Apokoronas Our Home

Well Christmas has come and gone and we have reached New Year's Eve. A mixed year. Busy, fun, difficult at times and we are all wondering what is ahead. The economic situation makes it all the more important  that we take an interest in our surroundings and help each other where we can. At the moment we are busy with the final rehearsals for "Comfort and Joy" which takes place next week in the hall at Vamos school. I think one of the main successes of the year is that we are all far better informed in local issues now and know where to go when we have a problem - or want to make a suggestion. Our Environment group will be meeting on 17th January at 10 am in Kefalas ( location to be confirmed) and our main group the following week. The Environment group has several sub groups,   Recycling and waste                                          Pollution and beaches                                   Disposal of building materials & fly-tipping      Access to the cou

Yesterday we had one of our regular meetings, this time in Georgioupolis. Thanks to all who braved the weather to come out!  Today it was a day of waiting; First to the health centre to get a repeat prescription filled out ( not mine!). It was not busy, but unfortunately there was rather a lack of doctors. I overheard a conversation between two doctors where one asked what was happening - was everyone missing today? just as two arrived with the message that the other had gone to pay his DEH bill in Hania before coming in! On from there to the bank. It was full to bursting with what seemed like every farmer in Apokoronas. The reason for this was that the subsidy had been paid today and everyone was desperate to get their money out before the bank closed so they could pay their bills before Christmas. The only thing to do was to take a ticket with a number on and wait..... The children of the school in Vamos visited the town hall and sang christmas carols to the deputy mayor, council

Everyone has been working really hard and the last of the parcels was delivered today. I say the last, but actually we hope this will become an ongoing initiative now. Items are still coming in  - toys for children especially and we will give these out over Christmas and New Year. As you probably know Agios Vassillis ( or Santa) does not arrive here in Greece till Jan 1st so we have a bit of time yet. I have already heard about plans for the spring for fund raising events. For those of you not here in Crete to enjoy this time of year here is a photo of the sea and white mountains taken from the road to Rethymnon, looking back towards Georgioupolis, taken last winter. There is not that much snow on the mountains yet this year!

Having said our farewells to Ossie Maclain this week, I thought it would be nice to remember our first ever organised christmas collection for the needy people in our area. ( The inspiration came from the year before when Issie  and Ossie Maclain  raised funds for some Xmas hampers with some friends  and this was taken up by the local priest, Father Dimitris, and other people in the area both Greeks and non Greeks. This was back in 2011 before the council had a social services department and before "Helping Hands" was set up which grew out of their initiative. Here is my blog entry from the time.  The morning was spent down at the church in Georgioupolis packing bags and boxes to be delivered to the needy in the area. We packed about 200 boxes. The priests, village representatives, "Help in the home" and a some other volunteers are now out and about delivering!!! Many thanks to all of you who donated, individuals, shops, the churches, and those who helped colle

Decorated the house today - greenery, berries, oranges, quinces, pomegranates, picked from the field and hedges.

Lots going on in the build up to Xmas. Work, Rehearsals for "The Play" and collecting donations to help the needy at Christmas. Last evening The Students, Parents, Teachers and Friends of Vamos Lykeio held a presentation by "Doctors of the World" and donated foodstuffs, clothing and medicines. This was followed by music and a "kerasma" - a drink and nibbles to you and me! Thanks to all of you who came along and joined in.

Well you probably all think I have got lost! I am still here battling away, just swamped currently. Lots of things going on. Work, Council, Uni,"The Play"  oh and Open Mike night of course.  The big issues at the moment are the illegal buildings amnesty and the issue of the new tax on the electricity bills - lots of people have realised the m2 on the bill is not necessarily correct. One Greek man discovered that his house of 140m2 was down as 1400m2!  A very important item for the Ladies of Apokornas Once again the Health Centre at Vamos is offering free Pap ( smear) tests to ladies of Apokoronas. Up to age 65 - (over this age only if there is cause for concern). This age range is simply because of demand and they need to target the women in the higher risk groups. In order to have the test you need to make an appointment at the Health Centre by calling one of the numbers below. Ask for a midwife (my-ia)and make the appt Health centre numbers 28253 40401 28253 40426

