Travelling Means ... What Comes Next

Our first visit here ..... on arrival we had mixed feelings.

We hired a car .....

 

The car hire company were great, very pleasant and efficient, picked us up at the airport and took us to their office to pick up the car.

Malcolm always does the driving.  He's not a very good passenger with me driving at the best of times so in a foreign country probably even worse!

Whoopee - Lidl

Our plans were to pick up some shopping en route to the apartment, get a light lunch somewhere and then on to destination.

Luckily we didn't have to look far.  A Lidl directly opposite the car hire office.  That went without too much trouble, except, of course, we needed a coin for the trolley!  Great!  Oops ....we'd only just arrived so no coins :(

Luck was on our side, a loose trolley waiting for the foreigners who'd just landed :)

Shopping done, let's do lunch.

My advice to you if you're of a nervous disposition, as I tend to be if taken out of my comfort zone, is take public transport.

   

First we had to manoeuvre our way through drivers like we'd never seen before and I was getting closer and closer to the edge (edge of the road and my edge) and Malcolm was, shall I say, a little hot under the collar (heat and mood).  We had been up since 1am which added a little tension 😒 and as we travelled along the road the huge mounds of rubbish alongside actually wasn't helping our moods 😟in fact we became increasingly concerned.

31 degrees of heat and mounting rubbish didn't fill us with hope😟

(I'll digress a minute to give a brief explanation ....

We consequently found out from the owners of our apartment that there had been a disagreement over payment by the Mayor.  Hence mounds of rubbish not being collected.  

I will go on to say that a couple of days before our departure the Mayor must have changed his mind and paid up as thankfully the rubbish was disappearing )

Back to our arrival!

Is that a Marina and a Bar?

Some things put a smile on Malcolm's face and they include boats and a bar!  Whew!  We were both definitely in need of a drink.

To be honest just getting out of the car put a smile on my face ..... boy oh boy do either of us really want to get back in that car?

What?  No meat?

The Marina bar looked inviting and cool in the shade.  We were served by a very friendly waiter (who we actually saw several times later in the week too)

I opted for a Greek salad, one of my favourites and a nice cool beer.  To my surprise Malcolm chose the same,  no the beer not a surprise, but a meal with no meat?  Must have been the heat messing with his brain :)

Now that feels a little better and both, after refreshment, in a better frame of mind ....

We venture back out on to the roads ..

Not far away and a very very welcoming sign ..... Kontokali Lake House

So pleased to see this and it truly is welcoming with its pretty floral entrance.

As soon as we pulled up we were warmly greeted by Spiros.

Apartment full of everything you need and more

We were shown to our pretty apartment.

  

A kitchen equipped with all you need and more, and two spacious rooms, a lounge (come bedroom) with terrace and large bedroom with balcony.

Everything spotlessly clean and as we found out, to our delight, during our stay, is cleaned every other day.

The owners, by the way, are extremely friendly and very helpful should you have any queries.  Our only query was 'why so much rubbish on the island'?  And you too know the answer to that now.

We couldn't wait to explore.

Outside and at the bottom of the drive is the beautiful view over the water.

If you book early you may be lucky enough to get an apartment with a balcony overlooking this beautiful view.   We were late booking but we could get a glimpse from our bedroom balcony.

and one evening we sauntered down with a glass of wine and sat for a while.  It was very peaceful.

It is truly beautiful ...... and you may even get a glimpse of the wildlife!

Suffice it to say we settled in to life here and its peace and tranquillity and ended up having a very relaxing holiday.

Breakfast on our terrace, a stroll to the Marina or the beach followed by a bottle of the local village wine (which looks like it's in a sunflower oil bottle!) with olives on our balcony in the evening.  Life's not so bad here in Corfu.

