A Greek Odyssey 6 -15 June 2002

Tuesday 11 June

We spent the morning on the beach again and chatted to the young American couple (I wish I knew their names!). This time, both Sophie and Michael fell asleep so Keith and I had another peaceful lunch at the taverna. This place has become a firm favourite, as Mum and Dad guessed it would, and we also used to visit mid-morning for a well-earned beer and an ice cream for the children.

After lunch, we all (except for Keith) went for a drive along the headland to Kolimbithres. The views across to Nauossa were stunning with the small island clearly visible. We drove as far as we could to Kolimbithres beach; only a small dusty track existed after that. From there we drove to Santa Maria beach where we had happy memories from a holiday in 1986. This part of the island is my favourite as you have wonderful views over to Naxos, and the beaches are lovely. I enjoyed driving the little Hyundai Atos very much, and the air-conditioning certainly helped with the afternoon heat! We drove back to Naoussa and decided to have iced tea and cakes in a little café on the main street. The place was very popular with the Germans and Dutch, who were tucking into the gorgeous choice of cakes and pastries with delight. Both Sophie and Michael wanted huge chocolate cakes so you can imagine the mess they got into!

I called into the supermarket on the back to the car and bought another bottle of wine for tonight. It was an old favourite, Tsantali.

We chose the same bar as last night, and I bought Sophie a little disposable camera as she wanted to take some photographs of her own. She happily clicked away all evening and enjoyed taking snaps of the things that interested her: cats, pretty shops, the car hire business! Dad's ex-waiter turned up again and we chatted to him for a while. He seemed a very happy man, but then, who wouldn't be, living in Naoussa?

As well as Sophie's camera, I also bought Michael a couple of jigsaw puzzles and a Bob the Builder figure. We decided to risk Christos restaurant tonight - a more upmarket taverna where the beautiful people go! The restaurant is set in a walled courtyard along one of the narrow back streets and is very elegant. One thing I didn't realise was that they have a gravelled floor...

Michael was very good at first, but finished his jigsaw puzzles in about ten minutes flat! We were amazed! He then realised he could throw bits of the floor and started hurling gravel everywhere. Keith took him outside for a while and then his dinner arrived so he sat quietly for a bit until he became bored again. On the whole, though, he was very good and the people at the table next to us waved him goodbye when it was time to go. We had a lovely meal and it certainly wasn't typical of normal Greek food. The clientele was elegant and older, and there were no other children dining. We had a delicious dinner with good wines and Sophie behaved impeccably.

After putting the children to bed, Keith and I sat and drank our wine and watched the various cats eyeing each other up for future battles!

A Greek Odyssey 6 - 15 June 2002

Monday 10 June 

After breakfast, we set out to explore the island. We drove into Naoussa first for a cup of coffee, and then our next stop was Parikia where we'd stayed in 1986. The road to the town cut through the middle of the island and was fairly busy. I stayed behind Dad the whole way and we parked near the port. Keith bought himself a hat in one of the shops that lined the port. Dad also checked out some swim shorts that he bought on the way back to the car.

Parikia was busy with lots of ferries arriving and leaving for other islands. There were crowds of people down by the ferry terminal, many with rucksacks on their backs. We bought the Sunday papers and stopped at a bar on the front for a drink. In the distance I could see the hotel we stayed in, the Xenia, which is now the mayor's residence. Michael and Sophie had an ice cream and we set off to explore the maze of narrow back streets. I wanted to find Black Bart's bar where we used to have such a good time, and Mum and Dad tried to find the way to Apollon, the restaurant that Theo owns.

Keith went back to the car so we wandered along stopping to look in the shops and to take photographs. We found the restaurant and went in so Mum and Dad could show me how beautiful it was inside. To our surprise, Theo emerged from a back room and chatted to dad who he remembered from last year. I really don't think he had any memories of us back in 1986 and seemed slightly distracted and worried. He said that business was slow and that the tourists were not coming at the moment. Could this have anything to do with the plane-spotters court case? (A group of twelve British plane-spotters were accused of spying and arrested after photographing military planes).

We returned to the car to find that Keith had been happily watching football at a nearby bar! Setting out from Parikia we drove to Elounda beach which overlooked Anti-Paros, and then on to Alyki which was very pretty. We found another perfect taverna overlooking the beach and spent a pleasant hour eating and drinking in the cool of the shade. The food was delicious.

