The Skiathos Bulletin Board

mo&balconies · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:17 am Post subject: Mo and Balconies Update

Well, been here just over a month now, don't know where the time has gone.
The house is coming along slowly, Steve has put the internal staircase in, which is great. I've knocked all the old tiles off in the kitchen and started to knock all the rough plaster off a wall in the lounge area, taking it back to the brickwork, lovely stone underneath.
Moved about 30 bags of rubble yesterday from where the old fireplace was, but no doubt will be filling the bags up again this week with plaster.
When the weather's nice, have had some lovely afternoons sitting on the harbour with Becki and Sally, Ray and Sandra, Alan and Chrissie, Darrell and Claire, and of course Sophia.
Only took 4 days to get the phone connected, and about a week for the broadband, not bad for Skiathos.
Ozzy (the dog) loves it here, most of the time we're the only ones on the beach.
Feel much more relaxed and have never slept so well in all my life.
Weather forecast for the week-end not looking too good at the moment, freezing rain and SNOW, we'll wait and see!
Well, all for now, going to take the dog out while the sun is shining.

Sue
xx

bee · Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 82 Location: Leicestershire

Hi Sue. Glad to hear you are settling in well...
Also glad to hear Ozzy is doing well. Do you think he thinks he's on an extended holiday?

How did the dog cope with the journey? It's only 8 weeks till we set off, and as usual my only concerns surround my dogs. I really should have kids - and then I could channel my anxieties to them instead!

I'm off to the vets next week to stock up on all the collars/lotions to keep sandflies at bay, so hopefully they will be fine. I'm also investing in a mobile air-con unit as our accommodation doesn't have any (the owner said it is cool naturally as it is in the hills/forest) but my older dog suffers in the heat, so better to be safe than sorry...

Speak to you soon - Bee.

mo&balconies · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:10 pm Post subject:

Hi Bee
Ozzy coped with the journey ok really, poor thing, couped up in the van with us. The only part I can say he didn't like was the ferry from Venice to Igoumenitsa, The kennels are on the top deck, and although they are positioned so the wind doesn't get in, it's very noisy. Also, he wouldn't have a pee or pooh, and wouldn't eat or drink, until we got off.
On the shorter ferry trips he was fine, as we let him out just before sailing, as they have to stay in the vehicle.
If you're using kennels on board, make sure you have a blanket or something they can lie on, and enough food and water.
Also, take some padlocks for the kennels, they are bolted, but children tend to play on deck and we didn't want to take the chance of them letting Ozzy out.
Have a good trip.

Sue

june · Joined: 07 Jan 2006 Posts: 96 Location: preston

Hi Sue
glad to hear your settling in well. Your little get togethers with all the others sound lovely.
Sounds like your doing lots to the house but sure all the hard work will be worth it.
You'll have to take some pictures of the house and Ozzie and post them so we can all see.

bee · Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 82 Location: Leicestershire

Yes, we were concerned about the ferry crossing - neither of our dogs have been on one, only the Eurotunnel which is a lot different!

We therefore decided to rent a massive 7-berth motorhome to get us all over, and all our kit. The great thing with this is you can all stay on board the ferry in the motorhome, under camping on board, so no need for kennels! We thought this would be much easier for the dogs as they will be settled in with us. Not sure what we do when they need the toilet though...

Also we are doing the Brindisi-Igou crossing, so it is a lot shorter. The only bad news with this s that the hubby has to drive the motorhome back to the UK two weeks later!

How did you find the drive across the Greek mainland?
Bee.

mo&balconies · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:33 pm Post subject:

Bee - The trip across Greece was a bit hair-raising in parts. Very windey, narrow bits, and we just seemed to climb for ever, but wouldn't have missed the scenery for anything, beautiful. Also very cold in some parts, and snow at the top, but it will be warmer when you travel.
Just so glad to get here!, wouldn't want to do that trip again.
Not sure what happens with camping on board, but you must be able to get out to let the dogs do their bit.
Suggest you e-mail ferry company for any info.

Sue
xx

Firefly · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 48

Hi guys, i too am driving down but in about 2/3 weeks with my 2 dogs, we only have a little jeep so dogs will have to go in kennels on ferry too, must put padlock on the list would have forgotten that. One of my dogs has been on there before but the other hasnt, we will get the crossing from ancona to patras. Oliver my 3 legged dog is originally from patras so am hoping to stop and show him off to his rescuers so they can see how well he is.
Im a little scared, long journey to make alone but we drove back from portugal in the summer so i should be ok and i've been a passenger driving from greece many times so not totally new.
Bee you reminded me i need to get all the sandfly stuff and think i will get a couple of basket muzzles for them, dont know what the poisoning situation is like lately but one of them is a real scrounger.
I just hope its not snowing over greece when im traveling will be scary enough as it is.

bee · Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 82 Location: Leicestershire

Hi Firefly. Yes - sandfly stuff is a must, but I have been assured that poisoning doesn't happen on Skiathos (but I guess precautions are good just in case). Mine are also scroungers!

I must admist I'd bit a bit scared doing the trip on my own. My husband has loads of experience driving on the continent, but I am useless!

How sweet that your dog was rescued from Patras - I rescued one of mine from Lindos in Rhodes 3 years ago - so I think a ferry trip over there sometime will be good to show the locals how well she is doing!

We seem to have a lot in common when it comes to dogs... hopefully we will get to meet up once settled on the island.
Speak soon, Bee x

Firefly · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 48

Hey bee, i know that a husky died through poisoning last year in troulos so i think poison is still used. It may have been for the rats but the husky managed to pick it up and couldn't be saved, my dog from patras 'oliver' will pick up anything so i think i will just take precautions as i couldnt cope with anything happening to him.
We will have to meet and take them for a run sometime.

Elle · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject:

WhoEVER is reassuring you that poisoning doesn't happen on Skiathos either just doesn't want you to know Skiathos' dirty little secret OR they simply do not know better.

YES - poisoning does occur on Skiathos... The cats are poisoned, usually 2x a year before and after the big season and there are those illustrious individuals who will put poison out just because of whatever fancy strikes their whim.

Please be aware. Go and talk to Helen at the Dog Shelter about this.

Simply don't believe anyone who says the poisonings do not happen. Even if it is meant for the cats, it's just as easy for a dog to get ahold of.
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