Days are adding up, another month has passed for us, and we're starting to realize how time flies. When we arrived at the campground, it was April 10th. Now it's May. And it's as hot as summer in the Czech Republic! So we're also starting to get a nice tan.

We bought lots of fresh oranges and make fresh orange juice daily without artificial sweeteners.

We have time, so we're devoting more to improving the van. Our neighbors from England emptied out their entire caravan, cleaned everything down to the details, washed and polished the outside of the car. At the end of their week it looked better than new! We just watched them from afar and preferred not to get into something so radical. Who knows what else we'd find. Plus we didn't really feel like washing the outside of the car – it would be too white and shine on the whole area...and we'd definitely discover lots of rusty spots too!

Our quarantine improvements

But during that time, a few changes happened with us too. Leo was figuring out how to make a new oven, so when he spotted a large mozzarella can by a container, it was ours! At home we burned it out, peeled off the lacquer, ran wire through the inside so there'd be somewhere to put a baking sheet, and made doors from aluminum foil. We put the whole thing on the gas stove – on two burners – and baked. And it worked! At first it burned quite a bit, so we added sand to soften the heat from below. And finally several spacers to raise the baking sheet higher. There it bakes at sufficient temperature fastest and doesn't stick to the bottom. After a few attempts and several tricks, a portable van oven was born!

Oven with a capital O!

Another advancement in the van is the mosquito net. A really important thing for summer and especially in this area. Normally there aren't that many mosquitoes in Greece, but to the north of us there's practically just swamp, so they have places to breed. And there are plenty of them! We attached the mosquito net on both sides of the bed and left a narrow folding strip for passage. And we're satisfied! In combination with repellent it works 100%!

New curtains and trim around the window.

Besides the mosquito net, we finally also completed the trim around the window and thermal curtains. Leo measured and cut it, I painted them. Leo did the rest himself because I had lots of other work! :D And the result is great! We have a window with sliding curtains!

One of the walks around the campground, our quarantine classic.

Socializing with neighbors

We had restricted movement here until May 4th. During April we got closer to the neighbors, talked over a glass of wine in the evenings, and one evening we managed to sit almost until midnight and drink a whole bottle of whiskey! In the morning not everyone remembered who actually drank it... :D It was fun!

Yoga...sometimes it's just nice to relax.

Carol and I made progress with yoga. After the first three days when we overdid it slightly, I gave her a few days to rest and then we continued every other day. I liked seeing how she progressed, and she herself said that after about a week her back stopped hurting in the morning and that it helps her feel better overall. And we really did only basic simple stretching exercises and focused on breathing. Some people might find it boring, but Carol is proof that even this helps.

When we don't forget a bag, we also collect trash during beach walks.

Since May 4th we no longer have to send SMS when we go shopping and we can simply leave the campground. And we can finally go to the sea! So we tried it right away and it's a bit warmer than a month ago. :D ...but still quite cold for just lounging in the water.

When we're in the mood, we get creative. In the picture is a burger where instead of meat there's portobello mushroom, feta cheese, onion, and arugula. And even Leo liked it! And he usually won't take a step without meat!

Since that Monday we've also been thinking about where to go. We're planning one trip to the mountains for about 4-5 days. We wanted to go there now for that long weekend, but we found out we can't officially leave the prefecture yet – which is something like our district. So we're staying here and taking smaller trips around the area.

Exploring the surroundings

But our English neighbors already needed a change so they left to park elsewhere. They have more peace there, are independent, and also much happier. We also considered moving elsewhere and maybe we'll do it before the end of the week. From May 17th they should allow travel beyond the prefecture borders too – to the mountains and national parks nearby!

At the end of our first ride around the area.

Meanwhile we put the bikes together and set out to check out the surroundings. We hadn't sat on bikes in a long time, so we didn't want anything demanding. Fortunately the trails here are more or less flat, so the only thing that hurts are our butts, which aren't used to the saddle yet. We ended the trip in town, had gyros and ice cream, shopped at a local bakery and in a shop with traditional Greek products.

One of the beautiful sunsets. In the very back above the horizon you can see the island of Corfu.

People in town are already smiling at us and look much friendlier than at the beginning of quarantine. We're probably not the only ones looking forward to the end of all this. When the borders open again, we'll be able to officially travel further and others will be able to come here. I think with certain measures, the summer season here could go as usual. :)