San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu

We couldnt face another wet weekend in cumbria so gill and i took advantage of some amazing cheap flights and flew out to corfu yesterday arriving at the tsaros apartments which are fantastic! People are surprised we are only here for the weekend until i explain that it would have taken longer and cost more to have gone to london. Here in san stef everything is now open, the sunbeds were put out across the beach this morning and the beach has been cleaned, after a windy day yesterday today is calm warm and sunny so the village has a real happy summer feel to it. So whats new? The chinese is open and looks smart filling in a gap in the high street, the athina pool has a new beach hut at the end serving drinks and snacks to the pool and beach, there is a new supermarket near spiros bikes. Most hotels are open but the perros is still shut for some reason. Last night is was surprisingly busy, we ate at the little prince which was over half full, spiros is back and competing with thenasis to be the best dancer! Prices generally are the same as last year but with the local exchange rate of 1.23 its a lot cheaper you can eat out for less than £10 each with wine. As for the crises there is no sign of it here the corfiets say its a mainland problem. Must get back to my mythos i only have two days left! Andy

Gill and I had a weekend in Corfu Town last week and had a fantastic break, with the weather being warm and sunny Corfu was busy with all the Hotel and Taverna owners getting ready for summer.

We had a drive to San Steph and it was a hive of activity with many owners out decorating and getting ready for the new season.

We had a walk up to the path above the Havana Bar which was having a refit and were surprised how wide the beach was, it is back to the size it was in summer 2008 when we first visited San Steph.

The locals say the cold, dry winter has allowed the beach to rebuild with the wind coming from Albania piling the sand against the San Steph shore line.

I will try to upload a photo later to show just how wide the beach now is.

Andy

Gill and I found San Steph by mistake.

In 2008 we wanted to go to kassiopi but it was full, then gill read about San Steph on the agni site.

She booked it with my sister and her husband for two weeks in August 2008 and the rest as they say is history, however, gill always reminds me about my first comment on San Steph stood on the beach outside waves when apparantly I said 'it looks like bloody woolacombe'!

That night we went to the little prince and have never looked back since.

Andy

The Easyjet Flights from Manchester to Corfu in October 2012 are now available.

I had already booked the September flight out but just booked my return in October for £90 each including 20kg and Easy Boarding, Thomson wanted £160 each (dreadfull flight time) and Thomas Cook £175 each.

Thats a saving of at least £140 for both of us and with Easyjet I will be first on the plane and probably get an extra legroom seat

I dont find Easyjet a rip off, I think they are excellent but you have to book early!!

Andy

The last holiday flights by TUI and Thomas Cook leave Corfu for the UK on Monday, anyone on them?

Any Taverna's still left open in San Stef this weekend? It must seem eerily quiet in the fading light of Autumn.

184 days till the 2012 season

Andy

Jimbo's idea seems OK but how about a wine tasting holiday instead, it doesnt matter what the weather is like, you just visit all the tavernas in San Steph and sample the house red and white!

Afterwards you would need to compile a full report of your findings and any discrepancies would entail a complete revisit of all establishments.

Now thats my sort of out of season holiday

Andy

Just a quick final post.

Weather much better today and it was warm in the sun, village busier as well with people up and about.

The Little Prince is now staying open until Friday as they have guests upstairs and Beachcomber is open till October 28th as are several other tavernas.

About 35 people in the Little Prince last night and everyone was indoors as it was freezing, stayed there until 12.30am then went to the Athens Bar which was busy as Nickos was holding an end of season party although he will not close until next weekend (thats Greek logic!)

So its back to blighty tomorrow just in time for the first icy blast of winter, spring seems a long way off!

Andy

PS: Little Prince has just one room booked for half term week yet on the Thomson Website it says "Hurry only one room left"!

That rumour was flying around the Little Prince last night so its good to hear its true, I like East Midlands Airport despite the drive from home and Gill loves it because she can have a fag in departures.

Now where is my credit card

Andy