Nevertheless, we thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Corfu town...playing tourist as one does...walking miles, stocking up at Lidl, buying favourite sweet bikkies from M&S, plus socializing with our Danish/Swedish friends, Grete and Fred S/Y SANS PEUR, who are 'en route' to Sicily for winter.
Finally, our weather has settled down and gone are the sudden frightening electrical storms which we have been experiencing recently....for how long? Ca suffit!
CORFU is a beautiful luxuriant green island...from high mountains in the north to fertile coastal plains in the south, surrounded by the sparkling sapphire blue Ionian Sea. Such a contrast, to the bare mountains of Albania just across a one mile wide channel at the northern end of Corfu.
The coastline is covered with rich pine, cypress trees dotted everywhere, eucalyptus growing down on the water's edge. Oleander and other brightly coloured bushes are still flowering profusely end September.
The history of Corfu is long and complex, as the rest of Greece....impossible to write about that now....But, to mention few details...
Venetians ruled for over 400 years, before the French took over in 1797, constructing the arcaded buildings on the esplanade (a second Rue de Rivoli from Paris).
Britain had it's turn from 1814, introducing fruit cake and cricket (apparently),
Then finally in 1864, Corfu ceded to Greece.
All these influences are reflected in the impressive architecture, not forgetting the Byzantine period with their churches etc.
Naturally the beauty of this island attracts tourists from all over.... one just has to explore the cobbled streets and other off beat areas, trying to keep well away from the tourist alleys.
It is one of these places which grows on you the more often one visits.......we will return happily.
BON ANNIVERSAIRE, dear MANON in Paris....thinking of you!
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