chalkidiki | Clune Gap Years

Kassandra Finger

28/10/2025

We planned to walk, but ended up doing a few chores. It is Oxi Day when Greece said no to capitulation to Italy. Greeks out for big lunches and potentially fireworks. We needed a quiet park up for our noise sensitive Corrie. We had planned a spot recommended by friends, but P4N mentioned fines … guess as it is a nature area.

We stopped at Siviri on the first finger, Kassandra. Another beach resort town. Tavernas all busy setting reserved signs on tables. A good coffee at one. Then a short hop up to a modern amphitheater car park. Jobs: admin, hand balling water, cleaning, windows etc. a UK van for 10 mins and a learner stalling and in and out of the car park. Super quiet.

No pix as nothing to capture … this finger definitely seems the least attractive.

Big Drive South

29/10/2025

We left our quiet parking at 0726. Stopped early for diesel LPG and motorway services for coffee and spanokopita (spinach pie).

Stopped near our destination for puppy food, for two rescue pups that I’m taking to the UK, more gin and wine for the drive and the pharmacy.

657 km. Over 10 hours. £83.66 in motorway tolls. I could have broken the trip, but now I have a non driving day. Dinner was definitely in the taverna!

We’ve stopped here a few times before, but not we think since early 2020. The padel court has gone. The car park has new tarmac. And the taverna we used has expanded with a completely new dining area.

Packing and Cleaning

30-31/10/2025

A no drive day and a lie in. I went through all the cupboards and packed my summer clothes, Corrie and James’s stuff and things that we want in Crete into a large and now very heavy suitcase and a backpack. We are planning to sell Jez on his return to the UK, so he will need to be emptied. We have limited storage in UK at the Aged Ps and Maddys.

On 31st, we filled with water, check access at the airport and then had a hideous rush hour drive to Pireaus port. Fortunately, we had planned spare time so were able to have supper together dock side. J and C boarded for their 10.00 p.m. departure.

I had to be back at the port for 0630 to collect the two pups. I contemplated sleeping at the port, but decided to return to Porto Rafti, as I felt safe there.

Karydi Beach

25/10/2025

We dropped laundry. Nearly didn’t as google maps took us to a house. We asked a lady nearby. Her friend. She rang her. What time tomorrow would we like to collect it? Fabulous as tomorrow being a Sunday, I thought it may have been Monday.

We didn’t drive far to Karydi beach, known for its rocks. It was pretty. Everyone else obviously knew about it too. Lots of German families. It’s school holidays. Something, as an ex-teacher, I’m delighted not to have to think of.

I took my sun lounger and knitting onto the beach. Contemplated a swim, but got as far as my ankles. Brr!

*We only just squeezed into the car park. And moved once the car park cleared, in case it got busy tomorrow*

*I’m a* *dog person but liked this one*. *It seemed to like dog food!*

Port Koufo & Heart Surgery

26/11/2025

We collected the laundry. 5.5 kilos for €22. Not bad.

*Stopped at* **Sarti** *as it’s the main town on this finger. Had an early toastie lunch, and ice cream for me. Not our cup of tea, so we promptly left*

Lin told me about Porto Koufo as her son, Craig, had been here. The Germans used the deep water as a submarine base here in WW2.

*Massive deep-water* *harbour and a* *lagoon. No flamingos this time*

*A P4N review said people had been fined in September for parking along the beach, so we are parked in the car park. Less sand walked into Jez is a bonus.*

We walked along the beach and around the lagoon, passing a few derelict concrete WW2 buildings. Could see out the harbour entrance.

A local chap recommended a taverna. Good shout as my sea bream was perfectly cooked. We celebrated 4 years since James’ heart surgery. And strange seeing an area other than Crete printed on tablecloths

German Cannons Walk

27/11/2025

We drove around to the next bay to walk around Toroni castle ruins and then up to the German cannon emplacements. These protected the WW2 German submarines in Porto Koufo.