{"id":11111,"date":"2024-08-22T17:20:41","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T17:20:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/?p=11111"},"modified":"2024-08-22T17:20:45","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T17:20:45","slug":"weeknotes-286","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/2024\/08\/22\/weeknotes-286\/","title":{"rendered":"Weeknotes #286 \u2014 \u0395\u03c5\u03c7\u03b1\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03ce"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class='e-content'><span hidden class=\"__iawmlf-post-loop-links\" data-iawmlf-links=\"[{&quot;id&quot;:1551,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.villaplus.com\\\/destinations\\\/villas-in-greek-islands\\\/zante\\\/vasilikos\\\/villa-ionio-beach-house&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20250521110308\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.villaplus.com\\\/destinations\\\/villas-in-greek-islands\\\/zante\\\/vasilikos\\\/villa-ionio-beach-house&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-02-03 23:32:31&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-04-07 18:11:13&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:503}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-04-07 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14:19:01&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-06-23 14:19:01&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1554,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/maps.app.goo.gl\\\/PMcpaTkCxzzdqY6D7&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:null,&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1555,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/maps.app.goo.gl\\\/5c6R5FARfhDs59RR7&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:null,&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1556,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/maps.app.goo.gl\\\/4EmfLMcQD2mkLja37&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:null,&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1557,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/maps.app.goo.gl\\\/7sz7H6K7jenk6b3q6&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:null,&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1558,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/maps.app.goo.gl\\\/zvGarHN7uRLFvP9EA&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:null,&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1559,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/maps.app.goo.gl\\\/95fZQBbd7kVbVPL97&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:null,&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1560,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/maps.app.goo.gl\\\/2jzyjC8wcdREjDEeA&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:null,&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1561,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/splid.app&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20260204000226\\\/https:\\\/\\\/splid.app\\\/&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:null,&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1562,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/duckduckgo.com\\\/?q=flyfish+beach+ride\\u0026t=ipad\\u0026iax=images\\u0026ia=images&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:null,&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1563,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/nefis-travel.com&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20260102223249\\\/https:\\\/\\\/nefis-travel.com\\\/&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-02-03 23:34:00&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-02-03 23:34:00&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1564,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/Marathonisi&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20260201184534\\\/https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/Marathonisi&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-02-03 23:34:02&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-02-03 23:34:02&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1565,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/Loggerhead_sea_turtle&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20260122205415\\\/https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/Loggerhead_Sea_Turtle&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-02-03 23:34:04&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-04-07 18:11:01&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-04-07 18:11:01&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1566,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/welcometozante.com\\\/en\\\/xigia-beach-zakynthos&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20251119100707\\\/https:\\\/\\\/welcometozante.com\\\/en\\\/xigia-beach-zakynthos\\\/&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-02-03 23:34:08&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-04-07 18:11:05&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-04-07 18:11:05&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:1567,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/MV_Panagiotis&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20251012041218\\\/https:\\\/\\\/en.wikipedia.org\\\/wiki\\\/MV_Panagiotis&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-02-03 23:34:10&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-04-07 18:11:07&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-04-07 18:11:07&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;}]\"><\/span>\n<p>This week was spent on holiday in Zakynthos, Greece, with four of our oldest friends and their families. We\u2019ve been on <a href=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/2018\/08\/21\/weeknotes-3031-holiday-road\/\" title=\"Andrew Doran: Weeknotes #30\u201331 \u2014 Holiday Road\">many<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/2022\/08\/29\/weeknotes-183-obrigado\/\" title=\"Andrew Doran: Weeknotes #183 \u2014 Obrigado\">brilliant<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/2023\/08\/20\/weeknotes-233234-montenegro\/\" title=\"Andrew Doran: Weeknotes #233\u2013234 \u2014 Montenegro\">holidays<\/a> together over the past few years and we were excited to do it all again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p>It started with an alarm at 2:45am on Saturday morning, waking us up in time for our taxi to the airport. Most of the group had managed a few hours of sleep, with one person not bothering to go to bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2718\" height=\"1392\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-07-28.png\" alt=\"Our orange Cooper Black-adorned chariot awaits\" class=\"wp-image-11099\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-07-28.png 2718w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-07-28-300x154.