Sanders Blog

20th July, 2014

Up at 6.00 am Central European Time (7.00 am Greek Time & 5.00 am UK Time) and just had a glass of orange juice. Went down to the pool for a vigorous half hour swim. Can you believe it? We were the only ones there. Swimming was wonderful under the glass canopy and, as we did, a torrential rain storm passed over. Back to our room for showers and a cup of tea. Now Pauline is packing while I down load The Sunday Times to my iPad.

We will leave for Calais soon at about 10.00 am. Although the rain has stopped and the temperature is about 24C/72F, the roads will be still wet and the French reduce speed limits in that condition. Wet motorways are limited down from 130kmh/80mph to 110kmh/70mph and there have been so many reports in UK newspapers of French police targeting speeding British drivers in a revenue raising operation particularly on the A26/E17 so it will be cruise control set to the speed limit and a gentle drive to the coast.

Arrived in Calais at 1.30 pm. Checked in to our Executive room which was enormous. Went for a walk around the eight acres of gardens and then came back in to watch the British Open Golf Championship. Booked a table for Dinner at 7.00 pm.

The meal tonight was:

• Chicken & Asparagus Tart
• Medley of fish – Salmon, Scallops, Cod & Shrimps in Mornay Sauce
• Plum, Apricot & Raspberry Tart with Chantilly Cream
• Chilled Sauvignon Blanc

Absolutely wonderful end to our European adventure for this summer. And Rory McIlroy won as well. Good weekend!

21st July, 2014

Up at 6.30 am, showered and dressed. Down to breakfast at 7.30 am. (We can’t eat much more and are desperate to go back on our diets,) By 9.00 am, we’re off to Auchan for weekend shop – lots of fish including huge crevettes, cod steaks, salmon steaks and Sea Bream, lots of meat including duck joints and breasts, pork joints and rabbit, lots of wonderful salad vegetables and glorious fruit. We loaded only four boxes of wine because we will be back here in about a week when we have more space in the car. We did buy Pauline two more pairs of shoes from the shop she had bought from before. We also bought two pairs for Elerania because she so admired Pauline’s.

The temperature in Coquelles was 22C/70F as we drove down to the tunnel terminus at 11.00 am and, as soon as we drove off in Kent, it rose to 25C/77F. It was distinctly muggy. An hour and a half later we were back in Surrey and it felt as if we had never been away. Since leaving the island, we had driven 1238 miles/1993 km and 3313 miles/5331 km since leaving our apartment in April. After three hours, Pauline had unpacked everything, I had gone through fifteen week’s post, listened to all our phone messages including three from our Special Friend and two from Elerania, phoned Sky TV to reinstate our Satellite/Phone/Broadband deal which has been reduced by £40.00 per month while we’ve been away and watched the final over of the Test which England lost.

22nd July, 2014

Up at 5.00 am (7.00 am Greek Time) after being woken by the birds. We had slept with all the windows open (without the need for insect nets) because of the temperature. We didn’t realise how wonderful our Development looks in mid-summer. This is just a quickly snatched photo:

By 7.00 am, we had drunk fresh orange juice, tea and were firing up our coffee maker for the first cup in four months of really good, fresh coffee. We have a list of jobs longer than all four of our arms including:

• Have the car valeted
• Sign back on at the Health Club
• Visit Phyllis & Colin
• Do on-line banking
• Check and reallocate ISAs
• Pay the Window Cleaner
• Book return tunnel tickets to France for next week
• Catch up on correspondence
• Search out local Pick Your Own farms.

We think we might try this one. We’ve bought meat from them before and the quality is excellent.

Excellent meal of tomato & Basil salad with gorgeous, giant langoustines in garlic oil. To accompany this on a day of 27C/81F, we drank a chilled bottle of Chenin Blanc. Can I get those letters and emails done? We’ll see.

Just been reviewing our hotels across Europe which were generally very favourable. Booking.com and Expedia requested our views. I quite got a taste for it. There are a fair few Sifnos hotels I’d like to review as well.

23rd July, 2014

Up at 6.30 am today so getting better already. Beautiful summer’s day with clear blue skies and an overnight temperature of 22C/70F which is forecast to rise to 28C/82F during the day. We are going to a PYOF – a Pick Your Own farm. In fact, we might go to two. Unfortunately, we’ve missed asparagus for this year but strawberries, raspberries, black currants and gooseberries are currently being picked along with so many vegetables that we couldn’t eat or store them all.

Booked a return trip to France next week to buy wine and do some more shopping. Booking.com and Expedia have both emailed me to say thank you for all the Reviews and saying they have entitled me to 10% off all future bookings through them. I shall certainly keep writing Hotel reviews!

We signed back on at the Health Club yesterday so we will try to fit in a couple of hours this afternoon. There is so much to do!

It was a glorious morning down on the PYO farm. We picked 2.5 kilos of strawberries, about the same of raspberries, 3 kilos (podded weight) of broad beans which we love and about 2 kilos of French beans. We also bought lovely looking pork joints from the farm shop without having to kill our own pig! We drove back to our home, calling in at Phyllis & Colin’s house on the way to give them half of our fruit. The are both very old and wrinkly and can’t get out much so we thought they’d appreciate the help.

24th July, 2014

Another gorgeous day. The Met. Office are predicting roaring hot temperatures and sunshine well into the middle of August. It will be our first summer in UK for 17 years and it may well be the hottest on record. At least we won’t get the dreadful heatwaves of Greece this year.

As well as driving around Europe, we intend to start flying to cities again. For example, we intend to spend a few days in Bologna soon. Right on cue, a facility has been upgraded on our Private Banking Account. Priority Pass entitles us to enter and use the facilities of all the airports’ Executive Lounges – internet and fax, free refreshments, fast track check-in and boarding, etc.. It also allows us to get away from the general hubbub of the airport.

For example, when we fly to Athens in the winter, we can use all four Executive Lounges –

• Aristotle Onassis Lounge
• Swissport Executive Lounge
• Melina Merkouri Lounge
• Goldair CIP Lounge

I can see us making good use of this.

Did an hour at the Health Club this morning – the first for almost four months. We had intended to swim at the end but we were so shattered that we came home and devoured a huge bowl of strawberries and raspberries. Pauline has spent the afternoon researching new properties in Kent/Sussex area. We are not in a hurry and have specific requirements. It must be new-build. We want four bedrooms, separate Kitchen, Utility, Living room and, preferably, double Garage. We would like two of the bedrooms to have en suites plus a family bathroom. It must have good, fast broadband and be fully cabled for satellite television. Pauline would quite like a Conservatory but it is not a deal-breaker. We don’t want to spend much more than £500,000. One of our projects is to identify possible areas and drive down to explore their possibilities.

This style of house quite appeals to us both and can be purchased well within our budget. This particular one is just north of Ashford in Kent.

My friend on Paros has been waving to me again. Even in Surrey I can see him standing and waving from Aghia Anna. If  we move further South, he will come even more in to view. Next Spring/Summer we will be much freer to travel – Sifnos/Paros – Poros/Skiathos. Perhaps I can meet up with fellow Bloggers who have felt like friends for so long.

25th July, 2014

A very full day. Up at 6.30 am and out at the supermarket by 8.00 am. Unfortunately, we found that it is a popular time with pensioners. They see it as a social event and idle down the aisles chatting as they go. We had a pre-prepared list and tried to do it all in less than an hour. We were going to go to have the car cleaned but time ran out. Back out to the Pick your Own farm for 10.00 am. We picked another three kilos of raspberries and strawberries and bought some ice cream. Fig & sherry was our favourite although we also liked Belgian chocolate flavour.

