...today, for the first day in two weeks.
We arrived back in a cold wet and windy Cardiff yesterday after two glorious weeks at Anna's. We felt a real sense that the community are pulling together to make Arillas even more attractive to visitors.
Apart from the changes to the village itself, the trail, map, beach access and the pharmacy most of the business owners have made changes to their properties, some major like the complete refurb at the Horizon and the "extension" at the Mirage while others have made smaller more subtle improvements.
The beach is cleaner than I have seen it before and I would urge people to do their bit to keep it that way. Like many others we collected just one small bag of rubbish as we left the beach each day but after the first few days there was virtually nothing to collect.
We met many Arillacs, some for the first time, some we now regularly bump into. What really pleased me was bumping into a couple I met last year while on the first visit and they were back! We also met a couple on their first visit this year who will definately be returning. So, if talking to me doesn't put people off the place the locals must be doing something right.
After talking to Janis my wife tried the garlic prawns at Efi's (or after talking to Efi I think we should call them Phil's prawns) - delicious.
We talked to Spiros who was working on his new place in Afionas which looks like it's going to be a really nice place. He told us he was hoping to open in about two weeks, which should be anytime now but did qualify this by saying he would open when it was ready.
The only down side of our latest stay is that it is still fairly quiet and the people don't seem to be getting the rewards they deserve for all their hard work. Sadly I guess this can be said about many places at home and abroad under the current economic climate. I wish all the people of Arillas a great season and will do my little bit to make sure they get one............only 23 sleeps until my next visit.
Excellent report Dai and thank you for sharing! Sounds like you had a lovely time and good to hear about you collecting rubbish on the beach. That is something that I will do once I get there. ONLY 82 sleeps for me ;)
thanks dai
were there in a weeks time ,and looking forward to seeing spiros,s bar in afionas,and hope its a bit busier ........yammas
Thanks Dai, the news about the beach is welcome, if everyone does a little clearing it will stay rubbish free.
Sorry about the weather here, but it's not to long to wait until you go home again.
A lovely report, thanks for sharing.
We are looking forward to seeing for ourselves the work done over the winter in about six weeks time......just can't wait 8)
Val x
Great report Ian and I can't believe Carol had never tried Effi's prawns after all the times you've been there!! Sorry I missed you this year....but there's always 2013!
Lovely report Dai, Im only dissapointed that I have missed you and your good lady this year as I enjoyed the few chats we had along the beach.
Never mind maybe next year
Ang
Thanks for taking the time to keep us all up to date, Dai. Totally enjoyble to read. Only 35 sleeps for us now....
Phil
8 sleeps until we return to Annas Studios and our favourite place. Will do our bit to Keep Arillas Tidy!!!
Enjoy meluvver, and give them all our love and best wishes.
We rarely get up the hill these days, but we never forget such hospitality and friendship that we have had at Ioanna Krasaki's home, and with her (very male) and beautiful family.
Phil
Thanks Phil, will do.