26 March 2025 – Washday Blues

Miles driven today = 0

Total Miles to date = 2,350

Today has been one of those Not-An-Awful-Lot-To-Report kind of days which we have once in a while and which generally revolve around our fortnightly towels and bedding change and associated laundry.  Neither of us were feeling particularly gung-ho this morning.  We couldn’t put our fingers on the cause of our malaise but Lisa suggested it may have been down to the close proximity of our neighbours.  We’re not exactly parked on top of one another.  There is at least an 8 foot gap either side.  But we’re just not used to having anybody remotely close enough to overlook our comings and goings from the van so it feels a little strange.

We put 2 washes through the domestic sized washing machine with a door hanging at a worryingly jaunty angle while we hung around our Old McDonald’s surroundings.  Don’t get me wrong, we really like it here.  It’s laid back and rather hippified which is generally right up our street.  They have a little shop which is totally on a trust basis.  You just let them know what you’ve taken when you leave and they add it to the bill.

But there have been some rather unfriendly reviews left about the toilet situation.  There isn’t even a curtain here to hide your modesty from your squatting neighbour.

The Sun did at least make an appearance today which was a welcome respite from the rather glum conditions of the last few days and we took a stroll on the beach for a paddle whilst averting our eyes from the Gentleman who was proudly standing there with his meat and 2 veg on full display.

At teatime we took ourselves for a stroll along the coast in the opposite direction to our walk of yesterday.  This is looking back towards the camperstop which you can make out in the middle of the photo.

We made our way to the centre of Artemida, or “the village” as our hostess calls it.  We headed for a huge taverna called Archontikon which has positive reviews and which certainly seemed to be a red hot favourite with the locals when we drove past yesterday.  We’ve tried to learn from our previous mistakes of overordering and to a certain extent tonight we succeeded.  Our starters of anchovies and tomatoes with mixed greens was excellent.

And we both also enjoyed the grilled squid for a main course.  But what always catches you out is the freebies, from the sesame breadsticks and dip which come as soon as you sit down to the huge plate of dough balls with chocolate sauce which the waiter insists you hang around for even after you’ve paid the bill.  There were also a few free shots of ouzo involved.

We walked back to the van feeling very rosy cheeked while a multitude of chunky looking bats swooped on the insects attracted to the streetlights.

27 March 2025 - The Acropolis, Athens