Next, we were off to the Health Club for an hour’s exercise although the pool was out of commission today. Back home for fruit and a little blob of ice cream. Talking of little blobs, I’m quite missing the Poison Dwarf! Did some correspondence. Heard from Elerania today and wrote back. Also wrote a letter to Emmanuella & John. Sorted out some annual travel insurance and began to search out hotels for a trip to Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk and Bologna in Italy.

Very humid and warm – 28C/82F – but much hotter in the sun as we picked fruit. Suddenly at 2.30 pm, the heavens opened announced by bright flashes of lightning and huge claps of thunder. Almost like Greece, the downpour was soon over and the sun came out again as if nothing had happened. Everything smelled wonderful and fresh.

26th July, 2014

After an early breakfast of fresh orange juice and tea, we set about booking the future with a will. First, we booked three nights in Walsingham near to Wells-next-the-Sea where Pauline spent many happy childhood holidays.

Next we booked our annual pilgrimage to Yorkshire/Lancashire in October. We will spend three nights there. Now we have to fit a trip to Bologna in before Christmas.

After a supermarket shop and a trip to Phyllis & Colin, we were exhausted. We will go back to the Health Club on Monday. This afternoon I have completed communications with Elerania, Emmanuella, Brian, Little Viv and Margaret & Tony. They have all been despatched and we are going to turn our attention to other matters.

13th July, 2014

A lovely, gentle and slow day in this peaceful hotel. We went for a late breakfast at 9.00 am and then read the Sunday papers and drank coffee. An hour in the gym followed using the jogging machine and the exercise bike. We went straight from there to spend an hour swimming in the pool.

This evening we have eaten grilled salmon steak with grilled vegetables prior to watching the World Cup Final. Who to root for?

We leave Patras on Tuesday afternoon at 14.30 and arrive in Ancona by 10.30 on Wednesday morning. A quick trip to a local market and then on to Parma for the night. Thursday morning sees us drive to Mulhouse in Alsace where we stay for one night and then on to Reims on the Friday morning for a two night stop. On Sunday morning, we drive to Calais where we will spend the night and go shopping in the hyper-stores on Monday morning before making our crossing through the Chunnel and on our way back up to Surrey. We should be home by about 13.30 depending on the M25 traffic. The whole trip is great fun and something to savour.

14th July, 2014

What a wonderful day! We’ve woken up with not a care in the world, done an hour’s swimming in the deserted pool, eaten breakfast and read the newspapers. Not bad after a late night last night watching the Germans inevitably win. Actually, I was quite pleased for them and the strength of teamwork. It was nice to see Angela Merkel supporting her team just like she’s supported the Greek economy.

Usually, we don’t get back from Greece until the beginning of October. This year, for the first time in almost fifteen years, we are planning a number of trips. This is the short list we are considering:

• Drive to the Dordogne and stay for a few weeks. The Bergerac wine region appeals. My friend, Brian, had a house there and loved it.
• Drive or fly to Bologna for a couple of weeks.
• Revisit Venice. I have long looked forward to that.
• Fly to Rome, Verona, Florence to sit and stare for a few days.
• Spend some time in Madrid & Barcelona. We have never been to Spain and think it is about time we did.
• Visit the Amalfi coast.
• Go to Sicily.

We probably won’t manage half of those but we’ll make a start. Longer haul for next year could include visiting my childhood friend, Jonathan Kelly, who has just retired from US State R&D in Boston Massachusetts. I haven’t seen him since 1969. We have long talked about Australia & New Zealand and must visit them soon. After all, the world is our lobster! Talking of lobster, that’s what we’re having for Dinner.

15th July, 2014

The middle of July! Where does it all go? I suppose, we have been busy but still the time has flashed by. Now we are up, showered and dressed. We’ve had a cup of tea, watched the BBC News, downloaded the newspaper and we are off to breakfast before packing, checking out and driving down to the port.

We have our new tickets but still have to ‘check-in’ at least two hours before departure. The ship sails at 14.30 but we will be on by 1.00 pm and off to our cabin. It has a  fridge well stocked with complimentary goodies, a television that shows Greek and Italian stations plus BBC News & CNN. It is furnished with a big and very comfortable double bed, a dining table and chairs and a sofa and easy chairs. The bathroom is well appointed with powerful shower and a hairdryer for Pauline. Meals are complimentary for Luxury travellers.

We will hole up there and won’t really see other passengers until we disembark tomorrow morning by which time the ship’s number will have been swelled by passengers from Igoumenitsa.

16th July, 2014

Great crossing and, after a wonderful sleep, a lovely, waiter-served breakfast and gallons of fresh coffee, we arrived at the port of Ancona at about 11.00 am. We drove straight off and took the road to Bologna and Parma where we stayed in a lovely hotel for the night.

We were there by 3.00 pm and had intended to go for a walk but the temperature had hit 34C/93F and the sun was intense. We settled for reading the newspapers in our air-conditioned room.

Italian hotels cannot serve poor food, it is against their religion and the restaurant in our hotel is no exception. We ate a Starter of Caprese Salata – buffalo mozzarella, beefsteak tomato, basil and olive oil,

oven roast, wild salmon with grilled vegetables and a bottle of local wine. It was to die for! Coffee in our room and an early night.

17th July, 2014

Up at 6.00 am and, after a light breakfast, we made an early start for our five hour drive to Alsace. It was warm and sunny as we left, got hotter as we navigated the Milano ring road during morning rush hour and, as we drove past the Lakes and into Switzerland, still featuring snowy peaks, the temperature rose to 27C/81F then 30C/86F.

The drive so far has been delightful and we arrived at Mulhouse in France by 1.00 pm. Our room was ready and there was a complimentary bottle of champagne in the fridge. We went straight off to the basement pool for a long swim and Jacuzzi to get the drive out of us.

Now, at 4.30 pm, we can open the champagne and relax. We have a four hour drive to Reims tomorrow.

18th July, 2014

No breakfast today just a cup of tea. On the road by 8.30 am. Temperature at 8.30 am 24C/75F but as we ambled along an empty motorway past Colmar and on towards Reims, the temperature hit 34C/93F.

With so little traffic on our five hour journey, I just set cruise control and sat back. Having only to hold the steering wheel, I was in danger of falling asleep. Fortunately, the car radio soon picked up BBC Radio 4 and Test Match Special so I could be entertained throughout the drive.

While we were driving, Elerania phoned from her Sifnos office to ask how we were and where we were up to on the journey. She told us our buyers were absolutely over the moon with the house which was wonderful. She is a lovely girl and a wonderful Notary. We were incredibly lucky to switch our case to her. She really understood and fully sympathised with our situation. We stopped just once for coffee en route and arrived at our hotel in Reims – Best Western Hotel de la Paix – by 1.30 pm.

We had booked a spot in the underground car park and were soon stretching our limbs in the pool. The TV carries British channels which is rather nice.

We are going to have a day off from driving and spend it walking around Reims tomorrow.

19th July, 2014

Lovely, relaxing day. Up at 7.00 am and into the pool for 30 mins swim. Back to our room for orange juice, tea and coffee. Listened to BBC Radio 4 and downloaded The Times which was full of high temperatures and Lightning strikes across UK. We reached 33C/92F today and it was a little muggy.

Went out shopping in the centre of Reims but, although the area is fascinating and interesting, there was little that caught our eye.

Our meal today was rabbit terrrine, chicken & tarragon terrine, mixed olives and a wonderful melting white cheese that I can’t remember the name of. We drank a wonderful red – St Chinian Sacre Coeur – something I’ve never found before.

