'XAIPETE' from Corfu!

Well back to work for Clive & I this week after a glorious week spent in Corfu. Days started with a lazy breakfast (greek honey & bread on the balcony looking over the mountains), off to the beach for few hours reading, breaking off for a lunch time to sit in the shade accompanied by a tall cool Amstel/Mythos (0.5 L for €2!). That Carlsberg Johnny Mills downed in 'Ice Cold in Alex' moment relived. Then back to the studio apt for a snooze, then back out for the evening in the myriad of local tavernas...'yamass'. Now that's more like it. There was only a slight touch of Shirley Valentine ( Dougie & Janette) about the week but thankfully it was limited to the coach transfer. Only a smatter of sunburnt brits (one couple looked like a couple of burnt BBQ sausages with fetching mossie bites to really top the look off).
We had an afternoon in Kerkyra town. As we sat in the plaza at the bottom on the Venetian Fortress the Corfu SWAT team equipped with automatic weapons, khaki uniforms & camouflage caps turned up in 3 Toyota Landcruisers and started banging on the door of the house opposite . The taverna owners were shouting to each other across the square & we were unsure whether to take cover or sit and watch along with the locals. We decided to sit where we were and watch the drama unfold (like on TV!). The police were v particluar about not letting cars pass but pedesterians were alllowed to walk through the crowd of police and one chap opened up his small pavement booth right next to the scene. Eventually 2 chaps were led out in handcuffs and put in the back of the 4x4 ( actually put in the boot where the dogs/shopping bags sit) and drama was over...
On the Friday we took a boat trip and first stop was where the submarines were hid during WW2, then we went onto a secluded white beach cove where part of the film 'The Blue Lagoon' was filmed. Swimming in crystal clear water with the fish swimming around your toes. When we anchored up (the rope was tied around a rocky outcrop) all the Dads rush to the sundeck and launched themselves in followed by all the kids..a few of us 'young ladies' who were game followed them in after a couple of minutes once the big boys had got out the way. I couldn't jump myself for a while till one particular girl had gone in. Her Dad was teasing her from the water 'its no that deep', 'Its not cold, it's as warm as bath water', 'your top won't come off' (that wasn't true). All the girls jumped with one arm flaying in the air the other strapped across their bikini tops. It took over 10 mins for her to get the guts up, her Dad was complaining about his arms aching as he was treading water all this time. I could me Dad teasing me too as a bit of flash back & wished she would just get on with it. Amazing what kids will fling themselve off for their Parents smile. My Dad wasn't even there and I did it! I actually tricked myself in jumping off the top of this boat. I was all up for going then something makes you grab the side bar and then you feel like a complete wimp as all these young lads who must weight about an ounce fling themselves head first into the water without any signs of fear followed in by their scuba masks. So when I open my eyes I was half way down shouted CLIVE (who was watching from the lower decks), hit the water and opened my eyes under the water to see bubbles and legs. I felt v proud of myself. It a bit like losing your nerve in the queue for the rollercoaster. Once you are 3 cars away from getting on, the doubt creeps in mixed with adrenalin & the thought well if i don't do this now i'll never do it again & I'll be reduced to being the one holding the coats. Nothing like the spilt second fear that you may actually die to waken the senses. Lunch was in Sivota on the greek mainland followed by another beach cove that is very popular for windsurfing. There was actaually a sandbank in the middle of the cove so we all swam out to it and waved back at the boat. Swallow & Amazons mixed with My Family & other animals!

Really looking forward to France next year with you all. Race you kids to the beach!

Cricket bit of wash out after an excellent fall of wickets this morning but fingers crossed for Mondays play. Freddie, Freddie, Freddie!

love Gem xxxx