Another new country, we took the ferry from Brindisi to Corfu. Joined my family for a holiday & then decided to ship the van from the UK to the States, so rushed back home to organise the paperwork for a shipping date at the end of October. |
We arrived at Brindisi new port on 5th September clutching our Blue Star Ferries brochure. We were in favour of this company as they advertised a camping deck where we could even plug in to the electrical supply. Sadly the office wasn’t open so we approached a rival company HML (Hellenic Mediterranean Lines). They matched the price of Blue Star but didn’t have a camper deck which was disappointing so they gave us a free cabin instead.
We only had to wait an hour until departure so we were chuffed with our spur of the minute decision. 6 lanes were very professionally marked out leading to the dockside but as we reached the boats these disappeared altogether and it was quite clearly going to be a free for all.
The boat eventually loaded half an hour late as the staff had been so busy chatting on the dockside. Everyone switched on their engines and drove towards the entrance.
We were instructed to hold back and the crew managed to sort everyone out, some were going to mainland Greece and others to Corfu. We were finally beckoned last and Mike had to reverse on board. This was no mean feat as he had no less than three advisers telling him what to do; no-one spoke English and they were all telling him different things. I’m sure he would have coped admirably on his own.
The boat boasted a casino, restaurant, bar and disco so after locating our cabin and having delicious showers we decided to explore. The boat was rather shabby but we decided we could cope for an overnight stay.
After a disappointing meal in the a la carte restaurant we had an early night. We docked at about 5.30am and drove straight off into the early Corfu morning. We were handed a leaflet for a campsite as we left the dock and decided that it would be a good place to go for starters. As we drove along the main road heading north east on the island many of the bars and clubs were still open! There were no overt signs of drunken or disorderly behaviour but it was obviously a bit more of a party place than we had been used to. We stayed on the campsite for a few days just to have a general tidy up and do the laundry (the usual chores). We were treated to a couple of days of horrendous storms. Rivers running down the roads, we found it all highly amusing but of course it’s a bit different if you are on a week’s hols.
We really enjoyed Corfu, beautiful scenery and great food to name just a couple of things. We drove around the Island towards the north in the van and found the roads driveable but too stressfully narrow in the villages inland. We found a lovely spot in a car park next to the sea at Benitses and stayed there for a few nights. Benitses used to be the club 18-30’s spot years ago but it now consists of a few bars and restaurants and some touristy shops.
Mike has always said he would like to take the van a bit further afield and it was whilst we were in Benitses that he decided America would be manageable. He would still be able to run the business the only difference being that coming back for meetings would entail an 8 hour flight rather than the short European hops. We got in touch with a shipping agent who quoted us a reasonable fare and so it was time to do some partying! As you know Mike and I enjoy going to local’s bars and very rarely cross the threshold into English ones. However feeling in a celebratory mood we strayed into an English Karaoke bar (Double no!)Having won a bottle of champagne followed by a couple of large Bacardi and coke chasers I went on to entertain my audience with a stunning performance of Delilah. (Tom Jones had better be on the look out)This was accompanied by starfish/windmill-type movements. I pleaded with the DJ to tell jokes and he only allowed me one. Then told me to get off the stage in quite a curt manner (I can’t think why).
Anyway the next day I woke up with a sore neck. Oh how I wish it had been a headache. I have never known pain like it and it has accompanied me ever since for a whole month. I’ll be a lot more sympathetic with anyone who has aches and pains from now on. I have seen the osteopath several times since getting back and he says that I will get better but I wish it would HURRY UP.
We had a couple of weeks on our own in Corfu when some of my family came out to join us. Mum, Dad, my sister Catherine, her husband Andy and their 2 children, Evie 27 months and Alex 5 weeks. They had rented a villa in Pelekas and we thought we’d camp outside and enjoy their facilities; pool, shower etc and of course their company. Unfortunately we couldn’t get the van into the drive and so the cleaner directed us to the owner’s house at the top of the hill who let us park there for the whole fortnight. There was a spare bedroom in the villa so we shared with the gang and had another wonderful holiday with them.
