Deb: Did a whole day on a guided bird tour yesterday (that's being guided around parts of the island to see some birds, not a tour with us guiding the birds!) There were 7 of us – another English couple (about "our" age) and two Dutch guys, who’s English was incredible! Cracking jokes in English – almost up to Alan’s standard! The guy who led it was brilliant – amusing as well as knowledgeable about birds and the island. A taverna lunch was included – fresh fish and some new dishes we haven’t had in Greece before. In the afternoon we saw a rare bird that they have only seen 8 times on the island (and certainly never in England). (a white throated robin in case you are interested Steve) Great! The leader did sound disconcertingly like John Simm mind you! But it was a long day out. Today (Thursday) we are having a day’s rest from driving round the island. Forecast is now apparently getting warmer every day (still cold at night). Not good for birds (apparently the rain brings some rarer birds down on to the island). Can’t say i am devastated by that news! The day has started with trying to operate the washing machine with the entire instructions in Greek script. Of course, Alan has solved the problem and I can hear it whooshing away in the kitchen. Time for a coffee and download of the today’s paper ready for a day on the terrace.............

Alan: We’ve now been on Lesvos for just over a week (Sunday 28th today). Quite fascinating to see the island “waking up” for the summer season. Many tavernas are still not open, but most are at least being cleaned and many decorated ready for the (Greek) Easter kick-off, May 5th this year. Tourist numbers are increasing, the number of people at the most popular bird sites has increased tenfold since we arrived. We have been quite busy for a Greek island trip, partly because Lesvos does have a lot to see and do and partly because it isn’t yet hot enough to put us off :-)
Lovely to see the island so green, you can stop the car almost anywhere and do a very pleasant stroll always with the chance of seeing some interesting birds. We had another tour round yesterday and called at the saltpans on the way home for a birding catch-up. Bumped into our bird guide from Wednesday (his day off!) and while we were chatting with him one of the group nearly trod on a scorpion! Photos galore and one guy (who we assumed knew what he was doing) picked it up (by the tail if you’re tempted). So in the last few days we have had snakes eating blue t*** and frogs and now a scorpion – impressive!

Walked up to Molyvos castle this morning, which wasn’t bad for 2 Euros. Good views all round although the downside of our early (cooler) start was a lack of raptors and alpine swifts that are normally seen. I can feel a second (hotter) visit coming on. This is Colin’s last day with us before he departs on the second leg of his trip which takes him to Venice. So an early start for us all tomorrow as we deliver him to the airport for his flight departing at 06.50 (and that’s 04.50 UK time!), then it’s just me and Deb for another 11 days before we take the same trip before boarding our first Greek ferry heading for Andros. It’s all go!