Messages

1

PlakChat / Re: Long absence

« on: September 09, 2025, 08:46:26 PM »

Barny, Ian, thanks for the replies. Is Olympic the best option now? Whether I can get there depends on the cost of respite care for my wife, who is now disabled. But here's hoping.

Is the far end still as I remember?

Mike

2

PlakChat / Re: Free walking guides

« on: August 05, 2025, 10:34:27 PM »

Hi Chris,

I'm sure you're younger than me!

My eyesight was deteriorating fast, but I had cataract surgery earlier this year and am now glasses free with the vision I had in my teens.

All the best, Mike

3

PlakChat / Long absence

« on: August 05, 2025, 10:22:52 PM »

Hi Ploppy. I?m back on the forum after several years. Pot and kettle I know, but I?m amazed at how few of the old regulars are still posting.
I suppose I should explain my absence. We were intending to visit in 2019, but our daughter, who has an auto immune condition, experienced a downturn, needing crutches to walk, and we stayed home to support her. When lockdown was announced we realised she could not stay in her first floor flat when we would not be able to visit, so took her back into our home. She continued to deteriorate, so could not return to her flat and we were her carers for the last five years. ESCC finally (!) found her a flat designed for the disabled with carer support earlier this year.
Plakias is now calling, but I am concerned after catching up with the forum. Our favourite place to stay demolished, many of our eateries closed and kokkinos vrachos? comments on prices and portions are concerning. Change is inevitable, but have we been away so long that we would not recognise today?s Plakias?

Mike

4

Gossip / Re: Terry Cook

« on: March 22, 2015, 05:21:36 PM »

I don't know how many of you remember Terry Cook? He and his friend Ted used to come to Plakias in mid September and stayed at the Livircon I think the last time they were there was 2013 when Terry was 94. Anyway here is the sad bit. Terry passed away at the end of January, and it is his funeral today. I just thought I would put it on the forum as I could not see that anyone else had posted it.

For various reasons I have not been on the forum for a few months, so have just read this and Chris and I are very sad to hear the news.

We first met Terry and Ted many years ago on the Olympic coach to Plak and many times since, when our dates overlapped.

Not sure if Ted reads the Forum, but we offer our condolences and wish him the very best for the future.

Chris & Mike

5

Plakias / Re: Has Amoudaki beach fallen to non-naturists?

« on: August 20, 2014, 07:43:51 PM »

I can't answer on Micro Amoudi, but all over Europe August is the busy month and beaches get overrun with textiles, but return to normal when work recommences in September. I would not worry too much.

6

PlakChat / Re: New Plakias Recruits

« on: August 20, 2014, 07:38:23 PM »

My first visit to Greece was Thasos in 1973. 3 week stay and the only crime was a bunch of boys taking a ball to play footie. They left it around after they finished!

I used to bite my nails to the quick but came back from that holiday with talons! So idyllic.

7

PlakChat / Re: Tunnel beneath hill at end of Paligremnos beach

« on: March 17, 2014, 07:20:18 PM »

My understanding is that the tunnels are at the end of the coal transportation route, but I have never enquired as to the location of the mine(s). Destruction of the mine adits upon invasion makes sense.

8

PlakChat / Re: Tunnel beneath hill at end of Paligremnos beach

« on: March 16, 2014, 11:43:14 PM »

I believe the tunnels date back to Ottoman times. Not sure about the U-boats though, they would need better facilities than Plakias could provide. Perhaps a story told by the old men to bemuse the young children?

9

Plakias / Re: Lampyland

« on: January 31, 2014, 12:29:00 PM »

Sorry to hear of your continuing illness, but we hope you continue to progress towards full health, even if slowly.

Loss of your house must be upsetting, but at least it was unoccupied and insured - the alternative does not bear thinking about.

Good luck for the future, hopefully you have used up all the bad.

