.  She told him she was unhappy with the meze especially after recommending the restaurant to me and that she expected better!!!  He came back with a salad with pecorino cheese and a platter with prawns, gavros and tuna skewers!  I am now very full and having also had 3 double measures of Ouzo, rather sleepy.  No dinner required this evening!  I've stocked up on meat for the BBQ and have a bottle of wine in the fridge so that's me all set for my Greek odyssey.  Oh, and the weather is lovely, very warm out of the wind but cool enough with the wind to be able to explore...so that's the plan for tomorrow.

Love to all family and friends following this xxxx

Greek Ferries...aargh!!

Well, with 4 days to go I have hit the first hurdle ...I've received an email telling me the ferry I have booked is no longer travelling at that time and is leaving 2 hrs earlier....my plane hasn't landed by this time so looks like I'm swimming!!! I am now trying to get my money back for that one and re-book with a different company....what fun!(for all those Miranda fans out there!)

I'm sure I'll get there in the end and I'm remaining calm to get me in the mood for dealing with the lovely but highly disorganised Greeks!