Day. 13 Lazy Day 4.
Icarus' cold hamburger
So many lazy days on holidays, never heard of the likes before. It is just not on.
So up around 11 ish. Went to the bakery and decided to try something different. Came across what was called a Hamburger pie and just to be a boring added a bougasta with cheese and down to Icarus & Daedalus for breakfast.
When getting the hamburger pie it thought is was named due to its shape and design. I was not sure when I purchased it what it was going to be filled with but, looking back on it I should guessed what it was going to contain, however I was taken by surprise to find it was filled with a cold burger. I would like to say I was pleasantly surprised but the surprise was that it tasted bloody awful or at least somewhere between that and disgusting. The pasty was delicious but most of the burger ended up in the bin.
So prior to leaving my room I had checked that the photographs were on my tablet thingy, opened up the first two folders, all seemed good. I proceeded to delete all images in bulk, 1000 + photographs from my card. It took several minute, longer in fact than the transfer had taken up in Sandy and Nicole’s last night.
Once the card was empty I started snapping again like an addict. Took a stroll to the end of the harbour wall. Among others shots I managed to catch a fisherwoman and a kingfisher.
I started to make tracks out of the village around 3 pm. I had arranged to call up to Allan & Marilyn house at 3.30 the idea being that we would go to lunch at Agios Giorgos. I arrived at the house after about 20 mins. No sign of anyone so called out as I entered the house. As I rounded the kitchen corner I bumped into Christine, their daughter, she let a roar out and leapt back to which I think I let out a louder roar and also jumped back, possibly further. Not exactly the welcome I was expecting. Glad she did not go around the house carrying a Iron or Frying Pan or similar I could have been in serious trouble. Not sure who got the bigger shock.
Anyways it turns out that Allan & Marilyn & myself had got our wires crossed and they thought I was going to walk over to the beach, as I was known for walking / wandering / mislaying myself a bit when I was in Crete. Christine phoned to check with her parents that I had got the right day and so once my heart rate had returned to near normal I set off once again. The phone call was nicely timed as they had not even gotten out of the Jeep so they made a uturn and returned to collect one Irishman.
Agios Girogios and more lost keys.
I had not been down Agios Giorgos in 5 or 6 years and got a pleasant surprise ( unlike the cold burger breakfast surprise ) with the makeover the restaurant has received.
The taverna is located just above the small beach of Agios Georgios. The beach itself consists of small pebbles and the waters are crystal clear. It is a favourite among many visitors to Agia Galini.
You can get here several ways from the village. Boat, Car, Walking, Helicopter.
The boat Elizabeth leaves the village most days around 10 / 10.30 and picks the customers up for the return leg around 4 in the afternoon.
By car takes about 15 mins.
To walk takes about the hour.
By helicopter.
Well you have to bring your own.
Beware if you do that the south coast of Crete has a distinct shortage of flat areas suitable for landing.
In previous years when I had dropped over here the food could be a bit hit and miss. Not 100% sure how he worked it but it seemed as if the owner would bring over what he had available or thought would sell each day. So while there would usually be meze style food on the day most likely you would have a choice of 2 or 3 main dishes, red or white wine, definitely one brand of beer and sometimes 2, raki. ( Then again what more would you need ).
It is now 2016 and things have changed. First thing I noticed as we pulled up that their was a shortage of parking spaces. In the past the most I had seen any September was close to a dozen, and on one nice day the only vehicles there were the two cars our party came in and the owners pickup truck, today there was between 30 & 40 cars.
I believe the owners nephew runs it now with his partner, I think they may be called Georgios (aptly) and Maria and their chef Nikos. If the names are wrong let me know and I will amend.
As we walked down I counted plus 30 people on the beach and I reckon there was around the same or a little more in the taverna. There was a buzz in the restaurant that belies it location. I image if you sat here in a few hours time the only sounds and sights would be the waves and the stars.
As we take a seat I look around at the several large slate menus that Georgios has placed outside the dining area. Wow….there is a fish of the day, special of the day, pasta dishes, meat dishes, salads, several small dishes - starters and to complement this wide choice of fine cuisine on offer there are about 4 + slates offering a wide selection of beers - spirits - wine - drinks.
