Hi folks

Well we got back Monday afternoon and I am still knackered but waking up at 5am each day.

We had a fantastic time as always, but not too much to report as we were there to completely chill out before we set off travelling around Europe for 7 months and we leave in 3 weeks or so. I have spent the last two days up my eyes in washing and trying to ensure all paperwork for the letting of our flat is in order, cancelling utilities and now have the joyous task of packing up our personal possessions to look forward to.

We were on the same flight as Gemma33 but we did not meet her until the Lazy days meet up on the Wednesday. I was sat next to and near to 2 or 3 Scottish couples on the plane but was not brave enough to ask any of them if it they were Gemma33 (turns out it wasn't as she was near the back and we were towards the front so glad didn't!).

Only made Lazy Days once in the two weeks, but am so glad we went it was brilliant to actually meet so many people whose posts you read all the time. Big thanks to Chilly and hubby for the ride back to Candolim and for the tour of your (lovely) house. Hi also to everyone who was at Lazydays on 7th Feb - I had a really good evening.

Sorry didn't make either Sunday meet at Ma Thai - Mr Dogfish ill the first one and needed looking after (not before I had gone and eaten and had a couple of drinkeypoos you understand). The second Sunday (18th) it was our last night and we were packing and got out to eat late and the took ages to get our food (see below re 2nd trip to Inferno's). We had a 4am pick up the next morning so we went back to hotel afterwards to get a but of shut eye. Am sorry we didn't come along as seems there was good turn out - next time will def come.

We spent most, actually every, day lazing on the beach at Splash shack. Cedric who works at the shack is fantastic and does not stop all day. Food at Splash is superb. It does have a clean and tiled toilet cubicle, this has a sink with no taps(!) and a western toilet, but it doesn't flush unless you fill the cistern from the large bucket next to it with specially provided jug for this purpose. This did not bother me as only used it for number 1's. I personally believe that it always good to ensure that number 2's are dealt with and out of the way before leaving the relative comfort of the hotel room of a morning! Sorry probably a bit too much information but nevertheless we all have to go and we all have to consider these things.

Watched sunset from the shack every night with a rum and coke - bliss!

We walked into Calangute along the road a couple of times to do some shopping and then walked back along the beach to Splash shack for much needed fluid replacement (Kings) and a swim. Also used the buses for the first time and thought they were great fun. Was a bit hot and sometimes v crowded but then we expected that. Very noisy what with the money collecting man constantly whistling, shouting and ordeing people to move up, sit down, get off etc! We went to Panjim via bus twice. Got the bus to Betim (7 rupees each I think) and then the free ferry across the river to Panjim.

Restaurants - we went to, in no particular order

Stone House - good as always, very busy but service quicker than previously and good considering how busy it was.

Cecelia's - Nice food and seemed popular.

Seashell - Ok but I do find the menu a bit limited here especially starters.

Annapurna - Good and quick service - ate on my own though as OH ill that day.

Florentines - excellent chicken cafrael and cheap. Took two attempts as the first time we went it was closed for a private function.

Inferno - Excellent - went twice. I has Chicken Saagwala which was superb, OH had tandoori mixed fish and could not eat it all there was so much. 2nd time we went the service was a bit slow as was packed to the rafters and we got there about 9pm which is a bit later than we normally would. Food just as good 2nd visit.

Delhi Durbar - More expensive than most places but IMO worth it. As always fantastic food although took ages and 2 requests before they took our food order and we had to wait outside for a table to come free, but only for about 10 minutes. If you go here you must must must try the Fish Tikka as a starter it is the best dish I have ever had anywhere. This was 4th visit to Goa and 4th time to this restaurant and we have both had same starter every time as is soooooo delicious. Main courses were both excellent as well. One slight downer was the very very drunk English couple sat behind us. Both aged in 50's, clearly been drinking all day, she kept falling asleep at the table and he spent an hour continually swearing and going on at at her for being so drunk - he was no less drunk just slightly more capable of consciousness and speech. After about an hour I had enough and turned around and politely but firmly asked him to tone the language down. Surprisingly this worked and I wished I had piped up earlier.

Alexandra's - huge menu to choose from. I didn't like my main course as the sauce was a bit sweet for me (sorry forgot what it was) but that was down to my choice of food and not because the restaurant was poor. OH food was good.

Angarra - Tiger Prawns - yummy.

Plantain Leaf - Excellent place and sooo cheap. 220 Rupees for 2 x starters, 2 a main courses and 1 bottle of water. First time we had been here and took a bit of convincing of Mr Dogfish when I told him it was veggie restaurant and that they do not serve alcohol. We were both instantly converted. He has a Dosa to start and I had Veg Samosa. I had a Thali and he had a biriyani - all superb. We will be back.

Au Reverie (the new one)- well what a place. It is amazing but I felt a bit uncomfortable in there as it was just too posh for me - always suspicious of any menu where a sauce is descibed as "Jus" and what the hell is "Consomme"? Not that I am common you understand(!) but it just wasn't very Goan. That said it did make a nice change and the food was excellent but it is pricey. Kingfisher was 140 rupees! Next time I will go to Le Jardin next door (the old au reverie) as have heard is still just as good as before - unfortunately we ran out of evenings and had to come home.

Lazy Days - can't remember what I ate but remember liking it.

Cactus Shepherds Pie - nice food and friendly staff. Also has pool table which we used and I was rubbish.

I also discovered Honeybee this trip after reading all you addicts singing its praises. Was convinced would hate it as don't generally like brandy - my oh my it is just a bit too drinkable and I am a convert.

Dabolim - what a nightmare. Coming in was Ok just took a while for cases to come through but coming home my god what a farce. the coach dropped us off at 4.50am for a 7.45am flight and the queue just to get into the building was enormous. It took two hours before we even inside and we were thankful that it was still dark and we weren't baking alive if it had been daylight. Once eventually inside we checked in cases and went to queue for immigration, just as I got the front one of the two men in the booth smiled nicely at me and walked off. the other grinned at but said and did nothing. When asked he said immigration was closed as the queue for the security check was very long and slow moving. I pointed out that all the other immigration desks were still processing people but he was having none of it. We moved to a different immigration queue and then just as I got to the front of that the other bloke decided he is open and calls me over much to the disgust of everyone still in the queue I had left previously. Got through that and joined the v long and slow security check queue. By the time we got through to departure lounge it was 7.40am and the flight was boarding. Somehow we took off only about 20 - 25 late and we landed on schedule.

Anyway not much else to say really, hope my waffling on hasn't bored you too much and you managed to make it to the end.

Sian