Christmas lights

Anyone know why, when you switch on Christmas tree lights, they are always set on the most violent flashing programme? Having read that one in every three sets of lights on sale this year are likely to be faulty to the extent of catching fire, we unplug the indoor tree, the outdoor sets (three) and the ones that loop along the top of the kitchen window at least once a day and always at night. The result is that I seem to have spent an extremely large part of the Christmas holidays pressing the little green button until I get the stationary, non-flashing lights that we all like best. (Beware of the programme that you think is the one you want but where the lights fade into nothingness the minute you turn your back!)
Susan

Merry Christmas!

Christmas gift for your loved one?

Whilst house prices are generally fairly stable in Corfu, very occasionally we hear of bargains. This one is so stupendous that we decided that we would pass it on quickly to everyone as a Christmas Eve gift from us to you. The paperwork is completely prepared and ready to go, the villa is immaculate and the reason for sale is a completely valid one - a last minute change of heart actually on the day of exchange.

Reduced from an original asking price of 900,000 euros, Villa Soularou is now the Christmas present of the year at only 560,000 euros.
Susan

All in a day's work for an estate agent in Corfu

What a hectic time we have been having! The classic Christmas incident of all time must be me becoming a literal "stick-in-the-mud" whilst visiting some houses under construction in the central part of the island. It was raining and the land around the three houses was muddy, but I was wearing my wellies so I didn't think twice about walking round the back with my camera to take a picture of the other side. Big mistake! I am used to living on a stony hillside, and this was central flat Corfu! Before I knew it I was up to the tops of my boots in thick, clingy, clay-like MUD. At first it was funny and then I realized that I actually could not lift my feet out of the mud, and what's more, I was sinking still further. Also, because my wellies are a size too big, if I pulled I got my foot out but left my boots behind.

Nothing for it but to call for HELP! Diana and the builder came to see what all the fuss was about, and after the compulsory laughter at the sight of me in my long raincoat, umbrella, handbag and camera kee-deep in clay, they sprung into action. Rescue was eventually achieved with the help of a long wooden plank and a helping hand, but not without a considerable amount of mud on other people's shoes as well as my boots.
Susan

Doctor's visit

A lot of us, particularly "foreigners", are quick to criticise the health service here in Corfu, let alone getting into the controversial subject of the new hospital in Gouvia.

The flip side of our not so efficient health service is the private care available. Loved-one managed to travel here from England yesterday, despite the snow and cancellations from Gatwick. He has had a very bad cold/flu for about ten days (not swine flu) but was unable to get an appointment at his local doctor's surgery till after Christmas. Arriving here on Monday evening, I made an appointment with Dr Tsopelas in Alexandros Avenue, where he was seen and given a check up this morning. With a diagnosis and course of antibiotics in hand, he already feels better and the charge for this visit was just 40 euros. Even the medication was a lot cheaper than it would have cost in the UK under prescription with the minimum charge of about about £7.
Sarah

Now I am begining to believe in telepathy

I am always very practical and a basic non-believer in telepathy etc. However, today I am a little unnerved and this is just too much of a coincidence. My two kids (22 and 26) live together in London but do not communicate much at all - different working hours, different friends etc. so mainly they communicate by email and I definitely would not call them close.

They have NEVER, EVER, either of them sent me a photo from a mobile phone. Hannah is away in the Caribbean, and since I told her how nasty and wet it was here, she kindly send me a photo taken from her hotel balcony (at which hotel a tuna sandwich costs $17, so I guess we should not complain about our cost of living!). About 30 seconds after that photo arrived the phone beeped again, and I found a photo from Nick in London to show me the snow falling outside our house. He didn't actually know where his sister was and had no idea she had sent me a photo, so it was pure 'coincidence'. Very strange.
Diana

Christmas Concert

On Wednesday 16 December the Corfu Music School will be performing their Christmas concert at the Municipal Theatre in Corfu town. The concert starts at 8pm, and the admission is free.

If previous years are anything to go by, the concert will be great fun, and the standard of music from all the youngsters is excellent. There is a jazz band, a mandolin group and choirs, all performing festive tunes to get us into a Christmassy mood.
Sarah