I shall certainly look for it again. Last leg of the European journey tomorrow when we do three hours to Coquelles, Calais. We will stay the night and then do our week’s shopping before diving under the sea a driving back up to Surrey. It really is so lovely to see well-stocked supermarkets again!

6th July, 2014

Lovely day. Our special friends came round for the morning and brought us a present each. That was nice. While we were drinking coffee, the Notary phoned – on a Sunday – to tell us of developments. After our friends had left, we went swimming in Kamares Bay where the water was a bit cooler than of late because of the recent winds.

Filet steak with onions and mushrooms for our meal and then preparing things for Monday.

7th July, 2014

We were up at 6.00 am and, in the cool of the morning, had a long chat with the Cat. We then cleared the patio of thousands of mating & dying flying ants that had appeared over night. Up to the Notary at 9.00 am and then off to the Accountant. Some important paperwork was back from Athens but still in the hands of the courier who lives in Faros. We went there immediately to pick it up. Everybody was amazed.

You went to Faros yourself?

It felt like we had sailed for South America single handed rather than drive five minutes to the next village. With the necessary paperwork in sweaty hands, we drove back to the Notary who gave us more documents to be photocopied and then taken up to the KEP (Public Administration) Office where Eleni stamped and countersigned them for free and suggested we keep her signature because it would be valuable one day.

Now we are going to Captain Andreas’ Taverna for Lunch to relax before another meeting tonight. Life is so hard when you’re retired! Evening meeting with the Notary and our special friend.

8th July, 2014

Oh what a night, what a night it was …..

Dramatic events at the Notary’s office last night. It was the celebration of our 30th year on Sifnos and, accompanied by our special friend, by the Notary, Elerania and by the buyers of our house, we exchanged contracts and received payment for our house which we started as a project 14 long years ago. It has been a wonderful experience but it is definitely time to leave the goldfish swimming around the bowl. We will depart in September but return as tourists in May and stay with our friends for a couple of months.

Although we knew exactly what was going to happen last night, it was still quite stressful. We drank a bottle of champagne in double quick time when we got home (can I call it that any more?). Today was extremely busy. We went to the Notary’s office and received a copy of the contract which we had to get photocopied. We took a copy to the accountant’s office with a box of cakes from Gerentopoulos

and another copy to the electricity shop but it was closed because of strike action. We will go tomorrow and try again.

We went to the Banks to deposit money and transfer it to our FedEx Bank – Moneycorp who will convert it into Sterling and send it to our British Bank. We will invest it in British property over the winter and ride the property wave in UK for a change. It is a strange feeling living in the house now but not owning it now but it is also very freeing! Our friends are coming round for drinks this evening. It will be nice to see Elerania in a social rather than official capacity.

9th July, 2014

Can life get much better than this? Up early on a still and hot morning which, ultimately reached 34C/93F. After breakfast – first for the cat and then us – we planned our attack as we so often have to in Greece. The finances from our house sale are being sent to our UK account via a FedEx Bank. First to the National Bank. We were soon sent home for an avalanche of paperwork – UK Electricity Bills (proof of address), UK Teachers Pensions P60s for last year (proof of paying taxes in UK), National Insurance Numbers (Equivalent of Greek Social Security Numbers), UK Tax Numbers (proof we knew our tax numbers), Passports (proof of place of birth). I managed to access everything on-line, cut and paste and mock-up convincing printouts. Second time round we passed the test and the button was pressed to send our money to UK.

On to Piraeus Bank where we already have on-line banking and a random-pin generator which didn’t seem to be working. We had the finances despatched manually in the bank and then they discovered that my rpg need to be ‘activated’ before it could be used. They helped me to do that in the Bank. We left as our money winged its way to our UK bank.

As we were leaving Piraeus Bank, John from Oraia Sifnos taverna came in. I haven’t seen him for a couple of years but, when we first came to Sifnos, 30 years ago, John was 20 years old and serving in Boulis Café/restaurant on the water front. He asked what I did and, when he learned I was a teacher, that was what he called me. Hey, teacher! he would call out when he saw me. That’s how he greeted me today. As we walked back to our car, we stumbled on Dimitris who did our outside tiling and did it very well. He and his wife came over for drinks last year. It was nice to see him and we might meet up over the next few weeks.

We have been helped by so many good people in the past three months that I would like to place on public record:

• Elerania Miliotie, the Notary has been indefatigably spectacular.
• Our Special Friend has been a constant source of support for the past three years
• Kostis Dimitriades, the architect, has been a wonderful source of support and specialist inside information.
• Smaragda and Margarita at the Accountants have chased and found everything.
• Pigi & George in the National Bank and Georgia in the Piraeus Bank have been incredibly facilitating.
• Giannis Chouz late of Germanos and now back at the Post Office has been overwhelmingly friendly and helpful. I owe him a huge debt. I may offer to sponsor his football team next season.

These people, for no real gain on their own part, have gone out of there way to help us right some wrongs and move on. They have contributed to our success and I pay tribute to them.

10th July, 2014

Like yesterday, the morning has opened warm and still unlike the cat who was jumping around everywhere demanding food. We are going out to the Notary’s office and then following up some business in Apollonia. Later, people will come to the house for drinks.

When we go out this morning, I am going to photograph Pauline in the dress that she wore in her first year on Sifnos thirty years ago. Like her, it is a classic!

At least she didn’t get it from Boden! I, of course was wearing the latest, nearly-new fashion.

We are going out to Dinner tonight. Our Special Friend is supposed to be coming up first for a chat. We are really tired after quite a stressful three days so we will have an early night especially as there is no football.

Interesting meal. The Poison Dwarf and her acolytes were also present. It helped to underline the rightness of leaving. Rania said she would say ‘Goodbye’ the following day when they were not present and we understood.

11th July, 2014

We were up early to say our goodbyes to the cat who seemed blissfully unaware of the moment. We put the last things in the car and waited for the new owners to arrive. They were right on time at 10.30 am and we gave each other hugs and kisses and left them to enjoy their new home. The Notary said they would be the subject of great jealousy because so many expressed interest in buying “the best house on the island” but they were the only ones who could afford it.  We are certainly glad we sold it to Greeks who will own it for the rest of their lives, bring up a family there and pass it on to their children. We were very happy with the price they paid and certainly didn’t want it to fall in to the hands of some strange tourist!

We drove down to the port and parked up to wait for Speedrunner. Our Special Friends and the Notary went out of their ways to be there and say, Goodbye for now. We have arranged to stay for a couple of months with the former next summer and then go to spend time on Poros with the latter. Even Stavros came down to wave us off which was nice. We drove on to the ferry and walked up to the VIP Lounge. It was beautifully air conditioned and almost empty. We ate smoked salmon sandwiches with a bottle of cold white wine and toasted ‘absent friends’. I had hardly finished the newspaper on my iPad when we pulled into Piraeus.

Friday night traffic in Piraeus was quite heavy but we were soon on the National Road and reached Patras two and a half hours later – just after 6.00 pm. As we drove, our special friends phoned to check we were ok. Just five miles further is the small village of Kaminia which has two hotels owned by the same family. The Poseidon Hotel and The Poseidon Palace Hotel front on the Gulf of Patras and are separated by a large citrus orchard. The latter is five star and features a wonderful pool, gym, steam room and sauna. The restaurant is fantastic and the rooms are large and comfortable. If you know Patras, this hotel is an oasis of luxury and calm. This will be our fifth time there. It is so much cheaper than four year’s ago. We moved from Patras Palace which was near to the old port and rapidly went down hill as the new port opened.

Sifnos is a desert for good fish and we have felt starved of it. Our first meal was grilled Sea Bream and an iced bottle of champagne to celebrate. We even resisted dancing the Gay Gordons! After all, we had left the goldfish behind. Just as we went to bed, our friend phoned to send Love and wish us well.

