Every moment that passed we were feeling better and then we arrived in Paros. It felt good. Before we had even left the port area we were accosted by Banos who made us an offer we couldn’t refuse- a car, automatic, for €40 a day. We needed twelve days. He had a contract signed, my driver’s licence checked, our luggage and us in the car within minutes. ‘How will you pay? By card? I haven’t got my machine. Never mind, I trust you. You pay when you return the car.’ And that was it.

The port is a bit chaotic. Cars, scooters, trucks, people dragging trollies, people touting accommodation and car rentals…it’s all happening. Banos explained the ‘automatic’ configuration and there was a sense of urgency. We were in the middle of the road. We drove off. We have been to Parakia before so we had a vague idea of where to go. It was 10:30 and our accommodation would be ready at 15:00. I have noticed these check-in times getting later and later. It used to be 14:00. One of the places we have booked, will have us check-in at 17:00!!! That is getting a bit rough. Anyhow we were after the parking lot. Parking in Paros is a challenge at the best of times and as we inch towards July it will get more and more challenging.

I was stressed. The indicators would not stop. Left…OK…Right…Ok.. but otherwise the Hazard lights were on. I tried everything. (Well..not everything.) We found the parking place and a tow-truck was dismantling a gypsy camp one car at a time. The driver- he would know how to stop the Hazard lights. Both John and I had failed. He was so non-judgemental. So kind. He came over. Sat in the car. Found the Hazard button and pushed it. Oh… I forgot about that.

We ventured into the labyrinthine streets of Parikia found a cafe and settled in with a cafe espresso freddo. This would become a favourite. Then I had the most enchanting exchange. A woman approached me and asked if she could take my photograph. She was German, I think. ‘I love your hat. I am an artist, and I would like to paint you in your hat.’ Well that is not the sort of thing that happens every day, especially not to a septuagenarian. So pleased I bought my hat! I gave her my details so that if and when she does the picture, I might see it. You never know.

Mythos Plaza was on the waterfront. We were early so we settled in at the bar next door and had a pre-lunch drink- John with his 56 Isles and me an Alpha. Perfect. Lunch on the waterfront with a Greek Salad and seafood…what more could you want? 

Philosophically, hedonism is an ethical theory that pleasure ie satisfying desires, is the highest good and proper aim of human life. Then we arrived at Summer Senses.