Today's the day

It's time to leave sunny Middleton (left) and head off for the hopefully warmer climes of Corfu.

If you've been following this drivel you'll know that after a couple of weeks in Corfu we are then heading down under for a while.

Mrs D is upstairs packing her bag for the 97th time and hopefully the last! I will go and check mine (when I can get near the bag room!)

Our fiends here are taking us to the station at Steeton for the train to London and some friends in Corfu are picking us up at the airport there after the journey.

It's been great to see everyone and catch up and it is now quite a haul to actually set off and go again.....still I'm sure we will be OK once we are on our way.

We are taking a mini laptop with us so we will try to update this rag along the way. Other than that there is always e-mail. Please keep in touch, it's always good to hear stories from home when you are away.

Clocks ticking, bags bursting at the seams and final checks underway must get off and do some bits myself and check Mrs D has not fallen into her bag.

Y'all keep in touch now and see you again soon

D & L

2010 - Happy New Year!!

It's here it's 2010, cheers and yamas to everyone who follows or endures more like, these ramblings.......

How's it been back in old Blighty?? It's been very cold, it's been snowing, then cold again, then more snow and more cold and so it goes on.

Cold and snow aside it has been lovely to see everyone, Middleton is always a lovely place to come back to. The snow has actually been very pretty and picturesque to see. OK it causes traffic and travel chaos but when you don't have to get up to go to work it just doesn't matter (sorry!)

The diary has been full with socials and visits, then there's the shopping for "going back and going away" in addition to the shopping extravaganzas Mrs D has been on, to get a well earned shopping fix. When she was was not shopping and escaped from domestic bliss there was an attempt at building a snow man one day - see above pic - this was sadly short lived ( desperately so for the snowman) as the snow according to the expert was not the right stuff for building snow people.

We've had a good live music fix, been to one or two parties and the big event was my youngest son Tom finally wedding Caz - see above pic. They had a lovely day in Skipton and afterwards in Silsden. They were carried through the day on the excitement and emotion of it all. They have worked so hard and waited so long for the day and it all went brilliantly for them. We wish them all the very best for their future together.

Where are we now then?? Well the clocks a ticking for our return journey to Corfu on the 8th February and most walls in the house here are covered in a sea of lists of things to do and get before we set off.

So is that it I hear you ask, off back to Corfu to beach bum around over the summer again?? No I'm afraid not. We have a little adventure planned down under for a few months.

We are back in Corfu for a couple of weeks to see the house is OK, the bathroom is still standing and of course catch up with friends before we disappear again. We then leave for Christchurch, South Island New Zealand on the 21st February. We have planned to have roughly a month on the south island, a month on the north island and a month on the eastern side of Australia. With routes, flights, cars and digs booked everywhere, we only hope it all falls into place.

We hope to catch up with some bits of NZ we missed, some bits we saw in the wet and hopefully are dry this time and any other bits we see along the way. In Oz we fly into Melbourne, drive the Great Ocean Road to Adelaide. Then we fly to Alice Springs, drive to Kings Canyon for a couple of nights then onto Ayers and the Olgas for a couple of nights before flying up to Cairns. From here we hope to see the Great Barrier Reef, then drive the gold coast road to Sydney then back into Manchester via a night in good old Singapore. We are then home in Middleton for a couple of weeks before we set off to Corfu in the car - as long as it tests again - for some more DIY, looking after visitors and a bit of beach bumming around.

There are a few other things in the pipeline for later in the year but more on those later. One thing at a time as they say. Well time to sign off and check Mrs D has not got lost in the sea of lists upstairs.

Y'all keep in touch now.........................................

Back in Blighty!!!!!

Well here we are back in good old Blighty!! We had a wonderful drive across Europe from Venice to Dunkirk. We had two stops, one in Altenstadt in southern Germany and the other in Metz France. The weather was good apart from a bit of mist around the Rhine crossing. We saw the autumn leaves turning at their best.

Both ferry crossings went OK and we knew before we left Corfu that the worst part of the journey would be up from Dover! We were not disappointed the traffic was the heaviest. the weather was the worst and so was the congestion.

We were well looked after on our two night break on the south coast at our favourite hotel in Winchelsea with Marian and Keesha.

