‘I say Corfu and you say Korfu’

Like any large town or city it is always hotter due to increased bodies, architecture and geography. Corfu was no exception.

Teo had pre-warned me to buy my bus tickets rather than pay on the actual bus, as fares change from driver to driver.

This was not as easy as he made it seem. I did try to pre-buy these at the supermarket (where he told me to purchase them) but they didn’t seem to sell them and in any case, the ranging fares were still cheaper than back home, so I wasn’t too fussed.

The journey didn’t take very long and it was interesting to see the different views along the route.

When we arrived in Corfu everyone seemed to pour out at one stop, but it didn’t seem an obvious choice to me, so I stayed on the bus. The driver was not happy I had stayed, when everyone else had left. I have no idea what he said but I don’t think it was flattering.

At this point I turned into an Italian, waved my arms around and huffed. I then went back to being British and obviously apologised for not knowing that I should have got off the stop before!

I really had no idea where I was going so I just followed the crowd and eventually found myself in shiny, cobbled, streets, littered with life. I saw a sign that said ‘Old Fortress’ and headed in that direction. I knew this was somewhere I wanted to visit, so I rocked up and paid my 6 euros to enter.

One of the first things I looked at were mosaic tiles and religious artefacts. If the dog outside was supposed to be guarding these treasures, I think someone needed to remind him of the job description.

The great thing about this room wasn’t just the interesting objects but the fact it was air conditioned. It was such an incredibly hot day.

The name given to this next photo of a religious icon:

‘Unidentified Saint’

Brilliant!

Answers on a postcard please…

I then, in the blazing heat and in true ‘Dora the Explorer’ fashion, climbed the fortress, right to the top where the cross sits.

If I thought the blind bends on the walk to Benitses was bad, it was nothing compared to this madness.

I had trainer type shoes on with a decent grip but the slippery smooth stone, was horrendous. I’d already watched a young guy grabbing the handrail as he slid down three steps in his flip flops. The handrail being metal and boiling hot in the heat did not help his situation. I’m guessing there were several expletives he shouted in the air, even though I didn’t understand his accent.

However, despite all obstacles, I made it, and the view was fabulous.

By the time I came down, I’d like to say I was perspiring slightly, except that wouldn’t be the truth. I was a hot, knackered, sweaty, mess!

I then found a lovely place to have lunch in the square opposite and I must have looked dire because the young waitress led me to a table at the back, where she said the breeze “would help.”

I had a really tasty Salmon and Apple Salad (who knew?) You can see from the photo that it was so hot the phone lens had now steamed up.

Afterwards, I wandered around for a while until I came to this church:

As you can see the door is shut. It wasn’t when I first went in, this was taken after I was thrown out!

Yep, I had gone in to have a look around, I wanted to light a candle and say prayers for a few friends who I know are dealing with some really difficult things at the moment. I couldn’t find any candles to light although I did see two glass coffins containing two small wrapped bodies.

I’m not sure who they both were but there was an awful lot of genuflecting going on around them, so I was guessing they had once been someone very important.

It was beautiful inside and I took a bit of time looking around. I then sat down to pray and have a chat with the ’Big Guy’ when I was aware that a man was very loudly ushering me away “Come, come, we close.”

So that was a first.

I got lost for a little while, bought myself an ice cream, which I then immediately dropped. Luckily, I was taken pity on and it was kindly replaced.

I also saw an advert for a photographic exhibition about ‘The Durrells’ a behind the scenes look at the recent ITV series. Unfortunately it was closed but I have now since taken a trip back to see it!

Seriously, is every Grecian male called Spiros?

There was a visitors comment book in which I wrote a little note to the exhibitor. I say note but it was more in the style of an essay as I just wanted him to know how much I enjoyed looking at his work.

So…

This blog has always been a few days behind, mainly because I didn’t want to bore everyone by blogging everyday.

What I didn’t realise, until all the lovely comments was that I should have been. This being the reason that this penultimate blog is a little longer.

I really have been having the best time, but one of the drawbacks of sailing solo is that you don’t appear in any of your photos. Which is why I bought and brought a ‘Selfie Stick’ with me.

The only thing is, I really am the absolute pants at taking selfies! I read online that you could use your mobile phone headphones to help you (the volume button acts as a shutter in camera mode).

The concept works, just not for the person taking them. These are my results:

This next one is probably the best of a bad bunch.

If I was marking this, it would say; requires improvement.

I have managed to take one photo of myself that’s ok. It isn’t brilliant but there’s something about the image that makes me smile and for me, sums up a moment in time. I intend to save that one for my final blog.

There has been so much to share with you, that I could go on forever. My bat watch every evening (I love bats) not to mention the little connections I have observed between friends, families, and lovers.

My time on this island is now coming to an end. I wasn’t sure how I would feel on my first solo holiday and so I booked just 7 nights. I hoped to leave wishing I had booked more.

I leave with my wish granted.

Today is my final day.

Teo and Tina have kindly extended my check out time from 11am to 1pm. They will then look after my case as my flight is not until this evening.

I have already planned my day. I intend to visit The Achillion Palace built by Kaiser Wilhelm II. The information Teo gave me was that there wasn’t much to see, but you are given an audio guide and the story is really good!

Teo also told me that there is a short cut at the back of the apartments to the palace, through a forest.

So of course I’m going to use it. What’s life without adventure!

As long as I’m back for my flight all will be well.

Talking of the Kaiser, the hotel just along the road is called ‘The Kaiser Bridge’ which I think sounds like the title of a carry on film.

Now, the sun has risen and I am just going to bask; In the glory of this last, beautiful, incredible, morning…