The Surprise of the Week

One of the interesting things about our job is setting out in the morning and never being quite certain what is going to happen as the day progresses. We make appointments to view houses and land for sale, sometimes expecting great things and being disappointed, sometimes finding absolute bargains, sometimes being taken to hitherto unknown (to us) areas, and marvelling at the Tardis-like qualities of our island.

Last week Sarah and I set out on an early evening expedition to the west of the island with a young lady who wanted to show us twelve(!) plots of land she has for sale. We just managed to finish in time to head off slightly inland to look at three newly built houses with the owner and his wife proudly showing their completed project. During our conversation in transpired that the couple own a very large area of land close to their houses and have begun to create a sort of animal park/country estate. On being told of miniature ponies within a short drive we were tempted to go and have a look.

Well... we were speechless. By the time we left it was practically dark and we had seen not only the promised mini ponies (and a new born baby one), but racoons, humped-back buffalo, deer, Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, porcupines, terrapins (huge), llama, and the major surprise for me anyway - kangaroos!

The plan is for a proper public opening some time next year, when there will also be snack-bar facilities on site. Something really new for Corfu.
Susan

The delights of local shopping

Even though our other shop and office was only across San Rocco Square, just a short walk away, I had no idea of the number of shops in close proximity to the new premises.

Virtually the whole of Corfu businesses are represented here - the supermarket of course, but also, two family butchers, a specialist cheese shop, a wine shop, a chemist specialising in natural products, shoe shops, a slipper shop, babywear shop, coffee supplier, juice bar, hairdresser, Chinese shops (as always!), several sewing ladies, two bookshops/stationers, household goods, a 'valet' parking car park and, unbelievably, an umbrella repair shop!

Next door to us is one of those shops you never knew you needed; whilst we were moving in we kept popping in and out for all the things we couldn't locate as we unpacked bags and boxes, tape measure, plastic cups, scissors, screwdriver, needle and cotton, knife, batteries, you name it, they have it.

Added to that of course, when the new market premises are finished, we will have a wonderful fresh fruit, vegetable and fish market right on our doorstep. What more could anyone ask? Complete shopping within a two minute walk!
Diana

Hot off the Press

We have received the following notification from Foreign Currency Direct Plc:

Good afternoon

I do not normally like doing block e-mails, but it is the easiest way to let all of my clients know at short notice, and I just wanted to make sure you were aware of the upcoming Bank of England interest rate decision. Whilst interest rates are expected to be left on hold the main talking point is likely to be whether, and by what amount, the Bank of England will extend the policy of quantitative easing “printing money”). Policy makers such as Kate Barker have recently hinted that something will happen in August as she stressed QE had not ended and was merely on hold whilst its relative success was measured.

In the past the Pound has experienced a sharp drop when these measures have been announced, and combined with the recent National Debt figures and unemployment levels, this prospect of further easing has weighed down heavily on Sterling. Given that the outcome is as yet unknown, you may wish to get in touch sooner rather than later to discuss any transfers either to or from Sterling.

Likewise if you wish to discuss any other currency matter please feel free to get in touch, or pass my details on to friends or family if you think they may benefit.

Best regards,
Colm.


Susan

Daffodils in July!

Now that we are fully into high summer, there are not a lot of wildflowers to be seen, mainly grasses and herbs. However, at St Spridon's Bay on the north east coast, there is the most wonderful display of Sea Daffodils (pancratium maritimum). They look as though they have been deliberately planted as a border at the back of the beach, just between the trees and the sunbathing/sandcastle-building area.

I'm sure they must grow in other areas of Corfu, but I've not seen them myself elsewhere. I once tried, very unsuccessfully, to transplant a few bulbs but they obviously are very fussy plants and like St Spiridon's Bay best.
Sarah

It must be summer

I know it must be summer, because we are lurching from one disaster to another - not on the estate agency side, but on the side where I wear my 'other hat' as a 'letter' of holiday villas.