Coincidentally, some of our friends from Corfu came back to the UK on the Friday ferry from Corfu. (We came back on the Tuesday ferry earlier in the week.) How's this for chance, when we set off from Marians to head north on the Sunday, we passed them on the M20!! What are the chances of that then!!

We did the dreaded drive up north on Sunday as we thought it would be easier. OK so we were wrong again. It was the last weekend of half term and every man with his wife, kids and dog was out on the roads. Getting round London was awful, the M11 was blocked and it seemed to take years to get the A1M turnoff. What a farce. Too many cars and too many people, I guess we forgot how bad the roads are here.

Anyway, we arrived in Middleton around 6pm and despite our motorway assault course it is a lovely place to come back to. The house was OK and the view out the back is still there and unchanged. It took us a few days to adjust to life in Middleton. Trying to remember where we put things, which cupboard things were in and getting used to the cold. Boy is it cold here!! I've been wearing my best Damarts to keep warm, gone are the lazy warm autumnal days of Corfu.

So what now!!! Well we are catching up with family and friends, filling the diary with social events and looking through out list of things we need to get or put on the going back to Corfu pile!! Not that we are going back imminently as we are here until early February next year. It's just that there is so much to do and time will fly. In among we have doctors and dentists to catch up with and adjust to drinking real ale, eating fish & chips and pork pies. (That's me I think as Mrs D doesn't do fish & chips or pork pies!!)

So many people to see, so many things to do and plan for next year it's a full time operation!! We are not grumbling though as it is nice to see everyone and have people calling and wanting to meet up for coffee (or a a beer.)

Well it's getting dark now so it's fire lighting time and see whats going on in the food and drink department so will sign off for now and bid yee all farewell 'til next time.

PICTURE INFO - The 1st picture is across the Italian Dolomites from Cortina D'Ampezzo. The second is our brew stop in the Dolomites. The third is a painting on the gable end of the fire station in Ennery where we stayed near Metz, France. The video below shows the lovely autumn colours coming through France and at the end (if you are quick and pause) you will see the best Smart car showroom you will see!! Apologies for Meatloaf belting out in the background!!

Almost the end of a wonderful summer.....

With the autumn fires starting in the olive groves and the storm clouds rolling in it signals three things - the end of the tourist season, the start of the olive season and the fact that we have to head back to England.

We ferry up the Adriatic on Tuesday next week, three days across Europe, two nights in the Winchelsea guest house and then we hope to be back in Middleton on the 1st November.

We headed this blog ....wonderful summer although you wouldn't think so today with the winds howling, dark skies and tropical rain it's like we're back in the UK already!! I'm sure it won't be as bad as this (we hope.)

All summer visitors been and gone and all major chores done with just a few last minute tasks to ensure all will be well in Kopsocheilades over the Corfiot winter. Our departure pretty much marks one year since we arrived out here and so much we have learnt and many new acquaintance's have been made over the last twelve months.

Mrs D penned some ramblings on the subject on an e-mail to some friends which I think, says it how it is. I attach her rambling thoughts below (after receiving copyright consent to do so first....)

"The calendar now shows October and the notes we pencilled in - oh so many weeks ago (seemingly) - 'Venice ferry' - are now in view to remind us daily that we set off for 'home' on the 27th of this month. In spite of the fact that we are still enjoying time with friends who are over here on holiday and indeed we still have one more set of visitors due to arrive next week, our thoughts are inevitably turning towards our return to England: what do we need to do to make the house secure against the winter storms, what do we need to take with us and most importantly will the old car make it! But we are also asking ourselves how we actually feel about 'going home' and we have to confess to mixed and somewhat confused feelings.

When we first arrived here almost one year ago, we definitely felt like strangers in a foreign land: we knew only our Property Agent, we had never met our Greek lawyer and we certainly didn't know any other English people here. Not only was the language unknown to us, most aspects of daily life, from shopping, to taking out the trash, presented us with a so-called 'learning curve'. But we learned, we gradually made a few friends and we steadily got used to a different way of life. We already knew what a beautiful island we were living on so further exploration over the winter months only re-enforced our delight in the place. We saw plenty of rain in winter but we also enjoyed many warm and sunny days. The first hints that we were beginning to feel a little more settled showed themselves in two ways: firstly, I quietly noticed that D's trips down to the local wood yard not only became more frequent but he no longer showed the earlier reluctance I used to see - in fact he began to come back with amusing anecdotes relating to his dealings with the locals. In essence, he was feeling more comfortable, more at ease. But secondly, when the time arrived for our planned trip home last March, we detected slight feelings of doubt and we questioned why we were in fact going back at all?

