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August 2005 We had already driven through most of Europe on our way back to our home in Corfu, Greece. We were on the last leg of the journey, with our small car completely full of  goods we had bought during our vacation in England. We had managed to fit in six weeks of visiting our family and friends, and some two thousand miles of travelling within the UK, and now we were pleased that we were on the final part of our long journey home. We had already driven through France, where the weather had been sunny and unusually warm for the time of year. It was October, and the French scenery had been full of autumn coloured foliage that was more reminiscent of early September. We drove on through Austria, marvelling at the wonderful mountain views and the rich pastures full of milkcows. It was so beautiful. As we approached Switzerland, we became aware that bad weather was following us on the final leg of our journey through Europe, and we increased our pace to try and outrun it.

Next morning, the weather had cleared, and the snow on the roads was gone. It still lay deep and thick at the sides of the road, but we could continue on our journey to catch the twenty-four hour ferry from Venice to Corfu. We knew the next ferry was due to sail at nine that same night, so we got on our way, hoping to arrive at least two hours before the ferry set sail.

We made very good time, and realised we had time to have a quick look at Venice before we went to the ferry terminal. We managed to find a car park, but realised we had no change to get a ticket to park. We forgot the quick look round, and headed for the ferry terminal.

Something was not quite right, and it took me a while to realise that the terminal had no lights on, and none of the doors was open. No signs were up, but the ferry was due in just a few hours. Surely they should be selling tickets and serving hot coffees by now?

We saw an english lorry in the car park, and asked the driver why the terminal wasn't open. He explained to us that it was an Italian Holy Day, the ferry was cancelled, and nowhere was open for either hot food or information. We would have to wait till the next ferry, which was at lunchtime the next day.

We couldn't take the car into town, and leave it full of our stuff. It would all be stolen. So we decided we had to sleep in the car till the terminal opened in the morning, and be the first to get tickets, as an enormous queue was building up outside the terminal.

The temperature dropped to fifteen degrees below zero during the night. We counted away the hours, put all our clothes on top of us, and ran the engine for ten minutes every hour to warm the car and stop us from freezing to death. Nowhere was open to buy food or drink, so my husband and I shared the christmas mince pies, tin of chocolates and bottle of Navy rum that we had bought to take back with us to Corfu.
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Being a non-drinker, the rum soon had me feeling so hot that I had to stop running the engine to keep me warm. I felt really groggy, and slept for most of the night. My husband woke up twice to answer a knock at the window, but it was only a friendly greek wagon driver checking if we were still alive and well.

The ferry didn't arrive till five in the evening the next day, because it had been lost in the fog. We managed to get tickets, and drove thankfully up the ramp. We just got out of the port when the storms began. The sea was black and heaving, the passengers were green and heaving......

I wouldn't go down to the cabin we had been provided with, and spent the full twenty four hours either sitting in the now-empty bar, or sitting on the top deck watching the lightning flickering blue and white over the dark angry sea. My husband went to our cabin and slept for most of the journey, a seasoned traveller with five years spent in the Royal Navy thought nothing of storms surrounding the Venice to Corfu ferry.

He came to collect me next morning, just as we pulled into a wonderfully sunny harbour in Corfu. Home at last. If I never see Venice again, it will be too soon, and don't ever offer me a navy rum and mince pie.......

If you need any more information, or you have found this interesting or informative, please feel free to contact me at jjdarbey@hotmail.com.

The following is the first article Janet wrote for the magazine:

Thinking Of Moving To The Greek Islands? ~ Thoughts On 10 Years Of Experience Overseas 

To see more about renting a house on Corfu Click Here
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