Summer in Corfu

On Thursday we were all gathered together in our Dassia office for an early season meeting. About half way through the morning it turned very dark and then began to pour with rain. Then we heard stories of hailstones and floods outside supermarkets. So when I was on the phone to my husband down in the south, I said, "No watering the garden today then!" and he said, "What are you talking about?" It had not rained at all and when I arrived home it was hot, sunny and my washing was dry.

Today the north had its revenge. Mid-afternoon the thunder started rumbling, the rain came slowly then quickly, the lightning came faster - then someone started throwing tons of rocks on the roof of our house! We rushed out onto the balcony to the scene shown in the photo above - hailstones the size of golf balls falling in what seemed like tons. The dog came rushing indoors, and hid under the bed, there was nowhere to escape the noise.

I sent a message to Susan to see if they were suffering the same in Skripero - no, of course not. She was standing under blue skies watching the black cloud above the south of the island. However, fortunately this did alert her to take her umbrella when she went to show a house shortly afterwards and yes, she did need it when the rain finally caught up with her.

What happened to summer - we were happily planning our first swim tomorrow? Think it might have to wait a few more days.
Diana

Greeks Raise A Glass To Their Love Of Wine

Wine is still the favorite tipple of one in two Greeks, despite the apparent popularity of imported drinks, such as whisky and vodka, according to the results of a recent survey. The GPO poll showed that almost 55 percent of Greeks say wine is their first choice, some 20 percent opt for beer, and almost 10 percent go for ouzo or similar drinks. Just 7 percent choose other spirits.The heaviest drinkers are men over 45 and people who live in farming areas. More than one in 10 Greeks drinks wine on a daily basis. Only 16 percent of those surveyed said they never drink wine. Two-thirds of those who enjoy raising a glass or two do so with a meal. People from the Peloponnese drink the most wine, according to the survey, which was conducted on behalf of the Agricultural Development Ministry.

Organic Comes to Corfu

Today I received my first box of organic, locally grown vegetables and free-range eggs, delivered to the door by Calliope and Fergal a young couple who have set up a business on the island dedicated to providing top-quality fresh seasonal produce.

The box pictured cost just over 9 euros, and the vegetables were picked just a few hours before they arrived on my doorstep.

Their usual delivery days are Mondays and Fridays and they can be contacted at any time via mobile: 697 655 2345 or e-mail: kellykerkyra@hotmail.com and everyone is always welcome to pop-by and see the garden growing.
Susan

A VIEW -Stunning, But Just One Among Many

Corfu is full of amazing vistas, and our daily lives are enriched by them. Luckily, we never fail to appreciate the sudden surprises that await us around the twists and turns in the mountain roads. The last few days have been a taste of summer to come and we have been treated to some wonderful turquoise seas at Paleokastritsa, distant islands, bright bougainvilleas climbing up walls of crumbling stone, and endless starry skies at night.

This is the view from one of the villas we have for sale (Rastoni in the mountain hamlet of Vigla). This really is a VIEW in capital letters. Not bad to wake up to this every day!
Susan

Yet More Rats!

A peaceful early evening in the garden recently was shattered by a shriek from Mrs. P (Senior). The cause of her terror - one of our furry friends. In all probability the beast was more terrified by Mrs P's scream than she was of him as he promptly disappeared over the wall into the next door garden. Another sighting shortly thereafter confirmed that there was a ratty superhighway passing through our garden without planning permission. This time, however, this one was wearing a little red jacket and a blue hat. It was was just a fleeting glimpse - shortly after my 4th Ouzo - but it got me to wondering why we get so upset about seeing a rat.

Rats (Order Rodentia, Family Muridae) are around us in their millions. I believe there are several hundred different species of "Old World Rats". With a 21 day incubation period, its no wonder there are so many. I presume the rats which entered my garden uninvited were the "Farm Rat" variety which live off whatever they can find to eat. We have therefore started them off on a course of little blue pills which they seem to be clearing away nightly. Despite success being smelt when the wind blows the wrong way, I expect to have to keep up this diet for at least a month, to ensure the 21 day cycle is well covered.

Sorry Ratty, but you have to go.
Sarah

More Rats!

The rat in the office on Friday reminded me of an encounter I had many years ago when still working as a Villa Rep.

