Seems a while

It seems rather a long time since I sent my last message. We've been away to Kefalonia (Cephalonia/Kefalinnia, etc.) for a week and, since I got back there's been a lot of catching up to do.

This is the view from our apartment a few minutes out of Fiskardo.

Across the Steno Ithakis, the Strait of Ithaca. Ithaca on the right, Levkada straight ahead, the port of Fiskardo tucked away in the bay, bottom left.

Since we last visited, about 9 years ago, things have got much more expensive. Fiskardo was never cheap, but in other parts of Kefalonia, we could eat for about 15Euros ($21-22, £12), but now we were paying about 35Euros ($50, £28). In Fiskardo itself, we paid up to 60Euros ($86, £48) - all per couple. The main thing that's changed, however, is the sophistication of the food, and especially the wine. Most tavernas don't sell Retsina, which I rather like, though it's available in all the mini-markets. They regard it as old-fashioned and lower class. Fiskardo, full of expensive yachts, wants to be more like San Tropez, but the designer shops aren't there yet.

Fiskardo, day and dusk.

Anyway, we had a very restful time, lazing on the balcony watching the boats come in and out, or motoring to Assos or Agia Efimia for lunch and sitting watching the boats come in and out, or having dinner in a quayside taverna and watching the boats come in and out (you can see a theme developing here).

Now, back in UK and Autumn is here with morning mists and, boy, is it cold!

Lots more Kefalonia pix at http://albums.phanfare.com/4520998/2008/