From Alyki, we drove around the island seeing some fabulous views over to Naxos in the distance. The roads were very quiet and Keith and the children fell asleep. When we got to Lefkes we decided to drive on to Naoussa as I didn't want to wake the children.

They woke up when we arrived back at the hotel so we went onto the beach and played. They had a great time splashing in the water and we met a young couple on their honeymoon who were from the USA. Sophie took an instant liking to the young woman!

In the evening we tried a new bar on the front and Dad's friend, the waiter from the fish restaurant, appeared. Dad was very pleased to see him and the man explained that he'd been working on the ferries so his hours were shorter and he had more time off. I bought the children toys to keep them amused and we decided to return to Le Sud for a second time. We had been told to keep away from the restaurants in the main street and Mum and Dad agreed that they weren't as good as last year.

Le Sud was quiet and as it was windy we decided to sit in the middle of the restaurant again and not right at the back and out of the way. Tonight, it was mostly couples and they were almost all French. The children were very good and well-behaved and Michael enjoyed his potatoes and Tiramisu again. Sophie chose the pork dish and I opted for a vegetarian meal that was delicious.

On the way back to the car I bought a bottle of wine to drink on the terrace as soon as the children were asleep. Mum and Dad came around as well so we had a nice hour of chatting in the peace and quiet!

A Greek Odyssey 6 -15 June 2002

Sunday 9 June 

We spent today on the beach and Michael fell asleep at lunchtime. Mum and Dad took Sophie for lunch at a taverna a short way up the beach and Keith and I had an hour of peaceful bliss. I really relaxed as I knew Michael was safe asleep on the sunbed and covered by one of the hotel towels.

When Mum and Dad returned Keith and I waded down to have lunch on our own as Michael was still asleep. The taverna was perfect with a lovely view out to a little island that sits in the middle of the bay. The cooking was wonderful and there was a welcoming, shaded area to sit.

We saw a yacht moored out at sea and we wondered whether it was one of the boats we saw moored in the harbour last night. The woman who runs the taverna with her son and his family had been cooking all morning, and lunch was spread out inside. We chose roast pork and rabbit with potatoes. The food was delicious and was accompanied by a basket of crusty bread and local wine. Who could want for more?

Michael was awake when we returned and we all went up to the pool for a dip. Sophie loved the pool more than the sea and we celebrated being on holiday by ordering drinks and ice creams. I jokingly said I didn't want to go home and tried to persuade Dad to stay on for another week! Little did I know that my words would almost come true! I tried to teach Sophie to swim but she wouldn't go out of her depth so I gave up. Michael refused to go into the water, which was a shame as the pool was cool and refreshing.

 

The hotel was quiet with only a few guests making use of the pool, which overlooked the beach and a small golf course. Most of the guests were older couples, except for one other family with small children, so it was very peaceful. The only gripe was the price of the drinks at the poolside bar, which was expensive. Three beers and two ice creams came to £18. Still, we enjoyed being able to sit by the pool and have a drink, and as I had a photograph of the bar on my office wall, I felt like I was living the dream for a short while.

By the late afternoon, we'd had enough, and retired to our rooms where the children played on the terrace, occasionally making noisy visits to Mum and Dad's room. The gardens were gorgeous with the most beautiful plants and flowers everywhere. The staff had placed huge Grecian urns all over the terraces and bougainvillaea and hibiscus flowers grew out of them and over the walls. It would have been lovely to recreate this at home, but our climate just isn't suitable.

In the evening, we parked the cars once again on the dusty area near the bus station and enjoyed a drink at a harbour bar. Tonight, we decided to eat around the corner overlooking the old harbour, which was full of brightly coloured fishing boats. A classic Greek scene, if ever there was one!

There were restaurants on both sides of the harbour but we opted to stay well away from the water, as we didn't want to tempt fate with Michael! He devoured an ice cream at the table and the waitress took a shine to him as she mopped his chin and cooed all over him!

We ate well here and Dad had a wonderful main course, a fish pie that looked like a huge spring roll! Sophie and Keith ordered chicken that was far better than the souvlaki Mum and I chose. For once, meatballs weren't on the menu!

