A windy balcony at Batsi
Despite its traumatic ending in Athens, that first visit to the Cyclades was the start of a full blown love affair with the islands of Greece. The following Spring found me on Andros, in an apartment with a breezy balcony, in Batsi.
I recall a strong sheet of perspex which, while it distorted the view up the hill, provided wonderful shelter from the constant breeze. The previous Spring there’d been barely a whisper of wind, but here on Andros, the most northerly of the Cyclades, I encountered the famous Meltemi. Yet, basking in sunshine on the veranda, I could look down on the harbour.
Pretty Batsi harbour
It was on Andros that I had my first introduction to guided walking. Normally I’m more than happy to just follow my nose. I usually arrive home again- eventually! But a couple of hours of countryside in the company of a local sounded an agreeable way to spend a morning. A very affable expat, he turned out to be, who’d lived many years on the island and had ‘a tale or two’ to tell himself. And it took the pressure off Mick for a while- he’s gifted with a far better sense of direction than me and inevitably has to take the map from my hands and steer us back. Map? What map? I don’t believe I even had one on Andros.
Up we wound through the back streets. Don’t you love back streets?
As the sun rose higher, hats were pulled on and sunscreen topped up. The landscape was majestic and it was with just a hint of regret that I returned to the harbour at Batsi. But it’s a great place to sit in the shade and chat.
The harbour front at Batsi
Some memories are clearer than others. I remember arriving by ferry at unpreposessing Gavrio, and then a bumpy ride to Batsi, late in the day. I loved the little harbour there, and sometimes dressing up (a frock!) for cocktail hour, after a day’s wandering. The sun seemed always to shine, but there was one blustery day when the wind really whipped those waves.
Andros was a great base for visiting the islands of Tinos and Syros, and that’s where I’ll be taking you next. But not before sharing my all time favourite Greek Island photograph, taken right here on Andros.
What do you think?
restlessjo 
Loving backstreets, loving your post and memories 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Paula. Life must be so much better working from home. Are you tempted to wander to the biscuit tin and nibble, or are you wonderfully self disciplined?
I find it very hard to stay indoors if the weather’s nice, so I’d end up working all night to catch up!
LikeLike
I am everything but self-disciplined ;). Yes, I’ve noticed you are a workaholic 🙂
LikeLike
🙂 🙂
LikeLike
I still need to get to Greece. Looking at these photos makes me want to go soon. Beautiful series, Jo.
LikeLike
Many thanks, Naomi. I didn’t have a trip plannned till the end of April and have thoroughly enjoyed “returning” to Greece in such good company.
LikeLike
I totally agree with you that the best walks are walks along back roads. Great post Jo. Are these the pictures from 25 years ago?
LikeLike
Mornin Rosie! Thank you. Yes, this holiday was in 1988, 25 years ago this May, and walking through our photos takes me right back.
LikeLike
Beautiful, I have a big soft spot for Greece and when I was in Tinky Town we used to catch the ferry across to Kos
LikeLike
I wanted to do Kos from Rhodes but James was small then. I got away with a trip to Symi and that was about it. It is a beautiful part of the world.
LikeLike
Beautifully written again Jo. I love the sight of colourful bougainvillea contrasting against a brilliant white stucco wall. Makes me feel happy.
LikeLike
Well, there should be no shortage where you’re heading, David! Counting down? I should just squeeze in another Greek post (or two) before you go. Thanks a lot. I’m enjoying the series.
LikeLike
We have been many times in Greece and on its islands, but never been Andros. Lovely photos – I do love all of them.
LikeLike
Thanks so much! They’re 25 years old and not scanned very expertly but there’s a wealth of memories there. Tinos and Syros next.
LikeLike
Haven’t been to Andros, or Tinos and Syros either. Hoping I will get another chance to go island hopping in Greece Jo 🙂
LikeLike
I’d love to say I’ll come! 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful! Cannot wait to see this. Mom and sister and I are going in October!
LikeLike
Oooh, lucky! The Cyclades are beautiful. Which islands are you visiting?
LikeLike
Yes! I love back streets, well at least during the day lol. Thanks for taking us along on your time travel exploits! It’s always a pleasure to read your blog.
LikeLike
Thanks, Jodi! Me n the Tardis are at your disposal. 🙂
LikeLike
Back streets are the best! Wonderful images, Jo. It’s so fun to look back on past trips.
LikeLike
And back, and still further back, Ruth 🙂 Thanks, hon.
LikeLike
The colors are so lovely–the blue and red against the white.
LikeLike
It just shouts Greek, or Med, doesn’t it? Thanks, Margaret.
LikeLike
Wow, sorry .. for not being around .. had friends coming and messing up my life with great laughter and fun company, back now. This is Greek for me too. I want to go back now .. that Bougainvillea is so beautiful and it stands out against all the white … they have on the French Rivera too. That little church on the rock .. must have been built in the honor of the fishermen.
Love this post. Beautiful …
LikeLike
You can’t be everywhere, Viveka, though you try! I appreciate your company when you have the time but friends and life are what it’s all about.
LikeLike
I would have loved to be there. You are blessed indeed that you could travel like that and enjoy places so beautiful Jo. That is something I would love to do. Just travel and take photo’s from all over. 🙂 Thanks for another lovely and interesting post hon. 🙂 *hugs*
LikeLike
I love my morning hug, Sonel. As I loved being young and carefree. These days will never come again and are special to look back on and to share.
LikeLike
You are very welcome hon and I am glad you do. 🙂 Oh, I can certainly relate to that as well sweetie. It’s days we can look back on and smile because they were so special and precious. I am so glad you are sharing it. I love to read all about it. 🙂 Here’s another hug..hehehe
*big hugs*
LikeLike
🙂 🙂
LikeLike
🙂 🙂
LikeLike
Time to go again! Just beautiful descriptors and photos of a lovely place and memory of traveling there.
LikeLike
Wishful thinking, Ruth. I’d love to see a couple of the islands we didn’t make it to, but I’d be frightened that I spoilt the memories.
LikeLike
What a place to wander and wonder – whether following your own nose or someone else’s!
LikeLike
I loved these islands, Blue. The world was my oyster in those days.
LikeLike
Isn’t that a marvellous memory – especially in he lingering winter! 🙂
LikeLike
Young and carefree’s always a good memory, Meredith. It’s still wrap up warm weather here, but getting brighter!
LikeLike
Brighter’s good … it was the dark rather than the cold that wore me down in Canada, so I know what you mean!
LikeLike
Well, there is an island I haven’t visited (yet). Thanks for the insight. Love the old pictures. And a frock – I like that, whatever happened to frocks?
LikeLike
I can’t believe that I’ve been to one you’ve missed, Andrew!
When I look at photos, even on Wikipedia, it all looks to have moved on so much. Antiparos looked positively jetset on there, whereas it was empty when we visited. Perhaps golden memories are better?
LikeLike
It is lovely to compare old pictures with new ones. In my posts from Kos last year I was able to make direct comparisons and I was shocked to see the difference in thirty years.
LikeLike
You have a nice life.
LikeLike
Well, it’s not bad. This holiday was 25 years ago, and a wonderful memory. Today I was walking the clifftops just north of my home in England (in sunshine and 3 coats!)
LikeLike