Sunday, 14th December, 2008. Another slow start to the day. We phoned my Mum and Dad and Pat's Mum, the weather at home is gloomy. Nothing else particularly to report. We had our usual snack lunch. We went for a walk at two and headed for the Harbour area we hadn't got to last week. We took a look at the new housing development built just a little way along. A lot of the houses seem finished on the outside, they have individual - small - swimming pools and BBQ's built in. The weather was pleasant and I was wearing T-Shirt [View Full Entry]

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Wednesday, 10th December, 2008 Another peaceful night, with a good night's sleep. We weren't up too early and sorted out our Christmas email picture. Eventually we left the villa about twelve thirty and headed for Ag Nick. We bumped into Bob the electrician on the way out and stood talking with him for a while. He was telling us all about the utility costs and how things work in Crete, very interesting for us. We parked on the back road we knew from our time being at the Hotel. The Tourist office was shut with a sign saying it would be [View Full Entry]

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Saturday, 6th December, 2008 continued We walked into town at ten thirty, the sun was shining and it was really warm. The cafe Du Lac, advertised free wifi, so we had a coffee and logged in. I updated the blog and checked our emails. The accommodation in Makrigialos that was available, looked really nice from the owners direct website, and we were fairly sure that this was going to the place for us. We then had a walk around the town, picked up a better Crete map, and raided the cash machines. Then back up to the hotel. The drive to [View Full Entry]

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Thursday continued We sat around in the public areas, had another Gin & Tonic and diet coke. The self service restaurant opened at eight and we went through at quarter past. A pork steak and chicken fillet both with chips and a piece of chocolate cake for dessert, €22.00. We finished eating, but had sat right next to a window looking out onto the quayside, so we lingered, in the hope of the ship sailing shortly. She went bang on time and we went back to the cabin shortly afterwards. A much longer time than we would have expected to spend [View Full Entry]

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Thursday continued We decided to hang out in the lounges, rather than the cabin, and went and had some coffee and some chocolate croissants. After a particularly long announcement, Pat went to reception and they infomed her that, it was now confirmed that the ship would sail today at 2100 hours. At least we had a better idea of what was going on. A short while later. I went down and asked what was the situation regarding the cabin and going ashore. The cabin seems to be ours until Crete and we can go ashore as long as we show our [View Full Entry]

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Wednesday continued We updated the blog, with a few recent pictures and surfed for any information about the port of Piraeus, but couldn't find anything. We went to the self-service restaurant for dinner at about eight thirty. A meat kebab and pork steak with a salad and drinks, total €35.50. Announcements were made during dinner to say that the weather was still bad and the authorities would not allow the ship to sail? The on board shops were now open so we took a look at them and then returned to the cabin. Thursday, 4th December, 2008 We awoke after a [View Full Entry]

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Tuesday, 2nd December, 2008 We got into town about eleven o'clock and parked by the Lixouri ferry terminal. We found a computer shop and bought a new mouse. We then bought some CRV3 batteries from a photo shop. Pat found the Body Shop and replenished some make up. We then went off to the Metropolis for coffee and internet. Our English lady wasn't working today. We updated the blog, checked on emails and then surfed for Greek ferry information and timetables. There doesn't seem to be any ferries from Patras to Crete. So it is back to plan A. Trying to [View Full Entry]

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Thursday 27th November, 2008 continued We lazed around for most of the morning. The sun comes up slightly to the back of the studios and moves round, to shine on our balcony for the rest of the day. It was about 11 o'clock, when the sun was on it enough to sit out, which we did and our clock thermometer said the temperature in the sun was 31°C. It is just truly wonderful to feel the sun on your body, admittedly not hot, but you can feel some heat in it. We slowly got ready to go out and left about [View Full Entry]

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Sunday evening continued We bought some internet time and caught up with emails and stuff. The restaurant was open from seven thirty and we went down for our dinner. We had a pasta and mussels and a pasta with tomato sauce to start. Then strips of beef with rocket and parmesan, and a beefsteak with salad. A crème caramel and milk chocolate thing. A very pleasant meal. Monday, 24th November, 2008. Plan for today, ferry from Bari to Patras. Pat went down to breakfast and then we got ourselves together and went down to reception to pay the bill. We left [View Full Entry]

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Saturday, 22nd November, 2008 Plan for today, Acireale to Cosenza. The wind really got up last night and things were banging and clattering around the Hotel. We were both awake early, so got up and started sorting ourselves out, as we have a long day. Pat went down to breakfast and then we paid our bill at reception and left the Hotel just before nine o'clock. We went for the Autostrada up to Messina, which was very light with traffic. The winds got stronger as we approached Messina, although the sun was shining and the temperature on the car said 22°C. [View Full Entry]

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