February 12, 2021 
โ๏ธ #40 The Blind Sightseers “Escape The Lockdown” With Distant Memories: “Corfu, Greece”๐ฌ๐ท(2017)
ย ย Hiย friends and welcome to Day 40 of this monumental, inconceivable and definitely memorable blind sightseers tour….!ย ย
Good morning friends!ย (ฮฮฑฮปฮทฮผฮญฯฮฑ ฯฮฏฮปฮฟฮน) ๐ ย
Wow what a day yesterday, itโs time for a little relaxing todayโฆ.
Glyfada Beach is a Blue Flag strip of sand on Corfuโs west coast. Youโll have three hours to enjoy it during this trip. The soft, golden sand unravels into a crystal-clear lagoon. While behind it, dramatic, tree-peppered cliffs tower over a smattering of shops and restaurants. You can be as relaxed or active as you like โ top up your tan as you lie on a sunlounger*, or get stuck in with watersports*. Thereโs windsurfing, waterskiing and pedal boats up for grabs.
How does that sound for a relaxing day at the beach! โ๏ธ ย
On the dockโฆ๐ณ ย
After another lovely breakfast we got off the ship and met up with the excursion team who kindly showed us to our coach. This excursion is a really short one ย and is only 3 hours long, but we thought that Sarah could swim and play in the sea whilst i had a lay down on a sun bed and go to sleep . ๐ด ย ย
The coach dropped us off miles away from the beach and we had no idea which way to go. Sarah quickly guided (dragged) me as we needed to follow the other people from the coach. The other people soon split and went in multiple directions and we were soon left on our own. After a few wrong turns (about 15 minutes) we were walking along a path parallel to the beach. โThis looks more like itโ Sarah said as we were walking down the side of a white hotel looking place. โWait a minute, they said there would be lots of shops and cafes etc and there are none hereโ. We continued walking towards what appeared to be an empty beach and Sarah said โNo, not this way either, weโve already been off the coach for about 30 minutesโ.ย
We started heading back to the parallel path and back down the side of the hotel when…
We heard โThereโs Sarah and Steveโ and a few seconds later Brian and Ann (friends we met on the captains night evening) were stood in front of us. โNo wayโ i said โFancy meeting you here?! How areyou doing?โ They were not impressed and said โWe were on the bus before yours and weโve walked around the whole place and nothing is open! Weโve paid good money to be on this trip and there is nothing here worth while, weโve wasted our moneyโ. Sarah said โWeโve also been walking around for ages and your rightโฆThere is not much here. Shall we walk down here and see whatโs on the beach?โ.ย
Shortly after reaching the beach Ann said โThereโs a cafe type bar over there, let me treat you both to a drink and we can chat for a while and then see what else we can doโ, โWow thank you so muchโ. โ ๐ ย
The Cafeโฆย โ ย
It was a lovely little cafe/bar facing the sea (i think thatโs what the photo shows above?) and when the waiter had put our drinks down on the table, Brian said โWe enjoyed the meals you left when that huge man stole you from our table, lolโ Ann said โOoohhh yeah tell us what happened. Did you get arrested?โ ๐คฃ ย
We had a great time unfolding the events of that evening and told them it was also our 10th wedding anniversary. they both said โWeโve been married 42 years this year, we married in 1975 as teenagersโ. โWowโ i said โCongratulationsโฆI was born in 1975 and itโs amazing to be married for that longโ. ๐ ย Brian and Ann were from Yorkshire so when Sarah said she grew up in Yorkshire and her family were still there, the conversation kept flowing and we connected really well! Time also flew by as we were chatting, laughing and having a fantastic time after the day had started badly, and we were already half way through our excursion time.
Ann said โHeyโฆWeโve been chatting for ages donโt let us stop you having your time at the beach. Go and have some time to yourselves. You can leave your bags with us so you donโt need to carry themโ. Brian added โIโll get my iPad mini connected to the internet and show you some Facebook photos when you get backโ. Sarah replied โIโm also on Facebook so we can add each other as friends too and stay in touchโโฆAnd we have! ๐ย
The beachโฆโ๏ธ ย
I love this photo of Sarah (above) i can spend ages just soaking it in. Sarah works in London and commutes for 3 hours (round trip) into the dull grey and back into the lush greens of home. Her eyes get burned out with all of the close built up areas of London, and they work hard focusing on all of the close up objects and this results in lots of eye strainโฆBut when she is on the ship or on the beach she says โMy eyes totally relax as they love not focusing on close up objects but they rest whilst looking into the distance”. ๐ ย
Knowing all of this, i donโt need to tell you that Sarah really enjoys herself when in the sea…ย
Oh yes I forgot to let you guys knowโฆIโm actually here! Iโm burning hot again but my tactical sun hat is working well! ๐ฐ ย
Back at the cafeโฆโ ย
We returned to the cafe after rinsing off the sand under a tap attached to the wall. Ooohhh that was a lovely cold tap, lol! ย Brian said (whilst looking sad) โThe cafe doesnโt have Wifi so i canโt connect my iPad to the internetโ as Sarah said โOh thatโs a shame i was looking forwards to seeing some of your photos, and also searching for my profile and adding you as a friendโ. I thought for a momentโฆโWait a minute! I think i can do a โPersonal Hot Spotโ on my iPhone if i have a cellular connectionโฆIโll just checkโ.ย
I sat down a pulled my iPhone out of my pocket, plugged in my earphones and listened to my Voiceover screenreader. โHey Brian, it says i have 3G so youโll be able to connect and use my connectionโ โWhat? I donโt understand what youโve just said?โ After Sarah talked him through connecting via hot spot โWow thanks, iโm not sure what youโve just done but thanksโ and he opened up Facebook! ๐ ย
Ann turned to me and said โHow did you just manage to use your phone?โ I turned down the speaking rate to normal and unplugged my earphones, i said โCan you hear it reading out the name of the apps on my home screen, it even puts a box (Voiceover Cursorโ around the app itโs reading out so you can follow along if you have low vision too. โWowโ Ann said โthatโs amazing how it does thatโ. I said โAnd if i tap 4 times with 3 fingers it puts on a screen curtain โItโs gone offโ Ann said โNo, it appears that way but it has just made the screen black so i can have privacy too while iโm using my phoneโ. “Can you read messages too?โ Sarah said whilst laughing โOh no donโt get him started, we only have about an hour left and he’ll go on for agesโ. We all started laughing. ๐คฃ ย
Time was simply flying by, and after more lovely conversations on an omnifarious amount of topicsโฆIt was time for us all to head back to the coach.
