To use ones own two feet to move between the boats and trains of the Adriatic has to be a privilege if only because nothing can be quick and time and patience are required in equal measures.  Not that we felt ever burdened by delay or under estimating our journey. Above all the contact with the warm terrain and waters was profound.

Corfu life can be a cliche: but leave the developed seaboards and within minutes the raw and wonderful legacy left from years of Italian occupation are in full focus with not much touched by those emerging from the screaming engines of the airplanes. I exaggerate as of course there are the trappings of twentieth century apparatus and concrete structures do stand out occasionally and emphasise the very simplicity of abandoned homes and by way of example sterna replaced by pipework. And creeping back is some investment, some rejuvenation and within a few years the creep will begin to smother.  This verdant land of so many olive trees has a climate with bright blue skies that simply attracts human kind from the Northern European places and so the creep is relentless. 

Nevertheless we walked along endless tracks amongst the olive trees and simple rough farmland without seeing a soul and the Corfu Trail has to be recommended as it weaves from village to hillside: but is not for the feint hearted especially in the heat.

We used boats to cross the seas and they worked so well with little cost.

Paxos suffers in a similar way to its larger neighbour but has a much more gentle way and being more inaccessible keeps a sobriety we all crave. The walking is short and varied and we took to scooters for a real explore to the beaches and tavernas off the beaten track.