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Tim Lynette Wilkins
Tim Lynette Wilkins

Tim Lynette Wilkins

traveled in 12 countries Read more
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  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJEREZ 2022Traveler
    Picking oranges
    Poor man - what happened to his head?

    Jerez cathedral

    February 11, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    It's still sunny every day although today there is high hazy cloud all over, and tomorrow we could get some showers. This morning before it got too hot I walked across town to the alcazar (castle) and then to the cathedral. Its one of my favourite places to visit, its horrendously over decorated (the Spanish seem incapable of leaving a square inch of wall without carving something on it), but it's wonderfully light and airy and peaceful. I discovered some bits I hadn't seen before, and outside workmen were harvesting the last seville oranges from the park outside the castle so the air was full of the smell of oranges. They have to pick them before they all fall off otherwise the roads and pavements are covered with squashed slippery oranges.Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJEREZ 2022Traveler
    Beach at Sanlucar
    Moorish style buildingCeiling in the cathedralMermaid statues on top of the market buildingMmmm!

    Day trip to Sanlucar

    February 10, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    We took the bus this morning from Jerez to Sanlucar de Barrameda. The buses in andalucia are brilliant, always on time and this 45 minute journey cost just 2 euros each. Sanlucar is a small city at the mouth where the river Quadalquivir joins the Atlantic ocean. Its famous for its sherry, manzanilla, its seafood, especially prawns, and horse races on the beach.

    It was well-off in the times of the Spanish exploration of the new world, and Colombus and Magellan sailed from here. It's the 500th anniversary of Magellans first voyage around the world so there are posters everywhere about it.

    We had a look at the spectacular beach where the horse racing takes place, then walked through the old town to visit the cathedral, built in 1360, where Colombus and Magellan prayed for safe journeys. Had a look in the central market, which is full of many, many, types of shellfish, and lots of fish we'd never heard of , stopped at our favourite manzanilla bodega, had lunch in the sun in the Square and got the bus home. A great day out!    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJEREZ 2022Traveler
    Our terrace
    A fountain at the end of our street

    Resting in the sunshine

    February 7, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    After a bit more shopping this morning, I had lunch out on the terrace in the sun. Its 21 degrees today and clear blue skies. Next door is a music college and over lunch someone was playing beautiful piano, and this afternoon seems to be woodwind. A very pleasant bonus!

    Tonight we plan to go to a tapas bar that is in the Plaza just round the corner so if it's OK it will very convenient. Then tomorrow a trip to the market and maybe buy some fish for dinner tomorrow.    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJEREZ 2022Traveler
    Our apartment is where there used to be a brick factory. This chimney is all that's left.

    First day

    February 6, 2022 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    We went down the road to get chorros and chocolate for breakfast and then a bit of basic shopping, and spent some time in the sun on our terrace. Wonderful! In the afternoon we went out for some lunch but everywhere was completely packed, Sunday is a big family and friends lunch day and we could only get a table in the shade. Nice to be out and among lots of people again. Afterwards we walked around the streets seeing places we knew, and arrived at the little square where we lived the first time we were here, and picked a bagful of seville oranges from the trees there for marmalade when get home.Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJEREZ 2022Traveler
    Tim on our roof terrace about 6.15pm
    Remains of our tapas for dinner

    Arrival

    February 6, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C

    We arrived yesterday after a long but uneventful journey. Flight from Heathrow to Madrid at 10.30 was not too early and easy. Madrid airport, as always, was dreadful. We had allowed 2 hours connection time between flights and needed every minute of it. A 40 minute queue for passport control, then a health form check, then a vaccination record check before we could get the transit - which was packed like sardines, just like the London underground used to be - to the other terminal. We arrived at the gate for our flight to Jerez as it was boarding so no time to buy lunch!
    Landed in Jerez at 5pm and miraculously our suitcases made it with us! They often go walkabout at Madrid airport. Our apartment is on the top (3rd) floor of a more modern building and has a beautiful terrace. It's nicely furnished in a Moroccan style. We slept really well - the beds are comfy and its so quiet, which was the main reason for moving from our previous apartment. We had a quick meal of sherry and tapas at the nearest bar which was tasty and reminded us of why we so enjoy coming here.    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsReturn to ParosTraveler
    Our suntrap terrace
    Dinner at Dionysus restaurant