My estate agent's hat was showing the wonderful 'Beachfront Villa' at Kanouli a few evenings ago, when an agitated villa client called to say that the maid, promised at midday, had not appeared at all, and all the laundry had disappeared, so no bed linen. Called the maid who said she didn't go to the villa as the clients were in, so she just did next door (which was empty!) and she did all the washing. She washed clean and dirty laundry, and hung it multiple folded on the line, which meant nothing had dried. So at 9pm I went with more linen and made beds for the clients.

The next day I took another maid down to clean for them, in between showing the previous evenings clients various pieces of land in the Boukari area - where we all got covered in those sticky little ball things that never come off! Then I collected the second maid. I reminded the disaster maid that we had a villa changeover on Saturday - and she told me she couldn't do it as she has another job on Saturdays. Second maid became grumpy at the thought of extra work and all this because our original No. 1 maid has gone off on two weeks holiday, at the insistence of her husband. Next year, over my dead body.

On Sunday there was a power cut at nine in the morning so, with no chance of doing any work, I went to have coffee with old friend. Just casually asked Sea Horse Villa guests what time they were leaving on Monday as we have new guests arriving at 2 pm, and he told me 'after 8pm as our flight is at midnight!'. Cut coffee short, went home to discuss with husband. For some reason they didnt think general hotel practice applied to them and were determined not to leave until late. I finally convinced them and offered them an empty villa to use for the day, which meant cleaning it yet again.

When I got home the power cut has zapped my computer so I was stuck again. Daughter was here for the weekend so I borrowed her laptop, fought my way through all the music, to be able to catch up on emails. Pretty much the end of a disastrous three days - however on a happier note, the guests who suffered the non-appearance of the maid and my bedmaking, have recommended Strawberry Villa to their family, who just called and booked it for three weeks - so not all bad!
Diana

Going batty

Ever on the lookout for our furry rodent friends, we noticed some small droppings on the terrace of our villa - strange because they kept reappearing in the same spot, but not anywhere else.

Close inspection to the roof revealed these lovely little bats all clustered together in the space between the roof beams. As darkness fell they woke and flew outside, sweeping over our heads with their fluttering wings.
Sarah

And we think we have the occasional property problem

Most people probably know the background of the property ownership disputes in Northern Cyprus, but reading this recent article on the internet, which looks at the implications on several levels, I began to appreciate that although we often think we have technical problems here in Corfu (multiple owners, boundary disputes etc.) absolutely nothing compares to this:-

Meletis Apostolides was given permission to reclaim land in northern Cyprus which he held ownership over before being forced out of the country. The land in question was acquired by a British couple, Linda and David Orams, who invested £160,000 building a dream villa after deciding to spend their retirement in northern Cyprus.

The situation has been ongoing for some time now as an earlier Greek Cypriot Court had ruled that the villa should be demolished and ownership returned to Meletis Apostolides. However, when the ruling was challenged in the UK and a formal transfer of ownership instruction entered into the UK justice system, this was rejected and a UK court ruled in favour of Mr and Mrs Orams. The ruling by the ECJ is ultimately the definitive action in the case and a decision which cannot be appealed and the UK courts are now obliged to follow the ruling.

While the official ruling from the ECJ contains instruction for the villa in question to be demolished and the land returned to its former owner, who would like to replant a citrus grove, the likelihood is that compensation will be sought through the UK courts. Quite how any compensation payment would be calculated and on what basis remains to be seen as many former residents of northern Cyprus operated businesses from their land before being forced to flee.

When you consider that some 5,000 Britons hold properties in northern Cyprus, whether as investments or retirement homes, the potential compensation outlay could be enormous. In effect those who acquired properties in the region could be forced to "pay twice" as the likelihood of those now living in southern Cyprus return to the north would appear to be fairly remote. We will now see an army of lawyers and advisers come to the fore which could potentially add millions of pounds to the cost of the operation.

