TeamChallis

See Part 1 if you need to catch up.

Tuesday July 18th

We had time for one last swim in Athens before we had to be out at 12 noon.

We caught the metro to the airport.

At the airport we waited what seemed interminable amount of time for the minibus pick up to the car hire which was miles away from the airport.

Then squeezed into our 208. We did all appreciate the colour though.

There had been wildfires in the area due to the extreme heat, our route was diverted to avoid current ones.

At Lavrio, Woo and I did a 20min supermarket sweep to pick up a few things for that evenings' supper and a few essentials such as crisps, biscuits, juice, wine, and cake.

After a bit of confusion and driving around the port like it was wacky races, we ended up (as planned) on the Marmari express.

The journey took about an hour. We were met by our airBnB host Maria at the other end. She led the way to the place we were staying. The roads were crazy scary. I was in the passenger seat up front and was terrified - cliffs and drops down to the sea, hairpin bends, mountain passes. It took about 50 minutes to drive there. Maria showed us around then handed over the keys.

Within minutes of being left to the property, the girls were already in the water and we soon joined them.

The place was divided into 2 flats, one on top of the other. Each had it's own kitchen, bathroom, sitting room, and terrace. M and I took the bottom flat which had the smaller less covered terrace and just a double room. Upstairs was a double and twin room, so the girls really had their own flat and own space which was nice for them. I had wanted this week in Kea to be a real rest and recharge from the mania of travelling around and sightseeing.

(Mine and M's bathroom)

(our bedroom)

We joined the girls upstairs in their flat which had the better terrace for sitting out. We did most of the cooking up at this one.

Wednesday 19th July

M and I woke about 7.30am. We hung out the washing and then he went for a run while I had breakfast on the terrace. The girls weren't up and we realised we had made a bit of a mistake in that all the breakfast things were in their kitchen (and we couldn't get in the door). Fortunately our host had left us some toast crackers and honey, which I enjoyed with a mug of hot water. I had missed my hot water in Athens there being no kettle in the room.

Mark's run:

Meanwhile the girls and I went down to the water.

And soon M joined us.

We came in for siesta and lunch on the terrace. M and Woo went off to get the shopping, I sorted out the laundry and then read. Bunnykins sat at the table journaling. When M and Woo were back, we unpacked the car then they played chess and I returned to my book.

Woo said that I looked like a character in an Agatha Christie novel: a mad old mother who gets bumped off because she spots something suspicious, even though no one believes her because they think she's a kook.

We waited until the sun got a little less harsh and went back in to swim about 4:30pm.

Kea being an island was about 8-10degrees cooler than Athens with the benefit of the cooling effect of the sea. We still were keeping out of the sun during the middle of the day as much as possible. But I loved the rhythm and routine of Kea - swimming in the morning and afternoon, and relaxing much the rest of the time: swim, shower, eat, sleep, repeat.

Our flats had 2 umbrellas that were ours cemented into the rocky beach area, where we often left our stuff on a deck chair. The ladder into the water was for common use with the other properties. The water just off the platform was a couple of meters deep and very clear. Woo tried some diving practice.

Thursday 20th July.

We were already happily settling into a routine, which is what I had wanted from this part of the trip. A week of no rushing, no busy itineraries, just chilling amongst the beautiful scenery.

M had gone off for a run to the other side of Kea to explore the archeological site.

Ms photos...

I woke up and made breakfast (having remembered to put some breakfast things in our fridge). Then the girls and I went for a swim.

M joined us about 10.30am. He was very hot and tired so was careful getting into the cool water. TBH, this run was too much. He had some form of heat exhaustion and hadn't taken quite enough water. The rest of the day he was pretty out of it, just sleeping and resting.

Woo was practicing her diving.

We had lunch, I was surprised by a opening a crisp packet (previously unopened) to find it full of ants, this was the one slight negative of this paradise.... the ant and wasp menace.

Time for siesta.

In the pm the girls and I went swimming, M was not feeling so well.

Amazing foot salute... 😄

This was one of my favourite photos of the trip:

The evening saw the first official outfit repeat...

It was another beautiful evening.

Friday 21st July

Another swim then chilling out on the upper terrace.

Before an afternoon swim

In the afternoon I did some planning for boat trip, but didn't work out. I nearly hired a yacht to take us to the island's best archeological site (Karthaia), but the skipper wanted us to go to the top of the island to meet him, a far longer drive than just driving to the site itself. (With hindsight I might have still taken it).

A surprise visit from housekeeper during supper put us all on edge but especially Bunnykins.

M and I did a bit of stargazing out on our terrace once it was dark - it was a wonderful clear sky, but in the photo you can only see lights across the bay.

Saturday 22nd July

Another beautiful day, I had a catch up on duolingo while waiting for the girls to get up.

For the morning swim, there was noticeably more swell. But really there isn't much commentary on the swimming - it was beautiful! The water was clear, the sea floor was large boulders and sandy patches. The bay was ranging down to 3 or 4m deep perhaps. There were lots of small fishes. We just spent time swimming, floating, exploring the different bits of the bay, and then jumping in and messing about.

