Monday 28th April 2008
Home to Dover
Club trip to Corfu May 08 * Free Accomodation! *
The link above is how my addiction to Continental road trips started, the thought of travelling across Europe with fellow Roadster owners really got my interest and the generous offer of free accommodation from Nathan of Agni Travel certainly gave added incentive to make the trip.
The first leg of our journey down to a very generous fellow member Tony and his wife Chris, who are kindly letting us stay overnight prior to our long trip across the continent to our first stop in Strasbourg, this saves adding five hours driving to the journey making it a fresh start from Dover
It is here where we meet fellow travelers Jason & Adele
The link above is how my addiction to Continental road trips started, the thought of travelling across Europe with fellow Roadster owners really got my interest and the generous offer of free accommodation from Nathan of Agni Travel certainly gave added incentive to make the trip.
The first leg of our journey down to a very generous fellow member Tony and his wife Chris, who are kindly letting us stay overnight prior to our long trip across the continent to our first stop in Strasbourg, this saves adding five hours driving to the journey making it a fresh start from Dover
It is here where we meet fellow travelers Jason & Adele
The smiles say it all
Tuesday 29th April 2008
Roll call.....
Les & Anne
Nigel & Carol
Stu & Ele
Jason & Adele
Ed & Ad
Tim & Han
Chris
Steve
Nathan (on Corfu)
Dover Ferry Terminal
Looks like we are the only ones going.................
Not really.....as we all turned up at different times we were scattered round the boarding lanes
Not really.....as we all turned up at different times we were scattered round the boarding lanes
Dunkirk to Strasbourg
Our first stop is the F1 hotel in Strasbourg, about 370 miles.........
Topping off our fuel tanks we set off in the rain which stayed with us nearly all the way to Strasbourg
Needless to say not many pictures were taken during this part of the journey, another reason was the long drive to make sure we got to the hotel in time, this ended up being a little later than anticipated causing a few problems with the out of ours booking which was eventually sorted out.......fortunately.
Wednesday 30th April 2008
Strasbourg to Venice
A looooong ambitious trip of over 500 miles that would test our skills of travelling in convoy, this never went exactly to plan as some of our party became detached but all was well as the whole group made it to Venice with time to spare, a little tired but excited about the forthcoming adventure on Corfu
Leaving Strasbourg
The weather and the scenery just got better and better
Arriving at the Venice Ferry Teminal
............and the Ferry
All lined up then loading for the 23 hour voyage
Check out the ferry ...................... and relax!!!
Our expectations of this being like a cruise were somewhat dashed when having to walk round and step over all those passengers not using accommodation, it was more like a doss house as they were allowed to camp down almost anywhere, stair wells, even the empty swimming pool, a couple of places were out of bounds like bars & restaurants where the money was being made...... apart from that we had a great time.
A sight not to miss ...................... Views of Venice on the way out
Thursday 1st May 2008
Stopping off at the Greek mainland (about 9 pm)
The beginning of a fantastic sunset just before our arrival in Greece where we stopped to pick up more passengers including members from the Greek MR2 club who were joining our merry group
..........and what a sunset!!!
Our Greek friends
Sakis
Eva
Adonis
..............................Please let me know who the rest were????
Getting together with our Greek friends on the two or so hour trip across to Corfu
Arriving at Corfu (11-12pm)
We were met by fellow Roadster owner Nathan who had generously provided us all with our accommodation courtesy of Agni Travel during our stay on this fantastic island.
Our adventure began as soon as we landed as we had to travel to the various villas allocated to each of our group, driving through Corfu with the top down at midnight is an experience not to be missed.....................
Our adventure began as soon as we landed as we had to travel to the various villas allocated to each of our group, driving through Corfu with the top down at midnight is an experience not to be missed.....................
Friday 2nd May 2008
A: Kerkira
B: Apolyssies Cottage
C: Agni Bay
D: Mount Pantokrator
F: Airport
G: Sidari
H: Kassiopi
Checking out our marvelous villa Apolyssies Cottage
Our wedding anniversary….11 years! Got up 8.30am - sunny again! Looked around cottage - views are amazing. Found Jacuzzi, rumpus room, etc….it just goes on and on, washed car….........no surprise there.
13.00pm went to Agni Taverna where we met up with Nathan and his daughter Aphrodite for our welcome meet, The car park is a bit awkward but we negotiated it ok. The Taverna is on the beach in a very nice location, there we all had mezee lunch - shrimps sardines mussels aubergines calamari octopus chips,,,,you name it!! Plenty of drinks too.
Taverna Agni
Taverna Agni
Most people use a bucket & spade at the beach.........
Kassiopi
We went for a drive in convoy and stopped in Kassiopi for milk shakes and icecream, then on to a beach to line up for photo shoot..........
Two's in the sun
Saturday 3rd May 2008
Belle Mare Hotel
9.30am met Jason & Adelle and made our way for a drive to the Belle Mare Hotel where our Greek friends were staying,
When they met us they said
"You have your tops down"-----Yes we said,
"But it is very sunny"
Yes we said
.......and the problem is?
They don't understand that we Brits need to get the sun while we can lol
"Slapa" pictured by the Belle Mare's pool
When they met us they said
"You have your tops down"-----Yes we said,
"But it is very sunny"
Yes we said
.......and the problem is?
They don't understand that we Brits need to get the sun while we can lol
"Slapa" pictured by the Belle Mare's pool
10.30am Agni Travel Office
we all met at Nathans Agni Travel where he gave us the itineraries for the Corfu drive........and boy what a drive it turned out to be
Mount Pantokrator
We set off on yet
another fun convoy taking in the fantastic twisty roads which have a strange surface, not unpleasant but VERY interesting for RWD making it easy to get the back end out at every opportunity, something that was enjoyed by all
A memorable picture of the "Two's"
After coffee & cake we made our way down the other side of the mountain to our next stop for a spot of lunch.....more fun driving on the fantastic twisty roads,more stunning scenery and still more things to do.
