Apokoronas Our Home

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...

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!

Thursday was a little fraught. I had an appointment with one of the deputy mayors and also had to get a paper from the town hall signed and stamped for the use of the large car park in Georgioupolis for the car boot sale on Sunday. I dealt with that and got a signature on yet another paper for a different issue. I was preparing to go to a meeting in Vamos when I was called and asked if I would take care of arranging the use of one of the old schools for the following day. This entailed trying to arrange a cleaner at the last moment, the person in charge of the cleaners was only able to find one at such short notice but I crossed my fingers and said that we could find some volunteers to help. "Can you pick up the cleaner from her village and take her back after work?" Not very convenient but I agreed. "Oh she will need equipment!" I was already late for my next meeting but we piled mops, buckets, bleach etc into the back of my car and I shot off - after first calling...