No I am not lost!! A combination of full time work, council stuff, and guests at home has rather clobbered me and I have found myself collapsing into bed without having time to write the blog. So, back to it. It has been "silly season" lots of people away, trying to get things done and being thwarted in the attempt. This week schools and so on will be going back, if they have not already and the normal routine will kick in after everyones summer holidays. Having said that I have not managed a single visit to the beach this year, or even a meal out in a taverna so I could not tell you if the weather has been hot or cold or if the local towns have been busy. It was noticeable in our village that there were less visitors from Athens this year and those that did come were not out and about as formerly. We did have a couple of really good "Open Mike" nights in Vamos where some of the Greek youngsters came along and joined in, singing both "pop" and traditiona

A quick update and more details to come! The week started with the dance over Crete a yearly event. Last year we got the Guinness record for the biggest number of dancers dancing a slow sirtaki at the same time. This year it was slightly different and each area had a gathering point for the dance. Over all it went very well but the turnout in Apokoronas was disappointing, not least as the person who had the original inspiration comes from here. Tuesday, my usual session in the town hall was followed by a great open Mike night in Vamos which included two young Greek people singing and playing both traditional and modern music. Thursday was the council meeting most of the issues were routine but three stood out, Testing of all the water sources in Apokoronas, Help for the athletics clubs and groups in the area and the threatened closure of the Environmental education centre at Kefalas. More of these anon, I am waiting to confirm some information.  Friday I was busy all day with  the&

Another mixed bag this week! I always mean to write a little every day but never quite get there! A fairly busy week with prospects of some work on the "day job" Meetings at the town hall about water, rivers, beaches, and updates.  A dispute about the location of a rubbish bin in the village! Wednesday off to Hania very early and  some friends over in the evening till very late. Well the excitement this week really was the fire. Scary too at this time of year when a spark can set a fire going that gets out of control. A house fire - fire engines racing by and everyone afraid of the worst. Luckily it was soon under control - though the house was burnt out. Saturday was the name day of one of the local churches ( Sotiris/ Xristos) so off there early for the service.  I must say that the blue dome was painted brown this week. A shame I thought but the powers on high proclaimed that only churches i the Dodecanese are allowed to have blue domes! Yesterday - Sunday was the "

Let's start with "Christos" the pelican - who actually turns out to be "Christina" according to the vets at the wildlife sanctuary. So far he/she is doing well and has started to eat and they hope to release him/her to the wetlands in the North of Greece when recovered. A lot of anger about what happened and that the police seem not to be doing anything. Witnesses are not prepared to come forward it seems.  One Thursday I went to see a performance of "Alice" at a taverna in Kalyves by the KAG  It was great fun and very surreal                                                           Mad Hatter's Tea Party Friday a meal out with some friends in Vamos. As "Taki" works at the fish market the whole meal was seafood and fish. ( Cuttlefish, Octopus, home smoked Mackerel, grilled white fish etc) a lovely peaceful evening, Saturday was a baptism in Gavalohori of two small Russian children, followed by a great "get together" in a sm

A name day today which meant that a lot of people were at "Panygyris" last night and will be again today, and at church this morning. The Town hall was remarkably quiet, though I had a few people come in to see me. I left a little early and unfortunately someone else came in after I had gone. I can only apologise. I have had a lot of enquiries about the pelican. The latest news was that he is doing well and expected to be alright. Catching the culprits is not simple. Lots of rumours abound, but with no witnesses - or at least no one prepared to come forward - there is little that can be done. Many of the local people were crying at the news and the rest are sickened and angry. I rather think that if it becomes known who did such a thing the police will be the least of their problems.                                          Happier days! ( A photo of "Christos" from facebook)

After a fairly busy week all of us in Georgioupolis were saddened at the news that some mindless thugs - I can think of stronger words - had hurt the Georgioupolis pelican, known as "Christos". Apparently they tried to give it alcohol to drink and then beat him. What kind of people would hurt such a lovely, gentle, friendly bird I cannot imagine. "Christos" was found and rushed to a vet and then to Athens to a specialist sanctuary. He has external and internal injuries and a broken foot. The vets are hopeful of him living but he will not return here. Once recovered he will go to a sanctuary in the North of Greece where there are other pelicans and will hopefully enjoy the rest of his life and even find a mate. Local people and tourists alike are sickened by this mindless violence and all hope that the culprits will be found. It will be a sorry loss to the village as he used to fly around and then land and visit the cafeterias and then go down to the beach to try to

Yesterday evening I went to a concert at Vamos amphitheatre given by Ross Daly . It was a sellout and a great evening. Everyone arrived armed with cushions, I wonder if they took cushions in the original amphitheatres? The audience was a good mix, including English, Dutch, German, Albanian and Americans of all ages ( and I am sure there were others there too)  It was fascinating to see different instruments and hear a range of music, starting with laments and finishing with a rousing, joyous  ( and very fast) dance. It is great to see the amphitheatre being used so often over the summer.

