Grecian Tales Part II: Ship to shore

On July 7, 2015February 25, 2016 By Conversations with StrangersIn Travel/vacationsLeave a comment

Even the Cicadas weren’t up. Hut mate (HM) stirred, opened the mosquito net and shuffled around. “Are you coming? C’mon, you could write about this. Imagine how much fun it’ll be.”

Shorts pulled rapidly on, minutes later I joined her on the bay balcony.

The water was flat and still, the sun barely up, the island we were to row around in the distance.

We joined other carpe diems at the tea station for a briefing. The swimmers were bright eyed and bushy tailed, the rest of us not so.

M said, “I’ve only got two canoes – who’s coming?” I started muttering about how I’d much rather be in the hut listening to the birds and dozing back off to sleep, but before you could say ‘capsizing canoes’ HM and I had our respective hands in the air and there was no turning back.

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Grecian Tales Part I: What happens in Hutland ..

On July 6, 2015February 25, 2016 By Conversations with StrangersIn Travel/vacationsLeave a comment

We’ve been getting to know each other my hutmate (HM) and I think it’s safe to say we’ve reached a stage where all bets are off.

We started cautiously. Furtive dressing and undressing, polite goodnights, thoughtful noiseless awakenings, and the use of a torch or phone after lights out.

It was a challenge keeping up with all the discreet disrobing. “Oh, just so you know, I’m not actually that modest” I ventured to my fellow bamboo shack lover after a particularly difficult morning of contortions. “I went to an all girls school, you sort of get used to walking around naked.”

HM looked at me and paused. “Yes” she said slowly. “I think it’s fine as long as there’s not a lot of, you know, bending over.”

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Greece is the word

On June 30, 2015February 25, 2016 By Conversations with StrangersIn Travel/vacations2 Comments

Two harrier jump jets swooshed by overhead, the roar travelling even faster than they did, swiftly followed by another couple of military looking planes. Was Greece fighting a war I didn’t know about? Maybe I’d missed something in the news – aside from the obvious.

Cicada drills took over again. I placed my wash things next to a basin au plein air as the sound of footsteps on the stairway to this bougainvillea framed bathroom woke me from thoughts of Grecian problems.

M appeared. “I mean, they could save a few quid if they didn’t fly these jets all over the place” I said, by way of a ‘Good Morning.’ “I’m sure it costs about £100,000 to put one of those in the air every time.”
“Hmmm, quite. Did you know Greece has the seventh largest defence budget per capita in the world?” he replied. I didn’t.

We brushed our collective teeth and moved on quietly, as one does in the ablutions area: No one too keen to make actual eye contact just in case discretion is required in this unisex space.

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Dinner at the theatre

On June 21, 2015February 25, 2016 By Conversations with StrangersIn Food and drinks, LondonLeave a comment

“I’m going to seat you up at the bar” the manager said when I booked Bocca di Lupo. “I think you’ll like it, you’re overlooking the kitchen and there’s always a bit of drama going on.”

A and I met at 8pm and took our places. High stools at a high bar in front of which we could see grills, deep fat fryers, cooking on gas and four intensely focused chefs. One in particular caught my eye. He never looked up not even when he was called to produce another rack of lamb and mountain of rocket. Just a ‘Yes Chef!’ and the sound of a hatchet striking bone followed.

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Life is better on bike

On June 12, 2015February 25, 2016 By Conversations with StrangersIn Ibiza, Travel/vacationsLeave a comment

I know these guys – they’re always on time. Rushing up to our apppointed meeting at the entrance to Camping Escana five minutes early – there he was just waiting. “Hola” I called out excitedly.

A tall dark and it must be said, fairly handsome gentleman nodded and proceeded to turn around and unlock the van. I reached his side. He leant down and we kiss kissed. “Ah, two cheeks like in Spain!” he grinned as we introduced ourselves.

The van doors opened wide to reveal two white steed-like bikes, each with the packaging still on. “They’re brand new” Eric said looking back over his shoulder as he jumped in to grab one for me. “We get them straight from industry.”
“Ah – you mean from the manufacturers?” I enquired.
“Yes, exactly – from Orbea.” He lifted the nearest one down, removed the blue wrapping and we stood back to admire her.

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