I read until it got too hot then went for a siesta in the air conditioning. I came back out about 3.30pm and sat in the shade drawing. I got a call from my friend K, she didn't realise we were on holiday still and was calling to thank me for her 50th birthday present. We had a nice chat.

Sunday 23rd July

We had set the alarm for 6.30am, we had breakfast and got ready. We drove out in the car to the archeological site. I had wanted to go by boat to avoid the drive and the walk (with hindsight any amount of money we could have paid for a boat would have been worth it).

As I did not like the roads I sat in the back, with Woo taking co-pilot front passenger role. I felt a lot calmer doing that than on the initial journey.

It was an 8.3km drive to the trail head (blue line), but then another 2ish km walk to the site (yellow).

We parked up on the main road, the first part was sort of drivable down the secondary road to the true trail head (walking route no 6).

The downhill felt quite tough already. It was difficult on the knees and with muscles braced, I certainly had quite wobbly legs.

Towards the end, it leveled out and the route was all undercover. It was quite magical. Lord of the rings esq.

Even at this early time it was still very hot.

The walk down was hard on the knees and thighs. My legs were shaking by the time we got to the bottom and I foolishly thought that was the worst bit. The last section was flat and shaded with butterflies lifting off infront of us and was just beautiful.

We arrived at the site. There were other people there but they had all come in boasts. (2 off road electric bikes arrived later as did 3 donkeys. We had a look around and then a swim.

Temple of Apollo

We had a swim.

The water was beautiful and clear, the sea floor was sandy but littered with large bits of stone, but rather than natural boulders many of them seemed to have been architectural. It was a wonderful swim.

We had some sandwiches while floating at the shore, even though it wasn't even 10am. Then we all got dressed and started back up the hill. We left at 10.15am.

The first section was warm going but it was flat and still mainly in shade. But as we reached the uphill section and the shade dispersed I started to worry very quickly. It was so hot, too hot. We had plenty of water, we had hats, our skin was covered, we're all young/fit. But it was still just too much to ask the body.

I started to slow, my heart was up above 160 most of the way. I could hardly breathe. We were all red as tomatoes in the face and sweating from every pore. I felt like a liability. Like I want going to make it. M stayed at the back with me and the girls walked together sharing a 1.5L bottle of water that Woo carried for them. We would slowly plod up to the next bit of shade, stop and drink. But more and more I needed to sit at each shade just to lower my heart rate a little.

This picture below was taken where I was sat on the path. I just had to sit. I was in the shade and the girls were up the hill in the next bit of shade behind me.

I had finally convinced Mark to go on ahead. We weren't far from the trailhead and he wanted to go back to the top and being the car down the secondary road. When he'd suggested it earlier I'd said no as I thought it would be too difficult to drive back up. As I started flagging seriously he then wouldn't leave me. At this point I thought it was worth trying to get the car closer as I knew the road section had no shade and was steep concrete road. I didn't feel I could make it and felt the car would have better chance. Worst case we sat with the air con until rescued.

The girls and I inched towards the trailhead. In a section of shade I sat down again. And Woo said she could hear the car. I didn't want to get my hopes up but sure enough there was M suddenly on the path with more water. We we're only 10m ish away.

The drive up the secondary road was all in 1st gear but the little car made it. I was too exhausted to worry about the drive back on the main road. I was so complacent I didn't even notice M pull out and start driving on the wrong side of the road for a short spell.

We got back and I had a lie down with the ac on. While the rest went for a swim. I had a quick swim. Then a shower and back to lying down. M made lunch. And again back to laying down with the ac on.

285 zone minutes!

In the evening we had a film night on Woo's bed with the air con on. Some rom-com nonsense that we all thoroughly enjoyed.

Monday 24th July

We had been talking about the new Barbie moving, M thought it was time to generate some Kenergy with his pink swim shorts!

More Kenergy....

(Itinerary for Bunnykins )

It was a mercifully calm and routine filled day, laundry, swim, reading, lunch, reading, swim.

We had a good mess around with slow-mo dives and jumps.

We all wanted another film night, this time: "my big fat Greek wedding" seemed most appropriate to our setting.

We were all feeling sad to be saying goodbye in the morning.

Tuesday 25th July

A final swim

Before packing up and getting ready to go by 11am.

We drove to Kea's port with me and Bunnykins in the back again.

Woo took on navigation.

We arrived by 11.30am, with our sailing at 1pm (and the boat not letting passengers on as yet) so got some milkshakes and juices (notice our car in the background).

We joined the Marmari express from kea to lavrio port (approx 1hr) and ate some lunch.

During the drive to drop off the car, there was evidence of more wildfires. Greece is a place that already feels hot and dry and that it can use all the vegetation it can get. It was quite shocking to see all the blackened hills. I couldn't imagine how horrible it was while it was happening.

