Sunday 25th May 2008

After moving Henrietta to a position behind the very smart apartments and plugging in to their power, we set off with our suitcase to the bus stop just a few metres from the campsite entrance. In normal fashion, the bus was nearly a quarter of an hour late – just at the point where we were beginning to wonder whether it was ever going to arrive. We got into Volos at 11:30, two and a half hours before the ferry was due to leave, so we bought our tickets, left the suitcase at the agency and set off to explore Volos. We hoped to find an internet café and eventually found an internet point with lots of computers but no wireless and we couldn't plug in the laptop. Fortunately, they directed us to a 'Flo café' (part of a chain) on the seafront that had free wireless internet. We ordered two very expensive, but very good, coffees and I then spent 10 minutes trying to get onto the internet. Eventually, the third person who came to help me explained that the Internet was too busy with all of the other cafés on the seafront and it wasn't working. I didn't see a single person in any of the cafés with a laptop, so I wasn't convinced.
The ferry journey was very pleasant and we sat in an open area at the back with a roof to keep the sun off. It was very warm and the breeze set up by the movement of the ship was very welcome. However, there was a howling gale at the bow end and this area was quickly evacuated. The journey took four hours and much of this time was spent going down the Pelio peninsular, past islets, before we headed to the island of Skiathos. This is a very pretty island, larger than Skopelos and the most popular destination of the passengers and vehicles. We watched the people and lorries pour off the ferry before we headed towards Skopelos, which was only a short distance away. We passed more islets before we arrived at the tiny port of Loutraki at the northern end of Skiathos. Hardly anything got on or off here and we soon started our trip round the island to Skopelos Town. Jane spotted some dolphins behind the ferry and we spent some time watching them playing in the wake of the ferry. This is great to watch and the Greeks were just as entranced as the foreigners.
Arriving at Skopelos Town Norman and Deborah were on the quayside to meet us and after a happy reunion, we made our way to the apartments. They had plotted a route through the narrow windy streets of the old town that involved the least number of steps and we were soon at Stella's apartments with a wonderful view over the town, castle ruins and the view over the bay and out to Alonissos (the ferry's final destination). Stella had kindly arranged for us to have the apartment next to Norman and Deborah's so that we had adjoining balconies – this would prove to be very useful over the coming days.
Norman and Deborah have been coming to Skopelos for 13 years and know all of the tavernas (and taverna owners) in the town. Deborah had prepared a selection of the best for us to try and we set off for the first of these now, and an excellent meal it was too.
Photos: Greek discussion group on the ferry; View from our apartment in Skopelos Town.