San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu

I've been trying to check their website but the link from their leaflet, www.peli-maria.gr but I just get an error message when I type this in. A google search hasn't helped either. Anyone have a different link? I can phone but would like to have a look first.

Woke this morning to a heavy rain shower followed from 08:00 on by a lengthy and spectacular thunderstorm. Could be on for most of the day clearing for tomorrow with a mini heatwave to start on Thursday. Been sunny and mid twenties since Thursday, no clouds until last night!

Walked up the cliff path from Arillas on Sunday, you do need to watch out for the stumps and roots on the new bit though.

Prices much on a par with last year. Noula's boat trips are up a couple of euros but food drink not moved much yet. Breakfasts all around 5 euros, one course glass of wine specials currently 7 euros, three courses for 9 euros. Large Mythos 2.50 as last year. Supermarket prices especially for dairy products still high but white loaf at the bakery was eighty cents yesterday, brown ninety. Prices at the chemist at Avliotes may be a bit of a shock if you need anything. Speaking to a couple of expats the other day, he has apprently not been paid for a year and has greatly increased prices to compensate.

Ice cream parlour opened on Saturday, tried for the first time, delicious! The new Chinese has looked very quiet so far but Little Prince busy as usual. Alex, Spiros and Thanassis are doing most of the dancing this year much to Dimitri's relief.

Can't tell you the price of car hire this year yet as I went into book a car with Valantis at San Stef car hire, got talking, booked the car for three days next week and forgot to ask the price! Some Scotsman I am I'll update next week!

Exchange rate has been 1.22/1.23 the last few days subject to commission.

Well folks, the sun's trying to break through although the rest of the day is forecast for thunder. Noula has a wedding at Waves this afternoon so hope it does improve.

Any Qs re anything I've not mentioned please ask and I'll do my best to answer.

I believe the Greek Parliament is debating the latest round of austerity measures and there is to be a general strike this Wednesday.

Just booked our next two weeks(4th time) in our own version of Paradise. Flying out a week later on Friday 3rd June. Little Prince booked again through Thomsons but going from Edinburgh this time rather than Glasgow. Flight is 06:00 out getting in to Corfu 11:35, back from Corfu 12:35. Airport is only 20 mins from home, we'll save on petrol, parking and overnight stay in Glasgow. Flight in previous years has been 06:40.

Thomsons brochure says flight is by Monarch but came up as British European when booked. Don' know them but hopefully all will be well.

Edinburgh is v. cold today with snow forecast so booking has lifted our spirits a bit. Already looking forward to seeing friends in the village and of course the odd Mythos or two

Well we're back after two great weeks from 8-22 May, staying at the Little Prince.

Weather was great but overcast on the middle weekend(still v.hot though) but we had the car then and it was not a problem.

Ate mostly in the Little Prince this year but did visit the Beachcomber Bistro and Ozzy Oils(twice each) Zest for life juice bar, just before the beach is a great place for a sandwich and a cake for lunch.

The Beachcomber food was excellent, with great views and decor. A must visit for us now. Ozzy Oils also superb with a very friendly welcome from Kerry. Have the Mangaroo starter, strips of Kangaroo in a Mango sauce. We were at their first BBQ night, great value and the village sausage is one of the best sausages I've ever tasted. We didn't try the new Mythica restaurant just up the Arillas road but the menu looked good and a few people said the food was excellent.

Car hired for four days from San Stefanos car rental(village centre) Had a Peugeot 107 with aircon for 120 euros, everything included. Will probably be slightly dearer now. People we spoke to had hired fron Arillas car hire, also good rates and service. We went to a few of the hill villages this year. Avliotes is well worth a stop and a wander about and Afionas is in superb setting and is a very pretty spot. Drove down to the south of the island as far as Lefkimmi this year. Chlomos village is worth a detour for great views and on the way back, we went to Pelekas and up to the Kaiser's throne. A truly fantastic view across virtually all of the island and across to Albania. You can take the car right up.

Our only actual excursion was booked with Noula at San Stefanos Travel and was a sail to Ericousa island. We should have left from San Stef harbour but this is quite badly silted up at the moment as most of Arillas beach is in there following the bad winter storms!! We therefore had a quick coach transfer to Sidari. the sail takes around 50 mins from Sidari and the island is lovely. with some nice walks and a beautiful sandy beach. There were two tavernas open for something to eat and drink and you get around four hours on the island. Recommended for a visit.

Took the local Green bus to Corfu Town a couple of times. Takes around 90 minutes and is a nice run. 3 euros 70 pp each way this year. The Bus Station in the town is more than a little chaotic on the return journey .

Mythos draught was in short supply as it only comes in larger kegs and a lot of places were only selling Amstel so early in the season. The local Royal Ionian lager is a decent substitute and was on draught at Bar 38 when we were there.

Local prices in the village were about the same as two years ago, main corses from around 6 euros 50(with a glass of wine if on special) You could get two or three course set menus from 7 or 8 euros. Large draught beer 2.50. Fresh white bread from the bakery, 80 cents a loaf.

I think that's about it. Flights were both on time but our transfer to the airpot was thirty minutes late and had been to Sidari before. I think a coach may have been missing. Didn't affect us too much but the Sidari folk weren't too happy. Corfu airport as chaotic as two years ago. The only really bad bit of our hol.

For those of you going after June, the ban on smoking in Tavernas will have started.

Anyway, enjoy when you do go

Although my favourite lager is Mythos, I have heard about the new brewery in Arillas and am keen to sample the product, simply for research purposes of course! Can anyone tell me wheree it's on sale in San Stef and is it bottle only or draught as well?

Cheers in advance, Gordon