I will not bore you with what we had to eat, actually I cannot recall for the most part anyways, but everything was fantastic and very reasonably priced.
As we relaxed a friend of Allan and Marilyn's came by to say hello and ask if anyone had seen a key without a lock lying around. They have a second home near the beach and mislaid it earlier, the key that is, not their second home. We left about an hour later and I could see here still her scouring the beach, head down, walking along the shoreline. She might have had better luck if she had lost it in Spili ???
The taverna is located just above the small beach of Agios Georgios. The beach itself consists of small pebbles and the waters are crystal clear. It is a favourite among many visitors to Agia Galini.
You can get here several ways from the village. Boat, Car, Walking, Helicopter.
The boat Elizabeth leaves the village most days around 10 / 10.30 and picks the customers up for the return leg around 4 in the afternoon.
By car takes about 15 mins.
To walk takes about the hour.
By helicopter.
Well you have to bring your own.
Beware if you do that the south coast of Crete has a distinct shortage of flat areas suitable for landing.
In previous years when I had dropped over here the food could be a bit hit and miss. Not 100% sure how he worked it but it seemed as if the owner would bring over what he had available or thought would sell each day. So while there would usually be meze style food on the day most likely you would have a choice of 2 or 3 main dishes, red or white wine, definitely one brand of beer and sometimes 2, raki. ( Then again what more would you need ).
It is now 2016 and things have changed. First thing I noticed as we pulled up that their was a shortage of parking spaces. In the past the most I had seen any September was close to a dozen, and on one nice day the only vehicles there were the two cars our party came in and the owners pickup truck, today there was between 30 & 40 cars.
I believe the owners nephew runs it now with his partner, I think they may be called Georgios (aptly) and Maria and their chef Nikos. If the names are wrong let me know and I will amend.
As we walked down I counted plus 30 people on the beach and I reckon there was around the same or a little more in the taverna. There was a buzz in the restaurant that belies it location. I image if you sat here in a few hours time the only sounds and sights would be the waves and the stars.
As we take a seat I look around at the several large slate menus that Georgios has placed outside the dining area. Wow….there is a fish of the day, special of the day, pasta dishes, meat dishes, salads, several small dishes - starters and to complement this wide choice of fine cuisine on offer there are about 4 + slates offering a wide selection of beers - spirits - wine - drinks.
I will not bore you with what we had to eat, actually I cannot recall for the most part anyways, but everything was fantastic and very reasonably priced.
As we relaxed a friend of Allan and Marilyn's came by to say hello and ask if anyone had seen a key without a lock lying around. They have a second home near the beach and mislaid it earlier, the key that is, not their second home. We left about an hour later and I could see here still her scouring the beach, head down, walking along the shoreline. She might have had better luck if she had lost it in Spili ???
Day 14 Cathy & Cliff Day.
Last years Facebook & Cretan Policemen.
Last day but one so Cathy, Cliff and myself were heading off for a bit of drive. First stop was to be Phaestos followed by stop for a bit of lunch in Kalimaki, next up the ancient harbour of nearby Komos and finally a stop in Kokkinos Pirgos on the way back.
So we set off okay around 11 am ( does it really matter ) and the everything went well until I turned too early for Phaestos and brought us up by Agia Triada. The road is not too bad to start but thhe further up you get dodgier it becomes, a bit of rabbit highway as we call them in Ireland. However it does get better once you pass by Agia Triada and the truth be told that was possibly the closest we had to an adventure this day.
Unlike last year where we got stopped by the Cretan Police as we left the Arkadi Monastery. Actually it was just me and the car got stopped, as Cathy and Cliff were passengers they had little choice but to go along with the flow. As it turned out it was just a random check point in the middle of nowhere. I thought I was in Ireland for a moment. We were stopped for about 15 minutes and no other car passed within that timeframe. Anyhow, guess who never goes anywhere without their drivers licence unless of course they are going to a Monastery in the middle of nowhere in Crete??????
