Part 2/3 Kalami

So following on from my last post, our transfer from Corfu Town to Kalami. 

We only had 3 nights here, an accidental stop over, as originally we were supposed to go straight on to Kassiopi. However, things happen for a reason and we were meant to go there, to completely unwind and soak in all the peace and the calm and the quiet.

We stayed in the Elena apartment.....

....part of the White House complex....

.....the former residence of Gerald Durrell.

We had use of a pool but other than a quick dip at the end of the day, we didn't make use of it. We spent our first afternoon exploring Kalami, a small resort consisting of two tavernas and the expensive 'fine dining' White House Restaurant, frequented by the super rich ferried in from their yachts moored in the bay.

Our taverna of choice was just as good, with just as good a view x

So day 7 we decided to explore further and walk to the next bay and the hidden beach of Gialiskari. 

We walked as far as Agni but decided to return there the following day.

And settled.......

....for the day at Gialiskari beach.

We pretty much had it to ourselves for most of the morning.

And Jeff found somewhere to dive!

We went to the other taverna for tea....

....and was serenaded by this Greek quartet again. (photo from the previous night)

Feeling more relaxed by the day!

For our final full day in Kalami, we walked past Gialiskari beach, further on.....

....to Agni.

Somewhere we would never have considered going to for a full holiday, as it would have felt far too small for two weeks. But by breaking up our two weeks into the 3 resorts, it felt like we'd actually had 3 mini holidays, as each place was so different.

We treated ourselves to sun loungers, it felt a real treat and had a truly relaxing day.

After already frequenting the two tavernas, we decided on our last night to return to Gialiskari beach...

....and take a picnic

It was the best decision. 

Other than one other person, who swam then left, 

our only other company was the yacht moored out in the bay.

It was just the most perfect evening x

So day 9 and our final morning in Kalami. We were supposed to vacate our apartment at 10am but the resort was so quiet, we were able to use our apartment until 1:00pm, when we were being collected by taxi. I wasn't walking up the hill we came down with my suitcase in tow!!

So we found a shady spot.....

....and spent our morning swimming....

.....and starfish spotting!!

We finished off our time there with a dip in pool.

I would return here. It was the most calm, quiet, relaxing 3 days.

Just what the doctor ordered!!

But it was time to move on as I said, we got a taxi on to Kassiopi, our final stop! 

And our home for the final 6 nights - the Irinis apartment.

We spent our afternoon getting our bearings, refreshing our memories as to where we first holidayed together back in 1993 and returned to the resort in 1997. Trying to find the beach coves we chilled out in and the rocks Jeff dived off and our favourtite taverna.

More on that in the next post x

Part 1/3 Corfu Town

 Gosh! looking back through all my pictures, it seems a lifetime ago that we were in Corfu Town. We arrived early afternoon, having flown there on a plane just a third full I would say. We got randomly tested on arrival at the Corfu Airport, although listening to others throughout our trip, we think all the British flights were being tested! It did slow us up slightly and I felt sorry for our Airbnb host Daminos, who kindly offered to collect us from the airport

He drove us to his apartment and wow! what a view to greet you.

I choose this apartment as it was as close to the sea as I could get and it meant Jeff could go for a swim in the sea every morning

You also got to witness the beautiful sunrise and something I wasn't expecting, that literally took your breath away, 1000's of swifts and swallows flying out over the sea....

....to the rooftops behind. I t was absolutely mesmerising.

I have posted a couple of video's over on my Instagram page if you want to go and look.

We spent what was left of the day, getting our bearings, acclimatising to the heat and just taking in our new surroundings and hustle and bustle of the town, feeling very lucky to actually be there!

Day two and I was up early to see the sunrise. We spent the day exploring the town a little more thoroughly on foot, with our main mission to find the Green Bus, bus station, for a planned day out and our transfer to Kalami later in our stay. Let's say it was further out of town than we were expecting!!

We resorted to buying a paper map, so much easier than on your phone!

We explored the Old Town and the New Town and found the potential swimming spots and good eating areas for the evenings. All the important things!

On day 3 we ventured out of town, on a local bus to Paleokastritsa, a day at the beach!