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-07-28-1024x524.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-07-28-768x393.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-07-28-1536x787.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-07-28-2048x1049.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-07-28-700x358.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2718px) 100vw, 2718px\" \/><figcaption>Our orange Cooper Black-adorned chariot awaits<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Once we got on board the plane, we shuffled our 12 seats so that the children could sit together. I ended up in the middle of a block of three seats. A woman in a purple tracksuit was one of the last people to board, making her way to the vacant seat next to me and sitting down with a bump. She lowered her table, pulled out a bottle of Budweiser and started glugging it, before letting out a mild groan and scrabbling around in the seat pocket to find the vomit bag. It was barely 6:30am. As the cabin crew wandered down the aisle to check our seatbelts they saw the beer and asked the woman to put it away. She responded with a slurred, unfocused \u201cok\u201d. Shortly after, a more senior member of the cabin crew popped by to tell her that she couldn\u2019t travel as she had consumed too much alcohol and wasn\u2019t safe to fly. The woman refused to get off the plane and started swearing at the staff, so the police were called to remove her. Despite being at an airport where I assume police are plentiful, it took a while for three officers to reach us and get on board. It was fascinating to watch them being firm but fair with her in trying to persuade her to leave; they were empathetic but didn\u2019t tolerate abuse. Eventually she saw that there was only going to be one way out and decided to get up and leave. We were delayed, but I was so grateful that I wouldn\u2019t be spending the next three or four hours wondering whether I was going to be puked on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Zakynthos was <strong>hot<\/strong>, with blue sunny skies for the whole week. It\u2019s difficult to tell exactly <em>how<\/em> hot, as our different weather apps gave very different readings and we didn\u2019t see an old school thermometer anywhere. For most of the week, Apple Weather was telling us that the warmest part of the day was about 31\u00b0C whereas BBC Weather suggested it was at least 38\u00b0C. Based on how it felt \u2014 if we sat doing nothing it felt as though we were slowly melting \u2014 I\u2019m inclined to believe the latter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p>We stayed at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.villaplus.com\/destinations\/villas-in-greek-islands\/zante\/vasilikos\/villa-ionio-beach-house\" title=\"Villa Plus: Villa Ionio Beach House, Vasilikos, Zante\">Villa Ionio Beach House<\/a>, a restaurant that was recently converted into a seven-bedroom villa with a pool. Situated in Vasilikos on the east of the island, it was perfect for us. The rooms were kept cool with air conditioning and the communal space by the pool never felt crowded, even when all 12 of us were out there. A restaurant and bar were a few steps below us and the beach was a few steps beyond that. We had a small supermarket ten minutes away by foot as well as many different Greek restaurants scattered all around. It was lovely to have a holiday where we didn\u2019t need to hire a car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5712\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-29.png\" alt=\"Villa Ionio Beach House, Vasilikos, Zakynthos\" class=\"wp-image-11109\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-29.png 5712w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-29-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-29-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-29-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-29-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-29-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-29-700x525.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5712px) 100vw, 5712px\" \/><figcaption>Villa Ionio Beach House, Vasilikos, Zakynthos<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Someone brought along a <a href=\"https:\/\/uk.soundcore.com\/products\/a3117011\" title=\"Soundcore 3 speaker\">Soundcore 3<\/a> speaker for the trip which performed superbly. We had a constant stream of music as we sat around the pool. As well as lots of greaIt was lovely to have the time to sit and listen <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4284\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-28.png\" alt=\"The view to the north-west from our villa\u2026\" class=\"wp-image-11081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-28.png 4284w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-28-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-28-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-28-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-28-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-28-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-28-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-28-700x700.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4284px) 100vw, 4284px\" \/><figcaption>The view to the north-west from our villa\u2026<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-29-1.png\" alt=\"\u2026and the view to the south-east.\" class=\"wp-image-11077\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-29-1.png 1600w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-29-1-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-29-1-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-29-1-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-29-1-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-29-1-700x525.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption>\u2026and the view to the south-east.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"8213\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-07-56.png\" alt=\"The pool was perfect for late night inflatable doughnut racing\" class=\"wp-image-11101\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-07-56.png 8213w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-07-56-300x75.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-07-56-1024x255.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-07-56-768x192.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-07-56-1536x383.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-07-56-2048x511.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-07-56-700x175.