They had also hired cars and so we were able to explore the Island more easily. We drove up to mount Pankreator one day, stopping at a derelict village on the way for lunch. We had amazing views of the island but the car may have suffered a bit with the mountain tracks (supposed to be 4WD only-oops)
We went to a couple of great beaches one of which was wonderfully entertaining with nude girls covered in grey clay/mud posing on the rocks for a photographer (and about 50 beach goers as well) This beach also provided u girls with an interesting diversion as it was a nudist beach as well. Having checked out the male talent there was no competition with our boys.
Corfu is also famous for having a cricket pitch in the middle of the old town. All the guide books reliably informed us that cricket is no longer played there. Imagine our surprise and delight as we are enjoying a Sunday lunchtime drink when 2 teams stroll on and set up! We didn’t watch the game but it added to the atmosphere.
We left Corfu on 4th October by boat to Venice. We had a very nice 26 hour crossing, this time on a camper deck. This really is the best of both worlds as we had all our home comforts while on board. The standards on this ship were far higher than the other one and we had a delicious meal in the a la carte this time. We sailed straight through Venice and enjoyed the sunrise over the city as we cruised through.
We then motored north through Austria and into Germany. It was snowing heavily in Germany and extremely cold. The next day we made it all the way to Canterbury and parked in the park and ride for the night. It wasn’t until we reached the exit barrier the next morning we realised that we didn’t have any English money. The attendant was very understanding of our plight-I promised not to tell anybody though. Then we were off back to reality.
So now it has been a mad panic to get everything in order ready to put the van on the ship on 24th October. Hopefully our American Visas won’t be a problem and we will fly out to Florida on the 6th November with the van arriving in Charleston, South Carolina on November 15th. Our American Adventure!!
I will continue with these newsletters from the States and have taken on board the feedback from those that read them. I am going to start numbering them rather than using dates so that you will know if you have missed one. I don’t mind if you are too busy to read them but some people print them off and read them later, at home or on the bus. I think that it will be easier to send e mails from the states so they will continue. I usually send the whole lot as an attachment which contains pictures. The map will no longer be sent as we don’t have an American Auto route. If anyone has any problems e.g. photos don’t come out, I am always happy to resend. If anyone e mails us I ALWAYS reply although this may only be a two liner if we are in a rush. Sometimes we don’t do e mails for 2-3 weeks at a time but I really enjoy communicating so you will always hear something eventually. Finally, if you do have time do send us a line as we love to hear the news from home.
So, take care and next letter hopefully we’ll be on the other side of the Atlantic. HOW EXCITING. (No more karaoke celebrations though)
We only had to wait an hour until departure so we were chuffed with our spur of the minute decision. 6 lanes were very professionally marked out leading to the dockside but as we reached the boats these disappeared altogether and it was quite clearly going to be a free for all.
The boat eventually loaded half an hour late as the staff had been so busy chatting on the dockside. Everyone switched on their engines and drove towards the entrance.
We were instructed to hold back and the crew managed to sort everyone out, some were going to mainland Greece and others to Corfu. We were finally beckoned last and Mike had to reverse on board. This was no mean feat as he had no less than three advisers telling him what to do; no-one spoke English and they were all telling him different things. I’m sure he would have coped admirably on his own.
The boat boasted a casino, restaurant, bar and disco so after locating our cabin and having delicious showers we decided to explore. The boat was rather shabby but we decided we could cope for an overnight stay.
After a disappointing meal in the a la carte restaurant we had an early night. We docked at about 5.30am and drove straight off into the early Corfu morning. We were handed a leaflet for a campsite as we left the dock and decided that it would be a good place to go for starters. As we drove along the main road heading north east on the island many of the bars and clubs were still open! There were no overt signs of drunken or disorderly behaviour but it was obviously a bit more of a party place than we had been used to. We stayed on the campsite for a few days just to have a general tidy up and do the laundry (the usual chores). We were treated to a couple of days of horrendous storms. Rivers running down the roads, we found it all highly amusing but of course it’s a bit different if you are on a week’s hols.
We really enjoyed Corfu, beautiful scenery and great food to name just a couple of things. We drove around the Island towards the north in the van and found the roads driveable but too stressfully narrow in the villages inland. We found a lovely spot in a car park next to the sea at Benitses and stayed there for a few nights. Benitses used to be the club 18-30’s spot years ago but it now consists of a few bars and restaurants and some touristy shops.
