Friday 6th June.
We are parked up again tonight at Camping Poseidon where we were just over a week ago. We left Thessalonika this afternoon after a couple of frustrating days. We arrived there on Wednesday after Zampetas, the motorhome service folk, phoned to say the air suspension kit had arrived from Germany and the plan was that they would fit it on Thursday morning. This they did but, without going into a lot of detail, it wasn't as I expected nor as they had indicated to would be. So, for twelve hours we had a daft situation where the guys at Zampetas blamed the German manufacturers for supplying the wrong kit and then their fitter for installing it. On and on it went whilst we sat in their car park under the blazing sun and 30deg chasing the shadow around the solitary tree. Photos were sent to Germany, blame was apportioned and meanwhile we were getting more and more frustrated. Finally, this morning, I put on my best assertive attitude, went to see the three brothers that own the business and eventually by mid afternoon the work was done to everybody's satisfaction and we were away with handshakes and cuddles all round.
When we were here at Paralia Panteleimonas just over a week ago very few of the supermarkets, cafés or bars were open but it is a different story now. This weekend is the celebration of Pentecost in the Orthodox Church calendar so the folk we have spoken to say it is going to be really busy. The restaurant next door is encouraging us to stay as there will be traditional food served all day Sunday and Monday and, I'm guessing, there might be a little dancing too. The campsite we are on only has space for about half a dozen motorhomes or caravans, the rest of the space is taken up by massive plots with static vans under enormous awnings and families are arriving all the time now whereas ten days ago it was virtually empty. I swear some of the ground space is larger than that of our house. Lounges, dining rooms, fully fitted kitchens, verandas and massive TVs. I reckon this will be the place to watch the World Cup! People here are so friendly. We arrived late this afternoon, set the van up, had a shower and made a big salad for dinner. Halfway through our meal the Greek woman from the static behind us came over and presented us with two enormous slices of honey drizzle cake. It was delicious and we made a point of thanking her profusely, just in case she bakes every day!
So, with a long weekend and a public holiday on Monday we are undecided whether to move on or just stay here for a day or two and enjoy the festivities. We'll see what the morning brings.
Pat
Posted with Blogsy
Hi Pat and Phil,
ReplyDeletewe like your stories, especially the story of the greek "mixanicos", they are the "best mechanics of the world".....it`s "pure Greece", but they always find a solution, sometimes a little bit tricky. Hopefully you got what you needed.
Have fun during the public holiday days at Poseidon Beach, as you said people are really lovely, we miss it here at home.
Did you try to walk through the tunnel to Platamonas?
Have fun all the time and take it easy :)
Bernd and Anni
Hi Bernd,
ReplyDeleteThe only tunnel we know is the one under the railway line that the Sat Nav tried to take us down last time we came here. We stopped just in time! I'll ask about another tunnel but I think we are moving on tomorrow to Nea Anchialos. Ouzo time now, yamass!!
There is only one, the old train tunnel, footpath to some "stylish" beach restaurants with melancholic greek music in Platamonas.
DeleteThe second Ouzo tastes better than the first one, i learned....jassou.