People, small medium and large

Your Dad has done such an awesome job of posting that I don't really have anything to add even though I have taken hundreds of pictures as usual.  So I thought I would just post some of my favorite people pictures with short captions.  These ones are from the week that we arrived.

Our friend Brigette crocheted these awesome hats for the girls.  I think this one was intended for Emily but Artemis really like it!  I think it would keep her warm in Antarctica!! (It was 90)

Mastering scooter skills while strolling the Paralia.

...and it is really nice to have Dad along when you need a break.

Emily has changed soooo much since we arrived.  And, Ian got a hair cut :-)

Sisterly Love

Not completely sure about bath time...

Shoulder riding tricks

Sisterly Love

One (really hot) day Artemis and I went in search of some swings that could be used.  These were not too bad, but it was so hot we didn't stay long anyway.

So, Gramma, we used ALL the blocks!

Artemis and Gramma ready to go to Silata.

More from Corfu Town

Between beaches we spent a part of two days and evenings in Corfu Town and we just touched the surface of the things to see and do.  It's not that big of a city physically, but there is so much history and so many sights to explore.  Certainly worth another trip back to fill in the details.

There is an old fortress and a new fortress.

  This is the old one.

One of many streets in old town.

Stopped for coffee and G'ma and Artemis check out the cloud that looked like a chicken.

I unfortunately cut the head off in the photo.

In this photo you can see a little beach bar action to the left and in the evening we ate at the taverna to the right at the end of the peninsula.

One of two matching arches at the palace of Sts. Michael & George

Entrance gate to the new fortress rising above in the background

Requisite sunset shot.

This is the view of the old fortress from our table at the taverna previously mentioned.  We arrived at dusk and then spent a couple of leisurely hours eating and enjoying the view. 

If you look closely in the left opening of the belfry, you can see the bell ringer (probably not Quasimodo!) pulling the rope for one of the large bells.

If you look closely you can see the bell ringer in the left belfry opening pulling on the rope to ring the bell.  I believe all the extra activity in the evening revolved around the Feast of the Assumption, honoring the Virgin Mary.

Three of the four beautiful ladies who graced our presence this evening........

Corfu Beach Time

I have more pictures from our trip to Corfu Town, but I thought a trip to the beaches might be in order.  We hit he beach every day we were on Corfu, but if memory serves me correctly, we only hit the same beach once.

We arrived on Corfu late Sunday afternoon and once unpacked headed down to a beach on the SW side of the island about 15 minutes away.  Most folks were leaving as we arrived, but that was fine with us. 

On another day we decided to drive to the north end of the island to check out the beaches there.  The north end of the island is more mountainous and the land comes down to the sea more abruptly making the beaches a little more narrow and a little shorter, but by no means less inviting.

A gecko is a must-have at any beach!

Obviously with so many choices there is plenty of room for everyone.  None of the beaches we went to were in any way overcrowded and all were very clean with clear blue water.

Very cool raft with cutout, cup holders and a viewing window!

While technically this is not "beach" time, we did have dinner by a small beach area on the southeastern coast.  This was our last night on the island and the taverna was recommended by our homeowner for it's fresh fish.  We actually went in and picked our own. Photo by Ian.

Other than actually sitting in the water, you can't get much closer!

Our last beach stop was the afternoon we left (Ian's birthday) and was located at the extreme southern portion of the island.  It was also the first time we had any kind of strong wind and surf.  Prior to this all the waters had been very calm and ideal for both young children and swimming. This one also had some serious rock ledges and bottom stone litter. Water temperatures were ideal at all the beaches, contrary to what we had been told.

This beach, also recommended by Harris, had a very nice new beach bar where we had an excellent order of a hamburger and fries!

Can't beat a nap on the beach!

Posing for a Corona ad!

Stay thirsty my friend.......

True confession time.  This is the only time I did not swim. While the water temps were great, the rocks and ledges did not call my name.  Also, Ian came in from a dip with cuts on both feet from slipping off the rock ledge. I did not get this old by being stupid.....

On to Corfu, or Kerkyra to the Greeks

Sunday afternoon we left Parga after spending the morning ambling around it's waterfront one more time.  We drove an hour north to the town of Igoumenitsa to catch a ferry to the village of Lefkimmi located at the southern end of the island of Corfu.  From there we drove about 30 minutes north to our house for the next 5 days just outside the village of Chlomos.

View from the port at Igoumenitsia

Igoumentsia's port

The trip for the six of us and the car cost 54 Euro and took about an hour at a very leisurely pace.  Reminded me a lot of the ferry ride to Ocracoke, only a much larger boat and not free!

View from our bedroom window on the left in the next photo.....

My favorite set of steps. I got to carry my sleeping granddaughter up them numerous times upon our return from a day's worth of adventures.....

 Another sunset! This one is on a beach on the southwest coast about 15 minutes from our house.  We went here shortly after our arrival Sunday evening.  I'll save the beaches for another post, but for now on to Corfu town.

According to my guide book "Corfu Town is one of the loveliest towns in Greece."  I'll choose to take their word for it.  It is truly beautiful. It is greatly influenced by it's past occupations by

Venetians, Italians and the British.

This is the jewelry shop owned by our host Harris.

Pleasure boat docks with the Old Fortress rising above.

Palace of Sts. Michael & George built during British occupation for government offices, but currently houses a couple of museums.

Statue of Lord Frederick Adam, a British commissioner who was responsible for a number of infrastructure improvements in Corfu Town, such as the aqueduct in the early to mid-1800's.

Belfry of Agios Spyridon in the background.

Light one candle....or two or three

I really liked this town and could have spent the whole week getting to know it better, but the beaches were calling my name!
More to come....