To think, this time last week there was a large thunderstorm (or was that yesterday? No, I think it was today-last-week) while we were away. Luckily it happened while we were having breakfast. By the time we headed out to visit the castle it had all blown over, leaving puddles behind but no other big deal.
We took a stroll around the old fortification, the ‘Castle’, and admired the many and various bits and pieces the Knights had raided from other nearby sites in order to do their building. My favourite artefact was the fire extinguisher hanging on a stone wall, in a large open area, nowhere near trees, wood or anything combustible. I suppose that’s health and safety gone bonkers is it?
Another good day was had, last Thursday, and the castle walk, which is very good value for €3.00, was followed by more sightseeing in town which was followed by another lunch but this time down on the beach. We had been to this taverna the afternoon before, just for a drink, and thought we would return to it as it had been popular with local families. And very nice it was too, with homemade mezzethes and then some pork chops, sitting outside away from any breeze, watching the sea and the boats go past.
More walking lead us around the closed up holiday areas, the beach bars and the night clubs that thump and grind in the summer months. They all looked rather exhausted and tatty, as if they’d had too good a season and were now stuck with a winter hangover. We did get some strange looks from people as if to say, ‘You missed the party mate, you should have been here in August!’ but that was fine. And, while wandering we also spotted what turned out to be my favourite balcony railing of all time. (See picture.) One with a tune, which you can play by the way. But not only was it the creative use of the railing that got me but the fact that this place was in A Zouroudi Street. I liked that.
And then, another evening of watching the world go by and a night time walk around the streets of Kos, stopping here and there for refreshment and finally forcing ourselves towards another restaurant, this time for a Chinese meal. You must think that all we did was walk, eat and drink, and you would be right.
But, since we have been back we have returned to tap dancing, and Neil has been to Pilates classes and Zumba and has been doing his weights and walking up and down the Kali Strata, and I have been thinking about doing all of that but have been feeling rundown by a cold and apathy. I did get up to go jogging the other morning but it was blowing a gale and very cold. Will try again tomorrow. And I did go to tap dancing and that does involve some kind of effort, so there.
The high wind is still with us (at least it was yesterday) though the Blue Star did manage to come in, a little late. There is no boat tomorrow as there is a strike today, so our next big boat (for produce and cargo) will be Wednesday, giving a gap of one week. Best get to the shops soon and stock up before there’s a rush on rice, or a bundle for bananas, it’s that time of year again.
