November 2013 - Saturday 9th - The great weather continues for the weekend, but there is another change forecast for next week.
Left - It's been a few months since Ithaki's tax office was closed down, but only yesterday, was the building emptied. The moving truck used a crane to pack the offices up.
Left - Thursday mornings means organic produce off the back of the van, first in Vathy and then in Stavros.
Left - The vrey small Andreas Kalvos ferry taking Ithacans to Killini. Let's hope this option doesn't last too much longer. We need Ithaca - Sami - Patras route back urgently.
Left & Above - Olive season means burning off around the island.
On Saturday 9th November, at the Cultural Center in Vathy, the children's theatre will be performing 'Thelei poli dromo tin Ithaki' Entrance is 4 euro and doors open at 17.00hr. Get along to support Ithaki's young actors.
On Monday 11th November, Ithaca proposes to shut down all businesses for the day to protest the Maritime Council's decision to leave Ithaca without reliable transport to and from the island. The proposal calls on all citizens to stand up and show their disapproval for the poor consideration given to Ithaca, leaving the island at a disadvantage.
Sunday 10th - Cloudy skies forecast for today, with thunderstorms tomorrow. Could it be the gods have stopped shining their ever lovin' light on us? We'll see.
Tuesday 12th - It's been a stormy and rainy couple of days. Today the temperature dropped down to 17C in the lowlands and around 13C on the mountains. Very heavy skies all around. A big change from our Indian summer weather over the past weeks.
Left - View to Afales from Exoghi.
Left - The olive press in Frikes is working, now that olive picking season is well under way.
Ithaca is so green now. Just a few days of rain have washed away the sunburn and left us with lush, green valleys and mountain sides.
Wednesday 13th - It feels a little insensitive talking about storms on Ithaca, when the Phillipines have been so devastated, but there is something to be said for the force of winds generated these days. Every storm seems so much more severe than it used to be, the winds blow harder and the rain is more relentless. Thunder and lightning heralding the end of the world rather than a mere winter storm. This begs the question - Is it mother earth creating super storms or man?
Another power out last night around 11.30pm. It came back on after an hour, but it made me question why the north of Ithaca suffers so much from power outages and the south doesn't. It appears that our power source hasn't been changed since 1965. Which makes me wonder why a few years ago, we were without power for weeks out of the year, due to works being done. What works? Surely they should have updated our electricity along with Vathy's. They seem to be in the 21st century, as we deserve to be.
Sunday 17th - The temperature has definitely dropped over the past week. Now we're sitting on around 17 C, not freezing, but definitely not T-shirt weather anymore. The weather doesn't seem to have any great storms on the horizon, although the skies will be mostly cloudy with chillier days and even more chilly nights.
Personally, I love this time of year, especially for photography. The view is an ever changing picture infront of my eyes. Interesting skies with changing hues falling over the scenery. If I could be assured the electricity would stay on and the adsl line keeps working, I'd say storm away every day if you wish.
The Perahori community is financing a trip to Kefalonia for donators to the blood bank. It's a worthy donation, so if you're well and live in Perahori, donate your blood.
The Vathy cinema is open again for the winter season. Some great films lined up for the kids and for the grown-ups.
Wednesday 20th - Rather bleak and cold weather these past days. Last night more storms passed over the Ionian, leaving us without electricity for a couple of hours. Today, we had some periods of sunshine, but they were short-lived, quickly replaced by rainy periods on and off all through the day.
Dramatic skies are common for this time of the year, but the storms have been increasingly more imposing and violent over the past few years.
Tonight at the Creperie in Vathy (mylos creperie), you can actually catch a film. Playing tonight, starting at 21.00hr is The Great Gatsby.
Not much happening on the island at this time of year, a few movies, some political rallying and lots of gossip at the Kafenion. This morning I heard there was a typhoon coming in from Italy. Really? I said. Went home turned on the news and not a sound other than the rumble in the skies from another front passing over. Some of the most terrific stories come out of the Kafenion in winter. We could write books.
Thursday 21st - The skies have been exploding over the Ionian the past couple of days, with furious storms passing over us, one after another. Loud roaring thunder and sky cracking lightning. This afternoon, everything went horizontal as some strong winds blew across our greening Ithaki. It's no wonder that everything looks so lush, we've had alot of rain.
Left - View across to Lefkada during a break in the storms.
More storms tonight, so let's see if our luck with the electricity can continue. No power-outs so far.
Sunday 24th - Nearly at the end of November and we've had enough rain to last us all winter, well almost.
Yesterday we did get a patch of sun in the afternoon, but it wasn't long before the rain fell again.
Last night the Stavros community was the venue for this year's Boubourelia dance which raised money for the primary school and for the Platrithia community. A well organized night with a party to start our winter season.
Click Here or on photograph Left for more pics.
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