Saturday 14th September 2019
I slept like the proverbial log last night and woke to the news that the ships were not running, as winds were blowing at force 12 or 13 - the limit is 8. My travelling companion for this trip was due in Rafina about lunchtime so I had already let him know about the cancellations. Our plans to meet in Andros later today had to be abandoned of course and I went to the travel agents to see what could be done. The answer was still nothing of course. There was time for coffee and cheese pie.
All safely tied up in port
I went back to my rooms and collected my bag, ready to meet my friend at the port when his Rafina bus arrived from the airport. My kind landlady aided me booking accommodation for this evening out of the area, as there was little in Rafina itself. By the time we had arranged this I could walk down to the port, meet my friend and hear what sailings he had managed to arrange for us tomorrow. It was expected that sailings would take place then.
We had some lunch and then arranged for a taxi to take us along the coast to the small seaside resort and the house called 'Nemhouses near the airport and the sea in Artemida'. The owner met us on arrival, as the house seemed to be in a very rural village area, but it offered several bedrooms as well as living room and kitchen facilities. We were told which lane to walk along to get to the sea and we soon did this and walked along the beach towards the small town a couple of miles away. The sun shone, the wind seemed lighter here, families were sheltering under trees, children were building sandcastles, some people were swimming, the distant church had visitors surrounding it, and all was well with my world.
There seemed to be a small town with a road running beside the beach, with several cafes or restaurants lining one side. Several coaches were parked on the other side of the road and I think these must have come in from other local areas with many ladies on board, who were now enjoying the music, food and drink on offer.
We did the same, and walked back in the dusk/darkness to our latest unexpected accommodation.
Ships seen: Hellenic High Speed with her 16 ropes by the quay, Superferry, Fast Ferry Andros, Paros Jet
To be continued....