The place was very busy and people wandered past in their search for restaurants and shops. The sky was beautiful as it became darker. It reminded me of a length of gorgeous blue velvet sprinkled with stars. It was so pretty and Sophie's dress matched the colour of her chair exactly!

A Greek Odyssey 6-15 June 2002

Saturday 8 June

We awoke to blue skies and sunshine, and breakfast on the terrace. Steering Michael away from the orange juice, we decided to cut out all sugary foods (especially fruit sugars) and just give him water or milk to drink. He ate some sausage and bacon for breakfast, as did Sophie, and then we made for the beach. The sunbed man put out our loungers and towels and we settled in for a day in the sun.

The beach was lovely with a very shallow stretch of water that went out a long way. We never did reach truly deep water. Sophie was in her element and loved going into the sea and searching for shells. At lunchtime, we decided to go to Naoussa and try and hire a car as we didn't want to rely on taxis and the minibus all the time.

As we were showering, Michael fell asleep so Keith decided to stay with him and watch the football. We took the minibus in and found a lovely taverna overlooking the harbour. It was very hot but wonderful sitting in the shade and watching people coming and going. I chose a delicious Moussaka while Sophie ordered meatballs that she didn't eat... again! They were delicious as well! We did some shopping, buying hats and flip-flops, and generally just mooching about enjoying the sights and sounds of the pretty harbour. Dad couldn't see his old friend who worked in a fish restaurant but hoped to spot him in the evening.

We chose the car hire business that Dad used last year and we each took possession of a Hyundai Atos, both with air-conditioning. They were ready immediately so we drove to a supermarket for essential supplies (whisky) and then back to the hotel. I found this rather daunting as I'd never driven a left-hand drive car before, but I soon got the hang of it and just followed Dad, so it was quite easy!

Keith was pleased about the car and went off to the beach with Sophie while I stayed with Michael until he woke up. We had bought the children buckets and spades, and a little truck for Michael so these toys kept them amused for the rest of the afternoon. The beach was still quiet except for a French family and their babies who were very cute. The little girl kept wandering off and coming to see Michael, who got mad every time she went near his toys!

In the evening we parked near the harbour and enjoyed a pre-dinner drink at one of the bars. There were three yachts moored nearby and we speculated as to who owned them. Two of them were British registered. The children were kept happy with their drinks and the bowls of nuts and crisps that the waiter brought out to us. Michael tore around the square but always stayed within view of us.

After our drink, we strolled leisurely along the narrow winding streets looking for a good place to eat. Mum and Dad suggested a place that was tucked away along a side street, which was run by a woman who loved cats. However, when we found the restaurant it had been taken over by two Frenchmen, but still looked child-friendly, as there was already a family of five sitting at the back.

The restaurant was called Le Sud and was situated in a tiny courtyard down a steep slope. It was French and we discovered that Michael loved "pommes dauphinoise". He had this for his main course followed by a huge portion of Tiramisu!

The wine was delicious and the food very good. Michael played happily with his cars while Sophie ate most of Mum's pork dish. On the way back to the cars we dawdled happily in the shops and stopped to take photographs. One part of the town reminded me of a Moroccan bazaar, with lights dangling from the overhanging roofs. We all felt much more relaxed as Michael had been so good and it certainly made a difference to our mood!

A Greek Odyssey 6-15 June 2002

Friday 7 June 2002

Keith awoke, coughing, at 2am and of course, that woke me up as well. He eventually retired to the bathroom while I tried to get back to sleep. The children never stirred but by 3am I was wide awake and having a bath. We quietly woke the children and dressed them before meeting Mum and Dad in reception. A team of cleaners were scrubbing and cleaning the tiled floor, and did they make a meal of it!

We quickly walked through to the check-in desks and luckily didn't have to wait long. Each desk was checking in five flights all over Europe. I hoped they knew what they were doing with our luggage!

Once we had checked in the suitcases we returned to the Hilton to get the rest of our hand luggage and clean our teeth. We called up our flight on the television screen and then checked out. 

This time we let Michael run ahead of us into the airport and he was very excited. As we made our way to the departure lounge, he fell and hurt his knee but didn't make too much fuss about it. As Dad took him by the hand to lead him towards the rest of us, he suddenly went rigid and had another of his convulsions. Dad shouted out and I ran over to lay him down on the floor, thinking he had choked on something. Of course, we all panicked as this was completely out of the blue and a woman ran over to see if we needed an ambulance. I said yes, but in hindsight, we didn't need it, thank goodness.