Returning to my car in the airport car park after a busy Monday's arrivals and departures, I saw, through the window, a large rat sitting - bold as brass - on the dashboard, looking out through the windscreen. After years of living in the country I'm not overly nervous of insects and mice, but a rat in the car was more than I could bear! I gingerly opened all four doors, and the boot and stood well back awaiting departure of my uninvited passenger. Nothing happened.

I'm a bit embarrassed about what I did next, but at the time it seemed quite normal - I called a passing policeman over to the car and explained my predicament! By this time there was no sign of the rat, so he must have thought I was an idiot - he certainly didn't do anything, or even try to do anything. "What do you want me to do, lady?" he asked before strolling off to deal with more important troubles.

Well, I was tired and wanted to go home, so I gritted my teeth, checked under the front seat and finding nothing there, got into the car and drove slowly home. Slowly, so that I could open the door and dive into the verge in case Mr. Rat appeared on the seat beside me!

I left all doors and boot open that night, and the following day, presuming that I was now rat-free, set off on my visiting rounds of the north of the island. To cut a long story short, after two more days I returned to the car, which was parked outside the town office, to see what looked like a short length of wire hanging from the bottom of the closed driver's side door. A Rat's Tail!

The local agent - forever a hero in my eyes - managed to remove the half-stunned animal from the car and despatch him with the help of the cleaner's mop.

I had taken the tourist rat on a complete circuit of Corfu - to and from the airport on Monday, visiting all the villas on Tuesday and Wednesday, and into Corfu town on Thursday!
Susan

Rats!

Summer is well and truly with us, with all its beauty (and beastliness!) The scents of jasmine, roses and mock orange fill the air, the sea is warm enough to swim in, sleeveless dresses are having their first outings, but... the first mosquitos are disturbing our sleeping hours, the pollen count is the highest ever, and there are rats in the garden!

On Friday we were all out showing houses and viewing plots of land for sale, leaving the office in the capable hands of our assistant, when we received a phone call to say that she was not alone. A large rodent had strolled in - obviously having watched what clients do - and come right up to the desk where she was sitting answering the phone! Maybe if she hadn't panicked he would have read a few property details and left, but panic she did, and ratty shot off to hide. What to do? Clinging to the hope that he might have headed in the direction of the open door, she started systematically moving furniture and searching behind stacks of files - wielding a broom for protection. No rat to be seen.

The rest of us - safely out of town on our various assignments could do nothing more than sympathize. Then I remembered that husband was somewhere in Corfu Town and I telephoned to ask if he could call in to the office to provide moral support and maybe take some rat poison with him. Then I had to remind him that we have four tortoises living in the garden outside the office, so any poison must be carefully chosen and even more carefully placed so as to avoid killing the wrong creatures.

Just another day at work in Corfu!
Susan

"Kalo Mina!"

1st June today, and Greeks all over the world will be wishing each other "Kalo Mina" (Have a good month).

Such nationwide rituals - when it is practically rude NOT to make the wish - are a daily part of Greek life. There are many "wishes" in Greek, at least one for each important occasion and the regular exchange of them brings a feeling of comfort and normality. When you start using them yourself - and bemoaning the lack of them in English - then you have really arrived in Greece!

The subject came up over our breakfast table today, particularly because husband Periklis has just finished writing an article for the next issue of Island Magazine (due out in August) on the subject of Wishing in Greece. We had just finished wishing each other "Kalo Mina", followed by "Kali Kyriaki" (Happy Sunday) and then "Kali Orexi" (Good appetite) - all essential rites before beginning our own family Sunday ritual of coffee and croissants. The whole procedure has a feel-good effect and Browning's words sprang to mind "God's in his Heaven, all's Right with the World". (Here I must confess that, whilst I knew the poem, I had to Google it to find out it was Browning!)
Susan

I Really Don't Think This Happens in Tescos

I was waiting peacefully in the queue to buy juice and coffee in Artissimo, one of the busiest take-out places in San Rocco Square, when an elderly lady with a walking stick came in and fought her way through the crush to the far end of the shop where fresh bread is sold.

"Is my bread in yet?" she said, and when the answer was "unfortunately not yet", she said "I will be back in 15 minutes and I want it soft in the middle, crisp on the outside and not too well baked." The shop assistant duly replied "Of course, I will keep it for you, just as you like".

I really don't think it happens in Tesco.
Diana