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 8213px) 100vw, 8213px\" \/><figcaption>The pool was perfect for late night inflatable doughnut racing<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4284\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-33.png\" alt=\"View from the restaurant\/cafe\/bar beneath the villa\" class=\"wp-image-11094\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-33.png 4284w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-33-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-33-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-33-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-33-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-33-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-33-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-33-700x700.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4284px) 100vw, 4284px\" \/><figcaption>View from the restaurant\/cafe\/bar beneath the villa<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4284\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35.png\" alt=\"A beach free from pollution, unlike those back home\" class=\"wp-image-11087\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35.png 4284w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35-700x700.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4284px) 100vw, 4284px\" \/><figcaption>A beach free from pollution, unlike those back home<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>On the first morning I got up early to head out with my eldest son for a 10km run. I asked <a href=\"https:\/\/www.strava.com\/\" title=\"Strava\">Strava<\/a> to plot us a route, just as I had done many times before in many different places. My understanding is that Strava routes are based on the popularity of the roads taken by runners that have been there before us, so I had no hesitation in following the directions. The confidence we felt started to evaporate as soon as the route told us to leave the road and head through a field. Halfway across the field we were met by a ditch, wide enough to require us to take a run up in order to jump it. A few kilometres later, we found ourselves blocked by a locked gate with no easy way around it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5712\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-30.png\" alt=\"We stumbled across this neighbouring bay on our run\" class=\"wp-image-11076\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-30.png 5712w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-30-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-30-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-30-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-30-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-30-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-30-700x525.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5712px) 100vw, 5712px\" \/><figcaption>We stumbled across this neighbouring bay on our run<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>We backtracked and tried to take a different route to get us where we wanted to go. At home this faffing around would be no problem, but I had started to struggle in the heat. When we came across our <em>second<\/em> locked gate, we decided to call it a day. But then trouble hit. For some reason I couldn\u2019t quite work out our return route. After stopping for the fifth or sixth time to look at the map, I realised my clothes were completely soaked with sweat and I had shivers and goosebumps, which didn\u2019t seem right given how hot it was. So we ended up heading towards the sea to try and run along the beach, taking the shortest \u2014 and surest \u2014 path home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1988\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-18-42.png\" alt=\"A monstrosity of a route\" class=\"wp-image-11080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-18-42.png 1988w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-18-42-300x130.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-18-42-1024x445.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-18-42-768x334.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-18-42-1536x668.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-18-42-700x304.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1988px) 100vw, 1988px\" \/><figcaption>A monstrosity of a route<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Across the week I got out for a few more runs, but limited them to a much more manageable 5\u20138km, which was more than enough in the heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p>The pool area of the villa had an outdoor feature of some glass windows that look like they have been recovered from another building, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.villaplus.com\/destinations\/villas-in-greek-islands\/zante\/vasilikos\/villa-ionio-beach-house\" title=\"Villa Plus: Villa Ionio Beach House, Vasilikos, Zante\">you can see in the distance in the main photo on their website<\/a>. They seemed to be problematic for the local birds, who kept flying into them. The first time it happened I was sitting on my own on the porch, tapping out some weeknotes, when there was a massive thud on the glass. I wasn\u2019t sure whether the bird was going to live or die; it just sat there, opening and closing its beak. I tried to help it with a little water in the lid from a plastic bottle, but it wasn\u2019t interested. After half an hour or so, it suddenly gathered itself and flew off into the trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4284\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31.png\" alt=\"A stunned bird, completely disinterested in my attempt to offer it some light refreshment\" class=\"wp-image-11106\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31.png 4284w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31-700x700.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4284px) 100vw, 4284px\" \/><figcaption>A stunned bird, completely disinterested in my attempt to offer it some light refreshment<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>We ate well, and a lot. On a couple of evenings we stayed in for some simple pasta, pitta bread, halloumi and salad but for the rest of the time we dined out for lunch, dinner and the occasional breakfast. The nearby restaurants \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/PMcpaTkCxzzdqY6D7\" title=\"Google Maps: Ionio Beach Bar &amp; Restaurant\">Ionio Beach Bar &amp; Restaurant<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/5c6R5FARfhDs59RR7\" title=\"Google Maps: Vasilikos Garden\">Vasilikos Garden<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/4EmfLMcQD2mkLja37\" title=\"Google Maps: Giovanni\">Giovanni<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/7sz7H6K7jenk6b3q6\" title=\"Google Maps: Kostas Brother\">Kostas Brother<\/a> \u2014 were lovely and all had very similar food. Bowls of tahini, bread, baked or fried aubergine and courgettes, feta pies, feta covered in honey, baked feta, feta many other ways, Greek salads, spaghetti, more feta, plus all kinds of meat. One evening we ventured to <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/zvGarHN7uRLFvP9EA\" title=\"Google