12th July, 2014

We slept so well and woke early and refreshed. Breakfast is buffet-style and as varied as one’s imagination. Unfortunately, we are not so equipped to take advantage of it now but, still, it was enjoyable. We drove down to the port and visited Superfast offices to collect our revised tickets. Originally, we were booked for the end of September and we were concerned that the few Luxury cabins would already be booked in July. Not a bit. We had full availability. We opted to sail on Tuesday.

Back at the hotel, we swam in the pool for an hour – until we were tired then made coffee and read the papers. Later, we went out for (what we considered) a six mile walk and returned rather tired. We order grilled mixed fish – salmon, swordfish, baby squids, mussels and octopus – with grilled vegetables – peppers, aubergines, oyster mushrooms, etc. – in our room. I managed to keep up with British radio and the Test Match. I was thrilled to hear Root and Anderson do so well.

29th June, 2014

A cooler day which is rather blustery. Out at 8.30 am to the café. Coffee and tea and then a quick visit to the Notary who is putting in overtime on a Sunday. Life is busy for her at the moment and she’s having her new office decorated. She is so helpful and understanding we can’t believe it!

Back home to read the Sunday papers. They make fairly grim reading for any Europhile. Twelve months ago, I wouldn’t have even considered the idea of UK leaving Europe. Now, I think it is odds on we will leave in the next three years. Cameron has played it very badly and, for short term party politics he has appeased the right wing by leaping in the dark. Now he is bound by a referendum which he looks increasingly likely to lose. We will all be the poorer.

For the first time in two weeks, we haven’t been for a swim. It was too windy to be comfortable. Mother Cat has eaten three and a half meals. Holland came back with a dubious penalty in the final minutes to beat Mexico 2-1. The Mexicans were definitely unlucky to lose.

30th June, 2014

The end of June and a warm day again with our car registering 28C/83F. Had an mid morning meeting with the Notary in her newly decorated offices and then off to the bank where were had a enjoyable chat with the newish Bank Manager. Georgia, a Cretan, is a delightful young woman who was extremely helpful.

Swimming was lovely today. The water was warm and pleasant. Our meal today was onion omelette using the eggs donated by the Elinoil petrol station and delicious they were too! The newspapers are full of cockahoop Tory MPs who are now in sight of their goal of getting us out of Europe and returning us to the Dark Ages of isolation and Little Englanders. The Daily Telegraph’s headline is: The “Junckernaut” is driving Britain to inevitable separation. The point they make is that failure to join the euro has made this inevitable.

1st July, 2014

Happy July 2014 to most of our readers. The tradition goes that the first to say white rabbit on the first day of a new month will have good luck throughout that month. I woke Pauline at 4.00 am to wish her ‘White Rabbit’ and my lucky month began by being sent out to clean the patio. Never accept tradition at face value or Greeks bearing gifts!

It seems to be ant season. There are trails everywhere outside and, particularly, on our patio. We brought a huge stock of ant boxes but, already, we are beginning to question if we have enough to get through until October. Maybe the problem will die down anyway.

It took me three hours but the tiles are looking wonderful again and I feel as if I’ve done some ‘useful’, physical work. The reward is to go out for Lunch. We are going back to Vathy. I hope to get rabbit on the third time of asking.

We did and it was wonderful. Roast saddle of rabbit with oregano. I know from experience that roasting rabbit isn’t easy. It is easy to over cook and make very dry. This was succulent, moist and full of flavour. What am I doing eating rabbit on White Rabbit Day?

2nd July, 2014

Wonderful day today. Started mundanely by cleaning the car. Received an email from Bart Simpson who I have missed for a while. He is back on Paros and with a new Blog entitled: Little greek Island. He is a pleasant and interesting man who is well worth following.

We spent the morning in discussions with out Private Bank Manager at Nat. West in UK. It is an excellent service although we pay quite a lot for it. Next I had to communicate with MoneyCorp, a FedEx Bank that is highly respected in UK.

We have agreed a suitable policy together.

3rd July, 2014

Up early this morning – well before 7.00 am.. Mother Cat dropped in to say Good Morning (in cat speak) but didn’t stay for any breakfast for the first time in three months. We had a leisurely start to the morning – Juice and Tea followed by the papers – before the serious work started when I had my hair cut. We did some tidying out of cupboards. It really is amazing how much useless stuff one accumulates over a decade but become reluctant to throw out. Moneycorp phoned to confirm our intentions and we decided to forgo our swim.

We had a wonderful swim yesterday. The water was delightful, clear and refreshing. The wind today is so strong and blustery, swimming wouldn’t be enjoyable. Anyway, we’ve got a very busy day tomorrow so this is a pleasant counterpoint.

4th July, 2014

The TV news included an item on incredibly strong winds frustrating Independence Day celebrations in the US. Here strong winds have dashed hopes of a pleasant swim and will probably do so tomorrow as well. We have been up to Apollonia for a meeting and to visit the café. We met up with Costas, the woodman who supplied our windows and doors. A bit of shopping and then things retired people do like reading the papers, resting, etc. France v Germany and Colombia v Brazil tonight.

Mother Cat has started behaving strangely. She didn’t come for breakfast yesterday and hardly touched her Dinner but drank an entire bowl of water voraciously last night. This morning she ate her breakfast but then walked straight in to the bush where she gave bith last year. We find it incredible that she should be pregnant because their has been no physical sign but she has been eating three meals a day for weeks so who knows.

I would like to say I took this photo in the garden but it wouldn’t be true. I was just struck by its quality.

5th July, 2014

What a wonderful day after a tumultuous night. I think I have quoted a famous line from our erstwhile Poet Laureate, Ted Hughes, before but it is so apposite:

22^nd June, 2014

Up at 6.30 am and, before the cat could get her stomach in gear, we went out down to the dustbin drop to get rid of a smelly bag. This hot weather makes them turn very quickly. At that time in the morning, it was 22C/70F and before the sun was up so that was probably the mean, overnight number. It certainly still feels very comfortable for sleeping.

I’ve probably written about this before so stop me if I’m boring you but sleeping is something which has always interested me. For forty years while we were working, Pauline and I would rise at 6.00 am and just after 7.00 am, after a shower and a cup of tea, drive from Yorkshire where we lived over the Pennines to Lancashire where we worked. Bedtime for me was generally midnight. Six hours sleep was enough. Now retired, our friends expect us to catch on sleep. What’s the need to be up?  I say that I never want to get like that. On the day we retired, I asked Pauline to kick me out of bed no later than 7.00 am and she has duly obliged every day for the past five years. We make the early mornings as productive as we can, getting jobs done while we are energetic. You’re a long time dead. Make the most of your waking hours!

By 8.00 am, we were on our way to Café Prago and to a meeting with our friend, the Notary’s husband after a phone call from Milos to arrange it. At the café, this little chap came over to make friends.

The temperature had climbed to 27C/81F by 10.00 am. We’ve come home to catch up on the Sunday newspapers, water some trees and bushes and then go for a swim. The water is wonderful and crystal clear. By 2.00 pm, the temperature is 30C/86F and swimming is all we want to do. Later, Pauline cooks steak &  grilled vegetables in a red wine reduction sauce. Wonderful!

23^rd June, 2014

A bit breezier and fresher this morning although we are expecting 28C/82F by afternoon. Apart from a swim, we are spending a quiet day at home catching up on emails, watering trees and bushes and reading the papers.