The sunsets, of course, are lovely across the water......

and finally our version of 'a selfie'

Things you need to know:

• Kontokali Beach is a short walk from Kontokali Lake House (the blurb online says 200 yards - well maybe as the crow flies!) - let's say about a 10 minute stroll in 31degrees of heat. :)  We ended up going there most days.  There's a great Taverna, run by a couple who are relaxed and great fun.  It's right on the beach and not expensive.
• The Marina in Kontokali is about a 20 minute stroll and is worth a visit.  The Blue Pool Bar has just what it says .... a pool and a bar.  We ate lunch there a couple of times and recommend the Greek salad!  
• We also recommend the Olympia Mare Restaurant where we had delicious fish for lunch on Malcolm's birthday.  More to follow on that with pics as it deserves another blog me thinks :)
• The mosquitos love to bite at any opportunity!  I got bitten more than I've ever been bitten before.  Then we discovered an insect repellent at a local supermarket.  After which I didn't have any further problems.  It is Autan Family Care Repellent found on Amazon too.  Oh and by the way the ants don't like it either. :)

Thanks for visiting Kontokali with us ........ travelling means, what comes next ...... and there's certainly more to come.

Travel with Us to a Place Where You Can Embrace Life - It's Not Far ..Where Are We?

Actually this is one of my favourite places to unwind and appreciate nature.

If you live in the New Forest it's right on your doorstep and well worth a visit.

But also it's worth travelling a distance to see these gardens. This time of year, in particular, they are bursting with all the colours of the rainbow and more.

Prepare to be amazed ...

200 acres of the spectacular Rothschild collection of trees, plants and shrubs.

Now who wouldn't want to sit on this bench and spend some valuable quiet time.  And, no matter how busy the gardens are you will still find somewhere to sit quietly.  And that's the beauty of this place.

This glorious yellow plant is situated inside the grounds of the tea rooms beside the Sundial garden.  Incredible plant - just a burst of yellow!

And brush past this plant and you will be blessed with the most amazing scent.

Although I love plants I'm not much of a gardener, so have no idea what this plant is?  Anyone know?

Kids love it

And, of course, this is not only a place for adults.  Children can run off some of their energy in the gardens and the kiddies' playground too.

Remember to take a ride on the steam railway.  If you've been before, you may think you've seen it all.  Nope!  You'll be treated to a slightly different route on the train now opened by Dan Snow a few weeks ago.:)

Note:  At busy times of the year, especially kids holidays, you will need to queue.  

This is the place to embrace life in The New Forest.  Where are we?  Of course it's Exbury Gardens.

And if you time it right you may even get to see the star of the show  The Wisteria in the Sundial Garden

Another note:  For a discount, book online prior to the day you want to visit.

Do you have beautiful gardens?  Would you like to feature here?  

Email Jan to find out how.

You Just Have to Go She Said - Visit Marsaxlokk on Your Travels in Malta

The loveliest and most fascinating fishing village we have ever visited.

Sunday is the day to visit.  

On a Sunday this fishing village is bursting with colour, life and happy people.

We got soaked up in the atmosphere and took so many photos, I can't possibly share them all in one blog.

It attracts people from all over Malta.

Open from 9 - 4 but the fishermen start as early as 7am so if you're there to buy fish ... go early is my advice!  The locals know it well and will be there early to haggle and buy the first pick of the catch.

Moray eels ....

There is a huge selection of fish, including Moray eels.  Everything imaginable some I recognised and some I definitely didn't .... but Malcolm was a little more knowledgeable. (Nothing new there then!)

It's been a hard day's night .....

as families young and old clear and tidy up their nets ..... and it looks like wash their carpets, but can't be sure about that?

A little stroll and then ....

After spending a lot of time at the market we took a stroll towards Fort St Lucian, and an uphill stroll too.  However, on this November day it was unexpectedly hot so we soon ambled back towards ......

and ..... a fish platter

followed by ......more refreshment and the most amazing cheese board

and as you can see Cisk beer evaporates far quicker than Prosecco! 😉

So we find ourselves once again thanking Angela at Corinthia Palace for sending us to Marsaxlokk Fishing Village.  We loved every minute of it.

When you visit Malta this is a must see.

Oh I suppose you'd like to know where we found this gastronomical delight in Marsaxlokk?

Forgive my hesitation .. it's another place that you kind of want to keep to yourself!

