So, just as I'm ready to upload this update online, we get a direct hit of lightning over the island which knocks out all the power. Luckily, our trusted linesmen hurried up north to fix the problem and we were back in the light within the hour. The ADSL also suffered for awhile, but that's just come back on now so we have lift off Houston.
February 2013 - Sunday 10th -Just love looking across the way to the Mainland to see the snowy mountain peaks. There hasn't been a really heavy fall so far, but the temperatures have been dropping again these past couple of days so who knows, we may still have a real cold snap.
Storms continue to roll across the island with thunderous displays of lightning. Winter isn't letting go just yet.
As some of you know, I occasionally give my daughter Jessica a plug on this site. Well, it's that time again. She's released another book, called 'The Book'. A novella inspired by a diary I kept for her when she was a baby. Of course she has pulled at the sides of this harmless maternal act, as she does, to weave it into an interesting and confronting piece of fiction. If you wish to get a copy, see links below.
(Novella: Contemporary Fiction)
Check it out on Goodreads.
e-book: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Kobo
Paperback: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble| Book Depository
Wednesday 13th - Some wild weather over the past couple of days. Lots of rain again, heavy rain, hail too overnight. Power outs, modem burn-outs due to power cuts, loss of photographs that were being transferred just as lightning struck. Usually you can hear the storm coming, but these last storms have kind of snuck up on us. Cracks of thunder and bolts of lightning hitting suddenly without warning.
Left - Frikes ruin taken through a rainy car window. Looking very gothic.
Left - The old olive oil press in Frikes on the road to Platrithia.
Below - School's out for another day. Young kids in Greece get so much homework they take luggage to school to carry around their books.
Above - The little furniture store in Platrithia is little no longer. The owners have moved to a brand new building just meters down from Yefuri restaurant with a smashing showroom.
Left - Just before the power went out again, this beautiful double rainbow covered northern Ithaki.
Thursday 14th - Luckily it's Valentine's Day so despite the rain, there's lots to occupy everyone on the home front.
It's an almost 'black and white' day today. The drizzly and quite cold weather, has faded all the colour out of our environment.
Above - Proto supermarket in Vathy always has a good range of food products.
Left - It might be winter, but Kalkanis Grill is open all year around. Always good, summer or winter with local meats on the grill along with some traditional Greek dishes.
There weren't alot of people around Vathy this morning, or anywhere else for that matter, but behind the coffee shop windows, there's always a pair of hands dealing out cards over an ouzo and meze
It's quite chilly today. There is definitely a winter bite in the air so we may see more snow falls across on the horizon. Wouldn't mind seeing a little snow up in Anoghi either. I don't believe we've had any so far this winter.
Gabo area on the edge of Vathy is very green at this time of year. Lawn wherever you look.
There are whispers that sea planes may return to Ithaca. Let's keep our fingers crossed they are as it was a great alternative, not just for locals, but also for visitors coming to Ithaca.
...and the Emir from Qatar did not buy an island very close to Ithaca.
Saturday 16th - There's a rather serious wet blanket hanging over the island today. All grey and lifeless, when it's not raining, it's drizzling. Yesterday the sun came out and there seemed hope that it would defeat the bad weather, but alas, we just can't get rid of the rain yet.
Below Left - I don't know whether these branches blew into Odysseas Restaurant in Frikes from the wind or someone has put them there on purpose.
Left - And the Frikes river runs... well, trickles really, but it's rarely we see water in this waterway.
On Wednesday 20th February, the Seamans Union will be holding another 24 hour strike which of course means no ferries leaving or arriving that day. Best put that in your diary if you plan to travel next week.
Whispers about The Eptanisos ferry returning to our Patras to ithaki route continue. I think everyone would be very pleased if this comes off. Keep your fingers crossed that whoever wants to buy it to add it to their fleet will be able to afford it and that the gov bodies agree.
Winter is cold and flu time (oh and stomach bug time). If someone on Ithaki sneezes, we're all likely to get sick. Bugs and colds travel like wild fire here in our small community.
Sunday 17th - It was pretty miserable yesterday (in a cosy sort of way). Rain all day. Today looks like the same, although a little dull blue sky is peaking out from behind the grey blanket of rain.
The only bright spot on our horizon is the almond blossom, which is in full bloom on all the almond trees on the island.
Forkinas, Ithaki's Theatre Group are currently working on the Three Penny Opera by Brecht and Weill.
Originally set in a marginally-anachronistic Victorian London, the play focuses on Macheath, an amoral, antiheroic criminal. It will be interesting to see how the Greek spin on this play will pan out. The group are in early rehearsals currently, but once the stage rehearsals begin, we'll head down to take some pics. Ithaki's threatre group is just full of talent. Each year they surprise and amaze us, not only with the content of their theatre, but with individual talent that beams from the stage.
While there isn't much going on this month, apart from local groups doing their thing, next month with the start of Lent, the big Greek Easter festivities begin. First there's Burnt Thursday, the last big 'Let's eat meat' day, it's also carnival time and Clean Monday with kite flying and social gathering around the island.
Greek Easter is THE big social and religious event of the Greek calendar. It's much bigger than the western Christmas. It's a time of year when family members come back to the island to spend the Easter week with their family. Of course it culminates on Easter Sunday when the fasting ends and a massive feast ensues.
Monday 18th - We're into some chilly weather the past few days, but no sign of snow on Ithaki yet. Yesterday, once the rainy skies cleared little, the mid afternoon light was just wonderful as were the views.
Send an e-Thiaki Postcard
A Collection of ithacagreece.com photographs
made into virtual postcards for you to send
to your friends and loved ones.
Nothing can replace a real postcard
but this is a good second place when you
want the card to arrive before you do.
ithacagreece.com Mobile/Cellphone App
ithacagreece.com now has an app for your
mobile/cell phone. Covering many
platforms. To download through your
Mob/Cell Click on Icon Above.
Send an e-Thiaki Postcard
A Collection of ithacagreece.com photographs
made into virtual postcards for you to send
to your friends and loved ones.
Nothing can replace a real postcard
but this is a good second place when you
want the card to arrive before you do.