Buon Giorno from Italy

As most people who read this blog will know  I  realised that staying in Greece this winter wasn't really a workable option so decided to head back to the UK. As it seemed silly just sitting in the same place spending money I booked  the ferry and came back to Italy, arriving on Wednesday morning but not before visiting Meteora. For those of you who dont know it I urge you to Google it- it is the most fantastic place and the drive there over the mountains is stunning - mainland Greece has so much going for it, I think it is a shame that generally we only think of the islands when we think of Greece.
 Anyway, back to Meteora - not only was it stunning it was cooler and I found a great campsite with a pool, lots of trees and greenery and bird life -total difference to the past few weeks..And I also had a very enjoyable encounter with a pair of  rare animals- native English speakers! We had a riotous supper together thanks to the very good local wine

.After three days it was with a sad heart that I headed back down to Igoumenitsa to get the ferry, I've had such a good time and met nothing but kindness - I look forward to coming back and being able to explore Thrace and Macedonia - will just make sure that its not the height of summer next time!
I had a nasty shock when I went to the ATM just before getting on the ferry , it  appeared to process the card, return it but not any money - major panic, but phoned the Caxton people who assured me that all was well - really cannot find fault with these guys, transaction free, no charges, good exchange rate and a great service - dont know how they are making money but its not from me.

Good ferry crossing, on the open deck option again which means that you can sleep in your camper but use all the facilities, great option as it saves paying for a cabin and especially if you have a dog otherwise they would be in the kennels. And there were lots of us this time- probably 40 so we had a nice little community with lots of dogs crossing their legs - number 1's were okay but number 2's??? so as we disembarked there was a  line of campers heading for, and stopping at, the first sight of greenery where there were lots of relieved dogs!

First stop in Italy was Urbino - much as I love Greece, it was nice to be back in Italy, was ready for a fix of Baroque and Italian religious art and boy, have I met that need in the last couple of days - I've been up to my eyes in Madonna con Bambino, especially in the National Museum in Ravenna -they've a whole room full. But my idea that it would be a bit cooler in Italy hasn't quite worked out, it has been in the high 30's, low 40's - sorry to go on but the real problem is keeping Kye cool especially when sightseeing in the cities, and yes I suppose I should have thought of that but ... so we are now back on the coast where there is a lovely breeze whilst I work out next  step.

Think that I will head for the lakes, Lake Maggiore and Iseo then to France via Turin, would like to spend some time in the Loire Valley and maybe finish off in Brittany - haven't been there since I was little but may not be rushing off too soon as this campsite has got a great onsite restaurant - nuff said!

So, I hope that everyone is well, so glad that you are having some good weather at last, wouldnt it be great if there was an Indian summer.
Till the next time,
Ciao

Meteora

 Photos cannot do justice to this amazing place. It really is other worldly and i urge you to google it to get a better idea. There are 7 monasteries in continual use from the 14th century, the first holy men used the caves from the 11th century - mind blowing

Nidri Waterfalls

 This isa lovely spot just outised Nidri, which sadly  not such a lovely spot as it is very touristy- but here we're up in the hills. Theres a freshwater pool just behind me, I didnt take the plunge!

Vassiliki Bay

So this was home for a few days and I'm sure you can see why.

On the Move

Hello everyone, hope everyone has settled down after the Olympics, bought an English paper last week as there was an Olympic special in it, was really good to catch up on all the excitement, haven’t heard much about the Paralympics though – did it just fall off the radar?

Most of the people who read this blog will already know that I have decided to head back to the UK, my idea of living in Greece for the winter has turned out to be not that realistic for a number of reasons, prime being that there will be no work for foreigners this year, its hard enough for the Greeks bless them, and also the language will be much more of a barrier than I had thought- maybe I should have given myself a fighting chance and chosen a country with the same alphabet! And I’m starting to miss you lot!

But I’ve had a lovely time here – been shown nothing but kindness and have just loved being back amongst Greek people, they’re seem so laid back – I went to get my hair cut yesterday, they said it would be about 25mins so I said I would go and get a coffee – oh came the reply in that case don’t rush, see you in about an hour!

And its not over quite yet. My ferry to Italy is booked for Tuesday night but before then I am heading to Metorea about 5 hours from here. It is famous for having a number of monasteries perched on top of high rock pinnacles – the monks used to be hauled up by ropes and baskets but think they’ve moved on from that now. I am also told that it is a very beautiful part of the country.

I had originally thought that I would go up to the Italian Lakes on the way back but have since decided to take a more direct route as diesel is the greatest expense so afraid George Clooney is going to have to come and find me!  So as before, I’ll let you know where I’m going when I know.

Will post some pictures when I’ve got better internet connections.

So bye for now

I've unpacked!

Surprise, surprise- the wind blew me back to Lefkada, specifically to Vassiliki where I have moved into a studio apartment on the far end of the bay. Has everything I need as well as a spare bed so if anyone can find a reasonably priced flight..... though be warned it is basic and the weather is very, very hot!
So as I'm not a sun worshipper the challenge is to keep us both cool so I am currently sitting in a cafe overlooking Syntota bay drinking an iced cappucino -they are so delicious! Have taken the room till the end of August, then I'll see. Till then I'm on holiday. ( So whats new I hear you ask)

Had an uneventful journey from Salonica once I was heading in the right direction - I was happily barelling along, having left at 6am to miss the traffic and worst of the heat when I noticed that I was driving along coastline - hmm I thought, I'm supposed to be driving through mountains then I saw a sign for Sofia which you will all know is in Bulgaria!! Interestingly the compass was showing west but guess that the fact that I was driving into the rising sun should have given me a hint. Well its only the 2nd time in 5000k's so think thats not a bad track record.

Thought you might be interested in two aspects about life in Greece at the moment-life is getting so difficult with increased taxes and reducing incomes its becoming more common for younger people to move out of the cities and go back to their homes n the villages because they can at least feed themselves there - sustainability in practice.
 I was quite shocked to hear that following the latest elections the extremist party is now the 4th largest in the parliament - this is leading to major abuse of the mainly Afghan immigrants in the cities, evidently many people were so disaffected by the choices in the elections that they didn't vote. Of course I am living in a little bubble being on a tourism island and not speaking the language, one can't know whats really going on.

On a lighter note I have been enjoying the Olympic coverage on Greek tv- they focused on the beach volley ball for a while then the pairs synchronised swimming which was quite amazing to watch - no tennis or track events yet but I have hopes- brilliant that the home team are doing so well, long may it contiune.

Bye for now

The Lovely people at Akti Retzika

So I'm off tomorrow, and here I am with  Katerina, her adorable son Kyriakos and her lovely Mum Soti. They have made me feel so welcome and I will miss them but guess thats the life when you're travelling- its been a lovely interlude and I hope to return next year.So, back on the road and we'll see where the wind takes me.
Bye for now
Jane x