Parma

We went on the train to Parma today, very busy in the shops but managed to get some authentic Parma ham and some genuine Parma cheese, which I will decant and slice for friends and family when I get home.  Lovely lunchtime meal with real stuffed pasta and gorgeous Parma ham to start and then Bill had a stuffed veal steak stuffed with blue taggielo cheese.  I had a taste it was wonderful and I have never tasted stuffed ravioli with 3 types of stuffing ever and it was lovely.

Came back to Bologna again on the train and had a siesta then went out to the restaurant Mario for just a glass of wine, we are there tomorrow lunchtime for their gastronic cuisine for dare I say it Christmas Day, but it's just another day for us.  He will look after us !

Ravenna today and last night

Last night we went to this lovely restaurant about 20 mins from the hotel and liked  the owners so much we booked for 25th December for lunch.  Caminetto D'Oro Trattoria in via de Falegnami 4 if you are ever here.  Absolutely gorgeous food.

Today we went by train to Ravenna and after browsing some shops and cafes decided to look at the churches of worship that the guide books recommended

Tried to put a pic on here.  Need to go to apple shop to sort out !!!

Travelling to Bologna

After a 5am start from home we eventually arrived at the Gatwick lounge, only to find that they were awaiting a delivery of croissants. They arrived about 5 minutes before we left to go to the gate.  So I had fruit and a cake instead.  Then I had pre flight nerves and felt sick.   Our flight was then delayed 1/2 an hour whilst we were taxing towards the departure lane so eventually after an early gin and tonic we arrived in Bologna at 1230 our time.  So to the bus, which as crowded, arrived at this very respectable hotel, dumped our bags and went looking for a sandwich and a beer.

All that sitting around has not helped me and my precious piles which seem to have appeared in the last 3 hours from nowhere.  I couldn't remember how it was spelt to translate it into Italian so I've ended up with somethings equivalent to savlon.  It has been placed as far away as possible from the toothpaste.

Not sure what we will eat tonight or indeed where to go, there seem to be plenty of places to choose from.

More tomorrow. ....

Wednesday

I'm going to post more on this blog when I get home as it's a bit difficult to get onto the internet here.

Just to say today we took a boat trip to Agios Pavlos rock and triopetra where we had a fab lunch with Tim and sally, who went swimming before and after.  The scenery is so stunning but I will have to wait until I get back to put the pics on here as I don't think my previous ones have worked.  But of course some are on Facebook.

Waiting now for Bill to get ready as we are going out tonight in the mountains to a place called Silla for dinner as the menu the other day looked very interesting.  Mind you I am looking forward to going home and having some of my own cooking, Bill has said I still make the best moussaka and we've had some here ranging from veery good to "all right"

More tomorrow, it's our last day and I think we are going back to Damnoni beach which is a favourite.

Lutro for the night

Saturday we tok a boat trip to loutro which is only accessible by boat. Or ferry in our case to stay the night.  A fabulous experience, staying at a very nice hotel owned by Christina who Tim and Sally know well from previous visits.

At last I managed to air drop a picture !!

Having had a lovely meal and a good nights rest we got the ferry back the next day and then Damnoni beach again for lunch and a swim/snorkel.

Today we went back to Shirana beach which is a bit of another climb with great views and much swimming and snorkelling after another great lunch.

Last night and today, Friday

Last night we ended up in yet another fish bar where we had a banquet of fish to share as I wasnt hungry after the huge moussaka at lunchtime.  Lovely evening with Tim and Sally they are very good company with coffees and brandies to finish (not me tho).

Today's trip involved a drive into somewhere called Spili where the mountain springs come out of lions mouths along a stream, a bit touristy but remarkable just the same.  A quick beer there then off to Danmoni beach again for lunch and swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing.  I had corn on the cob for lunch and the rest had chicken, sardines and shrimps that looked lovely, we are going back there next week.

To get there we passed through a drive thigh a huge gorge called Kourtalioti, the scenery was just stunning.

Tomorrow is the boat trip to a beach that can only be accessed by boat and we intend to spend the night in a hotel there as it is just a dream place to be.

Another lovely day, great that we have our own tour guide Tim and Sally !

I'm sorry the photos didn't come out, I will try again sometime but I put most of the best ones on Facebook.

So Tuesday night we met up with Tim and Sally and had a meal in the goat restaurant but it was quite late when we ate and I was tired so retired early.  Yesterday we met up and went to Damnoni beach and had a lovely lunch of sardines and salad then sunbathed on Plakias beach after.  

The evening was hilarious - Tim mistook the tzatziki for a napkin and picked up a whole load of yogurt !!  Eeaarrr he said

Today we have been to a beautiful beach not far from here called Shinaria but the hair raising bends and heights didn't do me any good, still it was well worth the journey as the moussaka I had was very authentic and Bill and Sally had the chicken dish of the day and Tim had a pork souvlaki which is a kebab.  Hot day but quite windy still I know I have had some sun today.  There were plenty of goats on the hillside one looked like a Spanish black bull.

The ride back in the jeep was off road then we saw a nudist beach with some bloke bending over - we thought it was a goat.

So here we are in the Lamon taverna enjoying a glass of wine, they drink ouzo which I find disgusting but then I'm going to try some Retsina which they said was equally awful.  Mum do you still like it ???!!!

More later....