Arrived back in the early hours yesterday after two very different weeks in Arillas. I set off in the middle of the night on 22 April, travelling via Athens because I didn't realise when I booked in November that Easyjet would be starting their direct flights in April....never mind. I was travelling with my 89 year old father and a friend so was a bit apprehensive about the journey but I have to say my dad was amazing throughout. I am encouraging him to write his own post...
The journey was ok but both flights were delayed by an hour. We were greeted at Corfu airport at 11pm from a packed domestic flight by Theo with our rented car. I highly recommend Arillas rent-a-car - he couldn't be more helpful. We managed to find our way out of Corfu and about an hour later arrived at To Kouklospito for the first time. I was so excited I could hardly breathe. Some kind friends (no guesses who) had stocked up the fridge for us and after the first metaxa, my dad danced a jig in the kitchen!!!! I shall never forget waking up that first morning to the view and the sunshine - thank you Eileen for posting that message for me.
We were busy every day unpacking boxes, assembling furniture and shopping for cleaning materials, lights, mirrors, irons, drills etc so several trips into Corfu Town. But we also made time for some sightseeing - got to Paleo (best taramasalata in a taverna there Phil) and went up to the monastery. They still rush out into the road at Makrades even in April to accost you....also went to Old Perithia and right round to Kassiopi and Kalimi one day.
The weather was lovely - cold in the mornings and evenings but sunny and warm during the day. Only one morning of rain until the last day....more of that later. Most importantly it was fantastic seeing all my old friends after the winter - Dimitris and Litsa and of course young Bebis. He is really cute with a gorgeous smile. Dimitris was looking very sexy girls I have to say with long hair but sadly he had it cut on the first day of the season....the professional look I guess. Roula, Nikos, Noufri and the lovely Irini (my dad liked her!). Lots of new things in her shop.....you must visit.....and she has heard that Whispers might be open this year.....keep your eyes open. Also heard there may be a pharmacy opening opposite Tria Adelphia....Caught up with Jimmy and Spiros at the Rainbow and Marinos at Horizon plus Angela and family at the bakery supermarket. It was strange being there with hardly anything open but there was a real buzz of excitement everywhere with everyone beavering to get ready for opening.
By the time we left, a lot more places were opening but still no sign of life at Costas or Thalassa, or Eftihia. It doesn't look as though the Arilla Inn will be opening either. The Akti pool was very busy and came on even in the time I was there....very different.....wait and see....not sure when they will open. We were the first customers at the Rainbow which is looking great this year, and I think I was the first swimmer in the pool. All the family were there on opening evening....and my dad sat on his bar stool sipping his metaxa chatting with all the regulars. He loved it all.
I only managed one afternoon on the beach as I was so busy and have done a separate post on that and will also post on my experience of Greek Easter.
Waited in vain outside the Coconut on the first Tuesday night but not even Eggy came and it remained closed so no Forum meeting. I know it's useful perhaps identifying one place so everyone knows where to meet but do you think we should perhaps "share the love" a bit and give our custom to other bars and tavernas as well rather than identifying just one? Just a thought....
Whilst there, I bumped into Eggy and Mrs Egg a few times...and then Eileen and Keith - yes, he does exist...first time I had met him. Also saw Joe's mum, and as I was leaving bumped into Mark and Dee. As I drove out of Arillas I saw Viv and Pete going for a "volta" so had to stop for a quick chat with them too. Missed Martin W though....
The only slight disaster was that it poured with rain the day we left and we were hoping to get the sheets and towels dry before we left....not a chance....thank you Eileen for offering to go in and fold them all up for me later!
So in all, a great time....still loads to do on the house and it is not surprisingly still not finished....but very habitable and well worth the years of waiting, anguish and heartache. If you have the energy to walk up there at sunset you won't be disppointed - will have to get an outdoor fridge though to leave drinks for everyone!!
My greatest pleasure though was sharing all this first visit with my dad and I felt immensely proud of him. I will always remember him dancing in my kitchen and his face when he saw the fireflies for the first time....fingers crossed he will be able to come back with me next spring.