    Back home

    October 3, 2021 in England ⋅ 🌙 11 °C

    Yesterday was a very lazy day - we didn't set foot from our apartment until it was time for dinner. The weather was mostly sunny with frequent puffs of cloud passing over the sun so whilst our small terrace is a very sheltered suntrap, just when it was getting too hot, a little cloud hid the sun to cool us down.
    We did our best to use up the yummy food we had bought for self catering- yogurt, figs and honey for breakfast, omelettes and salad for lunch and sticky baklava for tea. Dinner was at a lovely stylish restaurant with a garden sheltered from the wind. The food was excellent too!
    Today was long and tedious with 9.30 flight to Athens and a long queue to check for the Ryanair flight to Stansted. A delight was bumping into Natalie, Andy, Finlay and Emily at Stansted - their flight from Lesbos landed just after ours.
    Lovely holiday but glad to be home again.    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsReturn to ParosTraveler
    6th century church
    FrescoesOrthordox bapistry4th century byzantine baptistry

    Admin day!

    October 1, 2021 in Greece ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    This morning we had to do our covid tests for our return to the UK on Sunday, and wait for the results, and the afternoon was mostly taking up with Lynette getting exasperated filling and submitting the UK border passenger locator forms. In between we managed to go for a walk to the main Orthodox Church in town which is a gorgeous building dating to the 6th century, with even a Byzantine baptistry dating earlier, maybe to the 4th century. It was mostly derelict but was renovated in the 50s and 60s, and still covered in places with very fine frescoes.Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsReturn to ParosTraveler
    View of the site on Despotiko from Antiparos
    Reconstructed stoa and temple facadePile of sherds from ancient pots and amphoraAncient bathroom!Storage cubiclesView across the site

    Despotiko

    October 1, 2021 in Greece ⋅ 🌬 19 °C

    The new archaeological site is on the island of Despotiko. It is only 10 minutes across from Antiparos in the caique. They have excavated over 20 buildings from the 8c BC to 6c BC. The buildings are mostly temples and supporting outbuildings and the current view is that they are a sanctuary area when the island was a centre of trade, much like Delos near Mykonos. In the recent dig season they have found a large cistern and aqueduct bringing water from mountain springs. Unfortunately they have started to reconstruct some of the buildings which, whilst giving an idea of what they would have looked like, look glaringly out of place when they use shining white marble.Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsReturn to ParosTraveler
    Tim on ferry to Antiparos
    Having a coffee waiting for the caiqueCaptain Sargos's caiqueInside the caveSpectacular stalactitesLeaving Antiparos

    A lovely adventure

    September 30, 2021 in Greece ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    Today we decided to go on an adventure to the nearby island of Antiparos. The attraction - apart from going on a boat - was the possibility of being able to visit a new archaeological site not properly open to the public as it is still being excavated. The site is on an uninhabited island just off Antiparos. The ferry to Antiparos is a roll- on roll- off boat that you just drive on then pay. It only takes 10 minutes but the wind is strong today and so it was quite bracing. We drove 20 minutes to the tip of the island and asked for Captain Sargos. He is the chap who ferries the archaeologists and guard across to the site and amazingly we were in luck. We had to wait till the guard arrived and then were taken across in a caique. We just had 40 minutes whilst the guard showed us around before being ferried back.
    Also on Antiparos is a well known cave full of stalactites and stalagmites. It goes very deep rather than sideways into the mountain. They say it's the deepest vertical cave in Europe. We stopped off here and went most of the way down before climbing back. We earned a delicious lunch in the port before catching the ferry back to Paros.    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsReturn to ParosTraveler
    Gorgon 6th century BC
    Obsidian blades 4000 BCStatue of Nike 500 BC. Lovely delicate work on her dressAmphora 8th c BCVase 2000 BCPerfume jar roman glass

    Leaving Stella and moving to Parikia

    September 28, 2021 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Yesterday after lazing by the pool and a final lunch we said goodbye to Stella in Ambolos and drove across the island to the capital Parikia. Driving in Parikia is much more complicated than out in Ambolos , the streets are narrow and mostly one way so whenever you want to turn it seem the road is one way the wrong way. In the end though we got through to where we wanted to park, got the apartment keys and settled in. In the evening we felt very tired and just went to a nearby touristy restaurant by the port, but it was really good.