Today’s Times carries this front page and this page 5:

Before the fund HS2 at a potential £46bn, the Tories are proposing to build HS3 to save 25 mins travelling time between Manchester & Leeds. At the same time, cutting back the NHS which only needs £2bn. The High Speed rail lines will be absolutely inrrelevant by 2030 when they’re finished because superfast digital links will just make that sort of travel largely needless and yet the health of the nation will suffer. And proposals are being put forward to charge £10.00 for visits to the doctor. The world has gone mad!

24^th June, 2014

A lovely summer’s day – 26F/79F at 9.30 am – with a pleasant breeze. We are in our eleventh week on the island and had to go up to the Elinoil station to fill up the car for only the third time this year. It cost 90€/£72.00 but is was very empty. The owner of the petrol station and his family are quite delightful people. Father gave us the bill and then a bag of 16 fresh eggs from his own chickens which he was pleased to point out were all date-stamped. Actually, each one had the date of collection written on in biro but it was his little joke.

As we left, he said, watch NERIT (the new Government backed channel) at 1.00 pm today. Apostolos is playing his bouzouki, This is his son, a lovely lad who is about to go off to college to train as a car mechanic but plays beautifully and, until recently, had a pet grouse called ‘Famous’ which he kept in a box. We must time our swim so as not to miss it.

Actually, we decided we didn’t have time for a swim on Sifnos. Nikiforos called with his taxi just after 1.00 pm and took us down to the port. We had an interesting discussion while waiting for Speedrunner with an American diplomat from Washington DC and his Russian wife who teaches Russian geopolitics in the local university. We had booked VIP Class and it was quite delightful. The taxi from Piraeus to our hotel –  the 5* Electra Palace in Plaka – cost just 20.00€ and we were soon out to eat at one of our favourite roadside tavernas.

We were tired and went to bed about 11.00 am but woke up dry at around 3.30 am and we made a cup of tea. Flicking the channels on the TV, we came across Apostelos from the petrol station playing his balalaika in a repeat of the lunchtime show.

25th June, 2014

Already a warm 27C/81F and still. Swimming and little else will be the order of the day. Actually, we managed to get an hour and a half walk in after breakfast and before the thermometer showed a warm 38C/101F. Didn’t stay up for the Greek match last night but it was lovely to see it this morning re-played over and over again – particularly the last five minutes. Pleased Samaras was the scorer. He’s almost British now anyway.

Of course, we had picked the four warmest days of the year so far in Athens. It was just too hot to swim in the rooftop pool so we used the indoor, air-conditioned gym and pool. It was totally deserted apart from the Beauticians doing pedicure/manicure/massage and general pampering. We did about an hour of exercise to make up for the smoked salmon and scrambled egg breakfast.

26th June, 2014

‘Phew, what a scorcher!’ will probably be today’s headline. It is 11.00 am and already 32C/90F. We don’t have a lot planned apart from swimming. The newspapers are full of jokes about Suarez going out for an Italian and the Snickers advert which they say is tastier than an Italian. I feel sorry for Liverpool. They were denied the Championship at the last gasp and now may lose their top striker for months. The lad is mad. Why doesn’t he eat sensibly?

Pauline has been out this morning to the hairdressers – Michalis Anousakis salon- which is just across the street from our hotel. Later, we brave the heat to walk to Psiri district.

Talking about eating. We’ve gone fish mad recently. Baby fresh squid on Tuesday followed by grilled sea bass yesterday and grilled salmon today. No wonder we’re doing so much swimming. Anyway, the temperature has reached 40C/104F. There are a lot of very red faced tourists wandering aimlessly around. Fortunately, we are not in that class. While we are having Dinner, the Notary phones to confirm some news we were waiting for. We have agreed to meet with her on Saturday.

27th June, 2014

A lazy morning of breakfast, newspapers, swimming and packing. A taxi arrives to take us down to the port of Piraeus for just before 4.00 pm. We go straight on board and into air-conditioned VIP seats for a glass of wine and some peanuts. Back on Sifnos, Nikiforos is waiting for us to whisk us home. Mother Cat arrives immediately and reproachfully devours two day’s worth of Beefy chunks with a hint of salmon. She then proceeds to talk to us for half an hour as if she’s missed us. We feel terrible but there’s probably worse to come.

28th June, 2014

Mother Cat was so insecure after being left for four days that she stayed close all night.  This morning, she was sleeping on my dining chair on the patio when we got up just before 7.00 am and after two helpings of her favourite dried food – salmon flavour – she went back on to the patio wall to enjoy the early morning breeze in her fur. I photographed her through the insect net which degrades the picture rather:

Off to do the week’s shopping, get some photocopying done and meet the Notary. Later, we will have a swim. The days are so hard!

15th June, 2014

Half way through June already and we only have fifteen weeks left on the island this year. The escalator is speeding up. Must run faster to stand still!

After an aborted attempt to watch England lose – I fell asleep at Half Time – the morning has opened hot and just got hotter. By 10.00 am, it is 27C/81F and windless. Mother cat has eaten and slunk off it the shade of a bush to sleep. We have to clean the patios and read the Sunday papers. Definitely another swim is called for and then a cold lunch of protein.

16th June, 2014

Don’t get too excited but we cleaned the patio today! It was a day which didn’t start well because my internet and mobile provider, Cosmote, was off line for the first three hours. It was probably transmitter maintenance on the island but it meant I couldn’t listen to the Today programme on the BBC. I got over it by watching BBC TV News but it’s not the same.

A warmish day – about 26C/79F – which encouraged us to go for another swim and the water was warm and crystal clear. A pleasant day that ended with a disappointing Portuguese performance against Germany.

17th June, 2014

Cosmote, was off line again this morning until 10.00 am. I don’t think Greeks have really got the hang of the importance of the Today programme. I’ll be glad when they finish the transmitter work. The British news features Schumacher’s tentative ‘recovery’ or at least coming out of his coma. It chimes with such resonance for Pauline and I because it was this day, exactly 34 years ago, that we  had a terrible car accident. We had been married for a year and a half and had just taken delivery of our first, brand new car together. It was a pageant-blue, V-reg Leyland Mini.

It was the school exams and I had huge packs of marked scripts in the boot. A man driving to work in a Ford Cortina went out of control on a sharp bend half a mile from our school and careered across the road into our car cutting it almost in two. Pauline & I both ended up in hospital and I had a severe trauma to the head which left me unconscious for about a week and semi-conscious for much longer. It took us a full year to really get over it and about five years before we got financial compensation. At least we did and have had 34 years of wonderfully fulfilling life since. It’s looking like Schumacher’s recovery is much less certain.

18th June, 2014

Cosmote made it a third day running for loss of service and again later in the day as well. We went out to Faros today. The view could not have been in more stark contrast to Heronnisos. The latter looked chic and cared for, upmarket and as if money had been spent on it. Faros looked shabby, deteriorating and distinctly down at heel as if there was no money to spend on it. There were virtually no tourists there apart from a couple of French families and, as all good Brits know, the French don’t count!

The day has turned into a hot, 30C/86F and rather muggy. We found walking rather hot and uncomfortable work and soon came home. We went down to the beach for a swim and the water was delicious. Within an hour of getting back home, there were rain spots on the windows although you wouldn’t call it a shower. Mother Cat thought it was enough to take shelter in our porch where she lay flat out and dead to the world. I settled down to watch Australia v Netherlands.

19th June, 2014

Good Morning to my ancient sister, Ruth. Hope everything is good and that Kevan is still coping with you. It is a hot and steamy morning that woke us half an hour early at 6.30 am with a thunder storm and just a smattering of rain but not enough to make a difference. the temperature has reached 31C/89 F by 12.00 pm and we have gone down to the sea to cool off.