Now we are reaching the end of our first Summer here and we are about to set off for winter in England. And what a Summer we have had. We have awoken every day to constant sunshine which has enabled us to plan our days fearlessly! We have been challenged by our DIY projects, we have walked, cycled, shopped, drank ice-cold beer, spent lazy days on a variety of beaches, we haven't worn shoes, socks, long trousers or jumpers for months and we have partied with the tourists until 3am. On a more serious note, I think we also feel we have 'become localised' in that we experience a sense of familiarity, a sense of this life being the norm rather than a new experience. But the best of times have been spent with our visitors and perhaps this reflects the fundamental reason for our return: we want to see our family & friends; we want to spend time with them and exchange news.

So, at this point in time, honesty must prevail: the fat lady is not singing yet but she is waiting in the wings. We feel settled here, we really have no great desire to return to England, in fact I suspect there may be a few tears shed on my part when the day arrives; we have made new friends here and we are flattered that they have expressed disappointment at the fact of our not being here for Christmas, but friendships take years to build: we will be very happy to see our friends back home in England and I think we will always want to spend time with them no matter where we are living."

So, after such short ramblings and if you are still awake I will bid thee all farewell for now as this will probably be the last Greek episode for a while. We have our flight booked to come back out here in February 2010 and we have one or two other things planned for next year but more on those later. If from reading this you get the impression it's all doom and gloom, not so at all. We have three months in the UK and I'm sure we will fill, enjoy and use the time the best we can. Hope to see y'all soon for a pint, pork pie, fish and chips, sausages, curry oh and a catch up. . . . . . . . . . Mr & Mrs D

PICTURE INFO - Stormy seas across from Acharavi beach and an apotheki clear out burning in the garden.

It started off as a good ride . . . .

The long party nights with Tom and Caz now gone and organs semi recovered we took to the lanes on our bikes with Jack and Andrea who have been out here for a couple of weeks. We introduced them to this lovely island and cycling Corfu style.

With quiet roads, sleepy back lanes, tracks that ran out, were worn out or simply under repair, we rode them all. Jack and I had a run to the top of the island up Pantokrator which was a good day out. We met Mrs D and Andrea in Acharavi for coffee after our descent. We all had a good time out on the bikes or in the sea and yes we managed to get Andrea into the water more than once!!

We managed a couple of BBQ's (all doning our anti mozi outfits,) a couple of meals out oh, and Jack gave us a daily nautical lesson (so in addition to DIY and mopping we are now competent sailors, don't think Jack would agree though.)

We had a day with them in Corfu town and had the obligatory gyro and beer lunch - you've just got to do it!! We called in at Gouvia on the way back so Jack could go and pick a boat from the marina but sadly we didn't have a boat trailer. They were here from two weeks and the time as usual seemed to fly by.

With time now running out here for this summer in Corfu we are looking to the journey back to the UK and making sure we have done all we need to do to leave the place for winter. We leave here on the 27th October at the crack of dawn and hope to be in the UK by the end of the week.

We've been sat out this afternoon and it's been glorious, 95 degrees and sunny. All making the leaving here more difficult looking at the UK weather temperatures, brrrrrrrrrrr!!

Well, sign off time again with jobs to do, places to go and people to see - (go to fridge, get drink, go outside to decking and see Mrs D!!) See y'all soon Mr D .............

It's hard work playing host....

Its October tomorrow, Tom and Caz have been and gone and we have some cycling friends here with us now. It's all go you know.

So how was it with T&C? Well we partied ('til 0500hrs one night, 0300hrs other nights.) Swam in the sea, leapt off rocks in the Canal D'Amour, saw Corfu town, Kassiopi, drove up Pantokrator - highest point on the island, had some sun, some cloud and sadly some rain but all in all we all had a great time.

Tom became a gyro monster - gyros are a Greek fast food which is salad, sour cream, chips and either pork or chicken wrapped in pitta bread, they are delicious but Tom took them to extremes and did 3 or 4 one day, what a hog.

