Winter sounds of Ithaca are church and sheep bells ringing, the crackle of fires burning in the olive groves, roosters (who seem to have no idea of dawn) crowing all day long, the laughter of school children playing at recess and the mumble of gossip at the Kafenion.

As we head into Christmas, more and more people seem to have left the island. Many have city homes which they escape to, some go on holiday looking for sea, sun or snow, others go back to their countries of birth to catch up with family and friends. The few (well not too few, about 3000+) that remain here over the winter period, work, play and make the most of the time they have. The days are short and the chores are many. Not for all mind you, some spend their days at the local Cafe playing cards and watching tv, passing through the hours and days of loneliness, something also prevalent at this time of year, seeking companionship. There are flus, chills and other winter ailments to overcome, but on the whole, it's a very intimate time, a time you really get to know the people and Ithaca, and more importantly, yourself.

Monday 15th - Another Sunday without electricity yesterday. This time the notice was posted on the community bulletin boards around the island, but if like me, you didn't go to the village square, you woke up to another unwanted suprise. It was not suprising however, that it was cold and absolutely $%*&# down with rain. So where do you go to get warm, go to the loo etc. (without power there is no water and without water you can't flush or shower, unless you have a gravity friendly cistern)? Well, a Cafe with a generator and or fireplace isn't a bad start. For those of us with fully electric homes, home is not where the heart is a when there is a 'power out'. The like minded and equally cold and uncomfortable got out their umbrellas and headed to their local Cafe to pass the hours without electricity amongst friends. Sunset Cafe, a recent addition to ithacagreece.com, had the fire warming the cockles.

There's more rain and cold predicted over the next week. Excellent rainfall.

Ithaca seems very relaxed at this time. Everyone has time to stop and chat, there's no mad rushing from Government building to Government building, to banks to Engineers to Ote, to DEH, to the post office, yes, it's a relaxed pre-Christmas time. In Vathy, Christmas tunes echo through the Square, allbeit a little weird to hear Bings dulcet tones coming from the PA system. Traditionally, as I've mentioned before, Christmas is not the most important holiday on the Greek calendar. Traditionally it's New Year that Greeks give presents to eachother and regard as 'The' day. but year after year, Greece too joins the commercial bandwagon of Christmas, and now Bing in Vathy.

Saturday 20th - A beautifully sunny and mild day greeted us on Ithaki this morning. It stayed fine all day, perfect for walking, gardening or just sitting, soaking up the sun. Pics above are from the Apostolata hutch of Stavros, where goat paths and paths that lead to olive groves, wind their way through a lush landscape. Left - The Exoghi Christmas pyramid has been up for about 1 week now. It's so huge they can see it from the mainland.

Monday 22nd - Looks like winter has finally reached Ithaki. It's cold folks...but the skies are blue.

Left - A snippet of the Folk Museum window in Vathy, which has been decorated in a very simple and lovely way.