The Skiathos Bulletin Board

Ian · Last edited by Ian on Sat Sep 29, 2007 3:58 pm; edited 2 times in total

Friday 7th September – Gatwick to Skiathos

Flight was about half-hour late departing as we were bussed out to the remote part of the airport where the aircraft had probably been tucked up for the week. The advantage of this is that you can see if your luggage has fallen off the trolley on route to the aircraft …

A tail wind meant we arrived more or less on time to a cool cloudy Skiathos, where there was more than a hint of rain in the air. In to town and made our way round the harbour and bumped into Thalia & Theo from the Hellenkion, Thalia greeting us with a “Welcome back to paradise” which I felt was quite appropriate.

Early evening meal at Taverna Alexandros, and were recognised by Alex. Magda came in and a big beaming smile, and another warm welcome. Drinks later at the Gerani with Marianna and Lena.

Saturday 8th - Off round Plakes

Up early and down to the Old harbour to see the fishermen, not a lot going on but much repairing of nets. Off round Plakes and down the steps at the rear of the Orsa on to the rocks, the hanging grapes just out of reach, the lower ones having been enjoyed by someone else.

Lazy day spent around town, however we were on the 8pm bus to Koukounaries and into a very busy Captain Michaelis restaurant. Sneaked in and sat down, he turned round and saw us and made a big fuss and said, “I was only talking about you yesterday” It was like we had not been away. A couple of litres of wine later ..

A great ride home on the bus and back into the Gerani just missing my friend Vlamis.

Sunday 9th - Boomerang day

Usual early morning walk round town and in to the bakers for a chat with Stamatis, came away with hot bread and cookies. Excellent lunch at the taverna on the beach at Sklithri as recommended by Kaz.

It was good to see Jacques out on the water, Jacques having been injured with Geof earlier this year. We left a cheeky post it note on his windscreen as we left. Richard one of the original Skiathos pathfinders nearly took revenge by nearly running me over in the car park. Spent the afternoon on Vromliminos, enjoying the view before returning to town.

Geof came by and we went to the taverna together as said elsewhere it was a great evening and some of us went onto the Chocolate Bar afterwards.

Monday 10th – Post Boomerang day

Still in the Chocolate bar with the Boomerangers and Marianna and Lena from the Gerani until 4am then off on a tour of Papadamatis street with Suejet.

Short sleep and the usual early morning walk around thew harbour. Then on my way up Papadamatis street popped in to the Portobello. I wanted to see if Lindyloo had posted the first pictures, on the board. Nicky said “Where have you been” or words to that effect and I said “The chocolate bar till 4am” she replied “Oh so have they” … It was Sue and Darren enjoying breakfast, Darren having also been to the dentist for treatment early that morning.

Spent most of the day on my own wandering around town, popped in to the Gerani only to be told by a laughing Nitsa that she too was on her own. Marianna had gone home for a long siesta, and that the boomerangers were responsible …

Tuesday 11th – Off to Vromliminos

Now who was that lady in the lovely white dress who I passed at the bourtzi …

Vromliminos all day and its been my favourite beach again this year. I just love and never tire of the views over to Evia and the Pelion.

That evening we went to Stamatis taverna, no sooner than we had sat down, than the waiter arrived with a couple of Ouzos. I thought it was my friend Vangelis but no – It was Swinjohn sitting on a table on the other side of the taverna. Yammas again to you !

Wandered back to Marianna’s and met up with Aforrest, or as we now know them as Andrew and Liz for drinks. Also finally met my friend Vlamis as he called out to me.

Bumped into some angels that night too, but that’s another story …

Wednesday 12th - Skopolos

It was quite breezy overnight, and the round the island boats did not go out. This was the day we had decided to go to Skopolos on the 11.15 Flying cat. As we waited at the port it was blowing a strong meltemi and flags were fully extended. But into the harbour, and much to my surprise comes Flying dolphin 23.

There were some poorly looking holidaymakers unloaded along with the newspapers and on we went. By the time we arrived at Glossa having bounced over eight to ten feet waves we did feel sorry for those who had come up from Konstantinos as some were quite unwell. Luckily we were mot affected but Flying dolphin 23 has a new nickname and the second word is “comet”.