Sorry this has been so long....hopefully it will be the first of many holiday reports this summer so we can perhaps give Eggy a break to do some of the other things that he and Wendy want to do....like go to the beach or visit the UK!
Wow What a lovely post Sandy. I bet you can't wait to get back so can have some relax time after all that running around you have had to do. I am glad your Dad enjoyed himself. All in all it seems you had a really good time.
The outside fridge sounds a good idea. :) ha ha
riggers....
A lovely report Sandy. Very nice, and informative. I`m so glad you`re dad enjoyed himself. Try and get him to write some stories, holiday and his past too. Speak to you soon. Bfn.
I haven't been on the forum much this week, so it was a lovely surprise to read Sandy's report. It doesn't seem "5 minutes" since she was in the chatroom on the day she departed.
I am glad you had a great time Sandy, and also your dad. It must have been harder than ever, on the day you left to go back home, to leave your lovely villa.
Thanks again for a very entertaining and informative report.
I agree with your point about varying the Tuesday meeting point to include more bars etc.
TerryW
I've just realised I've titled this "my" summer 2008 holidays....must still be half asleep. I meant to call the topic simply Summer 2008 holidays (although I do hope I have a few more!!) so that everyone could add their summer posts to it.
You're clever with these things Terry - is it possible to amend it?
I think you have to be an administrator to change it Sandy, but I think "My Summer 2008 Holidays" is fine as a topic subject. Everyone can write a report here, of THEIR Summer holiday, so MY is a good word. When I write mine, next July it will be about MY Summer 2008 holiday, so stop worrying.
I hope all that made sense.
Ok Terry, thanks...I'll accept your judgement on that...I was worried it sounded a bit arrogant which was the last thing I would have intended.
Agree with Terry, Sandy. This will naturally become the thread where people share their summer 2008 experiences.
What a heartwarming post you made. I can just see dad jumping for joy in your kitchen! And as for "the view" you might have read my comment on another post - died and gone to heaven? I doubt heaven is as good....
Thanks for taking so much trouble to share this all with us. We will be following the taramas trail to Paleo in July.... will report back if we agree! Bound to try it!
And the best bit - the "forum fridge" We could all deposit our half drunk bottles of Russian vodka etc for the next wave of visitors! That's if you don't get there first...lol
all the best
Phil
Just logged on to wind down after the joys of a working day,Fantastic post Sandy. Thanks for sharing with us. Did you snap any pictures while there? You have just missed Eric & Sue -they are going out on Monday for two weeks, Hope the lads have stocked the fridge with his cans! You must be so proud of your dad - so active at a good age.
Sandy,
Thank you for sharing that with us! I am so happy that your da enjoyed hiself and lets hope he will be back next summer :)
Sandy, thanks again for another lovely post. Sounds like you all had a lovely time and the memories will linger for a lifetime. Am glad your dad enjoyed it so much. Did your friend love it too?
Thanks for that lovely report Sandy, i,m so pleased for you. Your dad sounds great, what lovely memories.
Would love to see photos
Sharon x
thanks sandy for a fantastic post.
glad you enjoyed your stay and your dad had a great time.
suexx
Quote from: Sandy x on May 08, 2008, 10:01:05 PM
I know it's useful perhaps identifying one place so everyone knows where to meet but do you think we should perhaps "share the love" a bit and give our custom to other bars and tavernas as well rather than identifying just one? Just a thought....
Wegg and I are very glad you all had a good time Sandy. - What a veiw you have - Eh?
A good suggestion about "sharing the love" and one I'll put a seperate post for.
Negg
Exellent post Sandy, how lovely for your dad to see your new home. What lovely memories you will both have.
Lovely report Sandy - I had tears of joy running down my face when I read about your Dad doing a jig in the kitchen. I could just imagine how you felt to be in your own piece of paradise after the long wait.