And it was stunning, although the water much colder than expected.

It was just lovely to spend a day doing nothing other than read, swim, snooze, eat and drink and just totally switch off and completely relax. Something I didn't really appreciate how much I needed to do.

Day 4 and we decided to get out early and walk to the top of the Old Fort before it got too hot. 

Thank goodness we did because by 9am it was already roasting.......

.....but worth it for the views. 

Plus we discovered a small beach to go to the following day. We spent the afternoon swimming in the sea, directly below our apartment, perfect. In the evening we explored a little further in to the Old Town and discovered this courtyard and.....

....this wonderful restaurant Bellissamo. 

It was just a lovely find, with really nice staff, great atmosphere and delicious food. Wish we'd found it sooner. One thing I don't do on holiday is cook! It's my one treat to myself, no cooking when I'm on holiday. Yes it makes it more expensive but you get to try out all the local cuisine and sample all the traditional dishes and do some great people watching to boot!!

Day 5 and we spent the day on the hidden beach, that could only be accessed via the Old Fort. We think it was where the locals went, probably for free, as you could only access it if you paid as if you were going to the fort.

Anyway it was the perfect spot to read, swim and do nothing!!

The evenings were always busy in the Old Town, especially for the Euro's Cup Final night, although there were few and far Brits about. We ended up watching it at our apartment and I'll be honest, I went to bed at extra time - it was 2 hours later in Greece! Well that was my excuse!!

Day 6 and our final morning! Daminos our host had very kindly offered to take us to the bus station, as it would have been too far to walk to with our cases.

He really was the perfect host, found through Airbnb, collecting us from the airport, taking us to the bus station. On arrival he explained how everything worked, where everything was.....left us a bowlful of fresh fruit, a stocked fridge, honestly it was wonderful....

....... and such a great location, with views out to sea.

So from Corfu Old Town, we headed North to Kalami. We originally had not even considered staying here but due to our Kassiopi host needing to adjust our dates, we decided to stop over here and we're so glad we did, as it might have been my favourite bit. Daminos dropped us off at the bus station and we took the Green bus up along the coast to the resort. The bus only took you to the closest drop off point on the main road, so it was a bit of a trek on foot to the apartment, although thankfully downhill.....

... to the White House complex, former home of Gerald Durrell.

We spent the afternoon exploring, swimming and the evening eating in a Taverna by the sea but I'll tell you more about that in my next post x 

We went......

 ....to Corfu....

....and it was wonderful x

Just got home from a fabulous two weeks and honestly, felt safer there than I do now we're back home. Sam has been 'pinged' he's done a PCR test which has come back negative, daily tests all negative but 3 of his friends tested positive, so he's isolating. Bit ironic given Jeff and I went out to Corfu expecting to isolate on our return. The rules changed whilst we were away, so we can come and go as we please and that means back to work for me on Sunday!!

I'm going to do 3 blog posts, one from each of the resorts we stayed at. It felt like 3 mini holidays, as each place was so very different, so I think there's the best way to share our travels.

First up will be Corfu town...

...secondly Kalami....

...and finally Kassiopi.

It truly was a wonderful time, a time I feel very thankful and grateful to have experienced.

And it felt very safe!

A tiny slice of 'normal' x

Inching closer

This week has whizzed by. Obviously I came on here mid week just to give you a little update and share Sophie's fabulous news. As per normal, I worked my normal Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, then had my treat trip to Bath on Wednesday. Walked with a friend on Thursday, day at home catching up on Friday, lovely meal and much needed catch up in the evening with a friend, then today (Saturday) I've just got home from a day out to Cribbs in Bristol with Sophie. Then it's back to work again tomorrow for the next three days. 

Quietly behind the scenes I've been trying to get myself organised in case we do go away! Potentially we could be heading out the door 4am on Wednesday morning and not returning for a fortnight. There again we could still be heading out at 4am but returning home on a technicality. As I've said before, I'm trying to not look forward to it too much, in case it doesn't happen. If we go, I'll of course do a follow up on our return, if we don't, I'll be on here as usual next week!!

Anyway what will be, will be, it's out of our hands.

Have a good week xx