Friday 30th August

Seven of the clock, boots blacked and we eventually set off at...ten or thereabouts.  Stopped off for fuel, munchie stuff and then....we were off to Greece for sun, sand, swimming and whatever we could find...

I'd been over before but only to one of the villages for a mosque get together but now we were into virgin territory with Terry as the driver, the Librarian navigating using a map of Europe that was useless as the scale could take us from Russian to the bottom of Turkey but as for the detail...not much happening there then.  Over the border...the Greek guys were very helpful telling us that there appeared to be a problem with the car as there was water dripping from it but there is a problem with it in that if you put too much water in the radiator...it escapes.

We'd heard that the road was twisty and by golly was it but we found Xanti from the signposts and then onwards to Kavala and then it came into view...the sea and not only that but the island of Thassos.  This wasn't the final destination for today...we wanted a beach...didn't want to spend too much money in the process and as we drove along the sea front we just turned round, there were these beach umbrellas that we thought we would have to pay for but no one appeared demanding cash and we plonked ourselves down.  We had been sensible...we were swimsuit clad under outside garments so a quick strip job and out for our first dip.  Sandy beach, shingle shelf to get over but then two meters out and it was up to your armpits and stayed that way if you went out another twenty meters.  Absolutely wonderful but if you decided to float you were washed up like flotsam and jetsam and the rough patches on your elbows had been smoothed away by the shingle beach.  There are benefits to a shingle beach.  

So as I gently reddened, the others sort shade in the beach umbrella but I took to sitting on the edge of the beach and getting gently soothed into oblivion.  Went back to the umbrella and there was a gentle snoring from the other two so I stretched out in the sun for a while and then went back to my beach edging.

Packed up about five when everyone came too.  Walked over the road and realised that the huge building was actually a supermarket stocking all of the things that you can't get in BG but at what price.  At those prices I can do without.  We got ham, spread cheese...La Vache qui rie...at in euros no wonder he was smiling,,,and some rolls and back to the car and started on the sandwich conveyor and we were all replete.

What a good day...I feel like I've had a holiday day...and home now via the Librarians and washing programmed to go off in a couple of hours, showered, hair washed and sipping an oozo with water...reminiscing about my day in Greece.  It was the first from BG but it definitely will not be the last...well worth the drive...LN

Saturday 31st August

Very slow day after yesterday.  Washing online at nine this morning, dug up carrots with the intention of having them for supper but forgot all about them and ended up with fish, chippies and peas.

So what did the day hold...not a lot really.  Dug up some of my carrots as I said, the beetroot is still in the ground although I had grand plans of turning that into pickle this afternoon but it all went by the wayside.  Not a lot was achieved.  I found Saturday Kitchen online this afternoon and watched that and Midsummer Murders. I have been away from local TV for a long time but not long enough to get sick of it yet.  I did balk at the idea of the omnibus edition of Eastenders thought...that was too much to contemplate.

Supper was enjoyed and I had a surprise phone call and visit from Gouljan this evening on her way back from a wedding.  I think she likes to call on me to remind me that she is still there.  The friend I did not know but she lives in one of the local villages.

So Gouljan is off to Turkey to stay with her sister and I'm very tempted to catch the bus and go and see Bursa....it would be another experience...and without money...well not quite but it would be at local not tourists rates.

I have my student tomorrow....it's been several weeks because of England and my student....let's see how much she had remembered or forgotten...LN...I'm back to normal...LN