The Wanderers Return...

Tired looking Sandra and I at Athens bus station having a quick slurp!

We had a really successful trip back to the UK everything got sorted with Sandra's dad's oil tanks and he is having a survey for the installation of a bunded (double skinned) tank this week to replace the remaining old tank after our efforts.  We also sorted out a few other things while we were at home with bank charges and accounts and moving furniture for Aunty and Uncle.  Managed to spend some good quality time with all the lads, lasses and grand kids.


I even had a belated Christmas night out with ex work colleagues which was a pleasant surprise to see the many old faces (some very old Rob although it could have been the stitches around your eye! (Just can't trust Hull City supporters can you.)  Also had a couple of nights out with our very close friends of many years Al and Jean and at last the Indian meal which I have been craving for months, delicious it was too.

Getting caffeine at Patras stop 

Bus for Lefkada

The Birthday boy and Liz wondering what to do with the creamy ribbon.

We set off for home at Midnight on Monday, Gary, number one son, took us to York station to catch the 1:30 AM train to Manchester airport, arrived here at 4:00 AM in good time to book in for our 6:25 flight.  We arrived in Athens at 12:15 Greek time (10:15 UK time) and unfortunately got held up in passport control by a large group of Asian people who the Greek authorities were checking thoroughly as they were none EU citizens, this delayed us half an hour or so but we managed to walk out and straight onto a shuttle bus for Athens Bus station.  Had we not been delayed we might well have caught the 2 PM  KTEL bus to Lefkas but as it was we missed it by about five minutes.  This was no bad thing really as it gave us chance to have a meal in the bus terminal whilst waiting for the 4:30 bus.  With just a stop off half way at Patras  for the toilet and a coffee and then we arrived at Lefkas town shortly after 9:30 in the evening to be met off the train by Tree and Mike our ever suffering landlords.  Tree asked us if we would mind a slight detour via Chicken Bills in town where Tony and Liz were celebrating Tony's 21st Birthday well 21yrs and 492 months anyway.  Of course we agreed and got a reception which would not have shamed the return of the prodigal son, it really is nice to know that people appreciate you being there, very touching. Anyway we arrived home at Vournikas at around midnight on Tuesday night having been up since 8am on Monday morning a little weary but very pleased to be back in the land of the Gods.

Got up Wednesday morning to wall to wall cloud and it rained all day and all night so we thought we had not actually come back to Greece at all but during the course of today the cloud has slowly cleared and now it brilliant sunshine and feeling very pleasant indeed.   Hopefully things will all settle down over the next day or two and we can look forward to having some chill time over the next few weeks.

The welcoming committee LtoR Tony, Liz, Deb, Jez, Tree and half of Mike with Tony's cake as a centre piece.