It's Terrone  Just sit and watch the world go by .... and be warned, you will want to go back.

Coming soon ...... San Anton Gardens and much more

A Whole New Experience - Guernsey in December

It's that time of the year, so it seemed appropriate to repost December in Guernsey.

A short journey from home

- well that's if you live in the UK!

Guernsey is the second largest of the Channel Islands and miles away from the hectic lifestyle we lead.

It's a gem of an island and one of our favourite places to visit.

Visiting in December.....

A whole new experience

To be totally honest, the times we have visited Guernsey in the past has been by yacht.  To see it 'on the land' was a whole new experience for us.

Christmas Time

St Peter Port, with It's cobbled streets and pretty marina makes it an all time favourite place. And at this time of the year it has so much atmosphere with a real party spirit.


If you have only visited in the Summer before, you'll be in for a fabulous surprise in December.

Christmas lights aglow and stunning!

We did plenty of walking on our visit.
A walk to the lighthouse and Castle Cornet is quite spectacular. Day or night.

Oh dear, sorry about that, I don't make much of a model but just to give a sense of the size of this lighthouse!

A delicious coffee is always welcome on a cold day

The Loft Cafe with its beautiful view over the harbour gives you a warm welcome and great coffee. The breakfast looked good too. However, we had breakfast at our hotel, The Yacht Inn, which I have to say was delicious and more than enough.

Your stay in St Peter Port is not the same without

A visit to Le Petit Bistro and Cafe for a truly great experience. 

Booking is essential

Fabulous staff, warm and welcoming and delicious food.

You really do need to book.

We have told many friends about this place and several have not been successful in getting a table. It's extremely popular and definitely worth booking before you leave home!

Yes, and us on a bus!

We didn't hire a car as we were happy wandering around.

However, we can recommend a tour of the island on a bus and at £1. each it certainly is value for money. Great fun!

We also had time to kill on the day of our return journey home and took all our bags on the bus and did it all over again!

The Rectory Hill Skillet Lickers

When you are wandering along the High Street you may well be lucky enough to see The Rectory Hill Skillet Lickers.

A talented group of people and I was totally smitten by the young lad!

Things to remember when you visit:

• Shops shut on Sundays and most close by 5pm most other days
• Even if you rarely do bus trips, a trip around the island is a must do. £1.
• If you want to eat at Le Petit Bistro book in advance, even before your trip. It is very popular and we absolutely know why!

Now where to next?

Shh .. Quiet Please - We're in Mdina - Known as The Silent City

Mdina (pronounced umdeena) known as the silent city.

This walled city sits on one of the highest points of Malta.

Shh .... quiet please

There are strict noise regulations here and a restriction of cars allowed into the city.

A mix of baroque and medieval architecture with its pretty winding streets.

Invade - go on just try

The city's narrow streets, apparently, were built as an architectural system providing shadow from the sun.   

Oh and not to mention a cunning military plan enabling easy ambush at street corners when under invasion. 

So you now know where to go on a hot sunny day in Malta.  Doubt you'll have to worry too much about being ambushed?  Hope not! 😉

Once the Capital

Dating back 4000 years, the city of Mdina is older than Valletta (you can join us in Valletta in our previous blog)


It was conquered by the Normans and at this time was made the Capital of Malta.


In the 1500s it was run by the Knights of Malta ........
just a minute .......

Whew, for a moment there I thought we may have been taken back in time by Dr Who's Time Machine or something!


Another city we loved wandering around, with lots of history to soak up and lots of photo opportunities.

And, of course, as in Valletta you can always hitch a ride in a horse and carriage which are available inside the walled city or outside where you can do the complete tour if you've forgotten your walking shoes!

And just in case you're wondering ...... they can get down the narrow streets!

This wasn't a full day trip for us, but I guess you could make it so.

Excitement took over I think

As this was our first visit to Malta we were visiting as many places as we could.  Maybe when we visit next time we will relax a little.  

There is so much to see on the island of Malta you just get a bit excited by it all!

Coming next ...

Stay tuned for our coffee stop with the most stunning view, a visit by a cute little visitor and stunning glassware .......