Thursday 18 February 2010

Back to Base

The journey home was slow but mellow, a couple of very pleasant days on Kos and a day/night in Athens, a few hours to explore Heathrow's T5, a 40 minute flight and taxi ride over the snowy Pennines and that was it - 18.5 weeks gone - poooof! A great trip though and I am pleased to report there is still enough to go back for at least one more time.

A ride up north to visit the parents brought back the 'delights' of winters in the UK; grey skies, damp air, crowded roads and above all - cold. On the upside, a big bed, a bath and a tele for the 1st time in four and a half months was a real treat!

Then there was the snow - wow, haven't seen anything like that for ages - though I think most folks have had more than enough this winter already! A Burbage round was most excellent.

Wednesday 10 February 2010

And It Was All Going So Well

We got the Tuesday ferry as Wednesday morning was forecast to be windy. A beach walk, a meal out, taxi ordered and early to bed. No-one told us about the National Strike slated for Wednesday - hey ho! No flights to Athens on Thursday either, or onwards to the UK on Friday - good job a) we are not in a rush b) Sherri had the wit to take out cancellation insurance! A glorious beach walk, and a lack of ferries due to the wind means we probably did the best thing coming over early anyway. A city break in Athens then onwards!

Sunday 7 February 2010

Notes from a (Very) Small Island

Time rolls on, almost 18 weeks now and it is time to start thinking about that 'other' place, always assuming the winds drop and we can escape!

Thoughts on wintering in Kalymnos:
1) It has been a lot warmer and a bit more unsettled than we were expecting; 99 sunny days, 13 cloudy days and 9 wet days pretty much tells all though.
2) The place has been MUCH quieter than we expected, since late November it has been pretty much deserted.
3) Stopping in Myries was a good call, much sunnier than Masouri, and with a supermarket just across the road for getting the daily basics - spot on!
4) The locals are a wonderful bunch and have done a great job keeping us supplied with cakes and weather forecasts.

Would we come again? You bet - the flight is already booked!

And it Continues

Exploring the coast north of Altea February in the Costa Blanca Three weeks on and we are still seeing slow improvements in my stamina, bala...