We spent a couple of hours cleaning and clearing the edge of the road along the wall of our property to make it look more appealing or, in the jargon, give it curb appeal. We also had to clear out the storm drain in preparation for winter rains. I suppose they will come.

It was sweaty work but enjoyable and going straight down for a swim in the cool water afterwards was just the antidote. The pounds are still falling away and I am almost back to the point that I found myself in 1985 when I was overwhelmed by it and gave up fighting back. Griddled chicken breast with griddled peppers and onions was a wonderful meal today.

It is my only meal today but my stomach can’t take more.

20th June, 2014

Never take life for granted and enjoy every breath! Still in mourning for the shameful display last night until I read this morning of the death of the younger brother of Kolo & Yaya Toure from cancer yesterday at the age of 28. What a ridiculously young age to lose one’s life!

Quite a humid 27C/81F. We went for an early swim just as the tide was turning. It was producing majestic, crashing, blue waves and foamy surf which made swimming even more enjoyable. After returning home, showering and changing, we drove down to Vathy Bay for the second time in ten days to have lunch. Caper Salad, Chickpea Balls, Cucumber, Garlic & Yoghurt Dip as starters followed by roast chicken. Vathy was very busy with tourists. The tavernas were full of French diners. It really looked the chic, in-place.

Later, we were stopped in our road by our friend, the taxi-driver – περιμένετε λίγο – who loaded us up with vegetables from his garden.

We got more courgettes than we could sell at market. So kind.

21st June, 2014

Had to go down to the Port this morning to see off and wish the Boys’ Football Team and their coach, Giannis, well. They are were on their way to play a tournament on Milos. I offered myself as centre forward but Giannis declined and pointed to the recent performance of the England team in Brasil. I had to accept his decision. While we were at the Port, we met the Notary and she gave us documents to take to the Accountant’s office. Our link there came in specially to deal with our paperwork which was good of her.

En route, we called at Café Prago for coffee and gossip. They love to hear our gossip and what we think of the islanders in our lives. They can barely believe some of the things we have to tell them. Later, in the supermarket, we chat to friends who have recently retired from our Bank and we’ve known for years. They make it feel a bit like the end of an era!

Lovely swim today. The water was warm and inviting. I cooked orange glazed pork and beans for our meal. I have to say it was a great success. I must send best wishes to Ruth and Jane on their Spanish holidays. Have a lovely time. I must also say ‘hello’ to Simon Baddely who maintains the Blog, Democracy Street where he lives part time on Corfu. I have followed his Blog for years and.  I wrote to him last July and he replied today. That’s snail-mail!

8th June, 2014

A warm day which reached 27C/81F. We were up at 6.00 am and drinking fresh orange juice and tea shortly after. Even Mother Cat took twenty minutes to shake sleep off , stretch and ask for food. After eight weeks of three meals a day, her coat is glossily healthy. She is constantly cleaning it. She must be one of the most fastidious, feral cats around.

Later, we went out to Café Prago to meet an important friend and hear their news. The coffee there is excellent and the view even better. While we were there, two elderly Americans approached us and asked if we spoke English. Of course, I instantly replied, of course even better than Americans. They were intent on setting out to walk to Kastro and wanted to know the direction. They were in their 70s and we advised them that it would be a long, hot walk. They set off all the same.

Half an hour later, we were walking to our car when shuffling into sight came the two Americans. It was too hot and too far. They were going to get a bus back to Kamares. We took them in the car and we got their life stories and how they’d met only in the past three or four years when each other’s partners had died. They seemed delighted to be chauffeured home and insisted we take their email addresses and write to them.

Back home, we did the last of the garden clearing – an hour and a half did it. In that heat, it was enough. We have now completely cleared the first three levels and accompanying bankings. I’ve really enjoyed it and it has made me feel fitter and lighter.

Roast leg of pork for our meal. It was delicious but my appetite is so reduced, after a few mouthfuls, I was full.

I watched a dreadful 0-0 draw between England and Honduras and then Nadal beat Djokovic in the Final of the French Open.

9th June, 2014

An ultimately hot day which started off a little overcast and cool but soon got into it’s stride. I think it only reached 26C/79F but it felt very sticky and humid. It is a national holiday here just as Whit Monday used to be in Britain.

We did some house cleaning and tidying having finished in the grounds. We had a simple meal of cold, roast pig – which was delicious – with a Waldorf salad and avocado slices. It is wonderful to be able to buy really good celery here at last. In previous years it has always been dry and stringy. Now it’s up to Sainsbury’s standard!

For non-Greek speakers, there is not so much on TV to grab our interest. However, the much derided NERIT replacement for NET, the national channel, buys in BBC programmes. We have been enjoying two:

Silk – a drama about life at the Bar

and The Hour which is set in the 1950s of our childhood and is a drama about a nascent news programme on that new contraption called television.

It deals with some of the big, political stories of the day along with other social comment. Silk finishes tonight. The Hour has a few more nights to run. Thank goodness for the World Cup!

10th June, 2014

Happy Birthday to Colin who is 78 today. Commiserations to Phyllis who still has to pole dance for him.

Up at 6.00 am on a hot – 27C/81F –  and sticky day. We went out to the café and then to meet with the Notary. We have finished clearing the ground outside and have set about tidying the house inside. Today we decided to reward ourselves by going out to lunch. We drove down to Vathi Bay. It is lovely and peaceful there although they had a fair few tourists in residence today. We went to our favourite tavern where the man who served us  hadn’t been born when we first went there 28 years ago. Tsikali Taverna has long been a favourite of ours.

We had a Greek Salad, a huge plate of roast cod in lemon and olive oil sauce and a half litre of white wine. The bill was just 18.00€/£14.50. Wonderful. The later day reached 28-29C/82-84F and was uncomfortable.

11th June, 2014

Hot and windless morning. We had an early meeting with the Notary after breakfast. About 10.30 am, we went to the café for a frappe and then to the supermarket for a bit of shopping. Sound a bit desultory? It is! I felt a bit lost having finished all my jobs. We were saved by a phone call from our special friend but this afternoon I just had a snooze which is unheard of these days.

The one big plus today was that my trousers didn’t fall down. Pauline bought me two, new pairs of trousers in early April just before we came away. They were fine but a little on the tight side. In the time we have been in Greece, I have lost 4″/8cm from my waist and I recently had to keep my hands in my trouser pockets to avoid an embarrassing situation developing. Today, Pauline put tucks on both sides and one on the back of the waistband. Should get me through until October now.

12th June, 2014

The temperature peaked at 29C/84F yesterday. Today it has been a couple of degrees down as the breeze is intermittently blustery. It is about six weeks since we began ground clearing and some green weeds have begun to appear in the areas where we started. I brought 5 gallons of glyphosphate with me and we have spent the morning spraying all the recalcitrant weeds.

They will be gone in just over a week and won’t be back this year. I don’t want you to get too excited, Dear Reader, but we then completely tidied out the Garage and took five bags of rubbish to the tip. Mother Cat couldn’t believe the change in her domain. She was so shocked, she needed a bumper bowl of Italian Salmon in  Beef Gravy to recover. However, she did manage it before slinking off into the undergrowth to go a-catting!

Friday, 13^th June, 2014

Hot day today which reached 29C/84F at peak. Up fairly early, downloaded and read the newspaper then went down to check for yesterday’s post. We share a box with our special friend and there was just a card for us from Margaret who worked for Pauline for about five years in school as Head of Special Needs. She has gone on to do a bigger job in a central Government initiative in the five years since we retired and is close to retirement herself. Her daughter had a baby last winter and we took presents round. Today we got a card thanking us for the thought. That was nice.

Went out to Heronissos for a trip and really enjoyed it. So peaceful and empty.