If you guessed Cliff you are right. But as it turned out as Cliff was not driving and anyways nobody checked if he had brought his licence…...oh no…..it was all about the Irishman who forgot his…..and apparently it did matter in my case as I was driving.
So we exit the car, check pockets, head to the boot and take out the small holdall….guess who has no licence? Cliff & me ( Cathy is so well organised I would bet she had hers on her ).
So I explained to the police how I had ripped my holdall yesterday, borrowed a friends for the day, and forgot to change over some things….you know...like my licence, wallet, passport. ( Do not ask me ever if that is the truth.)
Lucky for me the rental agreement was in the drawery thing on the dashboard and not with my id in Agia Galini, so while one of the policemen went back to the van to radio in and check if all was okay with the rental car I was still saying my signomi’s to the other. All this time, they, the policemen, were very pleasant and even with the heat, the fact that I was in the wrong and felt guilty about this because of the catholic buried deep within me, I do remember not feeling intimidated.
So it is at this point that Cathy pops out of the car and shows the waiting Policeman her phone. What was she showing him on her phone???? HA!....My Facebook page. And she is saying to the police officer…”look this is him” Honestly, what do you do in this situation...Laugh? Cry? Tell the policemen that she is a stowaway?
So officer number 2 returns, tells me all is okay with the rental but do not drive anymore without my licence. While he is talking Cathy shares my Facebook page images with him also. I am not too sure if was Cathy’s method of proving I did exist or just the right amount of signomi’s or a combination of both but they me go, no fine.
So the moral of the story: Well Theodore Roosevelt came up with the foreign policy of “ Speak softly and carry a big stick. “ so my version of that is if you are stopped by Cretan police “ Be polite but carry a Cathy with a phone.”
Still in last year. Previous to the above episode while in the Monastery a Monk approached me as I was photographing some plants, he picked some leaves from one, placed them in my shirt pocket and told me to make a brew for a good night with my woman. And later in the day we picked up someone in the middle of nowhere some where else not like the middle of nowhere where we got stopped by the nice policemen. So what I am saying is that it was the middle of nowhere elsewhere. They, the person we picked up, were not looking for a lift but we offered and they accepted. I wonder if they would have got in if I was on my own? I dropped them off at the next village before Cathy could show them my Facebook page. ( Only kidding Cathy )
Last day but one so Cathy, Cliff and myself were heading off for a bit of drive. First stop was to be Phaestos followed by stop for a bit of lunch in Kalimaki, next up the ancient harbour of nearby Komos and finally a stop in Kokkinos Pirgos on the way back.
So we set off okay around 11 am ( does it really matter ) and the everything went well until I turned too early for Phaestos and brought us up by Agia Triada. The road is not too bad to start but thhe further up you get dodgier it becomes, a bit of rabbit highway as we call them in Ireland. However it does get better once you pass by Agia Triada and the truth be told that was possibly the closest we had to an adventure this day.
Unlike last year where we got stopped by the Cretan Police as we left the Arkadi Monastery. Actually it was just me and the car got stopped, as Cathy and Cliff were passengers they had little choice but to go along with the flow. As it turned out it was just a random check point in the middle of nowhere. I thought I was in Ireland for a moment. We were stopped for about 15 minutes and no other car passed within that timeframe. Anyhow, guess who never goes anywhere without their drivers licence unless of course they are going to a Monastery in the middle of nowhere in Crete??????
If you guessed Cliff you are right. But as it turned out as Cliff was not driving and anyways nobody checked if he had brought his licence…...oh no…..it was all about the Irishman who forgot his…..and apparently it did matter in my case as I was driving.
So we exit the car, check pockets, head to the boot and take out the small holdall….guess who has no licence? Cliff & me ( Cathy is so well organised I would bet she had hers on her ).
So I explained to the police how I had ripped my holdall yesterday, borrowed a friends for the day, and forgot to change over some things….you know...like my licence, wallet, passport. ( Do not ask me ever if that is the truth.)