Maps: Nikos Beach Bar\">Nikos Beach Bar<\/a>, which was beautifully set in the neighbouring bay, but it wasn\u2019t worth the extortionate ten minute \u20ac50 taxi ride to get there, and another \u20ac50 to get back. <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/95fZQBbd7kVbVPL97\" title=\"Google Maps: Sit and Share\">Sit and Share<\/a> was excellent for a cooked breakfast, with the kids enjoying chocolate-drenched pancakes. On our last night we went to <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/2jzyjC8wcdREjDEeA\" title=\"Google Maps: Skartsofoli\">Skartsofoli<\/a> which was probably the best food we ate, but also the most expensive. Typically a dinner for 12 of us cost around \u20ac230 and included generous starters and main courses, lots of bottled water, a little wine, and a few other drinks too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5712\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-36.png\" alt=\"Looking out over the Mediterranean from the Palm restaurant in Vasilikos\" class=\"wp-image-11074\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-36.png 5712w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-36-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-36-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-36-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-36-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-36-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-36-700x525.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5712px) 100vw, 5712px\" \/><figcaption>Looking out over the Mediterranean from the Palm restaurant in Vasilikos<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4284\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-37.png\" alt=\"A more unusual take on a Greek salad at the Palm restaurant\" class=\"wp-image-11105\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-37.png 4284w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-37-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-37-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-37-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-37-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-37-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-37-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-37-700x700.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4284px) 100vw, 4284px\" \/><figcaption>A more unusual take on a Greek salad at the Palm restaurant<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Before we started the trip, one of our friends pointed us at the <a href=\"https:\/\/splid.app\/\" title=\"Splid\">Splid<\/a> app, which proved to be brilliant. We all downloaded the app, set up a \u2018group\u2019 for our trip and added three \u2018persons\u2019, each one representing one of the families on the trip. Every time we paid for something on behalf of the group \u2014 meals out, groceries from the supermarket, sunbeds \u2014 we added it to the app, logging how much it cost (and in what currency), who benefitted from it and who paid. It kept track throughout the trip and then at the end told us how to settle up so that we had all paid the same amount in an equitable way. I think I\u2019ll be using it for any group travel in the future. It\u2019s incredible that it\u2019s free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4284\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31-1.png\" alt=\"Roadside advert for Kostas\u2019 Brother Tavern\" class=\"wp-image-11079\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31-1.png 4284w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31-1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31-1-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31-1-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-31-1-700x700.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4284px) 100vw, 4284px\" \/><figcaption>Roadside advert for Kostas\u2019 Brother Tavern<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4284\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-19-00.png\" alt=\"Delicious salad with dried figs\" class=\"wp-image-11085\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-19-00.png 4284w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-19-00-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-19-00-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-19-00-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-19-00-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-19-00-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-19-00-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-19-08-2024-19-00-700x700.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4284px) 100vw, 4284px\" \/><figcaption>Delicious salad with dried figs<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4284\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35-1.png\" alt=\"Sit and Share, a welcoming spot for breakfast or brunch\" class=\"wp-image-11083\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35-1.png 4284w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35-1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35-1-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35-1-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-35-1-700x700.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4284px) 100vw, 4284px\" \/><figcaption>Sit and Share, a welcoming spot for breakfast or brunch<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4284\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-35.png\" alt=\"The Amigo Beach Bar, a few metres along the beach from our villa\" class=\"wp-image-11084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-35.png 4284w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-35-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-35-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-35-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-35-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-35-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-35-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-35-700x700.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4284px) 100vw, 4284px\" \/><figcaption>The Amigo Beach Bar, a few metres along the beach from our villa<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Looking out across the sea from the villa you would always spot at least two or three activities happening at once \u2014 parasailing, riding on a banana boat or \u2018bouncy sea sofa\u2019 thing, or riding a jet ski. They all set off from a spot ten minutes\u2019 walk away along the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5712\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34.png\" alt=\"Water sports launch spot, with a floating jetty that cooked my bare feet in about ten seconds\" class=\"wp-image-11089\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34.png 5712w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34-700x525.