Crete 2014 - Day 1

After only booking 2 weeks ago, we have made it to our summer destination of Crete. Our 4th visit in 6 years and the first time we have ever been back to a previous hotel.

The Atlantica Caldera Palace better known in the UK as Thomson Sensatori. Very nice, very comfortable and absolutely huge! I will post a few pictures of the place over the next few days. I am sure there will be plenty of stories over the next 2 weeks as there are so many people to watch. In less than 24 hours we have already witnessed Vomitgate and Mrs CT has fallen over twice. These 2 items are not connected in any way!

This is a picture taken from our second floor balcony looking across our pool and out to sea. We have arrived on the very day that there is no onshore breeze and the temperatures have hit 38c. The plunge pool has been most welcome.

When in Greece do as the Greeks do. So I did, a bowl of yogurt, apple & honey followed by a full English breakfast including fried bread - oh you bad boy!

Mrs CT getting stuck into her first Ice Cream of the hols. Talking of which, hopefully she has now finished applying her lotions and potions and is ready for dinner in the Red Saffron Taverna.

Laters!

Pucket. It's the way forward. Anyone else played it?

via Instagram http://bit.ly/1sBS6cR

Mrs CT ready for the Wedding

via Instagram http://bit.ly/1u9RAXu

Should I call my new Blog Parking Plonkers or Parking Pratts?

via Instagram http://bit.ly/1s4qcJQ

World Cup Bulgaria 2014 - Day 4

The day we had be waiting for had arrived. 203 days ago we sat in the Stanwick Club booking our tickets for this trip, not knowing at that stage who England would meet in the World Cup or when. The groups were decided in early December and then we knew, Thursday 19th June at 22:00 EET would be a crunch game, England v Uruguay. We had planned our day meticulously. Mr B once again in charge of weather said it was not going to be good and that we should head into Burgas for a look around the shops and a few bars. Main meal of the day would be lunch as we did not want anything getting in the way of the evenings activity.

The local bus was flagged down by Mr B and made to wait as the rest of us trundled up the road. The locals were not impressed. Upon arrival in Burgas it turns out that Mr B's weather forecast was crap as usual. Blazing sunshine meant that lotion was applied liberally and that a walk in the cool shade of the park was for starters. But then the inner child in all of us sprang forth. Tricyles with a car battery strapped to them proved to much to resist. For the next half hour the 5 of us terrorised the local population with our devil do dare antics. This picture was taken by a very pretty young lady we happened upon.

Thirsty work, so after dropping off the trikes we sought out the inevitable beach bar and cold beer. The sun was out and at least 2 of us attempted some worshipping.

The rest of resorted to childish antics of trying to take subtle pictures of people on the beach. By resting the camera on the bar at full zoom and pressing the shutter it was going to be pot luck what we captured. This effort of a 40+ body builder by Mr R is a belter! (40+ is age not inches).

The 3 of us soon got bored of this and with the other 2 still trying to burn their nipples off, we moved on........without them. Didn't even notice. We travelled all the way to the next bar down. It took Mr B and Mr L a full 15 minutes before they spotted us.

Onwards to lunch which was going to be a right royal feast. And indeed it was. Beef Carpaccio, Prawns with Garlic and chilli, Elena Ham, Crunchy Chiperones and Mussels. That was just to start.....and cost the same as the entire meal from the previous night. Various meat main courses to finish and we had achieved half of the days plan. Oh and then it started to rain again, even worse than the night before. Walking from the bus stop to the villa was horrendous, even my boxers were wet through.

On a serious note however, we have since found out that this was the worst rain the region had experienced since records began. 11 people lost their lives in the ensuing flooding and many many more made homeless. A pair of wet pants is trifling in comparison. Read more here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27935436

Thursday evening's activities will be in a separate special video blog to be published sometime on Saturday. (This is due to the Editor not having enough internet bandwidth on board WizzAir 6551 to up load to YouTube).
Laters

World Cup Bulgaria 2014 - Day 3A

So here is the proper blog from the day I missed. Real reason was not hangovers but lack of pictures. Why? Well we had naively made the mistake of letting Mr B deciding on the day's activities based on his superior knowledge of the local weather systems. That was mistake no.1. "Today is the best day of the week for sun - off to the beach we should go" declared Mr B. Stupidly, with hindsight, we duly followed. The minute we stepped onto the beach the heavens opened with thunder and lightening very, very frightening.

Thank God we were only 50m from the White Bar at the time. Only one thing to do - take advantage of their all day happy hour. 2 White Russians at 11:00 certainly livened me up (I am of course talking about the drink made with Vodka, Tia Maria and Milk not Sletvana and Olga from St Petersburg). The rain stopped now and then allowing us to bar hop down Sunny Beach ending up at Jupiters for a quick lunch. Best burgers in town - and another all day happy hour!

The picture above is from our evening meal that day. A quaint little restaurant in the nearest village of Aheloy. Our thinking was to eat at 8pm and then have a relative late start for us in Sunny Beach of 10ish. The meal was superb - 5 starters between us of chicken livers village style, 2 x Scad, Chef's special Salad and Squid. To follow two massive Sac. This is the name of the local clay pot which comes sizzling to your table laden with meat, potatoes, various vegetables etc, Even the 5 of us failed to finish them both. And then, unbelievably, puds!! A round of Jagermeisters on the house. So all of this plus 4 carafes of wine, 8 beers and more shots and the bill.............£8 per head! So off to party time............no...........

The storm from Hades hit the coast lasting for the next 4 hours. Spectacular and very wet. Party time cancelled as we had an early night. Laters.

World Cup Bulgaria 2014 - Day 3

Blog temporarily suspended for Wednesday due to very heavy night with Party Crew. Most pictures deemed to be unsuitable for family viewing. Here is a quick photo of us recovering today.

Laters.

PS COME ON YOU ENGLAND!!

World Cup Bulgaria 2014 - Day 2

Oh dear, where to start! From a sunny beginning to a messy end, the day had it all. Firstly sunbathing and ball games in the pool. As mentioned yesterday the lack of sun lotion was fairly evident this morning.

After all that activity we definitely had earned a beer or as it turns out, 3. We had decided that today was going to be a 12 hour binge 1pm to 1am. So to change before heading out to Sunny Beach. What Mr B is doing in the latter photograph is unsure but what we do know is the "sexy" quick access shirt was put into action on many occasions throughout the night.

After an opening pint at the "White Bar", Mr B decided we should walk to Romania in search of food. Well that's what it felt like. Walking the whole length of Sunny Beach meeting several interesting residents along the way we found the very last restaurant where we dined on squid, tortillas and the obligatory deep fried scad. And this was just starters.

Another 2 mile hike found us back in the centre of action. Shots, Party Crew Girls and Mr B trying our the seductive power of his sexy shirt on Mr L. You just knew that the night was about to degenerate from there on in.

Next up was the main course. Meat, meat and more meat at Billys a famous BBQ joint. I have to assure you that your eyes are not deceiving you, that really is a glass of water with my Pork Sword.

The main match today was Brazil v Mexico. There really was only one place to watch this. Somewhere we could have beer, football and as it turns out photo bombing dancing girls - The Corner Bar.

This proved to be just to much for Mr B who took himself off to a corner and a comfy chair with his pint. Those of you know him can probably predict what came next......yes, sleep and the spillage of beer and a broken glass! The last stop of the night at The Kuban Hotel brought forth more shots and JD & Coke. Naturally a dancing girl as well.

Time for home. We could take no more. Need to save ourselves for Party Crew tour tomorrow. Laters