Lucky for me the rental agreement was in the drawery thing on the dashboard and not with my id in Agia Galini, so while one of the policemen went back to the van to radio in and check if all was okay with the rental car I was still saying my signomi’s to the other. All this time, they, the policemen, were very pleasant and even with the heat, the fact that I was in the wrong and felt guilty about this because of the catholic buried deep within me, I do remember not feeling intimidated.
So it is at this point that Cathy pops out of the car and shows the waiting Policeman her phone. What was she showing him on her phone???? HA!....My Facebook page. And she is saying to the police officer…”look this is him” Honestly, what do you do in this situation...Laugh? Cry? Tell the policemen that she is a stowaway?
So officer number 2 returns, tells me all is okay with the rental but do not drive anymore without my licence. While he is talking Cathy shares my Facebook page images with him also. I am not too sure if was Cathy’s method of proving I did exist or just the right amount of signomi’s or a combination of both but they me go, no fine.
So the moral of the story: Well Theodore Roosevelt came up with the foreign policy of “ Speak softly and carry a big stick. “ so my version of that is if you are stopped by Cretan police “ Be polite but carry a Cathy with a phone.”
Still in last year. Previous to the above episode while in the Monastery a Monk approached me as I was photographing some plants, he picked some leaves from one, placed them in my shirt pocket and told me to make a brew for a good night with my woman. And later in the day we picked up someone in the middle of nowhere some where else not like the middle of nowhere where we got stopped by the nice policemen. So what I am saying is that it was the middle of nowhere elsewhere. They, the person we picked up, were not looking for a lift but we offered and they accepted. I wonder if they would have got in if I was on my own? I dropped them off at the next village before Cathy could show them my Facebook page. ( Only kidding Cathy )
So back to his year….2017 and more keys that may or may not be lost
We arrived safe and sound at Phaestos and made for the….lets call it a cafeteria. It has a small - basic selection of pre-packed and prepped food, all available within a well stocked tourist shop.
However you do not come to this amazing palace for it’s cuisine so no need to dwell on it, the place is very clean, toilets are of a very high standard, staff are pleasant and prices are reasonable. We got coffees, snacks and sat outside to enjoy the amazing views. I reminisce and recall it is 6 years since my last visit………….wow have I sinned. I mean by leaving such a long gap between visits. Other than that, with my personal life, I’m going for something akin to Sainthood.
We spent a couple of hours wandering around the site, about ten minutes of which I spent trying to get a good shot a butterfly Cliff pointed me towards. I have spotted and photographed this particular fellow on previous years but still have to look up his name. It was an absolutely glorious day as you can see from the images and it helps that this is possibly my most favoured of the Minoan Palaces.
We next made our way to Kalamaki for a spot of lunch at Pelagos. I cannot claim to know the owners however over the last few years I have stopped here 5 times now. It is quiet, nice height so good overall view of the beach front, the food it good and it is reasonably priced. As you enter the village and drive to the seafront you will see that most of the tavernas are situated to the South while there are two to the North; Pelagos and Avra.
After lunch we planned on taking a walk over to the ancient Minoan Harbour of Kommos which is about 2km South along the beach. A short time into the walk Cliff decided he was historied out for the day so was going to mind Kalamaki while Cathy and myself went wandering into the sand and the past.
It was a tough enough walk as a strong wind was blowing against us, as if walking in soft sand is not enough of a challenge, however we soldiered on and made the site about half an hour on. We walked most of the perimeter of the site ( this site, as far as I am aware of, had never being open to the public ) and by doing so you can see very interesting remains. There is a ongoing debate as to whether or not this was a harbour / shipyard because as the area is, in our current times, not a natural harbour. However there is evidence to suggest that 3 millennia ago the sea was higher and the shift is down to the high earthquake activity that Crete is prone to. I like to believe because of it’s unique layout and location it was not only a harbour but a shipyard. But I’m a dreamer.
