BS: Pre-postcard (2024)

Subject: BS: Pre-postcard
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 03 Sep 24 - 05:26 AM

As we prepare to pack for our last Greek holiday of the year, I wonder if it is worth collecting any interesting/amusing anecdotes for my usual "Postcard" as the last one only got one comment? We hope our health holds up so we can have at least a couple of trips in 2025, but at our age, it's one year at a time!
RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Pre-postcard
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Sep 24 - 12:45 PM

I read them every now and then, they're enjoyable. I hope this helps!

Subject: RE: BS: Pre-postcard
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Sep 24 - 04:45 AM

Me too, Roger.

My little brother is planning on emigrating to the Greek Islands if he can get his Polish passport.

Subject: RE: BS: Pre-postcard
From: keberoxu
Date: 05 Sep 24 - 03:13 PM

Have a glorious time in Greece, and do post a postcard!

Subject: RE: BS: Pre-postcard
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Sep 25 - 02:37 PM

I always look forward to your postcards, Roger, but I usually have nothing to add. I spent a week in the Greek Isles, and really enjoyed it. I found out my training in Classical and New Testament Greek didn't help me a whole lot with modern Greek, but I could read the alphabet and make out many words.

Subject: RE: BS: Pre-postcard (2024)
From: DaveRo
Date: 22 Sep 25 - 04:48 PM

When I learned Greek at school all the texts were in lower-case. I knew the capitals, of course, but don't recall seeing words written in them.

When I first went to Greece I was surprised to find that most writing was in capitals and I couldn't recognise or pronounce the words. I still find it harder than lower case words.

Later I discovered that many letters are proncounced differently anyway - or differently to how I was told at school. But at least there are no breathings.

Subject: RE: BS: Pre-postcard (2024)
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 23 Sep 25 - 05:06 AM

...and my 2025 effort, typos and all, is now on. I can't believe I've been doing these for over 20 years. At 81 I find the journey tiring, even if the flight is 3 hrs and the ferry 1-2 hours, the whole shebang with delays and waits, seems to take a whole day. Heaving luggage up ferry gangplanks, although crew help us old'uns, means I usually arrive with bruises! We've already booked our flights and apartment for June 2026 to "Dendros".
RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Pre-postcard (2024)
From: DaveRo
Date: 23 Sep 25 - 05:57 AM

Have you ever flown to Dendros airport via Athens? It'll still take all day but avoid the ferries.

Subject: RE: BS: Pre-postcard (2024)
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 23 Sep 25 - 09:07 AM

Airport has terrible rep. Cancellations, lost luggage etc. People living on the island say it is a white elephant.
RtS

Subject: RE: BS: Pre-postcard (2024)
From: DaveRo
Date: 23 Sep 25 - 12:27 PM

I heard it was the subject of some political scandal. It was shut when I was last there.

But you mentioned ferries, and being 81. I remember coming into Kos on the ferry when the swell was so high they couldn't tie it up - what we used to call a 'touch and go'. We all had to queue on the ramp and judge the moment to leap - with luggage. I was only 65 then - I couldn't do it now.

We often flew from that island north of Dendros. That was exciting in some winds!

I look forward to next year's postcard.

Subject: RE: BS: Pre-postcard (2024)
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 24 Sep 25 - 04:46 AM

Yes, Dave. Some of those early ferry journeys in the 1980...We thought of them as adventures. Nowadays, we'd be thinking: 'risk of hip fracture'! Worst were the Russian-built Flying Dolphin catamarans, designed for river use, already obsolete when the Greeks bought them. Fast in flat calm but any small waves or wind and they had to go slowly pitching and yawing. There are a few still around in Piraeus. Hope you enjoy my Spetses ramblings.
RtS