Starting off the week with an excerpt of a book that sounds entertaining.
Corfu Capers
Joy Skye
Five people, three secrets, one planned proposal. What could possibly go wrong?
A holiday in a luxury villa on Corfu sounds like the answer to all their prayers but it will change their lives forever. A week in paradise might not be long enough…
Amazon UK | Goodreads | Amazon US
En route to Corfu the group have a layover in Athens and take time to explore the city:
The hectic and vibrant streets were an explosion of colours and smells, crammed with produce on both sides; herb and spice emporia decorated with garlands of flamboyant dried vegetables, bright chilli peppers, looking colourful and pretty enough to be jewellery. Shops for fresh olives and feta cheese, sun-kissed fruits and vegetables, meats hanging from hooks not bearing too close inspection from the feint hearted, basements crammed with hessian sacks of rice, beans and flours of every description.
Their guide led them down some steps, through two brown doors with no sign to indicate its presence, into what appeared to be a bunker crammed with tables which turned out to be a restaurant that had been operating for 129 years. It was a remarkable place with huge wine barrels taking up one wall where a flow of ruby red vino was continually being poured.
While they waited to be seated, Eleni explained to them that there were no menus as such, you were told the list of today’s creations and you let the waiter know what you wanted. Everything was freshly cooked and when a particular dish ran out that was it for the day. It was a remarkable place and the food was fantastic, the constant flow of local customers bearing testament to its popularity over the years.
After lunch they sat back in the luxury minivan as they set off along the Aegean coast, admiring the deep blue colours of the ocean, to explore the Temple of Poseidon. The drive along the ‘Athenian Riviera’ to Cape Sounion and the Temple was idyllic and picturesque, a perfect end to their day.
The stream of information from the attractive young lady that was their guide was fascinating but had become white noise by the end of the day as their brains became fried with sensory overload and tiredness.
‘I’m tuckered out stated Marc matter of factly as they walked back into the hotel. ‘I am thrilled that I have seen everything we’ve seen today, but I am ready for a shower and then a cold beer or two’.
‘Well I for one would rather a G&T’ said Kate ‘but other than that I second your opinion. Shall we regroup on the rooftop terrace in, say, an hour?’
Their murmurs of consent were interrupted by a loud squeal from Charlotte who had spotted her bright pink suitcase waiting patiently next to the reception desk for her.
‘Oh my God, I thought I’d never see you again’ she proclaimed dramatically and threw herself upon it with such gusto it tipped over. Marc helped her and the case into an upright position and earned himself a special smile from Charlotte and disapproving looks from the other three.
That night, as they had an early start the next day, they opted to have dinner at the hotel’s acclaimed rooftop terrace restaurant, affording amazing views across Athens with the Acropolis lit up in the distance.
As Kate watched the younger members of the party laughing and joking over the last of their fabulous baklava desserts, she gave a contented sigh. Sod you Danial Delaney she thought to herself, I was wrong; I don’t need you in my life to be happy, I can’t believe it’s taken me all these years to realise it. She was ecstatic to be making a trip by herself; her nerves had been shot when he left her but now she knew she could manage perfectly well and didn’t need a man in her life for anything and she was enjoying this newfound feeling of independence.
Joy lives on the seductive island of Corfu with her four dogs and an embarrassing number of cats.
Her many years working in the tourist industry on this sunny isle and her love of all things literary inspired her first novel Corfu Capers which recently hit the #1 spot in Parenting and Family humour much to her delight.
She loves to cook, dance and drink wine, usually at the same time, and is currently working on book number two, due to be released later this year. She also loves to travel, absolutely anywhere, and is looking forward to jumping on a plane!
everywhere-and-nowhere.com 