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5712px) 100vw, 5712px\" \/><figcaption>Water sports launch spot, with a floating jetty that cooked my bare feet in about ten seconds<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>I\u2019d never seen a <a href=\"https:\/\/duckduckgo.com\/?q=flyfish+beach+ride&amp;t=ipad&amp;iax=images&amp;ia=images\" title=\"DuckDuckGo: Image search for \u2018flyfish beach ride\u2019\">Flyfish<\/a> before. You either sit on the inflatable parts or lie down in between them and then cling on for dear life as a boat tows you along, with the inflatable leaping into the air. Our boys thought it was amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3024\" height=\"3024\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-07-17.png\" alt=\"Nervously anticipating the Flying Fish\" class=\"wp-image-11086\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-07-17.png 3024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-07-17-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-07-17-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-07-17-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-07-17-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-07-17-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-07-17-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-07-17-700x700.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3024px) 100vw, 3024px\" \/><figcaption>Nervously anticipating the Flying Fish<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>On a couple of days we booked some private trips through <a href=\"https:\/\/nefis-travel.com\" title=\"Nefis Travel\">Nefis Travel<\/a>. The first one started in the late afternoon, taking us by minibus to a beach where we left our shoes and waded out in the shallow water to a glass-bottomed boat. Zakynthos is famous for its sea turtle population and it only took a few minutes before we spotted one, coming up for air before diving down again a couple of times, before considerately swimming directly under our boat. They are indescribably beautiful to see in real life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1123\" height=\"1123\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-07-45.png\" alt=\"Sea turtle swimming under our boat. (Photo: Katie Doran)\" class=\"wp-image-11088\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-07-45.png 1123w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-07-45-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-07-45-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-07-45-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-07-45-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-07-45-700x700.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1123px) 100vw, 1123px\" \/><figcaption>Sea turtle swimming under our boat. (Photo: Katie Doran)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-19-31.png\" alt=\"Coming up for air. (Photo: Mat Harden)\" class=\"wp-image-11110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-19-31.png 1200w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-19-31-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-19-31-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-19-31-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-19-31-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-19-31-700x700.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption>Coming up for air. (Photo: Mat Harden)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>On the beach closest to our villa we found one or two simple wooden protection cages for the turtle nests. People seemed to be respectful of the nests and gave them a wide berth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4284\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34-1.png\" class=\"wp-image-11103\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34-1.png 4284w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34-1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34-1-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34-1-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-34-1-700x700.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4284px) 100vw, 4284px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Our boat stopped at Marathonisi, an island full of turtles that <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Marathonisi\" title=\"Wikipedia: Marathonisi\">is itself shaped like a turtle<\/a>. Tourists can hop off their boats and swim in the busy water or grab a drink, ice cream or hot dog from the floating vendor boats. It felt very crowded and a little inappropriate to be so close to the nesting ground of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Loggerhead_sea_turtle\" title=\"Wikipedia: Loggerhead sea turtle\">an endangered species<\/a>, particularly when the children found that the snorkelling area was filled with litter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4284\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38.png\" alt=\"Getting off the boat to join the other tourists on Marathonisi Island\" class=\"wp-image-11100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38.png 4284w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38-700x700.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4284px) 100vw, 4284px\" \/><figcaption>Getting off the boat to join the other tourists on Marathonisi Island<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5712\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-39.png\" alt=\"I\u2019d never seen a floating concession stand before\" class=\"wp-image-11093\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-39.png 5712w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-39-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-39-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-39-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-39-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-39-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-39-700x525.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5712px) 100vw, 5712px\" \/><figcaption>I\u2019d never seen a floating concession stand before<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5712\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-39-1.png\" alt=\"Loggerhead turtle nesting ground on Marathonisi Island. This was two paces up the beach from where our boat landed.\" class=\"wp-image-11096\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-39-1.png 5712w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-39-1-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-39-1-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-39-1-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-39-1-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-39-1-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-39-1-700x525.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5712px) 100vw, 5712px\" \/><figcaption>Loggerhead turtle nesting ground on Marathonisi Island. This was two paces up the beach from where our boat landed.