Mike has always said he would like to take the van a bit further afield and it was whilst we were in Benitses that he decided America would be manageable. He would still be able to run the business the only difference being that coming back for meetings would entail an 8 hour flight rather than the short European hops. We got in touch with a shipping agent who quoted us a reasonable fare and so it was time to do some partying! As you know Mike and I enjoy going to local’s bars and very rarely cross the threshold into English ones. However feeling in a celebratory mood we strayed into an English Karaoke bar (Double no!)Having won a bottle of champagne followed by a couple of large Bacardi and coke chasers I went on to entertain my audience with a stunning performance of Delilah. (Tom Jones had better be on the look out)This was accompanied by starfish/windmill-type movements. I pleaded with the DJ to tell jokes and he only allowed me one. Then told me to get off the stage in quite a curt manner (I can’t think why).
Anyway the next day I woke up with a sore neck. Oh how I wish it had been a headache. I have never known pain like it and it has accompanied me ever since for a whole month. I’ll be a lot more sympathetic with anyone who has aches and pains from now on. I have seen the osteopath several times since getting back and he says that I will get better but I wish it would HURRY UP.
We had a couple of weeks on our own in Corfu when some of my family came out to join us. Mum, Dad, my sister Catherine, her husband Andy and their 2 children, Evie 27 months and Alex 5 weeks. They had rented a villa in Pelekas and we thought we’d camp outside and enjoy their facilities; pool, shower etc and of course their company. Unfortunately we couldn’t get the van into the drive and so the cleaner directed us to the owner’s house at the top of the hill who let us park there for the whole fortnight. There was a spare bedroom in the villa so we shared with the gang and had another wonderful holiday with them.
They had also hired cars and so we were able to explore the Island more easily. We drove up to mount Pankreator one day, stopping at a derelict village on the way for lunch. We had amazing views of the island but the car may have suffered a bit with the mountain tracks (supposed to be 4WD only-oops)
We went to a couple of great beaches one of which was wonderfully entertaining with nude girls covered in grey clay/mud posing on the rocks for a photographer (and about 50 beach goers as well) This beach also provided u girls with an interesting diversion as it was a nudist beach as well. Having checked out the male talent there was no competition with our boys.
Corfu is also famous for having a cricket pitch in the middle of the old town. All the guide books reliably informed us that cricket is no longer played there. Imagine our surprise and delight as we are enjoying a Sunday lunchtime drink when 2 teams stroll on and set up! We didn’t watch the game but it added to the atmosphere.
We left Corfu on 4th October by boat to Venice. We had a very nice 26 hour crossing, this time on a camper deck. This really is the best of both worlds as we had all our home comforts while on board. The standards on this ship were far higher than the other one and we had a delicious meal in the a la carte this time. We sailed straight through Venice and enjoyed the sunrise over the city as we cruised through.
We then motored north through Austria and into Germany. It was snowing heavily in Germany and extremely cold. The next day we made it all the way to Canterbury and parked in the park and ride for the night. It wasn’t until we reached the exit barrier the next morning we realised that we didn’t have any English money. The attendant was very understanding of our plight-I promised not to tell anybody though. Then we were off back to reality.
So now it has been a mad panic to get everything in order ready to put the van on the ship on 24th October. Hopefully our American Visas won’t be a problem and we will fly out to Florida on the 6th November with the van arriving in Charleston, South Carolina on November 15th. Our American Adventure!!
I will continue with these newsletters from the States and have taken on board the feedback from those that read them. I am going to start numbering them rather than using dates so that you will know if you have missed one. I don’t mind if you are too busy to read them but some people print them off and read them later, at home or on the bus. I think that it will be easier to send e mails from the states so they will continue. I usually send the whole lot as an attachment which contains pictures. The map will no longer be sent as we don’t have an American Auto route. If anyone has any problems e.g. photos don’t come out, I am always happy to resend. If anyone e mails us I ALWAYS reply although this may only be a two liner if we are in a rush. Sometimes we don’t do e mails for 2-3 weeks at a time but I really enjoy communicating so you will always hear something eventually. Finally, if you do have time do send us a line as we love to hear the news from home.
So, take care and next letter hopefully we’ll be on the other side of the Atlantic. HOW EXCITING. (No more karaoke celebrations though)
