Corfu Day 7

Greek salads today: 1

Greek salads so far: 7

We are the rainmakers!

Apparently it hasn’t rained here since May. But we are in town, and we can change that. Some friends out there will recall that on arrival in Broken Hill, New South Wales many years ago we brought the first rain in 4 years!! Children who had NEVER seen rain were playing out in the mud on our arrival. Then in Morocco a few years back they experienced their wettest and coldest few days in January since records began. OK, I might be making the “since records began” bit of that up, but it was so wet and cold for a few days we had to change hotel, because it had no heating! This is in North Africa!

So it was no surprise then, given the heat wave back home, that we woke this morning to the sound of thunder and the sight of slate grey skies. Again, I exaggerate a little for effect. It was a few dark clouds and it only actually rained twice all day, and for less than 20 minutes on each occasion. But it was enough for us to change our beach plans for another day in Corfu Town. Actually glad we did, as we managed to get up to the top of the old fortress, part of which was built by the good old colonial Brits, while we occupied the island for most of the first half of the 19th century (feel free to check my actual facts and dates as I am never very good at remembering this stuff). Bit weird to find some parts of an ancient fortress largely built by the Venetians (I guess they were partial to a bit of colonial stuff too) constructed of yellow house brick!

By the time we had climbed the hill, the sun was out again and thunder clouds were a distant memory. So its back to the hotel pool where, as most days, I write this tripe.

But not before we had found the worst Greek salad of the trip - it didn’t have any olives!!! And not enough dressing. Or oregano, or indeed any sort of herbs! It rather felt like someone had read the basic ingredients (not noticing that olives are a fundamental part) and just chucked them in bowl. Still ate it of course but if I was placing them in any sort of league table as I go along this would be relegation material. The calamari was quite nice though and they had massive umbrellas to shelter us from the rain. So not all bad!

We regretted not having eaten in the local market we found while initially zen travelling (ie with no idea where we were going) on arrival off the public bus to Corfu Town. That would have been the place to eat if the friendliness of the owners and the strength of the coffee were anything to go by. But at that time we made the (wrong as it turned out) decision to explore further, before scoffing yet another lunch. But if the clouds return and we head back into town we will be revisiting the market for more than a cheap coffee!

Well, that’s all for today. We are posh dining again for the second and final time at a place called the Windmill. Top of a hill, fabulous sunsets and good food to come. Taxi is booked. Fingers crossed. Last night we had a pizza at the local Italian for about 10 bucks a head, drinks included!

Some pictures from the top of the old fortress:

Contemplating.

Overlooking the town

Looking to the north

To the south of the island

Just a nice picture of two happy people. I like Corfu!