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>After a little time on the island, we got back on the boat to speed around some nearby caves, swim in the water and watch the sunset, which was beautiful. The limestone rock that makes up the cliffs around Zakynthos is stunning, with clear layers of sediment visible in every cross-section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5712\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38-1.png\" alt=\"Heading off to explore the caves\" class=\"wp-image-11075\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38-1.png 5712w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38-1-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38-1-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38-1-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38-1-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38-1-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-38-1-700x525.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5712px) 100vw, 5712px\" \/><figcaption>Heading off to explore the caves<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4284\" height=\"5712\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-40.png\" alt=\"Limestone cliff faces\" class=\"wp-image-11097\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-40.png 4284w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-40-225x300.png 225w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-40-768x1024.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-40-1152x1536.png 1152w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-40-1536x2048.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-40-525x700.png 525w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4284px) 100vw, 4284px\" \/><figcaption>Limestone cliff faces<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5712\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-40-1.png\" alt=\"More limestone cliff faces\" class=\"wp-image-11078\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-40-1.png 5712w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-40-1-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-40-1-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-40-1-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-40-1-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-40-1-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-18-40-1-700x525.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5712px) 100vw, 5712px\" \/><figcaption>More limestone cliff faces<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4284\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-34.png\" alt=\"Sunset over the Mediterranean\" class=\"wp-image-11092\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-34.png 4284w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-34-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-34-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-34-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-34-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-34-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-34-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-34-700x700.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4284px) 100vw, 4284px\" \/><figcaption>Sunset over the Mediterranean<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Later in the week we took another minibus and boat trip, this time to take in the other \u2018must see\u2019 parts of the island. Our first stop was the small and busy <a href=\"https:\/\/welcometozante.com\/en\/xigia-beach-zakynthos\/\" title=\"Welcome to Zante: The 3 Xigia Beaches on Zakynthos Island: everything you need to know\">Northern Xigia Beach<\/a>, reached by some steep steps and a slope. It is famous for the water being fed from sulphurous springs in a nearby cave which apparently are also rich with natural collagen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5712\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-37.png\" alt=\"Northern Xigia Beach as seen from the cafe. You can see the discoloured water emanating from the caves.\" class=\"wp-image-11073\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-37.png 5712w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-37-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-37-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-37-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-37-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-37-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-37-700x525.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5712px) 100vw, 5712px\" \/><figcaption>Northern Xigia Beach as seen from the cafe. You can see the discoloured water emanating from the caves.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Despite only having a handful of sunbeds and umbrellas, the beach was staffed by someone who radioed food and drink orders to the cafe at the top of the cliff. They then used an ingenious method to get the order down to the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4274\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-20-03.png\" alt=\"The brilliant mechanism to transport food and drinks from the clifftop cafe down to the beach\" class=\"wp-image-11108\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-20-03.png 4274w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-20-03-300x144.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-20-03-1024x491.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-20-03-768x368.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-20-03-1536x736.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-20-03-2048x981.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-20-08-2024-20-03-700x335.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4274px) 100vw, 4274px\" \/><figcaption>The brilliant mechanism to transport food and drinks from the clifftop cafe down to the beach<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>After an hour or so and a stop for lunch, we went on our way to find our boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-38.png\" alt=\"Waiting for my ship to come in\" class=\"wp-image-11104\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-38.png 4032w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-38-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-38-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-38-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-38-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-38-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-38-700x525.