Chris & Mike

10

Forum and Website discussion / Re: The Great Plakias Forum Christmas Giveaway

« on: December 21, 2013, 04:25:22 PM »

Prizes went in the post yesterday, Jackie has confirmed receipt of the poster (well done Royal Mail) so hopefully it will all arrive soon.

By the 'eck. It arrived in this morning's post and the PO had avoided breaking it!

It's lovely thanks Paul. All the seasons best to you and yours. Also to all the Forum members.

Mike

11

Forum and Website discussion / Re: The Great Plakias Forum Christmas Giveaway

« on: December 20, 2013, 04:19:03 PM »

I do hope that is not because you are unable to climb the stairs on Christmas Eve 

12

Forum and Website discussion / Re: The Great Plakias Forum Christmas Giveaway

« on: December 20, 2013, 01:37:17 PM »

Thanks for the good news and the fantastic advice. One problem though, we live in a bungalow!

Mike

13

Forum and Website discussion / Re: The Great Plakias Forum Christmas Giveaway

« on: December 03, 2013, 04:17:01 PM »

Wow! What a mega give-away. How do you do it without Wonga sponsorship?

Mike

14

Plakias / Re: Plakias in slow decline

« on: November 19, 2013, 05:11:38 PM »

I can assure you my view is not through rose tinted glasses, more based on experience and reality. If you wish to see more resorts that appear to be in terminal decline then I would suggest a visit to the north of the island where many open prisons are now in operation (all inclusive hotels). These places have a terrible effect for the local tavernas, restaurants, kafenions etc. As much as I hate them, we'll have to get used to them as they are very successful. They undercut the price for a self catering package holiday and supply all food and drink, meaning you don't need to take a penny "spending" money with you.
Many places in Agias Pelagia were feeling the pinch last year and it wasn't unusual to be the only diners in a restaurant. I fail to see how this is rose tinted. As for the present political and socio economic climate in Crete, if you feel my view on this is rose tinted then you completely misunderstand. I could go on about the natural beauty and the welcoming people, but you don't want to appear to acknowledge this, which is a shame, as they are the paramount reasons for returning year after year.

An interesting thread, which I have hesitated to join since I can see some truth on both sides of the argument.

The world is dynamic and if something is not on the incline it must be on the decline.

Greece has been in rapid decline, so there can be few spots there which are not following in some way. Failure of the olive crop has not been confined to Crete and the loss of such an important export commodity could not come at a worse time for Greece.

We have not been to Plakias for two years for family reasons, but would expect the wider financial recession to have effected it to a noticeable degree.

I am not quite sure where the thread moved from discussing gradual to terminal decline, but as Europe emerges from the recession, I am sure there will be a resurgence in Plakias. It may take some time, but for me the most noteworthy aspect of the Cretan character is resilience and so the locals will still be there to take advantage. As Happyashellas says, the biggest danger to local tourist economies is the all inclusive. It is slowly strangling the life out of Kos tavernas and apartment owners. Let us hope Plakias avoids its clutches.

Still, the thread has actually galvanised us. If the Plakias economy is suffering we need to do our bit to revive it and have just booked flights and accommodation for next year.

15

Holiday Companies / Re: Small Planet Airlines

« on: September 07, 2013, 09:29:00 PM »

Hi.....have just been advised that our flights have been altered from mid evening to 11.20am on the 17th Sept from South terminal at Gatwick to Heraklion with flight no QS3054. I cannot find any reference to these flights on the Gatwick site or, for that matter, on any of the usual travel sites.......anyone any idea as to which company this refers to ?
Although we don't mind getting to Plakias a little sooner than planned, we are now having to completely rearrange all our travel plans ( with the additional costs !) as getting to Gatwick in time to check in will be impossible on the day and we're going to have to stay overnight when we leave and when we get back...so much for 'no hidden costs' !

I received an e-mail from Olympic today announcing that they have "teamed up" with Germania and Travel Service. Germania operating Airbus A319s out of Manchester and Gatwick and Travel Service A Boeing 737-800 out of Gatwick. I wonder how stable the team up will be?