Two other tourists arrived just as we were leaving. One wonders how the local infrastructure copes with such intensity. We had a walk, thought about eating but it was too early so drove slowly home. Pauline cooked Octopus for a salad which also included cold kippers and green, sliced beans in and oil and lemon dressing. Just before we ate, our special friend phoned us from a pedicure in Athens to make sure all our arrangements were going well. That was nice.

14^th June, 2014

Mother Cat exhibited domesticated characteristics not expected of a wild (feral) cat last night. As we sat on the patio and long after she had been fed for the third time that day –she’d had octopus bits left over from the salad Pauline had cooked, Italian Salmon with Beef Gravy and dried Chicken nuggets to the point when she must have been bursting – Mother Cat came right up to us and began to chat. We were amazed because she is normally so scared. It wasn’t much of a structured chat. It sort of went: Pu-uss / Cry, Pu-uss / Cry Cry, Cry Cry / Pu-uss. I may not have recorded it verbatim but you will get the gist. She stayed until we went in and then slept on the patio chairs until morning call for Breakfast.

I watched the fantastic win by Holland over Spain last night with van Persie’s brilliant, headed first goal that started the onslaught. Of, course, I would expect nothing less of a Man. Utd player.

The temperature last night was perfect for sleep and we woke at 6.30 am very refreshed. Our old friend, Giannis the plumber, is coming to service the compressor attached to our water system. He does this every summer, pumping the water out and fresh air in to maintain a smooth water pressure. It takes minutes, he refuses money and the system works perfectly.

As the day has developed, the temperature has reached 29C/84F. We reached a momentous decision. It is time for our first swim of the season. Last year, we waited until July 1st but today feels absolutely right and so it proved. The water was warm and delicious for 45 mins vigorous exercise. Afterwards, Pauline cooked tarragon chicken with roasted vegetables (onion, mushroom, tomato and pepper). It was wonderful and eaten to the sound of rifle volleys over the valley as the marriage of Young Simos was launched and celebrated. Tonight, we will go to bed at 10.00 pm and the alarm will ring at 1.00 pm for me to watch the England match against Italy. After that result, I probably won’t need to watch any more England matches but you never know.

1st June, 2014

Welcome to the new month. Hope it brings us all good luck – well most of us!

Ruth emailed me at 11.00 pm on Saturday night from Britain to say that I had posted this too early and was wishing my days away. I am rather guilty of that but, on this occasion, she was writing at 1.oo am Sunday in Greece. How time flies!

2nd June, 2014

Beautiful start to the day – warm and sunny but not too hot (23C/73F). We were out by 9.00 am working in the garden and we were absolutely shattered by 12.00 pm. I am really enjoying the exercise. I don’t think Pauline is as enthusiastic but, when I suggests she sits in the shade with her book, she says she daren’t leave me because I push myself too hard and she needs to be able to make sure I’m still breathing. That’s real dedication.

This afternoon, the weather rather clouded over. It was still warm. We ate our miniscule meal of fish and salad outside but, as the afternoon developed, it began to look as if we might get a bit of rain. Let’s hope so!

3rd June, 2014

Fascinating day. We woke up to heavy skies and 19C/66F. It had rained lightly over night exactly as the BBC had forecast. We went shopping and then came back to do some more land clearing. Just as we finished it began to rain although lightly and intermittently. Pauline cooked delicious fillet steaks in a mustard sauce with onions, mushrooms and tomatoes. Just as we finished cooking outside, it threw it down.

The ridiculous thing was that two filet steaks cost €3.80 (£3.00). Must get some more of those!

The cat wasn’t happy. She came for her meal very early in order to avoid the rain but she was on constant alert because of the thunder over head.

4th June, 2014

Wonderfully strange day. We woke up to leaden skies, thunder and dampness (no more) in the air. You would have guessed that it would rain. It didn’t.

Mother cat turned her nose up at the new dried cat food from Arades supermarket and promptly left. She returned at 11.00 am and had the same dried food mixed with her Italian salmon in beef gravy. She ate the lot and scarpered. You can’t beat real class in a cat!

I had my haircut. You’ve got to keep up appearances you know. We went out and did a couple of hours of physical labour in the garden. We should finish in the next three days and will only be a week behind the professionals last year. Pauline cooked pork chops accompanied by apple and onion compôte and cauliflower with a blue cheese and tomato topping. She is brilliant.

5th June, 2014

Woke up to cloud over the mountains.

Another busy day. The Lottery contacted us to say we had won again. We expected £10.00 in our account but got overwhelmed with £25.00. The Notary phoned to say she urgently needed to see us and then our architect told us he would call tomorrow. We can’t cope with all this attention.

I haven’t got round to posting the ferry timetables so here are last week and this week:

Later the Notary phoned again. We will probably have another meeting tomorrow in her beautiful new office where the phones never stop ringing. We’ve been out and blown our Lottery win on special food for Mother Cat. I might try it myself.

6th June, 2014

Well, it just shows that one can have predictable days in Greece just as anywhere else. Today we did two early hours slog in the garden. It will be finished by Monday. Just as I predicted and as he promised, the architect turned up around mid day. He was very helpful and reassuring. He told us that the price we are asking for the house was exactly right in today’s market. He gave us lots of tips to tell potential buyers. He also offered ‘free’ help in the selling process. He said our house was in exactly the right position and on the favoured side of Kamares now. It should attract a premium because people want property on ‘the sunny side’ now. It was a very positive half hour. He left after giving us a new topographic chart which shows we have a bit more land than we thought.

As soon as the architect had gone, the Notary phoned and we went up to meet her at her office, taking our new paperwork with us. She is a really impressive worker and has already worked wonders for us. We agreed on one or two things and then went off to Café Prago for a frappe because it had really turned quite warm – 25C/77F. We spent the afternoon tidying the house of unwanted clutter and will reward ourselves with Dinner out tonight.

7^th June, 2014

Had a lovely meal last night with Panos & Rania. Quite a warm night. We got up at 6.30 am and, after breakfast, took out five bags of rubbish. How we generate so much I don’t know. When we got back, we cleaned the car in the cool of the pre-sun morning and then settled down to fresh coffee and the newspapers for about half an hour. Out shopping at the supermarket and then back again after getting home because I forgot to pick up two big bags of oranges and onions.

Our very best friend on the island phoned to check we were ok and tell us about a play we should go and see. At 11.00am, it was 26C/79F but we ventured out into the garden. We did a couple of hours’ clearing. Two more tomorrow and it will be finished. What will I do for exercise then? Anna told me last night that I can move on to hers. It’s not going to happen but nice try. Our meal today was very frugal. Pauline made Waldorf Salad and cold pork.

Three mouthsful and I was full.

25th May, 2014

The last week in May, 2014 and the Mediterranean has arrived on Sifnos. Well, it is warm to a noticeable degree. I’ve taken to having the Living Room windows open all day to get some air through. I’m wearing short-sleeved shirts and the quilt has disappeared from the bed. A single sheet cover is enough. It happened a couple of weeks earlier last year but we are not complaining. Garden clearing was much tougher today in strong sun.

We have been here six weeks and out of Surrey for seven. Pauline cooked half a pig today. It was delicious with braised celery and onion.

26^th May, 2014

A hot 29C/84F today but feels hotter. It is actually uncomfortable. We listened to the BBC Today programme at 8.00 am (Greece) / 6.00 am (UK) to hear about the Mad Men of Europe escaping (temporarily) from the asylum. All across the Continent balmy far-right wingers and just as balmy far-left wingers have posted protest votes. Right, Left, they don’t realise that they are part of a continuous circle united and meeting in madness.  Little good will it do them ultimately but they can strut, goose step and salute their bonkers flags for now.

