Tuesday, 26 September 2017

Family visit

17th - 24th September
Drove to Preveza airport after dark to meet O, F and the children. Their plane was on time and we saw it land as we neared the airport. So exciting to see them. R whizzed about, L smiled.

The week with them has been a sharp contrast to our so-far lazy holiday. Early mornings in the swimming pool with R and 'Mr Skinny Legs' ? His name for his inflatable turtle. It was a lucky thing that this was still inflated as our visiting cats had stretched out on it and punctured it with their claws! Mended by yours truly with a dozen plasters and much determination! R was swimming with his armbands on by day 3 and delighted with his achievement.

The sleeping arrangements at the villa didn't quite work as we had intended as R is still getting used to being in a bed and was in danger of falling out, so his mezzanine bedroom wasn't right for him. He slept on his mattress on the floor of his parents room, with L in a cot beside their bed. Just as well the room was big enough.

Lots of fun all week, bbqs, late dinners with O and F in the balmy evening cooked by O, more lunches and dinners on the beach and at Stavros' in the harbour. We were able to take our grandchildren to the bakery for a morning out. R having a very large freshly squeezed orange juice and fruit pancakes. A joy to be able to do this. And O and F managed a night out on their own, whilst R had a late supper with his grandparents.

I had a mad session with R in the shallows at Mikros Galios beach as the pebbles and gentle waves plus my dodgy knees were enough to stop me being able to get to my feet after my swim. Neither of us could quite manage to stay on our feet and R was not happy when he got a sip of salt water! Of course I got the giggles which made it even harder to get upright. We rolled about for a short while like this , R sitting on my legs, and eventually found our way out. R appeared to have enjoyed it but sadly didn't want to go in again. Certainly not with unreliable Granma.

Games on the turtle and with water balloons were the best fun. Funny how grown men take to this hilarity as much as 3 year olds. O hurtling a water balloon over the trees by the use of the enormous pool sieve. Pete deciding it was just as much fun to squirt the water out of the ballon before tying it.

L took all of this in her stride. Her running entertainment is watching her brother whom she clearly adores especially when he sings and dances. Broad smiles for him and for us whenever you talk to her. The Greeks are so fond of children, lots of comments about her chunky shape and smiley disposition and waiters chat to them both. R is very shy and not willing to tell them his name, but they pat his head and chat to him anyway.

F's gentle way with both their children pays off, I know I am biased but they are the best. O provides the madness games and clever distractions - transforming R into a chicken souvlaki wrapped in bread (a towel) stopped some tears over a grazed toe.

As for Granpy, his bonkers games with speed boat turtles and counting shoes in R's hammock 'shoe shop' whiled away some hours and kept R engrossed. Not so good when F tried to have a relax in the hammock, (not knowing the game) and got covered in beach shoes.

A frenetic week, but so enjoyable.






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