Michael took ages to come around, but it was probably only seconds, and I gave him some Nurofen. He gulped this down and then slumped in his pushchair looking very white. The paramedics arrived and asked if I wanted to go to the hospital with him but we assured them that this had happened before and we knew what to do. I dreaded them saying that we had to miss our flight. Michael was now asleep and we queued for ages to get into the departure lounge as the security checks were so stringent. Dad's shoes were examined and Mum was frisked. We only had a short time to get to our gate, which seemed miles away. We had no time to buy any duty-free or have a much-needed cup of coffee.

We galloped towards our gate, which was probably the furthest away, and as soon as we arrived and queued up to board, Michael woke up. He looked absolutely confused, poor thing! He immediately wanted to get out of his pushchair and explore the tunnel leading to the aircraft, not letting me pick him up at all to look out of the window to see the planes. The weather was awful, grey and foggy, like a hangover from yesterday.

As soon as we found our seats, Michael kept wanting to sit with Mum, then me, then Keith, until we were nearly going mad. The steward bought a lap belt for him but he didn't want to put it on, and I had visions of us being thrown off the plane. Sophie behaved brilliantly the whole time, sitting quietly with Mum and not moaning or fidgeting at all.

Eventually, Michael settled on Mum's lap so I sat next to her in the aisle seat with Sophie in the window seat. Luckily, we had managed to get together in one row so we could all swap easily. We took off smoothly and Michael fell asleep, stretched out over our laps. We ate our breakfast with some difficulty, and then tried to snooze for a while, as we were all very tired!

Michael woke up halfway through the flight but behaved pretty well. He wandered up and down the aisle for a while or had a look at his books, but most of what I'd bought him didn't hold any interest. We were served drinks and Dad had a Bacardi Breezer... oh, yes, I forgot! We were on holiday!

We landed in Mykonos at midday and we were met by cloudy skies and a humid atmosphere. We waited for ages to get off the plane, as a Greek aircraft was due in and the bus couldn't get to us. We all stood at the top of the steps and I began to worry about the sun as our sun cream was in the suitcases.

Eventually, we were taken to the terminal but we had to wait outside in the heat next to a small aeroplane that was getting ready to take off. The engine noise was tremendous! Michael kept throwing his hat about until it was completely covered in dust, which was extremely annoying. The Greeks have certainly perfected the art of welcoming visitors to their country, with a grumpy, stony-faced man on passport control being our first impression of the country.

Once through this barrier we waited for our luggage, which we were sure had been sent to the Canary Islands. We waited for ages, with Michael running from the carousel (and trying to get on it) to Mum, and then back again. I smacked him and put him in his pushchair so he screamed. Again, Sophie was brilliant, waiting patiently with Keith or sitting with Mum. By now, with the long wait and the heat, we were starting to feel fed up and our worries over the ferry were looming large. Our suitcases arrived at long last, and we made our way outside to where we hoped the Argo rep was waiting.

Our rep was there, but he seemed very vague about the ferry, confirming that there was one leaving at 3.30pm and to make sure we were there as it only had a turnaround time of ten minutes (a load of rubbish, as we later found out). He couldn't take us to the port so we piled into taxis, our little family squeezing in with a lovely couple who were going to Naxos to see their son. They hadn't booked a ferry, either. The children were very excited on the short journey to the port, Michael pointing out all the jeeps and the "Bobs". He seemed completely recovered but I still worried about the heat and the sun on him.

The port was very busy with a ferry already in, and cars and taxis everywhere. I waited with the children while Mum, Dad and Keith took the luggage to Pier One which would store it for us. Michael was firmly in his pushchair and I bought him a drink at a little shop overlooking the port. He managed to spill it down him but I didn't mind as it would keep him cool.

Now relieved of most of the luggage (which consisted of four big cases, one small case and five flight bags) we strolled down to the front and had our first beer of the holiday at a taverna overlooking the town of Mykonos and the sea. Next to the taverna was a small, pebbly beach where the children were able to play until  Sophie cut all her toes on some glass... There was blood everywhere and I began to feel as if the holiday was jinxed!