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><figcaption>Waiting for my ship to come in<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Nearly all of the children thought that this part of the trip was their favourite. We hopped on board and then powered our way across the sea, landing with a series of massive thuds as we hopped one wave crest after another. Our captain was a skilled driver, taking the boat through ridiculous turns as we sped past rocky outcrops and coves. It was like being on a fairground ride without any rails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p>We sped on to the cove containing the wreck of the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/MV_Panagiotis\" title=\"Wikipedia: MV Panagiotis\">Panagiotis<\/a>, a ship that was beached and abandoned in a storm on 2 October 1980. People are no longer allowed onto the beach, giving the ship a little more life as a major tourist attraction. Compared to the images that I had seen online, the ship was in an advanced state of decay. Our tour guide told us that his father had worked for the coastguard at the time of the sinking and confirmed stories that the ship was carrying a vast amount of cigarettes, most of which were taken by the people that arrived first on the scene. Apparently, cigarette sales were down on the island for quite some time after the wreck took place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5712\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-40.png\" alt=\"The wreck of the Panagiotis\" class=\"wp-image-11102\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-40.png 5712w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-40-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-40-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-40-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-40-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-40-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-40-700x525.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5712px) 100vw, 5712px\" \/><figcaption>The wreck of the Panagiotis<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The colour of the water around the coves in this area was stunning. The eroded limestone cliffs produce a fine white sand which turns the sea a brilliant blue. It was incredible to look at, and to swim in. Fish darted all around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5712\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-39.png\" alt=\"The colour of the water made everything slightly surreal\" class=\"wp-image-11098\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-39.png 5712w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-39-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-39-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-39-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-39-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-39-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-39-700x525.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5712px) 100vw, 5712px\" \/><figcaption>The colour of the water made everything slightly surreal<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5712\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-39-1.png\" alt=\"Looking out to sea\" class=\"wp-image-11091\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-39-1.png 5712w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-39-1-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-39-1-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-39-1-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-39-1-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-39-1-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-39-1-700x525.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5712px) 100vw, 5712px\" \/><figcaption>Looking out to sea<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4284\" height=\"5712\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-40-1.png\" alt=\"Exploring a nearby cave; the water looked like an illuminated swimming pool\" class=\"wp-image-11107\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-40-1.png 4284w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-40-1-225x300.png 225w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-40-1-768x1024.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-40-1-1152x1536.png 1152w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-40-1-1536x2048.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-40-1-525x700.png 525w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4284px) 100vw, 4284px\" \/><figcaption>Exploring a nearby cave; the water looked like an illuminated swimming pool<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5712\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-41.png\" alt=\"Powering our way through coves and arches\" class=\"wp-image-11095\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-41.png 5712w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-41-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-41-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-41-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-41-1536x1152.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-41-2048x1536.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-41-700x525.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5712px) 100vw, 5712px\" \/><figcaption>Powering our way through coves and arches<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>In the middle of the week, my fabulous wife and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. Our August wedding date means that we\u2019ve been making a habit of celebrating on various summer holidays over the years. It was lovely to be with our family and friends for the evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1318\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-42.png\" alt=\"20 years later\" class=\"wp-image-11090\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-42.png 1600w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-42-300x247.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-42-1024x844.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-42-768x633.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-42-1536x1265.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-42-700x577.