We got up at 3am on Saturday morning to get our 6:05 flight to Thessaloniki. Taxi came at 3:30 and we got to Heathrow about 4ish and it was incredibly busy. I think that was because a lot of the check in and security was just opening up. Flight was fine and we got in about 11ish. Picked up a slightly dodgy hire car and drove to the house we had rented in Nikiti. Really nice place in the old part of town.
We chilled in the afternoon and tried out the plunge pool. There was a little shop just down the road that sold all the essentials. In the evening we went to explore a bit and ended up in a taverna called Mantsios which was just as a Greek taverna should be.
We headed off down the beach just after 4pm but unfortunately Edith fell asleep in the push chair on the way and slept through the whole thing. Quite crowded down there but not noisy and found a spot without too much bother. Sandy beach but pebbles getting in and out. Water quite clear. Passed an impressive kid's digger.
Tom realised as we left that his swimming shirts had split. On the way back we popped into a supermarket to pick up food for tea. Then stopped off for an ice cream for Edith at a place called The Pattern. It also did cocktails so we also had a drink. Nice sunset.
Tom barbecued some pork and aubergines. He later won the first game of our crib competition.
Bed time stories were read.
Tom taught us a new game called Yaniv which I won.
Couldn't get in the church unfortunately but there was a cemetery. We drove to the Trani Ammouda beach in the afternoon on the other side of the peninsula. Probably the best one yet. Quite busy but very clear and sandy and easy to get in an out. And Tom arrived in his swimming shorts. Edith loved it and could see fish in her goggles.
We baby sat so Tom and Sally could go out. I cooked a rather nice tuna pasta bake and we played s few games. Played another close game of Yaniv when Tom and Sally got back that M won.
They set up the projector and screen to show Edith The Little Mermaid in the garden.
We went out to eat at Mantsios again after negronis in The Pattern. We got back to see the end of the film and then had a very close game of Yaniv that M won by 1 point. (Tom's score needs to have another 30 added)
On Friday we walked up to the museum in the old town which was quite interesting. Stopped off at the Barcarolla bar on the way back for a spot of lunch.
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We planned to explore further on Sunday and walk down to the beach. As it was really hot we chilled round the house first. When Edith is in the pool she becomes a mermaid called Cindertreats.
On Monday we got up early to drive down to the same spot of beach as Edith had missed it. We probably got there about 10 30, it was a bit cooler but still managed a good swim. Tom bought some new bright yellow swimming shorts and a face mask and snorkel. We then drove back for lunch. In the evening went to the Barcarolla restaurant in the old town square.
Tom won our second game of crib.
On Tuesday we reverted to Sunday's model of going to the beach late afternoon. This time we went to Agios Ioannis, a bit further out. Nice sandy beach but unfortunately there was a strip of submerged rock that had to be crossed to get in the water. Once in it was great though. Unfortunately again, Tom's newly purchased swimming shirts didn't make it to the beach. We were in the middle public section of the beach. On our right was a beach bar with 200 plus umbrellas each with a pair of loungers, a speaker for piped music and a QR code for ordering food and drink. That bit of the beach didn't have the rocky bit, not for me though. On our left was a hotel. It looked a bit naff having a very modern building in the setting but I went to investigate and could see why people would go there. Brilliant views and beach and very nice swimming pool and toddler pools with hardly anyone in. Tom barbecued pork and aubergines again. A preying mantis was spotted in the garden.
On Wednesday me and M walked to the church up the hill in the old town.
On Thursday we went back to the same beach as Edith had really enjoyed it. We called to wish Madeline happy birthday when we got back.
We didn't make it to a beach as Edith was very tired. Had lots of fun in the pool though. In the evening we went to the Perasma taverna. The best yet I thought. Excellent deep fried zucchini and I had a great beef and aubergine stew. The only problem was they more or less served everything at once so the table was very full. We followed up with another trip to The Pattern for an ice cream for Edith and Sally and negronis for me, Tom and M.
Checked out of the house by 11am on Saturday and got to the airport just before 1pm. We were slightly worried that there might be long queues at border control as they had introduced extra checks for non-EU travellers including finger printing but we just sailed through as normal. Got back to Heathrow about 5 15 and me and M hot our taxi about an hour later and were back in Reading watching Ted Lasso and eating take away pizza by about 7 15. SET got the Elizabeth Line back to Woolwich and then the bus. Great holiday.
Lazy day on Friday but did pop into town to pick up a pair of swimming shorts from MnS. M gave Pete a lift to the festival in the morning. He got back quite early as it was raining. Gave Pete a lift down to the festival on Saturday morning. Popped into town to pick up another pair of swimming shorts. Did a bit of praticing then took mine and Tony's gear over to RSAC in the car as we were playing at Variety Night and I was doing sound.
A person from John Lewis came round on Friday morning to discuss the new kitchen. Got a severe government alert on our phones in the evening.
