The wind started to blow in Vass style towards the end of June and the beginning of July. It also became busier with more people arriving in the town, on the campsite and in our apartment block. We continued with our running/cycling routine and going to the beach each afternoon. Debbie & Steve Brabbs came to stay at The Cosmos and their daughter Emily is working in Nidri this year; we have known them since they first came to Vass about 10 years ago. They have brought their bikes with them this year and they go on some serious bike rides. We met them by chance one day in at Dimitri’s Taverna in Geni and had a frappe with them before they continued on their ride to meet Emily in Nidri.
Mel ran and I cycled to Sivros one morning and we called in to see Cora at her house there. Cora and her husband, Spiros have built their own house and it is still work in progress but it is in a lovely position with fabulous views. They have a vegetable and flower garden at the house but also have a small holding in the valley.
Horst & Gabbi from Austria arrived at the beginning of July and then Annette & Bernd from Germany came a few days later. Yvette, Pat, Gabbi, Annette and I went on our first bike ride together to Sivros and Mel ran, as usual, meeting us at the Verani cafe.
On the way back we went to the monastery for the first time this year. Mel had already been there and left!
On the 7th July it was Koula’s Name Day and, as usual there was a party on the campsite to celebrate. There was lots of lovely Greek food prepared by Koula and Irene, some very energetic Greek dancing and lots of good company. It was a great night enjoyed by all and most of all by Koula.
The next morning we went into town for breakfast at the Ionio Cafe and watched some workmen removing the canopies at Livanaki’s. They loaded the metal framework onto a pick up truck until it nearly reached the ground!
On Sunday 10th July I went on another bike ride with Yvette, Pat, Gabbi & Annette to Sivros. We carried on towards Vournikas & Fterno and then to Efgiros where we stopped for our frappe.
Mel did a run in the olive groves and after breakfast we went across to the campsite for another frappe and chat with our friends from Belgium, Austria and Germany. Today it is the Wimbledon Men’s final with Andy Murray playing, the British Grand Prix with Hamilton in pole position, the Tour de France and the Euro 2016 final (Portugal v France). And Koula is cooking calamari and chicken so after a busy sport filled day we will eat at the campsite tonight.
Mel ran to Kontarena and I ran towards Agio Fili beach and we met in town for a frappe as usual. Livanaki’s cafe has the new umbrellas required by Greek law (why?) in place now.
I went for a bike ride to Agios Petros with Yvette, Pat, Gabbi & Annette on Wednesday 13th July. We stopped at the cafe in Agios Petros for a frappe and Mel was already there. Jan, Ian, Horst, Bernd & Hugo arrived on their bikes soon after. They are doing a much longer bike ride to Athani. Mel ran back via Nikolis (21km) and we cycled back to Vassiliki via the deserted village.
We went to the Aeriko restaurant on the beach front on Friday 15th July. We have had take away pizzas from this restaurant several times and have always enjoyed them. This time we ate at the restaurant, Mel had a Mexican pizza and I had seafood spaghetti which was delicious.