    Today we spent the morning in the archaeological museum, and a small cemetery dating from the 8th century BC up to Roman times. When we're here before we had just half a day before our ferry left to go to Santorini, so we had to rush around. This time we could spend good time in the museum, which is quite small but full of lovely pieces from the island and neighbouring couple of islands. Definitely worth the return visit.    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsReturn to ParosTraveler
    Venitian fort
    Main naousa churchFishermans chapel

    Naousa

    September 27, 2021 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    This morning we drove up the coast to the nearest small town to us, Naousa. It looks quite prosperous with lots of fancy clothes shops and a couple of harbours full of boats. I guess it's on the Aegean sailing routes. We started with the biggest church in town, built in the 1800s , it sits on a hill and dominates the town and can be seen from the harbours. Then on to the remains of a fifteenth century Venetian fort at the harbour and a little fishermans' chapel on the harbour wall. The last time we were here Lynette remembers seen octopuses drying out on strings along the harbour so this time we sat and had lunch in one of the harbour restaurants and had grilled octopus.

    On the way home we found a bit of archaeology, a "Hellenic period tower" just along from our village. There isn't much left but it's still a wonderful construction of cut and shaped blocks.    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsReturn to ParosTraveler
    Where we gave up trying to reach the acropolis

    Sunday

    September 26, 2021 in Greece ⋅ 🌙 23 °C

    This morning we drove around the area near here. There a lots of new large villas in isolated spots and several wide and empty beaches. Not sure what it would be like high season.
    Paros does not have much in the way of archaeological sites but we are trying to visit the few marked on the map. The Mycenaean acropolis from 13c BC sounded worth a try. Obviously from the name it's at the top of a hill but this one proved too difficult for us to climb - no clear path and big boulders so we gave up about two thirds of the way up. I guess we aren't going to do much climbing of Greek mountains any more!

    Sunday lunchtime is big for Greek families and the hotel restaurant was busy with long noisy groups. We ate a light meal on our terrace of cheese and shrimp pies and later, Tim's favourite Greek dessert of galactoboreko.
    Very quiet in the restaurant this evening and Stella, the owner, sat and chatted for a while about what it had been like during the pandemic. Her son, a Greek pop star, was on TV last night in a sort of Strictly for singers where a professional singer pairs with an amateur.    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsReturn to ParosTraveler

    Beach

    September 25, 2021 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    This morning we walked along the coast road up to a small promontory with views along the coast. Last time we were here (6 or 7 years ago!) I used to run up this little hill every morning - can't do that any more! Afterwards we spent the rest of the morning at a little beach (with no other people) just along from our hotel and stayed there afterwards for lunch in a taverna looking out over the sea. Then Lazed around the hotel pool the rest of the day and celebrated Barnet's first win of the season.Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsReturn to ParosTraveler
    Ancient Greek quarry
    Blocks of marbleLefkes townPiso Livadi harbourCelebration dinner

    50th wedding anniversary

    September 25, 2021 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    We have spent our anniversary doing what we do best. After a yummy breakfast we went for a drive, first to the archaeological site in the mountains that was the ancient Greek quarry for the Parian marble used for many Greek statues and buildings. In truth there wasn't much to see but it was still pleasant to wander around. Next we went to the pretty hilltop town of Lefkes and wandered around and visited a Greek orthodox church. We then went back to the coast and had lunch at a harbourside taverna in Piso Livadi before heading back to the hotel. The afternoon was spent in the sun beside and in the pool. Stella cooked us a wonderful dinner of dolmades, grilled sea bream and some strange chocolate/caramel/cream dessert with a candle in it that was far too rich to eat much of. A lovely day.Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsReturn to ParosTraveler