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption>20 years later<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4284\" height=\"4284\" src=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-42-1.png\" alt=\"Goodbye Zakynthos\" class=\"wp-image-11082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-42-1.png 4284w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-42-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-42-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-42-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-42-1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-42-1-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-42-1-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Image-18-08-2024-19-42-1-700x700.png 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4284px) 100vw, 4284px\" \/><figcaption>Goodbye Zakynthos<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>And just like that, it was all over so quickly. Thankfully our trip home was uneventful and didn\u2019t require any police intervention. England seems to have suddenly turned autumnal while we\u2019ve been away. I\u2019m not quite ready to put the flip-flops and shorts away yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Next week:<\/strong> Back to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<a href=\"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/2024\/08\/22\/weeknotes-286\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" title=\"Permalink to Weeknotes #286 \u2014 \u0395\u03c5\u03c7\u03b1\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03ce\"><div class='e-content p-summary'>This week was spent on holiday in Zakynthos, Greece, with four of our oldest friends and their families. We\u2019ve been on many brilliant holidays together over the past few years and we were excited to do it all again. It started with an alarm at 2:45am on Saturday morning, waking us up in time for [&hellip;]<\/div>\n<\/a>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"webmentions_disabled_pings":false,"webmentions_disabled":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"activitypub_content_warning":"","activitypub_content_visibility":"","activitypub_max_image_attachments":3,"activitypub_interaction_policy_quote":"anyone","activitypub_status":"federate","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[35],"tags":[71],"class_list":{"0":"post-11111","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-weeknotes","7":"tag-71","8":"h-entry","10":"hentry"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11050,"url":"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/2024\/08\/12\/weeknotes-285-understated-public-holiday\/","url_meta":{"origin":11111,"position":0},"title":"Weeknotes #285 \u2014 Understated public holiday","author":"Andrew Doran","date":"12 August 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"This week felt very intense. I have a bit of a break from work coming up, which is either particularly well-timed or the very fact that it\u2019s on the horizon means that I\u2019ve started to feel a bit worn out. It was a week of late nights, not helped by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Weeknotes&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Weeknotes","link":"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/category\/weeknotes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":11459,"url":"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/2024\/12\/24\/weeknotes-304-pottering\/","url_meta":{"origin":11111,"position":1},"title":"Weeknotes #304 \u2014 Pottering","author":"Andrew Doran","date":"24 December 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"A week off work, largely spent pottering around at home. My wife and the boys were still going to school, so it didn\u2019t feel quite right to spend the morning lounging around in bed while they dashed about as they got ready to leave the house. Despite the early starts,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Weeknotes&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Weeknotes","link":"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/category\/weeknotes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Two slices of sourdough toast, covered in avocado, tomatoes, smoked salmon and rocket.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/DraggedImage-5-scaled.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/DraggedImage-5-scaled.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/DraggedImage-5-scaled.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/DraggedImage-5-scaled.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/DraggedImage-5-scaled.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/DraggedImage-5-scaled.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4277,"url":"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/2018\/07\/09\/weeknote-25-barbecues\/","url_meta":{"origin":11111,"position":2},"title":"Weeknote #25 \u2014 Barbecues","author":"Andrew Doran","date":"9 July 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"There\u2019s so much going on. I\u2019m hanging in there until July is behind me. Lack of time means that these weeknotes are going to be in bullet point form for now. With all the years behind me, I found that I really do have the confidence to make it up\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Weeknotes&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Weeknotes","link":"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/category\/weeknotes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/BCA233BA-9C79-4FE8-A365-A16F5664D5DB.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/BCA233BA-9C79-4FE8-A365-A16F5664D5DB.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/BCA233BA-9C79-4FE8-A365-A16F5664D5DB.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/BCA233BA-9C79-4FE8-A365-A16F5664D5DB.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/BCA233BA-9C79-4FE8-A365-A16F5664D5DB.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/BCA233BA-9C79-4FE8-A365-A16F5664D5DB.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6942,"url":"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/2021\/02\/21\/weeknotes-104-anniversary-album\/","url_meta":{"origin":11111,"position":3},"title":"Weeknotes #104 \u2014 Anniversary album","author":"Andrew Doran","date":"21 February 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"A short week, as I took Friday as holiday to spend some time with the boys and my wife during their half term holiday. For the four days I was working I couldn\u2019t shake a general feeling of malaise, and that I and everyone around me is treading water as\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Weeknotes&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Weeknotes","link":"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/category\/weeknotes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/DraggedImage-3-scaled.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/DraggedImage-3-scaled.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/DraggedImage-3-scaled.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/DraggedImage-3-scaled.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/DraggedImage-3-scaled.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/DraggedImage-3-scaled.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7749,"url":"https:\/\/andrewdoran.uk\/blog\/2021\/08\/30\/weeknotes-131-the-great-outdoors\/","url_meta":{"origin":11111,"position":4},"title":"Weeknotes #131 \u2014 The Great Outdoors","author":"Andrew Doran","date":"30 August 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"A wonderful week\u2019s holiday. On Monday evening we were joined by some good friends who had rented a neighbouring lodge for four nights; it was lovely to spend some time with them, and fun for our children to have some friends around as well. 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