Monday - into Hania and the doom of the tax office. Actually it wasn't too bad - except when the computer blocked from Athens! Got the piece of paper and took it over to my accountant. Tuesday - "Surgery" day at the town hall. this seems to be going well and there is always someone wanting to speak to me. Everyone seems fairly fraught - possibly with a council meeting due tomorrow - Sent out a reminder about meetings during the week and an update. Wednesday - Meeting of the animal welfare group in Vamos in the afternoon and a council meeting in the evening. Thursday was an open meeting in Plaka. It was well attended and many items were discussed. Three main items need to be dealt with urgently - Poison on Kalyves beach, the location of the periptero in Almyrida and the formation of the "migrant inclusion committee"  Saturday, after a busy day finding information for clients ( the 'day job') it was off to Kefalas in the evening for "Dog Pound Bl

Saturday saw the last performance of "Confusions" by Alan Ayckbourne which we performed in the Vamos amphitheatre. A good night was had by everyone, including the cast, I think we are all sad that it is over. In ten days we get together again for a reading of our prospective Christmas play "Comfort and Joy" by Mike Harding, a rollicking comedy... so watch this space..                     Pete Morton as "Harry" and myself as "Paula" in "Drinking Companion" Sunday was the regular tabletop sale in Georgioupolis. It was fairly quiet, partly due to the very hot weather and partly due to last week's large car boot sale.  Monday morning I was off early to Chania and facing the doom and gloom of the tax office for a paper. As it happened it wasn't too bad - barring the computer "block" in Athens that caused some delays. On the way back I stopped off in Georgioupolis and found "Christos the pelican" considering as

Various things going on. The square in Georgioupolis was vandalised - the very reason why the council put up cheap and not very pretty barriers in the beginning - they were expecting this to happen. The pity of it is that the tour companies TUI etc had just been congratulating the council for their efforts. I hear on the grapevine that the square will be blocked of with a removable chain to allow easier access for deliveries in the day and totally pedestrianised in the evening. Watch this space. Yesterday evening we had the first of two performances of confusions - the audience seemed to like it. We have our last performance tonight and are hoping for a good turnout. more about that tomorrow. I must go and get my things ready for tomorrows table top sale in Georgioupolis. The chutney is bubbling away as I speak and I have also been dealing with some items for the organisers of the "Dance across Crete" event that happens in August. the problem last year was that many people d

It's Thursday already! Monday I had to go to Rethymnon in the morning. I hate going to Rethymnon! The road, the parking, the main street full of grafitti. When I go I shoot in, deal with whatever business I have to do and get out fast. I am sure the old town is lovely and it is different if you are a tourist and can wander round and enjoy it. I was in an out at a rate of knots and even found a parking space in the central car park!. In the afternoon I had a rehearsal for the play " Confusions" which we are reprising at the weekend because so many people were unable to get tickets originally. Tuesday was the day from hell. Chania and back twice in one day. Early in the morning to the hospital (just a regular check up). I am always amazed that the "canteen" where one can get drinks and snacks does not have one healthy option. Everything is either pastry or sweet. I do like their spinach twirls but I rarely buy one because they are so greasy. In the evening back t

Sunday morning 7 a.m. I was down at the big car park in Georgioupoli to help with marking out the pitches for the Car boot sale in aid of "Friends of the Animals". There were 40 "stalls"  many of which were for animal charities. The weather was hot but there was a good turn out of locals and tourists. Lots of bargains were to be had and a good time was had by all. I will let you all know the amount raised for charity as soon I  know it. In some ways it would have been even better if the weather had been like last Sunday ( cloudy and dull) rather than blazing sunshine as people would not have been tempted down to the beach. Now I have my feet up and after dealing with my emails I must go over my lines for the play which we are repeating next Friday and Saturday at Vamos amphitheatre. Setting up ready for the sale: Our local celebrity "Christos the Pelican" came for a look at the bargains! Luckily Angie had her camera at the ready!