The Twelfth Week

Day 82 - Friday 20.6.14

Lovely sunny, hot day after the storms Dot  packed her bag this morning. We drove to Sheila and Keiths house for a late lunch.

It was a lovely, long relaxing lunch, with great views and chat.

I saw the most beautiful Swallowtail butterfly in the garden.

We left Dot at Sheilas and drove back to Arillas. We have to see her before she flies out as she has accidentally left her passport and ticket here.

Day 83 - Saturday 21.6.14

Lazy morning again, we went to Sharon's for lunch. Had a chat with Kevin and Kay. Phil and I went swimming in the sea and sunbathed, we left Poppy at home as we didn't want to torment her with not being able to swim yet. We went to the Marvel for dinner and had a game of darts with Spiros. We met some more people who are enjoying reading this blog - still amazed at how many people read it.

Day 84 - Sunday 22.6.14

21 deg at 9am - not a cloud in the sky! Dot called for her passport. I did some housework and washing - getting some things sorted for going home. I also did an online shop from Tesco for the day we return home. Phil went over to the Marvel to watch the Grand Prix. I spent the afternoon reading. It was still 30 deg at 6pm. We went to Brouklis for a meal tonight - spit roast chicken - it was delicious. then we walked down to meet Terry and Helen Warner and had a drink with them in the Acti - it was great to meet them at long last, we have been friends on the Forum and Facebook for years. They only had one drink and retired to bed at the Horizon as they had been up since 6am yesterday morning. We popped into the Coconut for a nightcap.

Day 85 - Monday 23.6.14

Today we drove south to Moraitika to meet up with our Danish friend Connie, who has lived there for the last 3 years. We went to her house for a glass of wine and then parked the campervan up for the night, as we stayed over in it. We walked down to the beach, Poppy had a lovely swim and a cool off.

Connie and I walking to the beach

Happy Poppy

Then we walked up to Connie's favourite restaurant Edesma Taverna for a meal. We had been there two years ago when we visited with Sue and Dave. 

We were joined by Connie's friend Scarlett - she is such a lovely, bubbly person and very comical.

We had a long leisurely meal with lots of wine and chat. Then we walked back to the van, Connie went home and we took Poppy for a quick run before we all settled down for the night.




Day 86 - Tuesday 24.6.14

We parked up for the night next to a supermarket, behind it there was a gated courtyard with some kittens in it, they were that tiny that they could squeeze through the rails and came running over to us - hoping to be fed. We picked Connie up and drove further South to Lake Korission. I was hoping the flamingoes would be there but it must be the wrong time of the year.

We stopped off at a beach bar and had a cooling drink, I am getting to like Iced coffee, very much. Poppy had a run and a swim in the sea.

This is the view we were looking out at.












Then we went to a traditional taverna for lunch, the lady, who I think was the cook as well as the waiter spoke very little English. .

While I went to the loo Phil ordered some wine, we all wanted white but apparently she said no only red - and pointed to the red square  on the checked tablecloth,  but she made a point of telling him that it was not from a supermarket, she had made it herself from her own grapes. Therefore the tablecloth depicts red, white and rose according to Phil.

The menu was very limited and was mainly in Greek, but there were a few English words added, like fish and chicken.  Connie opted for fish and Phil and I had Greek salad, tzatziki and bread.  It was all very tasty.

We were lovely and cool, sitting in the shade of the
olive trees with a beautiful view of the lake.

We dropped Connie off and made our way North, stopping off at Pontikonisi Cafe for an ice cream. We watched planes taking off and landing over Pontikonisi Island or Mouse Island as it is more commonly known.

We watched people swimming down below in the crystal clear water,















 also a yacht trying to sail, but just drifting about as there was no wind.

An idyllic spot to spend a couple of hours!














'Pontikonisi Island is situated just south of Corfu town near the resort of Perama and Kanoni, it is a small island which houses the Byzantine church of Pantokrator, which was built in the 11th or 12th century. The Byzantine chapel that is on the top of the island encloses the memorial tablets of Elizabeth Empress of Austria and Rodolfo archduke.
Pontikonisi Island means ‘Mouse Island’ in Greek and it is from this that it gets it more famous name and viewed from afar the island gives the impression of a mouse. According to Greek legend the boat of Odysseus was turned into this island by Poseidon.
You can reach the island by a small boat in the summer month, which leaves from the small port opposite but you should be aware that you will not be allowed to walk around the island or the church. The only day of the year the church is open to visitors is on August 6th, which is a celebration day called ‘The Transfiguration of Jesus’ and pilgrims are taken to the island.'

We made our way North, back to Arillas for a snooze and shower, then out for a pizza and a nightcap at the Marvel. We watched Greece win their football match against The Ivory Coast. There were certainly some happy Greeks tonight.

Day 87 - Wednesday 25.6.14

We had some visitors this morning, Steve and Carol, they have been reading this blog and came to introduce themselves, they also said they are thinking of bringing their campervan over next year. They had a look round our apartment and said they would like to rent it next year. We are hoping to come back April, May and June and they would like it July, August and September.

The aircon on Mercy (campervan) has given up the ghost,  we decided to take her into the garage this morning. The mechanic was a lovely. helpful man, who tested it and found out we have a hole in one of the pipes, he said it would have to have the engine stripped down and the pipe go to Corfu town to be mended. We decided not to do it - in case it took too long, we have read the book, Avrio never comes by John Waller - and bearing in mind we are leaving next Tuesday, we dare not risk it. We had a lazy afternoon, the temperature was around 34 deg, lunch at the Marvel and then back to the apartment for a snooze and a read. We stayed in tonight and had beans on toast as we have had a hectic few days and the heat is beginning to take it's toll on us. It was still 28 deg outside at 7pm.

Day 88 - Thursday 26.6.14

I have been a busy bee, washing clothes, packing some things away and tidying up. Trouble is it looks messy now as I have little piles of things all over ready to be packed away in Mercy.
It was very cloudy today, I don't think we saw the sun at all, Hot and humid all day. We drove down to San Stefanos - Phil bought a new pair of beach shoes, then we went to Waves taverna for lunch, after which Poppy had a swim in the sea. Snoozing and reading this afternoon.  We stayed in again tonight - I made a chicken pizza - we are trying to use all the bits in the freezer.


We are just about to spend our last four days on Corfu - we leave on Tuesday for the journey home. I will  publish a blog on Tuesday if I get chance. Then we will be on the road until Sunday 6th July.