Flotilla – 5.6
Table of Contents
No morning briefing 1
The Tree Bar 1
Walk to the Beach 2
Lobster 2
Back to the pool 3
Afternoon Nap 3
Roy and Bernie 3
Day 5 Friday
No morning briefing.
Sailing all done.
Back to a traditional holiday.
Lie in – no timetable, and a late and light breakfast on the outside patio overlooking the pool.
Then – pool side loungers and plenty of P60- clear skies and 38C – would you believe!
We were bored in half an hour!
I went back to the boat and picked up a couple of books and magazines that we had packed. When I got back – we discussed the fact that – in the previous ten days, we had never had much of a chance to do the prostrate on a pool / beach sunbed thing – and decided that was not a bad thing.
Jean read a magazine – I did a Sudoku…….
I don’t think that I have mentioned before – apart from the indoor restaurant bar – there was an outside pool bar – towards the foot of the pool on the way to the jetty.
The Tree Bar
So called, because it was a circular bar surrounding a large tree towering above it. Run by a mother and mature daughter – who looked and acted like they had been barmaids all their lives.
I went to have a look – seemed they did a ‘Todays Cocktail – 3 Euro’ – and today it was a Mojito. Quick word with Jean – ‘I’ll have two please’.
Spent a pleasant half hour sipping them – very refreshing.
Must have livened us up a bit – we decided to have a walk down to the swimming beach we had seen from the water – with a few café / bars – and Nidri in the background.
Took one bag with valuables and left towels – there were plenty of empty sunbeds.
Walk to the Beach
Down to the jetty and along the water line towards Nidri – only 15/20 minutes to a nice white sand beach with a wind surfing school and a para-sailing base – quite lively.
We had no timetable – I wasn’t even wearing a watch. But this looked like a good place for – let’s call it lunch.
One of the bigger places with tables out on the sand – looked likely. We had a look at the menu – mostly sea food and some red meat grill.
Sat down and took a chance on the lobster.
Lobster
We had made a point of trying it all over the world – with varying results- it can be – at its best – fantastic – but sometimes just about, inedible– generally depending on how fresh it is when cooked – frozen is a no-no.
Bit of a wait – we got a cold bottle of wine, so pretty chilled – and waiting is always a good sign, that it’s cooked fresh to order.
Turns out it’s the proprietor who cooks and serves up –it looks great –flaked in the shell with garlic butter and mayonnaise dressings – and tasted better than it looked – melt in the mouth – best we have had!
which we told the boss when he cleared up – he was very pleased – went off and came back with two shot glasses and a bottle we recognised as Tuaca – an Italian citrus brandy liquor – known in Italy as one of the ‘digestivo’ after dinner drinks – self-explanatory, I think.
He was even happier when we told him we knew ‘Tuaca’ and that Jean had worked in Italy in her late teens / early twenties, spoke Italian and we had re-visited many times – particularly Florence and Milan.
He gets himself a shot glass and pours himself one, tops ours up and joins us – no other customers by now.
Seems that he is more Italian than Greek – from Florence originally – and when Jean says the she worked in Florence for the first five years she was there – I thought he might faint. They went off on a ‘where in Florence’ some of it in Italian – she might have met his mother etc.
He offers another shot – he is definitely more Italian – we say no thanks – we have to walk home.
Nothing spoiling – and better than –being bored by the pool.
He does the – ‘It’s on the house’. We won’t have that – and insist on paying for the food and wine – and thank him for the digestivo.
I can’t even recall how much he charged – which indicates that it wasn’t a shock.
Worth every Euro!
He gets four new customers – we wave goodbye and make our escape.
Back to the pool
Bit of a wobbly walk back – the sand shifts.
But we make it without incident – now about 4 pm – and even get back to our sunbeds – which are still available – in fact the pool is quite quiet.
Afternoon Nap
Which probably accounts for the fact that we both had an afternoon nap for the next hour or so. Can’t think of anything else that might have contributed!
Might have gone on sleeping longer – but for a loud – ‘Do you think they’re dead’?
Roy and Bernie
I opened my eyes to see Roy and Bernie towering over us – I said – ‘I don’t want the ‘kiss of life’ off you, Roy, – but Bernie can’.
Laughing – they plonked themselves onto two empty sunbeds next to us – by now – Jean is awake and coming around.
An update on what we had both been up to – ours was more exciting – they had just had pizza in town and no free liquors. They thought our lobster was – ‘a bit posh’ but a more interesting lunch.
Roy- off to the bar, ‘do we want anything’? – both me and Jean – at the same time – say –‘no thanks – for now – just need to dry out a bit’.
In fact, we decide to go back to the boat and have a lie down in the cool. Those liquors are catching up with us – must be our age.
I said to Roy and Bernie- ‘no idea what we will do tonight – if we don’t see you later or tomorrow – we will be at the final dinner tomorrow night. But bound to see you before then’.
Back to the boat – which is cooler. Sensibly drink plenty of water and have a lie down – and soon snoozing again.
I woke up when Jean gets up for a wee. Now 6.30 pm.
Both coming around a bit and feeling more human. We agree that the bottle of wine and then afternoon liquors were probably a bad idea – but rude to refuse.
Luckily, we didn’t have seconds.
We stir ourselves to have a sit in the cockpit and an update chat.
Start by figuring it out – today is Friday – tomorrow a farewell dinner and a room in the hotel and flying home on Sunday. Now orientated.
Any thoughts about this evening?
Neither of us, particularly hungry – but might fancy something light, later.
Looks like a – ‘quiet night in and early bed’
We just don’t handle it – after an active week – and at our age – and don’t fancy a walk just for the sake of it.
Sat in the cockpit – drinking more water – still a comfortable temperature.
We have tried the restaurant here for breakfast and lunch – pretty good and very English – they know their audience.
Decide to have a look at the menu and take it from there.
Bit of a freshen up and a short walk to the poolside restaurant. Plenty of room on the patio – a few faces we are on nodding terms with – but stay on our own – bad enough having to talk to each other!
Look at the menu – not a bad choice with a range of main meals and smaller snacks – both Greek and English.
I decide on one of my favourites – a Croque Madame.
Croque Monsieur –cheese and ham toastie – the Madame has a fried egg on top.
When we ordered I was asked if I wanted chips – a few would be nice.
Jean went for a cheese and onion pie with a few chips.
We are both getting our appetite back – and decide on a couple of glasses of wine – one each! A bottle, maybe a step too far right now.
Food – not a disappointment – and managed to eat it all without an effort.
Now about 8pm. Still warm enough to sit out and no other distractions – looks like the fleet have either hit the town or gone to bed – knackered.
So, back to the boat and a sit in the cockpit – lovely view of the open channel – the whole jetty and the hotel and pool. Just waiting for the sunset.
Decide that a long and light brandy and soda would be a medicinal end to the day – went down easy.
A wee each and bed.
Both asleep in ten minutes.
See – it’s the fresh air again!