Because of the heat, we were out working on the land by 9.00 am and finished by 12.30 pm – exhausted and wet with sweat. We have just completed another level and, interestingly, a number of people – friends, taxi drivers, local farmers, lorry drivers all stopped to compliment us on our work. It makes no real difference but it was nice.

Cold pig for lunch. The pork had developed a wonderful flavour over night. Pauline knocked up a quick pear & onion compôte with cinnamon and ginger to go with it. How wonderful! She is so clever. We are also gorging on white-fleshed peaches at the moment.

I’m sure we’ll soon get tired of them.

27^th May, 2014

So hot out in the garden today. We could only cope with three hours work as the temperature reached 27C / 81F by 11.00 am. Still, we worked, made a difference and lost a lot of sweat. Chicken and onions with beans for our meal today.

28^th May, 2014

A hot and humid start to the day. We began garden clearing at 9.00 am and managed about 3 hrs. The two, old pensioners we employed last year managed double that every day for eight days.  We were dripping with sweat throughout. We are really making an impact and have nearly cleared two of the three first levels around the house. It is enjoyable and really impacting my weight loss. I have lost over a stone (6 kilos) since we got here six and a half weeks ago. Pauline bought clothes for my new shape when we were leaving Surrey and they are already beginning to feel big.

I’m never hungry now. I am eating so little that I’m not surprised I’m losing weight. I thought that was the cause of my blacking out spells but, when one happened today, Pauline tested my blood pressure and it was very low as was my pulse. We think that, since I’ve lost weight, I don’t need the same quantity of tablets for high blood pressure. That will be something to address when we get home in October.

29^th May, 2014

According to newspaper reports today of a study published in the Lancet, British girls have become the fattest in Europe – mind you, they are only followed marginally behind by Greek girls. How could they let themselves go like this? It is such a crime to be obese! According to the survey, 29.2% of girls under 19 are obese compared with 29.1% in Greece.

The difference is that the UK NHS is going to be given funding to address the issue by sending the overweight on slimming courses at the Nation’s expense. I bet that doesn’t happen in Greece. I’m pleased to say that I have lost a stone since I got back to Greece and it has been largely by forcing myself to do physical labour. It’s wonderful to be holier than thou!

The weather has changed in the blink of an eye and gale force winds with fairly heavy rain has hit us although it is still 23C/71F. It is quite exciting to see the ground we’ve cleared turn dark with moisture. Good job we brought gallons of heavy duty weed killer with us because there are going to be a lot of weed seedlings in the next couple of weeks after this.

30^th May, 2014

Well, it was some evening/night. The rain was stronger and more prolonged than anticipated and some of the gusts of wind were very forceful, leading to us moving furniture off the patio. Our job today was to move a haystack of cleared vegetation down to the lower level. Instead, the wind had done it for us and we were clearing the gate. At least we weren’t feeling as fed up as this owl also caught in a violent storm in North Yorkshire yesterday and featured in The Times.

Coffee at the café and a meeting with the Notary this morning then back to read the paper and clear the patio of last night’s debris. There’s nothing like living life in the fast lane …. and this is nothing like it either.

Interesting late afternoon second meeting with the Notary has left us with decisions to make over the weekend. We know what to do! Opened a bottle of wine and Pauline cooked sweet & our prawn balls. Wonderful!

31^st May, 2014

Well, say goodbye to May 2014 for ever. You will never see it again. Actually, it has turned out to be a lovely, lovely day today with warm sunshine – only 24C/75F – with a light breeze. After shopping and filling up with petrol, we did a three hour stint in the garden which felt good. Actually, we have been on the island for seven weeks and this is only our second tank of petrol. It cost €90.00 to fill up. We always go to the Elinoil garage which currently has a sticker on its pumps advertising the longevity of the company’s establishment. 1954 – 2014 it trumpets.

The garage owner was keen to point out he was of the same vintage. Bet I know who is richer!

18th May, 2014

Did absolutely no work today at all. It felt great. Downloaded the Sunday papers. Pauline cooked a wonderful leg of lamb that she had marinated in (our garden’s) lemon and rosemary for 24 hrs. It was absolutely gorgeous just like her. Because Greek television was dominated by local elections until the early hours, I broke the tradition of a lifetime and watched a film. I hate films but I quite enjoyed this one. It was Julia Roberts, Clive Owen and Jude Law in Closer. It demanded a bit of brainwork to keep up. Of course, I was watching it a decade late but that felt so much better!

19th May, 2014

Back to work today – well, garden clearing. If only Phyllis was here. She could be helping! Perfect day for it – cool and overcast. Actually, large spots of rain began to appear around 12.00 pm and turned into consistent rain by 12.30 pm. Now 3.00 pm and still raining. We can hear it draining from the roof into our Sterna. The only person not happy about it is Mother Cat who arrived bedraggled and complaining loudly. We pacified her with cold lamb which she appeared to love.

Nikos was the first to spot the deliberate mistake. He is awarded the honour of five more years under the Troika Government for his vigilance.

20th May, 2014

Later yesterday after a reasonable amount of rain for mid-May, we found the cat curled up and sleeping on MY outdoor dining chair. If there could be any doubt, the evidence exhibited below was photographed this morning.

Mother Cat is GUILTY!

Did another hard morning of garden clearing and retired at around 1.00 pm for a well deserved rest. Meant to keep the ferry schedule up to date so here are the last two:

It’s not to bad at the moment.

21st May, 2014

You will not be surprised to learn that we adopted a cat with taste. Her favourite food is Italian salmon and today she totally rejected a huge bowl of lamb bits – probably because the garlic flavour was too strong.

Another productive day land clearing only interrupted by a call from Athens from our architect who has been asked to do a job for us. We will meet him soon.

22nd May, 2014

Another good day. Windy but quite warm at 24C. We just did a bit of early shopping and then back to the garden clearing. We are really beginning to see a difference which is spurring us on. The additional benefit is the expenditure of energy aka calories. I hit a new milestone today – a weight that I haven’t seen since 1990. It spurs me on.

23rd May, 2014

Will you still love me when I’m 65? You are and I still do. Happy Birthday, Ruth.

It always feels good that you are so much older than me. Have a lovely day. It is a little blustery here but getting hotter.

We went up to the National Bank of Greece to take an official document from our architect, had coffee at Prago Coffee Shop and then come home to do a hard morning’s garden clearing. We live so frugally these days. We hardly ever spend any money. We buy petrol once a month, fresh fruit and vegetables once a week and at least two of our meals out of seven consist of salad and tinned oily fish – kippers or mackerel – which we brought from UK. Apart from fresh orange juice for Breakfast followed by Yorkshire tea and fresh Italian coffee, I only eat one meal around 3.00 pm. Any wine we drink, I brought from France and Italy. Our biggest outlay is on cat food. Mother Cat is insatiable but I can deny her nothing.

24th May, 2014
Lovely end to the week – warm (26F/79F) and calm. We went out to do the weekly shop and have our regular banter with Flora and Mario. We also went to the butchers and bought half a pig. Well, it felt like it as I carried it to the car. Actually, 3.5 kilos or nearly 8lb of pork leg along with 5 pork chops for which we paid €35.00 or £28.00. We  decided to not do any work in the garden today but laze around reading the papers and listening to the radio discussions about local and European elections in Britain. This is heaven for me.

Our meal was a tin of kippers and tomato & cucumber salad with anchovies and blue cheese. This is also heaven for me. I haven’t allowed myself cheese for months and I love it! Looking forward to the Madrid v Madrid final tonight. Unfortunately, it kicks off at 9.45pm Greek time which is late for a little lad like me.