    Relaxing first day

    September 23, 2021 in Greece ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    Got up really late this morning and I went for a short walk down the village harbour. It had turned really windy during the night and although the sea wasn't rough it was distinctly choppy with white caps everywhere. The walk back was harder uphill and into the wind. I don't think there will be much fresh fish tonight ! This afternoon we just lazed around the pool in the sun and I went for a swim. It was nice till I got out and got hit by the wind. By this evening the wind had really got up and we had to eat inside the restaurant. Hope it's better tomorrow!Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsReturn to ParosTraveler
    Sunset from our roomMoon rise over the channel between Paros and NaxosPool at night from our room

    Arrival

    September 22, 2021 in Greece ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    We left home at 5.00 am by taxi to Heathrow. All the paperwork done beforehand and submitted to BA to verify was worth it as we sailed through check-in and security. Flight was on time arriving in Athens and, again, the prior submission of paperwork meant we were through security and collected our bags within an hour. A leisurely lunch of Greek pies was followed by half an hour in a museum in the airport exhibiting finds dug up in the area around the airport. What a good idea! The next flight only took half an hour and we arrived in Paros at 6pm. The worst part was having to wear a mask for a solid 11 hours - our ears hurt. We picked up a car at the airport and arrived half an hour later at Stella's hotel just as the sun was setting. A beer by the pool followed by a delicious meal made it all worthwhile.Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJurassic coast and JerseyTraveler
    Solid gold torque in the museum
    Sunset over Guernsey

    Back home

    June 22, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Tuesday turned out wet, cold and quite windy so we spent the morning in the Jersey museum in st. Helier. This is a decent museum about the people and history of Jersey and well worth a visit. After lunch a walk around the two central markets and bought some jersey butter and some jersey Royal potatoes. It was still cold and raining so we retreated to a warm coffee shop with comfy seats and waited there till it was time to check in for the overnight ferry to Portsmouth. A good dinner, Some glasses of wine and watching the England match, and we were to leave jersey. The crossing and drive home were uneventful and we were back by mid-morning.Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJerez 2020Traveler

    Time to go home

    June 22, 2021 in Jersey ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    This evening we catch the overnight ferry back to Portsmouth with a 2 bed cabin so we get a decent sleep before the drive home. It was raining when we arrived, is raining now and due to continue all day. It has rained most of the time we have been here so we have not seen Jersey at its best. However the hotel has been exceptionally good and the location with the lovely beach is wonderful. Even in the rain we have enjoyed gazing at the seascape from our room and balcony. We have also eaten far too much of the delicious food. I could imagine coming back - if you could guarantee decent weather. All the locals tell us how good the weather has been and how unusual it is to have 5 straight days of rain at this time of year. The weather is expected to be good tomorrow!
    We will go to another museum today and to the central indoor market to see if we can bring some of the great produce home.    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJurassic coast and JerseyTraveler
    West coast beach
    VineyardVines in flowerCollapsed sea caveMill wheelMill mechanism

    Rainy day trip

    June 21, 2021 in Jersey ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    This morning we drove in the rain and morning fog all along the west and north coasts. The west coast is pretty much all one long sandy beach, which in the sunshine and a good day would be wonderful, but it's bleak and facing the incoming Atlantic seas and weather, and pretty much no habitation except for surfer shacks. The north coast is rocky with cliffs, sea caves and tiny inlets much like north Devon or Cornwall.

    We had a tour booked at a vineyard and distillery near to the north coast, so that was good. the wines didn't impress us much, although the cider and the calvados were good enough for us to buy a bottle or two. And by the time we came out it had stopped raining and the sun was peaking through. On the way home we stopped at "the last remaining working water wheel mill on the island", except although you see how it all worked they only mill grain twice a year.    Read more

  • Tim Lynette WilkinsJurassic coast and JerseyTraveler
    Our hotel from the end of the beachChurch at the end if the beach

    A gentle day

    June 20, 2021 in Jersey ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    We had a gentle walk all along the beach and a paddle in the, surprisingly warm , sea in the morning and then, between the tennis and the football, a walk to the end of the beach in the other direction. There are a church dating from the 12th century, and a chapel dating even earlier from the 11th century, and containing stunning frescos of bible scenes.Read more

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