The Skiathos Bulletin Board

Val & Kev · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 130

Hi All, not sure if this should be in 2007 or 2008, or even re locating?!
We had a wonderful trip and feel refreshed for it. All our flights including the Olympic hopper were more or less on time and we enjoyed a total relax after the mad run up to and Christmas day itself. Just wish Easy Jet would fly from The North West to Athens!
We left home at midnight on Christmas day and drove to Gatwick and caught the 6.40 to Athens, lunch at the Olive Tree restaurant at the airport ( highly recommended) and then down to the gate for the 16.45 Olympic to Skiathos. We were a bit worried as there were only 9 passengers and we have heard of last minute cancellations especially of the Wednesday flight. The board then showed an hours delay and we began to panic! However after 1/2 hour we were asked to board. As we got on the plane the pilot came out to us ( not in uniform ) and personally apologised for the delay being his own fault and he promised to make up time. Aw how nice! He was true to his word and absolutely speeded down to the runway. We arrived only a little late.
Nikos had our car waiting as usual and we went to the house ( the supermarket was shut but we managed to get a few bits and pieces from the ever open kiosk) This was our coldest night, the house had been shut up and it took quite a while to get everything warm. We set the central heating going as our developers had kindly had our oil tank filled for us. ( half the price we would pay here) it reminded us of when we were children and were frightened of putting our feet to the bottom of the bed!
We wanted to have a real fire but realised to order a bale of wood would be too late and too much, so we developed a little routine of going to the beaches to collect drift wood during the day for the evenings. It was magical, a real fire and candles and still looking at the glittering lights of the town. It really wasn't that cold but we loved the effect.
We saw Darrells' new business apartments, they are in an excellent postion as he says, we're sure he will do well.
We met up with Paul and Susy from IMP who now have a new business partner and are feeling much more confident.
Dimitri and Effi our neighbours were lovely as usual and shared eggs and peppers and what ever was seasonal from their garden every day.
Geof and Lida popped up to see us, they seem in great spirits and Geof looks much better.
The lights and the blue Christmas trees all over town look lovely and when the sun comes out there is still a lot of promenading going on around the harbour. We only had one rainy day but it didn't stop us going out. We walked a couple of the dogs from the sanctuary and collected more wood along the way.
We vistited Evangelista , the priest very kindly opened the church for us and brought some special incense for us to smell. He also offered us a cat/kitten but we can't do this yet although our neighbours have offered to look after it whilst we're not there. The cats were all huddled together in the doorway of the church to keep warm as there was a sharp wind that day, but they are all well fed and cared for.
We made our regular ( obilgatory) trips to the swings and slides on the Paralia and chatted over coffee and wine.
On New Year's eve we had Pina colada by the harbour. There were quite a large group of ex pats ( linked I think to the Cat's protection League) all going for dinner at the Liminaki. Some of the locals told us that now of the 5000 locals only about 1000 remain on the Island ,the rest all visit relatives elsewhere.
At this time of the year when you buy in the supermarkets they regulary give you gifts of wine or plates or even spirits. One day I overspent by 25 euros in Asteras and offered to put stuff back on the shelves whilst I went to the bank but they wouldn't hear of it and told me to come back later. We can see that happening in Tesco's Not!
When you go in the bank they have a little table with cakes and sweets and 7 star metaxa and whisky available for all the customers. We were able to set up a DDM for the electric bills which will make life easier. The locals all complain that costs of living are expensive but utilty wise they are cheaper than in the UK.
We bought newspapers every day and read them at the cafes, it was great to have the time. We ate mainly at home but had the time for some inventive recipes from a new book we took with us.
On the last day the weather was lovely and it made it harder than ever to leave, but it was good to see the Island in such a pleasant light. We had our usual clean up around the house a last trip to town then a couple of hours on the terrace reading. Our Olympic flight was right on time and we left our beloved retreat once again until March. Kev's Mum and Dad are coming out with us then so it will be a slightly different trip, they've never been to Greece and we hope to convert them.
We found it is becoming easier to read and understand little bits of the Greek but we still need a lot of night school!
We can't express how much better we feel the quality of our life is when we're there, there's more light even at this time of year and the SAD we had been experiencing all disappears!
Counting the weeks down already till next time!

skidsy · Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 549 Location: Wirral.

As I sit in my shed/office reading this I suddenly feel alot warmer inside. Thanks for cheering me up!

Darrell · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:18 pm Post subject:

Nice reading.Glad our studios are looking ok,did you start painting them for us by any chance?
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Val & Kev · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 130

No sorry Darrell, from a distance it didn't look like it needed doing!

Darrell · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject:

Good!!
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Foxy · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:11 pm Post subject:

That was a great read & makes me want to do it even more!

Ianb · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 536 Location: Lancs

Darrell · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 6:01 pm Post subject:

Cheers Foxy,I have a couple of brushes and a roller for you!
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Ian · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject:

A great report to kick off the year Wink

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Counting down the weeks till the next visit - Click here to see why ...

Foxy · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:17 pm Post subject:

Elle · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:48 pm Post subject:

Great report! Thank you!

looking forward to May...
Elle
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Ian · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:34 pm Post subject:

suejet · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:59 pm Post subject:

Foxy · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:27 pm Post subject:

suejet · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:57 am Post subject:

wont mention the eff word. Confused

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