Unfortunately I can't remember the name of our lunch stop but the pictures say it all
Ever onward we went further round the island, to yet another place with fantastic views, I really should have remembered these destinations......maybe one of my fellow travelers reading this can enlighten me? .......
Making our way back to the villa's we spot a place selling wine...............................Well you have to stop don't you.......
Taverna on the Rocks
The end of a perfect day was our evening meal at the "Taverna on the Rocks"
Sunday 4th May 2008
After yesterdays fantastic trip round the island, driving up a mountain, excellent food, excellent scenery in fabulous locations, we wonder what today will bring on our speedboat adventure, courtesy of Nathan and Agni Travel? The adventure starts when we all meet at Taverna Agni where we find our boats
Oh boy are we going to have fun!!!
Our "sedate" boat ride takes us round to Kassiopi where we moor up for lunch.
Back to the boats
Thirsts quenched and appetites sated and we're heading to Tim & Han's villa the "Olive Press" near our starting point in Agni Bay
Time for a spot of punch at the Olive Press
.........and a swim (for those brave enough)
Taverna Anthi
Is it possible to have a pleasure overload?
WE enjoy a superb meal at Taverna Anthi to round off our day..........Bring on tomorrow!!!
Monday 5th May 2008
Taverna Agni 11:00 am
A reasonably "Chill out" day today
We make our way down to Agni Taverna with Jason & Adele to partake in a little sunbathing followed by a gut-busting lunch.....Well we did the sunbathing, Jason had a little work to do so was at the back of the taverna freezing while we were baking on the beach having a little swim then drinking chilled beers......
At about 5:30 pm we were joined by most of the others to convoy through Corfu town to the airport where we.........surprise surprise.......had another photo shoot
Corfu Airport
.................and the cars
Tuesday 6th May 2008
Parking up for our BBQ meal in the rain
Definitely a wind down day today, met up at Taverna Agni for a light snack before heading off to a bbq lunch at Taverna Anthi; there we had wonderful food with so much meat we couldn't eat it all and drinks in abundance..........
After our excellent meal Stu kindly set us all a quiz ................. about the MR2 and guess what? ...... I sucked (No surprise there), it was then on to Jason & Adelles villa for an uno fest. We were joined by Chris, Stu & Ele. I didn't win this time, that honour went to Stu. after a few hours playing the hunger pangs began to appear so we all went for a quick change then down to a Tavern that Nigel recommended (can't for the life of me remember what it was called........but it was great!!).
Our evening meal at Taverna ????
Wednesday 7th May 2008
Shopping for the farewell gifts
Agni Travel Office
Saying farewell and thanking all the staff
We then went to Agni Taverna to give a big bouquet of flowers to Nathans lovely wife Eleni to say thanks for letting Nathan spend so much time with us, at the same time said our goodbyes to the staff there.
After saying our goodbyes it was back to our villa to pack then down to meet up with Stu & Ele's villa just down the hill where Anne & Ele had a last dip in the pool before we made our way to the Villa where Nige & Carol were staying, we would spend our last night here prior leaving for our early morning ferry....................That is not before having a HUGE BBQ with one or two refreshments (and a dip in the pool)
Nige & I have a bit of pool fun before the BBQ starts
Thank you Nathan
Before the start of the BBQ we presented Nathan with a small gift as a thank you for all that he and Agni Travel had done to make this our never to be forgotten holiday
Barbecue time!!!
MAN TALK
Discussing the finer points of firing up a barbie
*Add charcoal.....Make fire*
Discussing the finer points of firing up a barbie
*Add charcoal.....Make fire*
WOMAN TALK
How to light a BBQ
*A little firelighter here,
a little firelighter there
.........That should do it*
How to light a BBQ
*A little firelighter here,
a little firelighter there
.........That should do it*
The Ed & Ad way............
Grubs up!!!
........and so ended our last day on Corfu
Thursday 8th May 2008
Up at stupid-O'clock to catch our ferry, we gather on the quayside then line up to board after bidding a fond farewell to Nathan who came to see us off
It was some compensation to watch the glorious sunrise as we waited for the ferry
ALL ABOARD!!
Packing us in for the return trip to Venice
Friday 9th May 2008
After disembarking and leaving Venice behind we make our way back to the UK the next stop Strasbourg
............while still enjoying the stunning scenery
Saturday 10th May 2008
Auchan supermarket Dunkirk
Meeting at the supermarket to stock up with a few bottles (....and it is a few with the limited space in a Roadster)
Blighty here we come.......
......and relax!!
My Thoughts
Apart from a couple of problems eight cars set off from the UK, drove across Europe then blasted round Corfu before all making it back to Dover safely on a never to be forgotten road trip brilliantly organised by Nige & Stu and of course not forgetting the time, effort and resources put in by Nathan and Agni Travel.
I never knew what to expect when I put our names down for this holiday and now it is all over I still can't believe the fabulous things we saw and did I'm sad that it is all over but would do it again tomorrow...........
Apart from a couple of problems eight cars set off from the UK, drove across Europe then blasted round Corfu before all making it back to Dover safely on a never to be forgotten road trip brilliantly organised by Nige & Stu and of course not forgetting the time, effort and resources put in by Nathan and Agni Travel.
I never knew what to expect when I put our names down for this holiday and now it is all over I still can't believe the fabulous things we saw and did I'm sad that it is all over but would do it again tomorrow...........