Back at the dockโฆ๐ณ ย
Walking off our coach(Brian & Ann had a different ticket) ย and towards the port shop. Sarah said โMaybe this shop will have some souvenirs as all of the beach shops were closed?!โ โI hope soโ i said whilst following Sarah into the incredible air conditioned shop! โHello againโ Brian and Ann said โWeโre looking for souvenirs as the beach shops were all closedโ I said โYeah thatโs why weโre in here too, lolโ.
The handโฆ
Brian, Ann and Sarah had already exited the shop, i was following a few steps behind as i let a man through as he seemed in a rush. I heard Sarah say โCome on Steveโ and then a huge fit of laughter burst out of AnnโฆThen BrianโฆAnd finally Sarah! They were still doubled over in giggles as i got there. โWow what happenedโ i said as iโd just carefully navigated the step upon leaving the shop. Ann said whilst giggling โSarah just grabbed that other mans hand and pulled him out of the shop thinking it was youโ Sarah still with an embarrassed laugh said โCome on you, youโve caused enough trouble , lol!โ Now we all burst out laughing! ๐คฃ
Back on the shipโฆ๐ณ ย
Before heading back to our cabin Ann said โItโs my 70th Birthday todayโ โWhat?? You kept that quietโ Sarah and i said together whilst both in shock. Brian said โWe booked this cruise for Annโs 70th Birthday treat! Would you like to eat with us later to celebrate at the usual place? We meet you at 7pm outsideโ. Sarah said โYes of course that will be lovelyโฆAnd Happy Birthday Ann!โ ๐ ย
Sarah instantly crafted a plan…The plan was to wait until the ship leaves the port so that the shops can open. Then we can find a birthday present for Ann before we meet them at 7pm outside the restaurantโฆShe executed her plan perfectly and the present was lovely, Ann loved it! ๐ ย
Annโs Birthday meal…
โง Brian & Annย โงย
We met up with Brian and Ann and sat down at a table for 6. There were another couple sitting down too (sorry forgot their names) but they were also from Yorkshire. Sarah & i thought they must be Brian and Annโs friends but Ann said theyโd just met them before we came in and we asked them to join us. ๐ ย
Brian whispered โDonโt say anything but iโve arranged a special birthday cake for Ann and she doesnโt know.โ โAww fantasticโ i said. And after our starters and main mealsโฆIt was time!
A small group of waiters led by a guitar player and all singing โHappy Birthdayโ they arrived behind Ann. She started laughing as they played (and we all sang a long) the birthday song, and when we’d all finished another waiter placed the cake in front of Ann. She was beaming and happily surprised and thanked Brian profusely! โค๏ธ
After a while Brian and Ann said โWe canโt have the rest of the cake as it will make us ill, and the others donโt want itโฆWould you like to take the rest back to your cabin?โ Sarah said โWooahhh itโs pretty much all creamโฆSteve youโll love itโ i said โWell what can i say? If it will help you out then iโll take this burden from you!โ ๐๐ย
Back at the cabin…
We returned once more to our cabin and were met with yet another folded towel creature. ๐ย
What a fantastic day! We thought this day would be one of the worst, as we only book a beach break when there are no other excursions available. But today was great and spending it with Brian and Ann was lovelyโฆOh they are also our Facebook friends now too. ๐ ย ย
Our Routeโฆ..๐ณ ย
On Tuesday evening Thomson Spirit sails to the port of Kotor, Montenegro. Where weโre expected to arrive on Wednesday morning having travelled 185 nautical miles at an average speed of 14 knots
Hope youโve enjoyed the adventure todayโฆLet me know your favourite part?! ๐ค Weโll meet tomorrowโฆSame timeโฆSame place for another adventure!ย ๐ย
โฌ ย Previous Dayย ๐ดย Next Dayย ย โก
๐ย Join us:
- Tuscany Tour
- Transatlantic Sunset Cruise
- Matlock Bath
- Mayan Treasures Cruise
- Classical Greece Cruise
- Treasures of the Mediterranean Cruise
- Seven Isles Cruise
- Barbados – Southern Palms #1
- Tough Mudder 5K
- Tropical Delights Cruise
- Barbados – Southern Palms #2
- Aegean Shores Cruise
- Ancient Kingdoms Cruise
- Ultra Step Challenge
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