Month: June 2015

George appeared bearing a large box containing my new chair which had arrived from Germany. It is extremely comfortable and is just the job. Erica has threatened to send Janne during the night to ‘acquire’ the chair but I have said that my guard dogs will be on duty to ensure it remains with me.…

I may have forgotten to mention that I met some Belgians on the beach last night. I started talking with them in English but felt we might get on better if I spoke to them in a language they could understand. We were near the sea and they were asking what it was like during…

I have to tell you that the Amina H is still moored in the bay between Grammeno and Paleochora. I think I may rechristen it the Marie Celeste although there is probably someone there to turn the lights on and off.   Jokes at the supermarket earlier regarding visits to the bank. I only have…

It got cooler and windier yesterday evening and I had to shut the large rear window as it was banging. The door was the only thing open all night. This morning I met up with Kostas (SM) who was, surprisingly, collecting salt as usual. He has refurbished his pump to the extent that it starts…

It was only around 0.4mm but, nevertheless, it rained, and it’s nearly July!   I had to rush around and bring stuff in: a pair of shorts which has been on the line for a day or so and a foam mat I put on the sun lounger to make it more comfortable.   At…

Naturally the media providers must spice it up to make it attractive to their audience. The German media have spent ages spreading disinformation regarding Greeks. Simply characterising an entire nation as being lazy and spendthrift is already bad enough. As I have probably mentioned in the past, I can see no evidence of people being…

Fortunately I am not economically connected to Greece as I own no property here and have limited, and portable assets. The situation in Greece is not straightforward however you may be pleased to know that: My money is in England in GBPounds and I change to Euros as and when needed. Information received via UK…

Following the arrival of my Swedish neighbours, we had the second hottest day yesterday of 35.9C (96.6F). They entertained themselves by pottering around getting their stuff out of store and generally setting up for their stay. They have constructed their own external cold water shower which they use after swimming. They also spent some time…

There’s lots of interest in Greece’s financial woes at present as each ‘deadline’ comes and goes. I am beginning to see the logic of those who suggest the IMF is being deliberately difficult and actually provoking a default. The entire situation is beyond ridiculous and it’s more a question of politicians saving face or justifying…

“So let’s summarize the absurdity of the current situation: 1. The lenders want to advance money to Greece so that the next day 95%+ of such funds go back out to the lenders’ account. 2. For this self-serving act (described in #1) they want Greece to abide to terms which Greece has accepted by 95%…

We met some nice people on the beach last night. A man with a little girl who was doubtless his daughter. Calling him “daddy” probably gave it away. He was interested in the dogs, particularly Dave and Boris, but I suspect the little girl was probably more interested in the Small Dogs. Then a woman…

My weather forecast doesn’t mention rain in Lewes but says that it is cloudy. There are some clouds here but they pass quickly due to the wind. I am glad it is windy as my washing will dry quickly if it is not already dry. I have been ‘cooking’ it overnight in my bucket and…

We are a nation of tea drinkers. I drink tea! I like coffee too but am having a break from coffee just now. You are having a little rain. Better on a Monday than during the weekend. I met up with Kostas (Salt Man – the original version) who has been to Athens to see…

Yesterday was a little warm with a maximum of 34.2C (93.6F) I went swimming in the evening for the first time this year.  Complete immersion anyway. I go up to my knees most days but it has to be quite warm to persuade me to commit myself further. Boris gets confused when I come in…

Even at 09:00 it was already 30C so today may be a little warmer than yesterday. A bit of a pain as I have not cycled to the supermarket yet to buy bread. Even sitting in the van wearing only shorts, I am sweating. Fido is flat out on the floor at my feet and…

You need to be patient with your equipment as it’s old, cranky and wonky. The computer is little better! Greek airforce is feeling the heat so has decided to go up in one of their nice jets to enjoy the air conditioning. They fly over the mountains and make a lot of noise which encourages…

You did mention your extraordinary level of gardening activity in the back yard. A man’s work, as you state, is never done. It is hot here and my knees are in the sun. There is a Small Dog called Fido under my lounger. He periodically rushes off to lick Dave’s ears and to chase away…

I plan to be sitting in it for quite a lot of the day so felt that I needed something comfortable and durable. There were three reasons for buying from Germany: The Euro price, including delivery, was less than the price in GBP from UK Many UK stores do not ship to the EU or…

It is hot today. In fact it is 35.3C (95.5F) in here at present and Luis is panting in the corner. I shall have to give up the unequal struggle and go out under the carob tree very shortly since I am beginning to feel quite warm. One of the good things about being inside…

Passing the new building site on the way to the supermarket I could see a large artic delivering yet more reinforcing steel. I didn’t have my camera with me so was unable to take a photo. I will take one tomorrow. At the supermarket I stocked up on olives, tea and bread. The new deli…

The consultative phase is over and an order has been placed with a company in Germany. Unfortunately they use DHL so I may have to go through the same process as last time, having the chair delivered to Paleochora via the bus. One cannot be accused of making an impulsive purchase since the consultative phase…

Well, not exactly, but the first cicada of summer was heard yesterday evening whilst out walking. And they seem to be everywhere. The sound of the Mediterranean is the continuous chirping of the cicada, for me in any case. I remember my first visit to southern France hearing them in the trees in Uzès and…

I forgot to mention that there were a couple of ladies sun bathing in the rocks near to the ball-throwing area the other evening. I had spotted them when one of them popped up from behind the rocks and was hoping that perhaps the dogs might not spot then. Luis got wind of them hotly…

On the way back from the supermarket earlier, I encountered some Norwegians on bicycles heading west for Krios Beach. They asked me if they were going the right direction and then we got started on other matters including the EC, Britain’s membership, Greek debt and so on. After a bit of a chat, we parted,…

I think Greece secretly wants to leave the Euro as does, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Ireland. Unfortunately the design of the EuroZone does not take into account anyone wishing to leave so there is no mechanism to accomplish this. An analogy is of a hotel where you can stay as long as you want but…

The world ended yesterday – didn’t you notice? On the subject of the world ending: according to the FT, Russian troops are massing on the boarder with Poland making the Poles very nervous for some reason. Something to do with the gunfire in the middle of the night and constant manoeuvres. Apparently the Russians have…

Still in the same place but quite busy at present working on the EG’s new servers. After all the excitement of having rain on Monday, I’ve been quite exhausted! Being the unofficial tourist board for Crete. I have been writing emails to Eleanor’s friend Fiona who is coming here in the middle of July. Yesterday…

We have had MOISTURE! Totally unacceptable! In JUNE, what is more! Not enough to register on my rain gauge but I needed to go outside to bring in blankets and dog beds etc. I shouldn’t need to be thinking about rain until at least the end of SEPTEMBER! I shall ask for a refund; to…

Going out for our walk last night, we passed the restaurant area where there was a row of tables with lots of children munching away. Returning, I saw that Manolis, Georgia’s brother, was on patrol so assume the children were part of some sort of celebration. Judging by the number of items of small footwear…

Kostis was ready in his shop when I arrived. I stopped at the bakers to buy bread but there was no Brown Rye left so I had a loaf with lots of seeds instead. Perhaps I should phone ahead and reserve my bread? The wind, what there was of it, was blowing from Paleochora, which…

Fortunately my glasses are still working as expected and I am getting used to them. The coating on the lens appears to give better clarity and less reflection for anyone wishing to look into my limpid pools – not sure where the limpid pools but maybe this will help I have some small dogs here…