So after walking around most of the site I suggested to Cathy that rather than back track 10 mins why not try and find a short cut to the beach. I knew this would involved a rather sharp descent but as it may be possible to find a sandy spot I thought why not. So we looked at a couple of spots and they involved scaling / climbing down some rocks so opted against. I told Cathy at one stage, stay here while I ran on for a look, and if it was a no go then I would come back and we would take a more circuitous route. I found a spot, a bit steep but doable, turned around with the intention of heading back to Cathy. But no need, she is right behind; I think she had more faith than me. So a small scurry down a bit of track followed by a type of path on some stones placed very conveniently by nature and next we disturbing some secretive sunbathers then the beach.
So not much longer, actually it is still a struggle in soft sand, and seems longer because of it we arrive back at the hem of Kalamaki a wee bit knackered, at least I am anyways. Cliff is there beerless. He had not had a drink since we had left him a little over an hour ago. Cathy, the Aliens have taken your fella and left this strange Minotaur in his place.
Okay mystery is solved; he had spent his time looking for a key that may or may not be lost. Doing so he had used up his time retracing his steps back to the car and back to the taverna. No key. He is wondering that just maybe he did not bring it with him. I must ask them next year 2017 about the key.
So keyless and clueless we started to make our way back to Galini. As I drive remember there are the ruins of some old windmills not too far off our path. So we go a couple of back roads and having passed them just once we do manage to find them on our second pass. I abandon Cathy, Cliff and ( more importantly ) the car & run back and up a side track to take a couple of quick shots. At this stage the light was fading and I did want to get back further up the coast to see the sunset from somewhere like Kokkinos Pirgos. I will have to return to get a couple of better shots in the next year of four.
So on to Kokkinos Pirgos via Tymbaki. We arrive there 15 minutes after leaving the windmills. We settle into the taverna Ta KaiKia, Allan had introduced me to this place several years back and Mike and myself had got a classic sunset shot from just outside this Taverna several years back. It was a nice sunset as you can see, just as the final rays were setting the owner suggested we might go to the roof for final couple of shots. She also said mind the stairs. Good point, the wooden steps needed repairing like 3 perhaps 4 years ago. Step lightly.
Still all in all a nice end to wonderful day.
Actually it was not the end, not sure but I believe I ended up drinking Guinness in Zorbas later that night.
Anywho; Thank you Cathy & Cliff.
P.s. Other than everything else being normal about today I did get a phone call from my sister Jennie wondering where I was. She had driven 40 minutes to our local airport a day early. I would have laughed but she is a seriously hard worker and could have done with not getting the wrong day…..truth be told….I laughed ….just a little.
So on to Kokkinos Pirgos via Tymbaki. We arrive there 15 minutes after leaving the windmills. We settle into the taverna Ta KaiKia, Allan had introduced me to this place several years back and Mike and myself had got a classic sunset shot from just outside this Taverna several years back. It was a nice sunset as you can see, just as the final rays were setting the owner suggested we might go to the roof for final couple of shots. She also said mind the stairs. Good point, the wooden steps needed repairing like 3 perhaps 4 years ago. Step lightly.
Still all in all a nice end to wonderful day.
Actually it was not the end, not sure but I believe I ended up drinking Guinness in Zorbas later that night.
Anywho; Thank you Cathy & Cliff.
P.s. Other than everything else being normal about today I did get a phone call from my sister Jennie wondering where I was. She had driven 40 minutes to our local airport a day early. I would have laughed but she is a seriously hard worker and could have done with not getting the wrong day…..truth be told….I laughed ….just a little.
Day 15. A day to forget
Everything is right with the world ( ish ).
So up bright and early. Not that I wanted to but because I had to if I wanted to catch my plane. The flight is due to leave at 10 after midday so I am up at seven. It is a 2 hour drive so I want to be on the road for 8 am. No sign of anyone downstairs to pay the bill so I leave the money and key in the ashtray and will email Pelagia, their daughter, when I get back.
So the trip is uneventful, even with medium to heavy traffic I made it in a little under the 2 hours. I drop the car in
Athencarscrete parking lot. They were pretty busy, when I left the keys into the office the main chap just said thank you and asked if all was good with both the car and my holidays, to which I replied in the positive to both, he did not even leave the office and called out to one of his co-workers to drop me off at the main door of the airport. While I know I am a returning customer they do not have my credit or debit card details. Maybe the had a perfunctory glance that I missed.
