A quick overnight stop in Chios before heading to Oinousses gave me time to settle in, sort out ferry tickets and take a first wander around the harbour and Aplotaria, the town’s main shopping street. A straightforward start to what I hope will be a much-anticipated North Aegean island-hopping trip.
Today Amal says farewell to Greece and the city of Piraeus bid her a bon voyage as she heads to Italy. At 11.00am, crowds begin to gather in the square in front of the Metropolitan Theatre. I arrive early and catch some of the practice sessions by the group of singers that are going to…
It looks like tonight’s event is going ahead. The Walk with Amal will begin at 7.30 from the Pasalimani Clock Tower right on the edge of the Marina. I had taken a stroll down there earlier in the afternoon to check out the location. I had been to the Marina before via the Hop on…
Today I’ve taken it a bit easy – especially after yesterday’s experience in Anafiotika. I headed down to Gypsy Jungle for breakfast again. Once fully charged I headed off to see the Evzones in Syntagma Square. Who doesn’t love a bit of Evzones action! I never tire of seeing this spectacle and September is…
I’m not going to lie – I was very nervous about travelling during these strange times. Once I put on my big girl pants and pressed that book button there was no turning back. The paperwork isn’t so bad – as long as you approach it methodically. Book flightsBook first 2 accommodations for the PLF…
So, here I am in Athens after flying in yesterday. I honestly didn’t think I’d be travelling anywhere further than my back garden this year, but here I am staying in an apartment in Monastiraki and about to embark on a 24 day solo trip. Since the Covid pandemic began I’ve tried to be the…
The weather was very pleasant during our stay. We were very lucky as we had heard about the Saharan sand storms that had blown their way over to the Cyclades. Apart from one overcast day we had beautiful spring sunshine and the temperatures of an English summer! We had planned to walk up to the…
Athens is the starting point for our next trip. I’d usually have a day or two in Athens at the end of an island hopping trip because you know that feeling when you leave the islands? Sometimes like a little bit of your heart has broken off? Yes, and Athens is a good diversion from…
For many years I’ve had an obsession with photographing doors and windows. There is something so evocative about an old, ornate door that through its layers of peeling paint, begins to reveal the patina of time. It’s not just about the external appearance, it’s the curiosity of what lies within. The lives that have been…
Rightieho! We are up and raring to kill this one day in Athens! Having been many times over the last thirty or so years I always try to see or do something different on each visit to Athens. Our main aim today is to go to the top of Mount Lycabettus and also visit the…
I didn’t feel sad leaving Poros as I knew I would be back. Because I am writing this three years after the event I know that I DO return to Poros just two months later. Anyhoo it is time to leave and head to Aegina. The Apollon Hellas appears from somewhere near Kimomeni’s shoulder and…
Sotiris tells us this morning that he’d received a phone call from Elpida at the Patrick Leigh Fermor Project and we will be able to visit this evening at 4.30. In the meantime, we walk back to the Old Town. Today it is open and we are able to purchase a ticket to go inside. …