Fiona
I'm so glad you enjoyed your first visit to your new home in Arillas. I really enjoyed reading that too. We are also staying in our own place for the first time this year, and i know we will love it!! It's very exciting, and now i'm really hoping that you have some pics to share with us all on the forum. (And i'm also hoping that one day my mum will see arillas, she's 83.) I shall tell her about your Dad, and it may encourage her a bit!
Hi Sandy!
Your post is lovely!
You had so much work in your new house,
but I am very glad that you enjoyed and had also a very nice time in Arillas :-)
with your dad (wow, in that age, lovely!) and your friend.
Yes, it is not easy to fix everything in two weeks,
but you will see, good things need time!
So at the end you will have a beautiful home on Corfu :-)
I can't believe that this two weeks run so fast!.
I remember like yesterday that I wished you a very nice time in Arillas :-)
Marika x x x
What a homely post Sandy,I now have this vision of your Dad doing his little jig for joy that will become a special memory for you every time you walk in to your kitchen this summer.
Ang
glad you had a good one sandy.....yammas
Excellent post Sandy. By the end of the season,there will be loads more holiday stories related here. Best wishes, Paul D and Heather.
It brought a lump to my throat reading your report... lovely to hear it all went well and what lovely memories you will have of your dads visit to your greek home. Efharisto for that Sandy!
what a fantastic feeling it must have been sandy, stepping into your house, and what memories you will have of your dad! it sounded wonderful
ger x
Sandy it was a pleasure to read your post, and congrats on moving into the villa you must be over the moon. Its a wonderful feeling and i look forward to hearing about your further trips in the future. It would be lovely to see some more pics of your wonderful view a lovely place.
Weldone and hope to see you out there in the future.
kinhdest regards Mandy, frank and kids
Sandy, loved reading your post. all sounds so exiting. Your dad sound as if he really enjoyed himself, well done to him at 89. Here's wishing you well in your new home.
brenda
Hi Sandy,
Do you have any pictures of Dad in Arillas? I'm sure we would all love to see them
lol. Jen
Just caught up with all that....thanks everyone. Yes, I do have some pictures of my dad but I'm so useless with all this technical stuff....my daughter was furious we never got round to getting him on Picture of the Day....never mind...there's a;ways next year!
OOOO Sandy, We felt excited for you before you went but now after that lovely report, fantastic. Went up to your place 2 days after you left and all the mud was gone no sighn at all of the quadma and the refugee escape that you made with your darling Dad. Shame we didn't have more time together for a real natter but its just how things go sometimes.
Just one point was that Tuesday that you went for the forum meeting 6th because Lynn and Colin turned up as well as Martin and Eggy and myself.
Im not even going to try and post a report just to say we had a lovely time with some good friends and even tough Pete wasnt well and had to spend a day in bed we got some good R&R on the beach. We would also like to thank Dot & Bill for getting us lost, nowght like it for seeing Corfu. Viv
Hi Sandy just caught your lovely post, glad things went ok and your house is getting sorted. Your post has made me wish July would come sooner then I can hopefully stay in my house for the first time really excited now you must have passed on new house bug.
Hi Vivian glad your hols was ok even if Pete wasn't too well is he better now? Did you manage to find the bay in Kassiopi or did my directions get you lost? xx
Pete is well now Thanks. Didnt get time to try this time will next, I think we would have found it with your directions.
We were walking up the road when friends picked us up and they were on their way to find a petrol station opened as there was none to be had localy at all because of the truckers strike, We adventerly found one but by then didnt have a clue where we were, went through some villages we had never heard of and got a few funny looks (as if to say "how mad are you driving round here")It was great fun finding our way home and we got to see the real Corfu. Viv
Hi Vivian I agree it is a great way to view the island, we to got lost coming from the airport the first time, it was very dark and it took ys 2 hours to get to Arillas the main problem was that all the villages start with K and there's no road names so you can't ring someone to say your lost because when they ask where you are you haven't a clue!!!!! Oh well getting better a finding our way around now x