Anyways all is right with the world, no wrong turns, no dash to the desk. This is turning out to be a pretty normal day for a flight.
As I check infor my flight the lady at the check in asks if I have hold luggage, no just carry on, can I see it to which I turn sideways to show here my rucksack ( I’m immediately thinking…..will it fit into that little cage?) no need to worry as she okays it.
So far so good.
The departure area in Chania airport is small but, at least it was today, extremely clean and pretty quiet. So a coffee and a snack later and we get called. Our flight leaves 5 minutes early.
Flight is uneventful, Norwegian Air, extremely reasonable price wise. Plenty of leg space in the normal seats and staff are very pleasant.
So up bright and early. Not that I wanted to but because I had to if I wanted to catch my plane. The flight is due to leave at 10 after midday so I am up at seven. It is a 2 hour drive so I want to be on the road for 8 am. No sign of anyone downstairs to pay the bill so I leave the money and key in the ashtray and will email Pelagia, their daughter, when I get back.
So the trip is uneventful, even with medium to heavy traffic I made it in a little under the 2 hours. I drop the car in
Athencarscrete parking lot. They were pretty busy, when I left the keys into the office the main chap just said thank you and asked if all was good with both the car and my holidays, to which I replied in the positive to both, he did not even leave the office and called out to one of his co-workers to drop me off at the main door of the airport. While I know I am a returning customer they do not have my credit or debit card details. Maybe the had a perfunctory glance that I missed.
Anyways all is right with the world, no wrong turns, no dash to the desk. This is turning out to be a pretty normal day for a flight.
As I check infor my flight the lady at the check in asks if I have hold luggage, no just carry on, can I see it to which I turn sideways to show here my rucksack ( I’m immediately thinking…..will it fit into that little cage?) no need to worry as she okays it.
So far so good.
The departure area in Chania airport is small but, at least it was today, extremely clean and pretty quiet. So a coffee and a snack later and we get called. Our flight leaves 5 minutes early.
Flight is uneventful, Norwegian Air, extremely reasonable price wise. Plenty of leg space in the normal seats and staff are very pleasant.
Everything is so not right with the world. Invalid bloody short cut.
So we land in Gatwick and I have about 4 hours to kill until my flight to Knock in the beautiful wet and windy west of Ireland. I decide to have a meal and a bee. As I wait for the meal I decide to occupy the time by looking through the few hundred photographs I have taken. Switch on the tablet thingy ( do not think it is a tablet, must ask my nephew ) and start to browse. As I wrote a couple of days ago 90% of the images went into a single folder while the balance for some reason went into two separate folders. I went for the big one first…….what does this mean…..Invalid Shortcut….I tried again…...Invalid Shortcut….and again…...Invalid Shortcut. No matter how many times I tried it the computers mind was not for changing. What the feck. This cannot be right. I switch off and back on the tablet. While it is restarting I realise what I had done in Sandy and Nicola’s. I had just created a shortcut to the main folder on the computer from the camera’s SD card. No wonder it was done so quick. Both of them had said it was fast and when I checked back then everything was obviously there as the card was still connected via the reader. And when I had checked the following morning I had only opened up the two smaller folders….why in the hell had I not checked the third folder…..what sort of an idiot am I. I mean this is like end of the world stuff. The curses that went through my head over the next 20 minutes…..I looked down and realised I was eating a meal I did not remember being put in front of me. I looked around me and to all intents and purposes it appeared like a normal day in the airport….these people did not realise that the world had just been turned upside down and shoved into a tumble dryer with rocks…..for the next while I stared blankly around me at this uninformed and uninterested audience.
So about 40 minutes later as the recriminations and curses start to fade into the second pint I am already planning next years holidays with plenty of SD cards and a reader.
What the hell. I recalled that you can get programmes that can retrieve deleted data however I genuinely did not think they would work on a SD card perhaps it was just for larger hard drives and the like…...forgive yourself and move on. So for the next few hours I still cursed myself for being the Ahole that I am. All through the next 3 hours of a wait, hour of a flight and 40 minute drive. Jennie told me the same as she gave me a lift home, not that I was an Ahole, but that I should be able to retrieve the data. I was still not optimistic.