We patched Sophie up and ordered lunch - Greek salads for Mum, Dad and me, and pizza for the children, plus more beers. Keith went to get some expensive sun cream and we stripped the children down to their underwear. Luckily, I had bought a change of clothes, and they had a great time paddling in the sea and bringing us shells and stones.

Lunch was delicious and we began to relax a bit. The sky was still cloudy but it was very warm. I phoned Polly and everything was fine. Dad soon began to get itchy about going to the port so he left while we gathered everything up and dressed the children. A huge ferry was still in the harbour, bound for Naxos.

We retrieved our luggage from Pier One and went to sit in the tunnel-type building alongside the dock. It was full of backpackers and Greek women waiting to catch their ferries. We edged nearer the gate at the top and watched all the comings and goings. Michael sat in his pushchair playing with his hair and I thought he was going to go to sleep, but there was too much for him to look at.

Our ferry, the Naxos Star, arrived at 3pm and we gathered up our cases and went to get on. However, they were loading the luggage for people going to Naxos first, so we had to wait. There weren't a lot of people boarding as the ferry was much smaller than the super ferries that normally run between the islands.

Once on the boat, we bagged a place in the air-conditioned lounge and watched the last half of the England-Argentina match, which pleased Keith! A huge roar went up when England eventually won 1-0!

The ferry took ages to leave and all the waiting around seemed to set the pattern for the day. I think a flight had been delayed so we had to wait until all the passengers arrived before we could leave. Dad sorted out the tickets with one of the men running the service, and they confirmed that the ferry would be running on the 14th of June at 9am.

The journey to Paros was pleasant but boring. The children found a friend and played on the floor for a while with Michael climbing all over us at regular intervals. He seemed very much awake with no sign of his earlier tiredness. However, just as we were about to dock in Naoussa, he fell asleep! We found a taxi as I had been unable to contact the Astir hotel to hire the minibus, which runs from the hotel to the small town. Keith and I took the children first, with Michael still asleep. It was a very short journey to the hotel, where we checked in and had the luggage taken to our room, which was close to reception. The porter showed us how the air-conditioning worked and tuned the television so Keith could watch the football. Drats! The staff were very friendly and welcoming, and our room was spacious and clean. We had a terrace overlooking the gardens, with a hint of the sea in the distance.

After a frantic hour of unpacking, bathing and dressing, we told Mum and Dad that we'd meet them at the poolside bar. Michael and Sophie were still very excited and Keith ordered them both a glass of fresh orange juice. Michael wouldn't sit still and kept running about and banging into the table, which was now loaded with drinks and little bowls of nuts. The bar was wonderful, overlooking the beach, the large pool and the restaurant. Mum and Dad arrived and Michael became increasingly naughty so Dad took him down to the far end of the pool overlooking the beach. Of course, all Michael wanted to do was get down onto the sand and started to scream. Keith was feeling very stressed so we decided to take the minibus to Naoussa.

The weather was still overcast but warm, and we arrived at the harbour in Naoussa after the short journey from the hotel. Dad and Mum decided to take us to a restaurant they visited last September, as the food was delicious. It was also away from the road so Michael could run around without any problems. There were lots of people about, and a great atmosphere with all the shops open and children running about.

We found the restaurant and studied the menu while the children played. However, Michael seemed to have the devil in him and refused to sit down, preferring to run about and ram his pushchair into our table. Near to where we were sitting was a wall with a drop into a water-filled trough, and of course, once he spotted this, he kept walking along the wall, dangerously close to the drop. 

Our starters arrived, as well as meatballs for the children which they wouldn't eat. Michael soon became bored with sitting at the table so he started to run around again,  heading for the wall and the water all the time. Very soon, I lost my temper and hauled him into the pushchair, with him screaming and struggling. I marched off and walked down several very narrow and pretty lanes, with little bars and wonderful shops selling clothes, jewellery and gorgeous little gifts. All the time Michael screamed for Keith.

Once back at the restaurant his behaviour never changed, and we all ate a miserable meal in near silence except for my occasional bursts of temper. The food wasn't as good as Mum and Dad expected and I gave my lamb to Keith. We left as soon as we finished and Keith and I took Michael back down to the harbour where we bought him an ice cream. Needless to say, we felt very apprehensive about the rest of the holiday if he was going to behave like that. However, we did begin to think that sugary foods were to blame, and I'm sure the Mars Bar he had in the room and the orange juice didn't help.