We dropped them in Sidari most days and they messed about on the beach, down the Sidari strip and had a daily fix of pedaloes out in the bay. There is a bar in Sidari which we frequent as they have live music every night. We took them in on Wednesday night (we had to make up for the appalling Freddie Mercury tribute we subjected them to the previous night.) Well Wednesday night went well with plate smashing, fire dancing and an excellent band. This turned into the silly long night out. Tom said he would like to see the band again before he left and sadly they were on again in the same bar the following night so we had to go again, more free shots and good music, thankfully not quite as late. Friday was our early doors ritual at Neil and Laura's Internet cafe then on to the pallet arms for some weekly abuse from the staff and some good wholesome food. Saturday we were all wrecked after the three previous nights so a night in front of the box with a movie was had. Sunday night Tom managed to get us back into Napoleons 1 for the road bar again claiming it was their last big night out and that's where he wanted to be, so more dancing and Tomfoolery - sorry Tom...

Their last day, Monday, was spent on the beach on Sidari, in pedaloes and leaping from the rocks into the sea at Canal D'amour - see videos below. We ate out Monday night before an early night due to getting up the following morning at 0300hrs to get them to the airport. They seemed to have a great time and enjoyed what Sidari had to offer and we enjoyed having them here. Now they've gone our organs can have a rest and rebuild themselves - what it is to be young - we wish!!!

Well I'd best get some shut eye now as I am cycling to the top of Pantokrator with Jack tomorrow at 0900hrs. Mrs D is having a leisurely drive into Acharavi with Andrea where we hope to meet them at lunchtime after our ride. Mrs D is also suffering with a severe cold given to her by me for which I am extremely popular - I think she is sleeping now........

More on our cycling antics next time.

Finally, October tomorrow the month we set off back to the UK after a truly memorable summer out here so, looking forward to seeing y'all soon!!!!

A Grand Day Out - Gromit..............

Kaleespera bloggers, with Mrs D now in the kitchen making tzatziki (as all her cucumbers are about ready at the same time and she is looking for things to do with them) I thought I would sneak a few words on the old blog.

Saturday today and we've done a few jobs this morning and been down on the beach all afternoon. Had a good swim in the sea and it's still quite warm. There is a storm rumbling over on the mainland now and we may cop for it later. Oh, by the way we had a bit of an earthquake here on Thursday night only a minor tremor but the windows were rattling a bit.

On to our grand day out. We promised ourselves a trip over to the mainland in August to see Ioanina and the Vikos Gorge, we planned to go for a few days but due to the unmentionable (room with the sink and bog in it) taking so long we did not get there. However, on Wednesday armed with flasks and butties we took the bike over on an early ferry to Igoumenitsa and rode across a super road to Ioanina. Ioanina is a Greek town sat on the edge of a lake in a valley surrounded by mountains. The road across was very quiet and Ioanina has an old walled part to it and within it is another walled citadel. We had a wander round the old citadel and a stroll on the lakeside before setting off for the gorge.

The Vikos Gorge is in the Guinness book of records as the third deepest in the world and when you walk up to it and look over you can see why. It must be one of Greece's best kept secrets. We followed this climbing winding road and suddenly round a bend without any warning it ended - just stopped and ran out - what a surprise (see video below.) It is approx 9 kilometers long, with small villages dotted along the way. It certainly gave us food for thought for a hiking trip there next year sometime.

Back here in Kopsocheilades, things are a little cooler. When I say cooler I mean we are down in the low 30s which is loads better for sleeping!! The chores list all but done for this year, quite good to be resting up. Tom and Caz arrive on Tuesday at the crack of dawn - that will be a shock to the system getting up at 0345hrs!!! We have all sorts lined up for them. After them our friends Jack & Andrea from Leeds are over here for a couple of weeks which will take us into October and then the journey back to the UK is looming.

It was early doors last night, a well established ritual and we ate out in the pallet arms with friends for a change. A good time was had by all and much was consumed leading to a splendid headache this morning for me!! A dry night tonight for me I think, we'll see.

Sign off time now as the splendid aroma of curry is wafting over from Mrs D's kitchen. Much as I would love to talk to you all night I'm afraid I must go and eat. Kaleenichta y'all......