Our flight from Manchester to Kos was rather non-eventful, albeit slightly delayed due to air traffic control issues – whatever that may mean. Well, I say non-eventful. Just as Peter and I arrived at the front of the Speedy Boarding queue, Stavros my obstreperous gallbladder, (who had been very well-behaved of late), decided to throw…
So begins my next Greek Oddity. This isn’t going to be an exploration of off-the-beaten-track islands or crazy itineraries dashing from one region of Greece to another. This trip is all about revisiting some islands from the past. A very tame and short affair – just two weeks and one where I am delighted to…
What a day this has been. What a trip this has been! My stay here in Athens is almost at an end and tomorrow I head back home. The hike on Mount Hymmetus, has left me with quite an appetite and right now my mind is on food. This evening I head back into the…
Most keen gardeners, especially if you live in the UK will know of Monty Don. He is a regular fixture on our TVs, where every Friday evening he makes us all green with envy as he potters around his beautiful garden at Longmeadow. He has also made some fantastic programmes about gardens across the globe…
After cooling myself off in the shade of the National Gardens (Evzones have that effect on me!), the next phase of my Athens explorations commence. As I walk through the gardens absorbing the calm and tranquillity, I can hear the sounds of chanting. I know already that a protest march is scheduled for today so…
Today is a day for action. Let’s face it, you don’t come to Athens to lounge around do you? I had to cut a day from my Nafplio stay so that I could be in Athens for the Grand Changing of the Guard and parade from the barracks. This takes place every Sunday at 11am…
I’m sure you know that feeling of leaving a place that you love so much. That sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, tinged with a dose of melancholia. Strangely though, I don’t feel that today. Although I’m saying farewell to Naflpio, one of my most beloved places, I know that it’s more of…
Sadly my time in Nafplio is coming to an end. Where on earth did the time go! I will be spending my last day squeezing out as much of this beautiful town as I can and it starts in the old town. Whilst here I want to check out the location of one of the…
Today I’m going to visit Mycenae. In addition to owning and running Polyxenia hotel, my host Maria and her sister have a car rental company a few doors down. For a reasonable price, Maria will take me to Mycenae and back. Firstly we’re off to the launderette. The problem with staying in hotels is that…
Yesterday the weather changed dramatically. A day earlier you could have been forgiven for thinking that summer had arrived. Yesterday started quite bright but by lunchtime, a bolt of lightning and a clap of thunder was followed by torrential rain that turned the narrow alleyways into streams. At some point in the afternoon the precipitation…
I was asked recently how my lifestyle enables me to do the 2 month trips that I’ve been lucky enough to do in recent years. There is no short answer to that but I’ve tried to put it as succinctly as I can. Nafplio did play a part in how I made a big career…
Breakfast at Polyxenia is served by Maria who is sister to Alexandra who checked me into the hotel yesterday. A set breakfast is brought to me at a table in the small dining area. There is the option to also sit outside. Yoghurt with honey, two slices of cake, freshly squeezed orange juice, tea, bread…