We took a taxi back to the hotel and collapsed into bed, absolutely exhausted. Michael started to play up again, but after a very stern word from Keith, he settled and we all managed a good night's sleep!

A Greek Odyssey 6-15 June 2002

Thursday 6 June 2002

After a frenetic day of mad packing, cleaning and duvet washing, we left at 3pm. I had our fish tank squeezed between my knees...

Our soft play business was unbelievably busy as the weather was cold and wet. We pushed through the crowds around our office, left the fish in the capable hands of Polly, our manager, and after picking up Michael from the nursery, started our journey to Gatwick airport.

The traffic was predictably heavy, and I gave regular accounts to Mum and Dad who were travelling behind us. Everything was fine until we reached the M25, and we soon ground to a halt near Heathrow. Keith ranted at me about leaving so late and the children argued and whined in the back seat. Outside, the rain lashed down, and I hoped that the mood would improve once we had arrived at the Hilton hotel.

The traffic got going again, only to come to a complete standstill two junctions away from the M23. This time we turned off and I guided Keith through several villages until we reached the main road to Gatwick. The traffic was very heavy, not helped by the appalling conditions on the M25 where a car fire had caused long tailbacks. As well as navigating, I spoke to Mum on the mobile and advised them to get off the motorway as well.

We arrived at the Hilton in the pouring rain and a doorman helped us to take our luggage to reception where we checked in after a slight delay. The children were very excitable and kept running about madly. I couldn't really blame them, I suppose, but I could feel Keith's temper rising by the minute.

Our room was very spacious with a double, and two single beds. We had to move the car quickly into the car park, and I read the voucher we were given by reception with dismay. It seemed as if the car park was miles away! Leaving the children with Keith I set off into the unknown hoping I wouldn't end up in the middle of Crawley!

Luckily, I found the entrance to the long-term car park easily and parked without difficulty. I splashed my way over to the bus stop and waited two minutes for a bus that would take me to the terminal. From there I was able to walk back to the hotel through the covered walkway.

As I arrived back Mum and Dad arrived and we took them up to their room, which was opposite ours. The children went mad with delight, and I took Dad back to the long-term car park for the second time!

After all the mad rushing about it was great to get back and sip a whisky and lemonade in the hotel bar! Keith was already there with Michael who was grabbing stirrers as if his life depended on them... When Sophie arrived, she wanted one, too!

We ate in the restaurant and all chose burgers. The service was a bit slow but we didn't mind as we were now firmly in holiday mode. The children were behaving themselves and Michael sat nicely in his chair. Perhaps things wouldn't be so bad after all? The food was delicious and ample and the children gamely ploughed on with their enormous plates of burgers and chips. Our dishes arrived with enough salad to feed the whole of the restaurant and the wine went down very well, too!

By 9pm we were all ready for bed and not looking forward to our 3am start. The children went to sleep immediately which surprised me as I had awful memories of last June in a Travelodge in Portsmouth!

A Wine Club trip to France 11-18 May 2001

Friday 18 May

Chaos reigned this morning as we packed up to return home. The children got under our feet as we tried to clean and tidy the cottage and pack the cars. David excelled himself this morning by going to the bakery and not getting any bread or croissants for us at all!

By 10am we were all ready to go and said goodbye to the others except for John who had disappeared. We drove to the Super U at Gorron and had a very stressful hour buying wine and coffee to take home. I saw John driving out of the car park but he didn't see me, whether by choice or whether he genuinely didn't spot me, I don't know.

The journey to Le Havre was fast and smooth with the sun coming out to say goodbye. I felt rather sad that the holiday hadn't turned out how I had expected and I seriously doubted whether we would carry on the Wine Club when we all returned home.

We arrived in Le Havre in good time, passing Mum and Dad on the way as they had opted for a different route. The ferry journey was uneventful and by 9.30pm we were docking in Portsmouth and facing a long journey back to Northampton!

Epilogue...

The Wine Club never started again and, as I write in 2013, we have not spoken to David and Pat since. We remain on friendly terms with John and Sarah who have since moved house and we had a pleasant conversation with John in our local pub only a few weeks ago. We all paid a deposit against breakages at La Returais and despite leaving the cottages clean and tidy, we never received our deposit back!