Transit to another Island

Up early again as its another transition day. Months ago we discovered that they are not running ferries from Corfu to Kefalonia any more, so in order to get to the next leg we needed to catch two flights. Obviously more expensive and a lot more k`s covered (at greater speeds of course).  What caught us out was the extra luggage weight costs which should've been dealt with when booking but something went astray. So the effort of catering for the extra kilos was effectively ripping us off with no recourse. Asked for an extra 8 per person. Looks like the dude on the other end of the line had targets to meet as he managed to throw another 10 in (twice) and so we had enough allowance to also ship a small donkey. Unfortunately we'd left that back at the hotel so just got on with the trip. The taxi driver knows how to bargain.

"How much to the airport?"

"23 Euro,  flat rate" (even though they legally have to use their meters)

"Make it 20"
"No 25 it is"
And 25 it was. Not bad for a 7 minute trip as there was literally no traffic to contend with.
He pointed out he had to get up early on a Sunday morning to take us to the airport. Couldn't be bothered pointing out back that there was few of them waiting for a fare and he could've easily have slept in if he wanted.
The great Greek service continues to be delivered...
1st flight OK. Its a small airline, small planes with props and wings on the top, so every window gets a good view of the Greek Islands and coastlines. Pity about the smoke that's hanging around obscuring the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean. Such is life. A three hour stopover at Athens domestic passed seamlessly. Boarding was a bit late and then absolute chaos ensued when getting onto the transit bus. One elderly lady had difficulty in lifting her carry on to the bus. Then we had another, and then another and they just kept on coming. In all there are 40 of them, extremely overloaded and the staff did nothing to help.

Getting onto the plane was even more chaotic as the steps are steep, narrow and with mind willing but body weak definitely in need of help. And the staff did nothing, so it was all up to the fitter other passengers to help. This also included getting these heavy bags into the overheads. A glimpse of the chaos down the isle once we helpers got on revealed cases trying to be put in the overheads with the handles still extended. Its amazing there were no injuries. They have overhead bag check size thingies at the gate. No one used them, the staff don't enforce the use so some bags are forced into the constricted space under duress. Of course they will not come out smoothly. Duh. The stewardess suggested to the helpers that the bags should have gone instead into the luggage section. That was really helpful.... as she was watching the whole delaying difficult scene playout without interjecting once and then saying how we should have done it differently after it was complete.
The flight to Kefalonia was short enough to only make some blog words and when we landed were in no position to help anyone as there is a very troublesome human trait to leap up and grab your stuff as soon as the seat belt light goes off. As if it's actually going to make your exit out of the airport any faster by doing so. In this case it totally hampered anyone's ability to help anyone that actually needed help. Still surprised no one died, yet eventually all departed. The elderly lawn bowlers from Italy headed off to somewhere on the island in a bus whilst we were greeted by Offspring no.1 and (now rebadged) Son In Law To Be (SIL2B). Pretty darn exciting to catch up on the other side of the planet and even more so to have a rebadging which means an extension to the fam. Having recently lost both MIL and FIL in a short period of time its great to get a new SIL to help keep the generational flow a thing. So they packed us up in their hired jalopy and took us up to the palace which is to be our residence for the next week.
Geebers, this place is seriously luxurious.

The pics will describe it far better than this bloggers usually over the top verbage could even attempt to. Best we remain focused on the dynamics.
We're here at the incredibly generous invitiation of SIL's (dropping the 2B as its a fait accomlli) immediate family. His folks, his sibling and just married partner. So we've been invited to their honeymoon. In a mansion. On a hillside overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

 Where the temperature got to a marvelous 32 today because they have a thing here that Albania and Corfu don't. It's called wind. Not the hurricane stuff that destroys towns, more the gentle sea breeze stuff that gently wipes away the sweat off your brow as you decide whether to take a dip in the pool or fill up your glass of Apperol Spritz from the jug on the table...or just do both. It's that kind of wind.
We're here for a week, so no need to labour the the usual overthetop descriptive details at this point. They can come out over time...or they may not as this blogger could just give up, relax and enjoy  (and go to bed early).
But not now as we have an afternoon and evening to capture.
Afternoon :  lounging around the pool
Evening : Maddie kindly played taxi diver ferrying the eight of us (in one car, multiple trips) to an unbelievably great local restaurant for dinner. Thought last nights fine dining ("I catch the fish myself") restaurant was good -  needed to compare by having the same dish and it was without a doubt a level up.

The company was great, the conversation flowed, as did the wine with the food.

Madds then ferried us all home again. To do this she is captaining the red mule (they don't have horses in Greece they're no good for the steep terrain). Its a tiny little Fiat that can squeeze in five fully grown humans of Northern European decent and still close the doors. Just. It's a manual and she was multitasking with great skill. Weaving in and out in the tight narrow streets, navigating through a myriad of confusing interconnected tracks while flicking the gears, working the clutch and reving the engine to its seemingly extent in order to keep the heavy load on the move. Also providing commentary along the way. A right royal sterling job.

Just like beggars canyon back home. 
Back home to our separate wing in the palace to pen these words .. trying to come to grips with it all.