So once in the door, computer on, search for a programme. I tried one….download it and give it a go, and hour later no good. Done a bit more research and going by some reviews I bought one.. an another hour on and still no joy. They say third time is the charm. I downloaded another freebie, I was getting a bit wary now as I was thinking all the poking around might not help whatever data was still on the card, so this was downloaded, I gave it a reluctant go. It took about 4 hours to do a deep scan….result... 879 deleted files can be recovered would you like to proceed…...yes please.
So several hours later and I am still in shock. I genuinely thought that was it. Over 80% of what I had thought lost was retrieved. Apparently the ones that were permanently lost was down to their space being take up by the shots I had taken on my second last day in Phaistos and Kommos.
I have a pretty crap memory so the images really help me fill in the dots.
So all is right with the world though I still thought I was a bit of a…..you know what, however I got my most of my photographs back and what I, or anyone else for that matter, thinks of me, well to be honest...do I care???
So we land in Gatwick and I have about 4 hours to kill until my flight to Knock in the beautiful wet and windy west of Ireland. I decide to have a meal and a bee. As I wait for the meal I decide to occupy the time by looking through the few hundred photographs I have taken. Switch on the tablet thingy ( do not think it is a tablet, must ask my nephew ) and start to browse. As I wrote a couple of days ago 90% of the images went into a single folder while the balance for some reason went into two separate folders. I went for the big one first…….what does this mean…..Invalid Shortcut….I tried again…...Invalid Shortcut….and again…...Invalid Shortcut. No matter how many times I tried it the computers mind was not for changing. What the feck. This cannot be right. I switch off and back on the tablet. While it is restarting I realise what I had done in Sandy and Nicola’s. I had just created a shortcut to the main folder on the computer from the camera’s SD card. No wonder it was done so quick. Both of them had said it was fast and when I checked back then everything was obviously there as the card was still connected via the reader. And when I had checked the following morning I had only opened up the two smaller folders….why in the hell had I not checked the third folder…..what sort of an idiot am I. I mean this is like end of the world stuff. The curses that went through my head over the next 20 minutes…..I looked down and realised I was eating a meal I did not remember being put in front of me. I looked around me and to all intents and purposes it appeared like a normal day in the airport….these people did not realise that the world had just been turned upside down and shoved into a tumble dryer with rocks…..for the next while I stared blankly around me at this uninformed and uninterested audience.
So about 40 minutes later as the recriminations and curses start to fade into the second pint I am already planning next years holidays with plenty of SD cards and a reader.
What the hell. I recalled that you can get programmes that can retrieve deleted data however I genuinely did not think they would work on a SD card perhaps it was just for larger hard drives and the like…...forgive yourself and move on. So for the next few hours I still cursed myself for being the Ahole that I am. All through the next 3 hours of a wait, hour of a flight and 40 minute drive. Jennie told me the same as she gave me a lift home, not that I was an Ahole, but that I should be able to retrieve the data. I was still not optimistic.
So once in the door, computer on, search for a programme. I tried one….download it and give it a go, and hour later no good. Done a bit more research and going by some reviews I bought one.. an another hour on and still no joy. They say third time is the charm. I downloaded another freebie, I was getting a bit wary now as I was thinking all the poking around might not help whatever data was still on the card, so this was downloaded, I gave it a reluctant go. It took about 4 hours to do a deep scan….result... 879 deleted files can be recovered would you like to proceed…...yes please.
So several hours later and I am still in shock. I genuinely thought that was it. Over 80% of what I had thought lost was retrieved. Apparently the ones that were permanently lost was down to their space being take up by the shots I had taken on my second last day in Phaistos and Kommos.
I have a pretty crap memory so the images really help me fill in the dots.
So all is right with the world though I still thought I was a bit of a…..you know what, however I got my most of my photographs back and what I, or anyone else for that matter, thinks of me, well to be honest...do I care???