Getting on right side of the road to get to car hire place was difficult, we just made it in time after multiple loops around the local highways.

We took the complimentary shuttle to airport (the driver not caring for any local rules about u turns across the highway etc)

We bought tickets for journey to Patras, from 2 really lovely helpful ladies. The photo below is one of them showing us route. We had to take the Suburban train towards Peraus(got on wrong train and went 1 stop). Stop at Kato Acharnai, change train towards Kiato. From Kiato we would get the bus to Patra.

(Pictures from bus window)

This time in Patras we were staying at the Hotel Astir and were really glad to see it just across the road from where the bus stopped. We had connecting rooms with balconies facing the sea.

It was a fascinating hotel with a sense of faded grandeur. Everything was monogrammed or super fancy in some way, but all chipped, worn, or faded at the edges.

I had booked in by email for dinner on the roof at 8pm via e-mail before we left the UK and had got hearty reply and confirmation. But they had no idea about it when we arrived, which I thought was weird until we got there and the was no one up on the roof! No other diners (some did come later).

We watched the sun go down to the sounds of 2010 pop hits.

Woo took about 150 photos of the above...

It was a lovely sunset

Our waiter was endearing, he struggled with us speaking in English which I felt very bad about. When we've been in Italy I've been doing my best with my duolingo Italian that to be fair was getting quite advanced ("Cos'e, un pesce d'april?"...is it an april fools joke? or "Prendiamo il penguino dallo zoo" we take the penguin from the zoo and other key phrases). But we hadn't got far with Greek. Woo had researched "thank you": If-fars-tow but I even got muddled over yes and no. Anyway back to the waiter , he had this faulty towers esk way of just looking so blankly at me tilting his head and saying excuse me? In response to everything I said, which was charming. He also brought out our mains pretty hot on the heels of starters so we falling over dishes and plates in a fairly farcical way. But we we're all hungry from the day's journey and the setting was beautiful.

We were too full for pudding, but as we we're finishing he brought out 4 shot glasses. I asked if it was alcoholic and he signaled "a little bit" and waves at the kids like it was all fine.

During the holiday, and a little before, we've been more relaxed with Woo and alcohol. Letting her have a bit of our wine or beer, she's curious about the taste and we would rather let her try rather than it become a big forbidden thing. At 16 and 6ft 1, if she wanted to get her own alcohol enough now she could. So far she doesn't mind a bit of lager or cider. She's a no thanks to wine.

Bunnykins đoesn't get the same freedom from us, still only being 13, and so far she's not really bothered. She was asking about it as Woo had a taste of my aparol spritz and Ms lager (not a fan of either).

Anyway, bunnykins grabbed her shot like she wasn't going to chance waiting for us to decide she couldn't have it. It was a very sweet slightly aniseed liqueur. It was definitely alcoholic.

On the way back down I wanted to take a picture of the lift which we had decided was "perfect for a murder mystery" with again more faded grandeur.

On the way up I'd pressed the wrong floor and we'd opened up opposite large mirrors that to me looked perfect for a photo but I'd been too slow to take it. On the way back down I pressed an extra floor to try and do it again.

The doors open and I try to take the picture but everyone is falling apart and shreiking at me...it takes me a while to realise there is a semi clad man sitting opposite the lift.

I wait for the doors to close and for us to go to our stop (we're all giggling) the doors close.... and then open again as M points out dryly that this was our floor. So walk of shame past the man.

Back at the room we watched the first part of a film (the new death on the Nile - the girls particularly enjoyed complaining about how Kenneth Branagh was no where near as good a Poirot). We then went to sleep in our very soft beds.

Wednesday 26th July

It felt like the news was following us as again our lovely friends and family contacted us about the heatwave and wildfires in Greece. I felt so glad that we hadn't been as affected as we could have been. It is also a sobering warning as to why preventing global warming (as much as can be now) is so important.

I couldn't spend time dwelling on that as it would be a pointless spiral. We were just enjoying our moments and enjoying the experience as a family. Which I must just take a moment to say really made the trip - I love travelling with my family - they are brilliant - I love their company.

We went down for breakfast and certainly made the most of all that was on offer.

Before heading back up to the room to get ready to have a swim.

M, Woo, and I went up for a swim on the roof and had the pool to ourselves.

Our checkout was at 12 noon. We left our bags at the hotel and took a taxi to the Patras archeological museum.

It was a wonderful place, huge, quiet, cool, rammed with beautiful and fascinating stuff and almost no one else there. I love wandering around a museum like that but is also quite sad to see how few visitors it had when it was such a great place. Maybe it's ordinary in Greece but the quality of the stuff was superb. Huge detailed mosaics beautiful jewelry in gold and gems. Amazing pottery and glass that you wonder how it survived all these millennia.

We took a taxi back to the hotel. Bunnykins and I stayed in the lobby, while M and Woo had a little explore of Patras and did some shopping (headphones, snacks, mouthwash).