The Iranians sent a text on New Year’s Eve to ask if it would be ok to make a fire on the beach. I said so long as they cleared it all away and disturbed no one, it was fine. Apparently, they stayed out on the beach with their fire until after the New Year fireworks went off in Paleochora. In retrospect, it would have been good to have spent some time with them as they were interesting to talk to as I discovered today when they came to pay. They were a bit of a pain when they arrived but they grew on me.
The Early Walk was effortless and warmer than of recent days. That situation is about to change according to the forecast. I brought back the dogs then went out on a bike ride having fed the cats and checked the hot water. I wasn’t planning to go far as I had little battery so decided to go up to the mountains near Krios.
I continued on my way but accidentally ran into a large rock and ended up in a heap on the ground. I was moving slowly but banged my knee on the rock and my elbow on the ground. It was most undignified! I got back on my bike and continued a little way towards Elafonissi. It was only around 10℃, the battery was draining quickly so I turned around and headed back down. By the time I was back at the camping, the battery was supplying very little support and on its last legs.
I thought I’d better keep moving due to my bashed knee so went up to sort out bedding and a room for the guys arriving tomorrow. There has been a constant stream of messages and calls to arrange this for them but I feel I should take a personal interest and help out as much as I can. I managed to get three beds into the room however a fourth was not going to be feasible. I headed back via the other store to find a couple of mattresses to put down on the floor at nighttime. Manolis asked what I was up to so I explained I was trying to accommodate four in a room for two. He suggested they could leave the larger room where they’ve been staying while working on their new accommodation. I replied that it would be very helpful so long as it wasn’t a problem for them. He would ask Lisa his wife then let me know later. He asked if I could help him lift a cupboard as he needed to cut it down to fit into his kitchen arrangement. I generally helped as he did lots of sawing and drilling. I went over to his new place to pick up some screws and Lisa asked when I wanted the room. I replied that that new guys were coming tomorrow so it was up to her. I then went back to let out the dogs and prepare some breakfast.
I received a phone call from the Iranians who were ready to leave. They were at reception so I abandoned my preparation and headed up there. They paid their money and we got chatting. They were telling me a little about life in Tehran and Iran generally. It was very interesting. I made suggestions about possible holiday visits then they left. In the meantime, Georgia arrived and spoke to Lisa who was having a mope because I’d said they had to leave the room today! Georgia was trying to sort it all out but failed to understand that Manolis had offered that they leave and apparently not conveyed this to Lisa. We finally sorted it all out and they said they’d be out of the room by the following day.
My breakfast preparations continued until Kirsti sent a message asking if she could take Isabella on a walk shortly. Both Isabella and I were in favour of this so I postponed the eating of my breakfast until they returned. I could see that they’d come back as soon as I sat down.
Meanwhile, some new customers had arrived and I sorted them out. A German couple who seemed very nice. I finally ate my porridge around 14:30 so it became a late lunch. I had a few minutes of rest before receiving another call from Kirsti to tell me she’d emptied the toilet paper bins in the ladies and left it outside for disposal. I mentioned I’d had to replace two toilet rolls the previous night. We’re taking big rolls in a dispenser not the domestic kind. We agreed that the cleaner should be doing this.
During our previous discussions, Georgia said that I should communicate directly with her and not via Maria. I explained that I’d been leaving Maria out of the loop as I understood she’d left, at least temporarily. Then Georgia said Maria would be coming to the camping during the Christmas Holidays and I’d let her into the office on a couple of occasions. The conversation continued and Georgia said someone would be taking care of bookings and the Grammeno Camping emails in a couple of weeks. This conflicted with the instructions I’d received from Maria that she was handling things. I suggested that this was a management matter and someone needed to let me know who was doing what. I now understand there will be changes to the way bookings are taken and things will be done differently. Not before time in my opinion as I believe business is being lost through communication failure and the difficulty for me in obtaining booking information. I’m happy to help out so long as there’s a system of some kind.
Manolis and Lisa were clearing out the room as I walked up with the poo paper form the ladies bathroom. I had a brief chat to see when they might be through. I went back to receive a call from the new arrivals to say they’d be leaving as the constant barking of Georgia’s dogs was too much. Later, I relayed this to Georgia as a consequence of her wishing me to communicate directly with her and not via Maria. At least my Greek will hopefully improve! I mentioned the bathroom situation as well as the departing customers. The dogs are still barking now.
It was nearly dark when we left for the Evening Walk so it was a brief spin around the Promontory then back for supper. Georgia called while I was out to say she’d come back to the camping but I explained I was out with the dogs and would call her once I was back. She will come at 12:00 tomorrow to meet with the guys who are taking the room to give her seal of approval. We will then decide which room they will occupy. I cannot wait!
Such a restful day!
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