I did some limited unpacking but there's a bit of a mess still so I will deal with that this morning. The first load of washing is in and fingers are crossed for a good drying day. BBC says it should be sunny with a fresh breeze which sounds pretty much perfect, doesn't it?
Let's go back to yesterday morning.
I did most of my packing on Monday so there was very little to do but I still woke super early - I am delighted that I slept until six this morning, eight in Cretan time, so maybe adjusting back will be ok. It's only two hours difference, after all.
I did most of my packing on Monday so there was very little to do but I still woke super early - I am delighted that I slept until six this morning, eight in Cretan time, so maybe adjusting back will be ok. It's only two hours difference, after all.
Breakfast was leisurely. No worries about cases as the hotel staff collected everything and all we had to do was see our own stuff onto the coach, just to make sure it was there.
For me, the main problem was that for some unknown reason, between getting out of the bath and getting dressed, my back decided to go on me. How stupid is that!
For me, the main problem was that for some unknown reason, between getting out of the bath and getting dressed, my back decided to go on me. How stupid is that!
We left the hotel at eleven so there was plenty of time to say goodbye to staff, have a last wander round, tip as we wanted to, etc.
A work about tipping - One Traveller includes tips in the cost of the holiday so we don't have to worry, just tip if we want to for over-and-above service. I like it - it takes the pressure off 'how much is right or culturally expected'. So I tipped our coach driver and Patros, the Cretan guide who stayed with us all week and explained things, etc. I tipped the hotel staff as a body, asking Adonis to share it out amongst everyone. It's a small hotel so that wasn't an unrealistic ask - I have a feeling they pool all the tips anyway.
A work about tipping - One Traveller includes tips in the cost of the holiday so we don't have to worry, just tip if we want to for over-and-above service. I like it - it takes the pressure off 'how much is right or culturally expected'. So I tipped our coach driver and Patros, the Cretan guide who stayed with us all week and explained things, etc. I tipped the hotel staff as a body, asking Adonis to share it out amongst everyone. It's a small hotel so that wasn't an unrealistic ask - I have a feeling they pool all the tips anyway.
Taking my luggage into Chania airport was a bit of a pain although the pain killers had sorted out a fair bit of ouchiness by then and, of course, the first thing you do is dump your hold luggage anyway!
Once through security, Diane and I wandered around for a bit (with others) and I made a mistake in buying a sandwich for the flight. I should have realised that after a week of the best and healthiest food in the whole world and some delicious bread, an airport sandwich would be - er, let's call it nasty! Most of it went in the bin!
Once through security, Diane and I wandered around for a bit (with others) and I made a mistake in buying a sandwich for the flight. I should have realised that after a week of the best and healthiest food in the whole world and some delicious bread, an airport sandwich would be - er, let's call it nasty! Most of it went in the bin!
The flight was fine, no holdups or issues, and the other end, once passport, luggage and security was done, there was our lovely taxi driver holding up our names on his tablet. He took our luggage, bless him, and withing five minutes we were sitting in comfort being driven home. Worth every last penny of the big tip I gave him (and I know Diane did the same because we talked about it earlier) and the price of the actual taxi was also included in the cost of the holiday.
It was nice to be back in the UK. Everywhere was so lush and green in the evening sunshine, so different to Crete. Crete is green but it's different - it is bright sunshine and olives and exotic looking flowers and citrus trees with fruit hanging and avocado trees in flower and snow capped mountains and hairpin bends (I closed my eyes at times on the coach through the week), so very different to our lush green and more diffused sunlight.
This morning, while my back is still aching, it is so much better. I think HAVING to walk and stretch while pulling cases did help, even though it was a bit miserable at the time, and Diane was lovely, lifting my heavy case onto the scales, etc, for me.
This morning, while my back is still aching, it is so much better. I think HAVING to walk and stretch while pulling cases did help, even though it was a bit miserable at the time, and Diane was lovely, lifting my heavy case onto the scales, etc, for me.
The first thing I did when I got home was release Bubbles from her chilly hibernation. Today I will feed her to activate and, hopefully, start some sourdough going.
The second thing was water the plants. It has been warm in the UK and the new plant especially was suffering. However, twelve-ish hours later, it's picked up fine so that's good.
As I said, the first load of washing is in and there are a couple more loads to get done today. I have some stuff to do including the end of month finances, of course, and I want to go food shopping. I shall go to M&S because Diane generously gave me a gift card for my birthday and we agreed that I could spend it on the weekly food and use the equivalent to buy an olive tree for the garden. I know where to put it and it would be such a lovely way to remember a wonderful holiday.
I think I have waffled on long enough so I'll stop here and get the day started. Have a wonderful Wednesday, whatever you do, and have a happy time. See you tomorrow. xx
It was lovely to follow you through your holiday - what a beautiful place.
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