It's 'Lush’ in Livanates!

We got up reasonably early on Monday 16th and set about loading the bike after breakfast. We had parked it opposite the hotel, and could see it from our room, fortunately after a three day rest, it was still there and in good shape, just a little grubby and dusty (an impending job for Tony). We left the hotel at mid-day heading north, up towards Thessaloniki, but had no intention of covering the 315 miles in a single day. The weather had changed for the worse - a sweltering 30 degrees, I was at melt down, even Ann had removed the inner lining of her jacket! Boy were we glad to get back on the road and out of the city, the sweltering temperature (now 32 degrees), was only just bearable, with the wind circulating through our suits at 70 mph.



Livanates beech, from our hotel room


With the help of the satnav, we quickly located the motorway and were soon cruising at 75mph on an almost empty three lane motorway. We were on our way to Lamia, mid-distance ish between Athens and Thessaloniki. For those aficionados back home who might be interested, I am delighted to report that as we left Athens we safely completed 4000 untroubled miles since our adventure began on the 31st January this year – is that awesome or what? I still find it hard to believe that we are doing this, and have to pinch myself every now and then in case I’m dreaming!!!

At about 13.30, because the weather was so hot, we agreed to stop off for a drink somewhere along the route. This happened to be a small place called Livanates, right on the coast. What an incredible place, it was so delightful and peaceful (after Athens), we decided, over a cold drink, that we would stay here for a couple of days, providing we could find accommodation - we’re not in a hurry.

The task did not prove to be difficult as we found Hotel To-kyma right on the seafront, I kid you not, you literally couldn’t be closer to the sea without being in it. The real difficulty was the language as there was little or no English spoken, however we somehow made ourselves understood and booked ourselves in – 40 euros a night including breakfast, result or what? There is absolutely nothing in the way of historical antiquity to attract any tourist to this area, just the beauty and quiet surroundings. Truth be told, it is an area where agriculture is the predominant source of employment. We quickly unpacked our kit and got the summer wear back on and went for a walk in the still baking temperatures.


Decisions, decisions- shall we have another one

 After our walk, we had a drink at the bar and I decided it was time to give our trusty machine a well deserved wash and brush up. Whilst I went about my task, Ann went upstairs to read her book on the balcony in the glorious sunshine, we were both relaxing and doing what we wanted to do.









Bright & Shiney back in Pristine condition.

 After a hot shower, we went down stairs to get something to eat in the restaurant. We were the only people in the place, but fairplay to the hotelier, he cooked us a lovely meal washed down with the vitamen B. We got talking to a Greek guy who was staying at the hotel, he worked for a Greek bank and was doing some cover in the main town of Livanates. He invited us out to one of the local bars for a drink (I think he wanted to brush up on his English). We finished up drinking till 01.30 in the morning and I believe we put the Greek economy back on a firm footing.



At the Races or at the Sea-side?

 We got up this morning with a bit of a thick head! The weather is beautiful and the waves are caressing the beach, should we go for a swim in the sea?.......

Love to all



The Easy Riders xxx

By the way, thanks to The Moorebags for pointing out my deliberate error in the blog (only three times- hehehehe). I should have made it much clearer who was driving the car and I’m really SORRY; In fact it was Lisa who was driving, as we all know she doesn’t sleep walk, she sleep drives, and that’s part of the reason why we were all so quiet, we didn’t want to disturb her!!! And hairdresser...I’ll have you know, I have my own exclusive coiffure, which couldn’t possibly be the same as yours! xx