Skopolos town port was closed due to the bad weather so we were dropped off at Agondas, a pretty little fishing port on the east coast. We caught the bus over to Skopolos town €1.20 and had a lovely meze in the square at a restaurant called Plateneos. We wandered the back streets taking photos and some shopping, before making our way home that evening on the Saos ferry, again making the bus trip over to Agondas.

There is a lovely little taverna in the harbour at Agondas and it looks well worth a trip over to give it a try.

Thursday 13th - Kolios

Change of plans today due to the weather, had planned on going round the island, with Lindyloo and Terry but again the boats did not go due to the strong meltemi winds. Met a couple of friends at Marianna’s in the morning. Spent the afternoon on Kolios beach as Pareskevi was very busy.

We headed up to the Poseidon hotel to meet some friends for drinks before wandering the lanes for a very nice dinner overlooking the rocks at Plakes taverna. Chris recommends the Moussaka as the best so far …

Strolled back through the Plakes lanes and down and along the harbours only to end up back at the Gerani. On our way back we again met Andrew and Liz who had been shopping…

Friday 14th - Bazouki lesson

Met up with Sue and Darren in the Portobello for a coffee, then again later at Gallery Helene.

Stamatis the baker in Tries hieraches church square finally persuaded me to have a go at playing the bazouki. I cannot play any musical instruments but what a lovely musical instrument it is. I know Sue made an impression on Stamatis when she popped in there for some teokopita earlier that morning, even mentioning the photo I took of him practising the bazouki earlier this year in the bakery.

We went down to Aghia Eleni for the afternoon. Out of town again on the bus to Jimmy’s at Pareskevi to see Nikos that evening for a great feta pizza. I feel a great affection for Jimmys as it was the first Greek Taverna we visited on our first trip to Skiathos and to Greece in 94.

Saturday 15th - Hellenkion

Back to Vromliminos to find the beach umbrellas and beds had decreased in numbers since our last visit. Things are beginning to wind down, and the beach was beginning the process of returning to its normal state. The beach had not been busy at all this week, which was great for us.

Spent the evening at Taverna Hellenkion, where we had another lovely meal. Swinjohn our new found taverna companion was there too on the next table.

Sunday 16th - Fishing

Spent the morning on the old harbour watching the locals fishing off the dock. They were using handlines and had quite a catch of garfish. There was a guy with a nice fishing rod who did not catch a thing.

Made our way back to Vromliminos and stayed for a sundowner as the taverna guys took down more parasols.
Another nice meal that evening at Taverna O’Batis looking down on the fishing boats on yet another breezy evening.

Monday 17th - Taverna cat

Lazy lunch at Vromliminos with the taverna cat sitting patiently waiting for scraps. An Italian couple sat next to us and had small fishes, I am sure he had most of them. Someone has a really nice well-fed pet cat.

Parked ourselves on the sand and the sea was like a sheet of glass, except when the wash from a passing ferry really sent some waves in. Only other disturbance was small fishes jumping out of the water when something larger and with stripes was hunting them in the shallows.

Dinner upstairs at La Casa - Sorry Taverna Sellini, Sadly Jen was away in Volos but a nice meal and the usual great views of the port. Had the top level to ourselves for a while too.

Tuesday 18th - Evangelistra

Took Chris up to Evangelistra to see the Monastery. I like the route up there and always enjoy the trip. Lunch of delicious calamari and horta at the Plateneos taverna, where we were recognised and Chris had a large ouzo to prepare herself for the trip down. The priest from Evangelistra was on an adjoining table and very busy on the mobile phone. He deserves great credit for the renovation of the Monastery.

Made our way down the slope on the new tarmac road, stopping through for a large herd of goats and the donkey riding shepherd who waved to us. On to Vromliminos where we spent an hour or so enjoying the view before driving back down to Aghia Eleni.

That night we went back to see Captain Michaelis at Koukounaries. On our way out of town we passed the Vratharmis taverna where we bumped into Lindyloo & Terry with Sally & Beccy.

Wednesday 19th - Tsougria

Up early checked the harbour and yes at last signs of life, so its now or never again for this year so we are off to lovely Tsougria. Great trip over on the 09.30 sea taxi to set foot on a deserted beach, great shame to see lots of rubbish laying around in bags by the sunbeds.

