Another quasi rest day today…in that we were diverting from the journey…but not such a quiet day really!
So we have come over to Ithica….Kefalonia’s immediate but much smaller neighbour, and home of Odysseus….as Homer..or legend would have it.
An early ferry…much more in the style of Greek ferries of yore….
….for a quick potter to Pisoaetos, the main port for the island…but little more than a lump of concrete really!
And then we just started riding! North first….again hugely hilly….but beautiful.
We stopped at Stavros….
….the islands second biggest village…where a bakery lured us! More pies!! Chicken and cheese, mushroom and cheese etc…god, they’re good!! You would not want to eat so many if you were not biking…but we feel like we are earning the right!
Down to Frikes (I’ll just let the pictures do the talking!)…
….and over to Kioni. What a gem!!
…with a couple of lovely beaches too…. Swim one!
We were having a post-swim drink back in Kioni…and saw this (just to right of Nae), 15m(?) from the wee beach…to her left!
Hmmmmmm….a project? For on balance…I have to admit….Greece is SO much better than France!! And Ithica is (another!) very special corner of it!
Back down the road we came on (only the one road here!)…
…and over another small hill to the ‘capital’ (village) of Vathy, a spectacular natural harbour. Not as pretty as Kioni…but still pretty pretty!
We had not booked anywhere….so tracked down an apartment available on Booking (without using Booking!). Such a sweet lady!! Apologising for everything….for asking July rates instead of June, for apartment not ready etc etc….but all sorted using voice translation (an amazing tool really!). And she’ll be back with home-made pastries for breakfast at 7..and to say goodbye at 8.
She advised us of the best nearby beach to visit (& supplied a beach towel..!)….& this was not it…but just one we passed on the way!
…to this! (..not sure she got it right!)
Another fantastic swim……heavenly place! You really have to pinch yourself!
Hot today…..lots of hot climbing…and swimming…..salt in the eyes….feeling really quite tired….!! (..yes the weather has come right!!)
“As you set out for Ithaca
Hope your road is a long one”……
~ C. P. Cavafy
Looks amaaaaazing!
In how many languages can you say For Sale now Neil??!!!
Absolutely unreal. What a gem!!!!!