Yesterday was one of those days that went well. Despite the roaring wind and cold blasts, we were up at four and out of the house by ten past five to walk down to the harbour. The Blue Star was only a few minutes late, but Neil decided the day was going to be a good one and everything was going to go just as it should. With that decided, we knew we were in safe hands. The boat was busy to say the least, but we were second in the coffee queue and found seats in the stern café for the hour-and-a-bit crossing. Here’s a tip: when you hear the announcement that you’re about to arrive at the port of Rhodes, there’s no need to pack up and hurry to the exit (unless they’ve called for drivers to return to their vehicles). We sauntered around, stood out on the back and watched the docking which I’ve known to take 20 minutes or more, and only when both drawbridges were down and the mooring men were inviting marauders did we bother to stroll to the exit, by which time the human traffic was flowing. This avoids being stuck on the steps for all that time among coughs and sneezes. It doesn’t always take so long, but the tide was high, and we weren’t moving on.
This was my only photo of the day.
From there, it was a gentle walk around to the New Town where we arrived at Kokoraki (the place for breakfast these days) at eight, just as it was opening. Neil had his first appointment over in Ag. Nicholas at 10.00 so there was no rush, but as we finished breakfast just after nine, he set off to find a taxi, while I called into the optician to see if his glasses were ready – to save them having to post them (no, not yet, but we weren’t expecting them to be). Then, I took a wander around and did some window shopping, and bought two bays, a set of French, and a skylight, before plonking myself at the Plaza for a cup of black tea and honey. I had a couple of hours before my appointment over the road, so I was just about to start on some story planning when Neil returned, all done and dusted, and five minutes before his ten o’clock appointment was meant to be. Quick journey, great GP who signed him fit for work, and a chatty cab ride back, half an hour, sorted.
This is a closeup of my only photo from yesterday.
After that, we made our appointments over the road (annual cardio check), and all was well there, but the Dr wanted an extra blood test that wasn’t included in our usual health insurance set, so we toddled off to a nearby microbiology lab, bundled in, explained what we were after, gave our details, were taken straight into the bloodletting room (where you could watch the waiting room while you were dealt with (and vice versa)), did the biz, left our and Dr’s email addresses and were out within ten minutes and only a few euros lighter. Those results will be sent straight to the Dr who will contact us if anything else is needed.
From there, it was a walk through the Old Town, fighting off the taverna Kamakia trying to drag everyone into their establishments in a jovial way (give it a few months), stopped at our usual place for a drink before continuing on to Nimmos to see Aris, Dimitris and Michaelis and have lunch at a very reasonable price, thank you very much. Thence, to the boat which left on time and was a lot quieter on the return trip. The cheekiest ending of the day took place when, with a walk and a climb ahead, Neil thumbed us a lift in the back of someone’s truck, and not only did they take us to the village, but because it was a slim truck, they also dropped us right outside the front gate.
So, that’s what I call a successful daytrip away. Today, we have a TV to collect from ACS, and we’re hoping there will be a taxi on hand who will drive round and help us load it into the car, as we’re not going to be able to walk up with it. I aim to have that installed by lunchtime. If not, I have a teen coming for music this afternoon, so I’m sure he’ll know how to sort it out. Before all that, though, I have research to do, so it will be more of this…