Spent a lovely morning at the far end of the beach up until it was time to head off to the cantina for an Amstel.

Delirious still after my trip to see the captain I was sure I heard my name …

… on my way back realised it was Sally & Beccy with Ray & Sandra from Bar Mango. Nice afternoon in the sun and the sea chatting until it was time to head back to town.

On the way back the boatmen towed a couple of fishing lines over the stern. They had been fishing off the back of the boat at Tsougria using handlines and again they too had quite a substantial catch. Two carrier bags full of fish, some quite big too. There were two guys on the boat again with nice fishing rods who had not caught a thing from the rocks all day. I abandoned all ideas of a fishing rod on that trip …

We headed up to the Poseidon hotel to say goodbye to some friends. We watched as the Olympic flight banked round the islands as it came in to land, took in the sunset and looked on as the lights come on all over the town.

Thursday 20th - The storm

Wandered round town and had brunch in the Portobello and met up with friends. Shopping day but did not buy much so wandered the lanes trying to get lost looking at the old buildings.
The weather closed in and it was dark earlier – or so it seemed. We made our way inside at Taverna Alexandros as it was too chilly to sit outside, although some brave souls did take tables out in the cool air. Magda introduced us to many more Boomerangers – unofficial ones – some who admitted they read the bulletin board too.
There was a very large clap of thunder and the heavens opened. It was a good September storm, heavy rain and lots of thunder and lightning too.

In the end we had to say our goodbye’s to Magda and depart, and it was shoes off and paddle down the street. It rained all night long…

Friday 21st - Very Happy Merlin

The rain woke us a coiuple of times in the night, Had my dream come true ?
If it carried on like this there would be no flight home today …
… It stopped raining around 9am and we heard the first plane arrive. Homeward bound, and the souvenir of the trip was a couple of the little blue chairs from the lovely Helene, at Galley Helene.

Bumped into a "Very Happy" Merlin at the airport, pleased to be back on the island for his and Julies 30th Wedding anniversary ...

The plane was on time and as we turned at the bottom of the runway, There were many people watching the plane and some standing right behind the centre line by the waters edge - I hope they enjoyed their swim …

Lemnos was cold wet and very windy as we decamped to the terminal as the aircraft was cleaned and refuelled. We left after an hour and a quarter into grey cloudy skies. When we arrived home the plane was on time and the weather was not much different.
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Elle · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 9:57 pm Post subject:

Ahhhhhhhh...

Thank you Ian. Lovely, lovely report.
Everyone's feedback is so different - we all know different people, have different likes, go different places and frequent different beaches...

I love reading each and every report. I inhale them...
thank you
Elle
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suejet · Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 10:20 am Post subject:

Hi Ian

Brilliant. I absorbed every word and wish like you every second I was back there.

You're deffo my twin! I bought exactly the same souvenir from Helene, Patsy put me on to buying the little blue table & chairs earlier in the year.

Your photos are fabulous.

Keep your fingers crossed for me for a wee you know what visit next June. Wink

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Elle · Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 3:02 pm Post subject:

Ian

patsy · Joined: 07 Feb 2006 Posts: 930 Location: sussex

hi Ian, I have not been on site for a while,but your write up was so good,I felt I was there,the blue chairs and table, I bought at the gift shop just up pappa st on the right with my back to harbour, i also have them just behind me on a white window, and white background wall, they did small medium and large,so i got medium,I reckon we all have them, but they are my pride and joy, especialy as i cant go back to get more things,

Ian · Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 8:48 pm Post subject:

Hi Patsy

Welcome back, good to hear from you. Pleased you like the write up, a bit different to my normal feedback.

The chairs are an ideal souvenir, especially if they are from the lovely Helene Wink

...
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patsy · Joined: 07 Feb 2006 Posts: 930 Location: sussex

sorry for the ,"in your face " font size" i have cataracts in both eyes, so am trying to adjust.

suejet · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 11:36 am Post subject: Blue table and chairs

Here's mine

and here's some I saw in Koufonnisia

Hi Patsy, I quite like your font!
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you heard it here first - BOJAN!