corfu | Clune Gap Years

24-25/10/2022

Our ferry from Corfu was not until 7.00 p.m. so we mooched around the town. Had our tyres checked but told we don’t need to replace the front ones as they are new (20 months!), but sold us snow socks €40 to keep us legal in Greece from 31st October. Had a very indifferent lunch… another rip off the tourist place. Shame. And I walked along the sea front whilst J nanny napped in the car.

At the port, we both had to walk through passport control. I then had the car documents checked. But this car belongs to James Clune. No, look, there is my name too … he laughed when I said 50/50. I had to reverse 150m towards the ferry. Water one side and a fence the other. At least I did that in a straight line! It was a tight turn to get onto the ramp. The German lady ahead of me, well, behind really, had done it before and said it was no problem for her small car. A member of staff offered to reverse my car on. Bugger that … I was going to do it myself … and I did… just had to trust the staff instructions. What was remarkable was the chap who reversed a trailer with a large speedboat. It looked like it would jacknife. Then an inch forward and an inch back. 6 staff helping: 4 on corners and 2 trying to bend the fence to prevent the bumper snagging it. Really impressive driving. But, why oh why, is that fence there? It would be so easy to reverse on … in a straight line!!!

*The tight reverse turn onto the* *ferry* *due to the stupid* *fence.*

Our apartment was only 10 mins from the port. Quirky… they’ve added extra single beds to the kitchen and bedroom so it will sleep 4. Slightly lacking in crockery, cutlery and charm… but I have those 😆.

On Wednesday we took it easy. A no drive day. We walked into Sarande, as much as we could along the beach. Beaches were disappointing as small and stoney, but still some hardy sun worshippers out in cosies.

*Coffee stop. They cranked up the music when it was a good ‘un*

We didn’t stop at either of the 2 museums, it only took 3 seconds to circumnavigate the exterior. Mixed it up with the locals at a super cheap and tasty restaurant … my moussaka was only £3.50! It was bustling with young men, coming, eating, going and coming back. Lots of conversations and fist pumps. Why? And no, I didn’t see any packages exchange hands. Then, it was busy with a huge tour group.

Fortified with a half litre of red (between us), we took a few nano seconds to marvel at the remaining sites.

*Roman remains and lucky to survive as* *most* *things of* *historic* *interest were destroyed* *during Communist* *era* *building.*

*This is all that remains of the castle*

*Told Maddy I’ve bought my mother of the bride outfit!!!*

*We stopped for one on the way home. Very pleasant. Had a 2nd. Paid. Started rain, so had a third!* *Total bill* £*6.65!*

14-18/10/2023

Up early to leave Gjirokaster as we had the Sarande to Corfu ferry. A house booked for 10 days and collecting the Aged Ps from the airport at 10 p.m.

*View from the house. No garden as given over to growing produce*

The over effusive host had left us lots of goodies, tomatoes, cakes, juice and cakes, but not means of sweeping the floor or cleaning surfaces. And we had to empty and remove the roof box to fit in the off road parking. Fortunately, 3 bed house so the 3rd has become a storage room. At least the beds are comfy.

Corrie’s Post

Corrie ‘ere – again – I’ve not posted for a while – been busy relaxing and keeping an eye on K and J…..

Three months on and we still miss Oscar a lot, but time moves on…

My take on PELL – Poland Estonia Lithuania and Latvia ? In Poland you must mind your p’s and q’s or v’s and w’s…. Thus vodka is wodka etc – and speaking of gin, K and J had to go to a “Alkohole” to buy their alcohole. They decided to visit a steep hill – stuck me in a gondola – plastic bubble 300 feet in the air and wobbling !

In Polska no cats to chase but lots of nervous dogs and owners. To buy stuff you spend lots of slotty zlotys ! But lovely to see Simon and he was our tour guide for a bit. The Park people wouldn’t let me in to hear Chopin !

Some general Corrie observations – one of K’s favourite sayings is “I can’t see diddly squat” So – if she squats on her diddly she can see better ! I don’t think I have a diddly…..

On walks, I now get extra treats – the Oscar share – oh and the end of ice cream cones…..

Next post on ELL, Albania and Corfu – I’ve got some catching up to do – but first I need to relax – K says I’m lazy – cheek ! She lay in bed today until 10:00 am !!!

Efharisto and paracolo…..

END WOOF!

We’ve been pootling out and about. Crete is 14 times bigger than Corfu. So, it feels small. Even with 2 rain days, we will have done the main sights in our 10 night stay. It is lower, lusher and greener than Crete and we love the cylindrical Cypress trees. Some coasts have many pretty and small bays. And we been surprised that we haven’t seen many huge hotel resorts … more low level apartments. Except on the SW, where there are some very tired looking resorts.