Towards Spain

We recently spent a couple of days at one of our favourite spots along the coast just above the Spanish border. Collioure is a wonderful colourful fishing village, a little touristy, but not too spoilt. In the early 20th century it was a favourite haunt of the Fauvists; Matisse, Dufy, Dupain etc. and even now many of the houses along the pretty narrow streets are painted in vivid colours, recognising this Fauvist style of painting. The light is also considered particularly special along this part of the coast.

The next town along is Port Vendres, though not quite as stunning as Collioure, its coloured fishermans cottages overlook a pretty working harbour and marina.

Next stop Spain. We ventured along the winding coast road into Spain and stopped briefly at Port de la Selva, a white higgeldy piggeldy town sitting low on the water with the afternoon sun peeking through the clouds.

The Pelopponese

Ah what an area - and I thought the sea was blue in the north! The eastern part of the Pelopponese was rugged with small fishing villages tucked down the side of rocky mountains. Just when we were tiring of driving along the steep narrow roads with eyes out on sticks for yet another amazing view, we'd stumble upon a sleepy village nestled in a bay with the traditional taverna, loud Greek music and welcoming smells and fishing boats galore bobbing on the harbour. A quick negotition for a room and we were all set for a night or two.

Korfos

Central Greece - Meteora

We visited Meteora - the village of Kalambaka is built right on the base of the most incredible array of steep rocky formations with several different monasteries perched on rocky outcrops. How they ever managed to build them is a mystery to me!

North Eastern Greece

After the drive through northern central Greece, where parts ressembled Switzerland (weather included!) we arrived at our destination for 6 weeks.

Peter's Mum has an apartment in Nea Peramos, a lovely beachside town with bars and restaurants lined up along the water, and the old town with teensy old shops lined up amidst the potholes!

Kavala, perched on a bay further north, was our nearest city. It is set on a hill around a harbour - a typical mish mash of white buildings.

Central Greece

Central Greece is a mixture of huge mountains, sometimes craggy and barren but also often covered in pines, and long flat plains growing every crop imaginable.

Greece - The Frappe

This is a very important part of the day in Greece. Large glasses of ice cold coffee usually with a frothy top always with an accompanying bottle or glass of water, which is very useful to extend the frappe so you can spend an hour or two contemplating the clear blue seas and life in general!

Off to Greece Again

The time had come for our much awaited summer trip to Greece so off we headed through to Provence where we spent a much needed couple of days after the trial of packing up the house for the summer tenants. We had on a previous trip found a rather smart campsite on the Med with basic accommodation - the campolete! This consists of a tent-like structure with walls and with a semi closed in deck attached to the front which contains a kitchen / dining area. The best of both worlds and a perfect spot to change gear and try and get into Greek mode.

Then into Italy for a few days on the way to Brindisi for the ferry to Greece.