This ruling could have far-reaching consequences for the northern Cyprus tourism industry with the potential for villas and hotels to be demolished in the event of successful compensation claims regarding property ownership. However, as suggested above, the likelihood is that some kind of compensation will be agreed, although this could quite literally push many businesses in the region to the brink of collapse.

The Cypriot tourism industry is a vital element of the economy and any impact in this region could have wide ranging implications for the economy as a whole. As a result of the ruling, property investment in the region is likely to collapse with international investors likely to give the area a wide berth until the legal arguments have ended and a plan for the future has been announced. With so much money at stake this stage of the operation could literally take years to conclude which could potentially ruin the Cypriot economy in the short to medium term.

While the ruling from the ECJ regarding ownership issues refers to properties acquired after 1974, and involves those who had been forced to leave the area, this could take in a substantial number of properties. In the short term we could see a significant number of property investors leaving the region and pressure on short-term property prices. With the UK pound having suffered a substantial fall against many currencies around the world, a number of UK investors may be happy to call it a day and move to calmer waters.

This is probably the last thing the Cypriot property market needs as a number of investors and observers already believed that property prices in the region were excessive. If nothing else, the ECJ ruling will give investors a reason to demand lower and lower prices and put more and more pressure on those who may at some stage be on the end of a compensation claim.

Diana

Hot off the Press!

Corfu now has a third sushi bar! Following the announcement in last month's Pelekas News of a new sushi bar at Kontogialos (Pelekas Beach) - and another at Agios Gordis - my informants report the exciting addition of Ku Ku Tsi to Corfu's repertoire of interesting places to wine and dine. It is located next to Starbucks in Kanoni and has been open about two weeks. Not tested yet, except by the waiter at Starbucks, who had never eaten sushi before so couldn't really say whether it was good or not!
Susan

Pretty village

Viewing new properties for our website took three of us yesterday to the village of Varipatades (literal translation: "heavy footfalls") just a fifteen minute drive from Corfu Town in the central part of the island.

Between us we have lived for 85 years on Corfu and our knowledge of this village was absolutely nil! think I have driven through it maybe once or twice, Diana and Sarah reckon they never have. So it was a delight to park in a proper car parking area on the edge of the village and take a stroll through the narrow streets to the square and beyond.

The village has four churches but not a single shop or cafe. A local lady, who popped out from behind a seemingly closed door to find out what we were up to, told us that it is too close to Corfu Town and supermarkets and other facilities for a village shop to have any chance of success. What a shame. Not even a cafenion. I wonder what the old men do in the evenings?

We couldn't help remarking that if this was Britain each and every one of the charming village properties would have been renovated up to its eyeballs, lovingly restored in a traditional manner and lived in by a townie with aspirations to country life. Another culture difference - here the opposite is the case and villagers mostly aspire to town living, even if it means cramming their family into a small-roomed flat with no view.
Susan

Mother-in-law's advice

When drying your oregano, don't place it in the sun as it goes a brown colour. In order to keep it looking green when dry, the stems should be hung upside down in a well ventilated but shady place.
Sarah

Restaurants. Again

Somehow I seem to be writing about food rather a lot, but 'not so well known' restaurants definitely seem to deserve a mention. his one is Plori, just along from Paramonas beach near Agios Matheos. In fact when I say 'just along' this is exactly what I mean, the road goes down to Paramonas, past the little hotel, and you keep going, almost IN the sea, for about 40 metres, once you turn the corner, there it is, on its own, almost in the sea.

Since last year it has been one of our choices for those really hot nights, when you are just desperate for a cooling breeze, but the food definitely deserves a mention. As with so many seaside tavernas, their speciality is fish - but at Plori they also offer interesting variations - I had a massive stuffed squid, husband had a vast portion of beef in tomato sauce, and we had already begun with garlic bread, courgette and cheese fritters and super fresh gavros (sort of whitebait). Along with wine, the bill for all this was 35 euros - and there was plenty left to give bits to the little dog which adopted us as soon as we sat down, plus a little 'doggie bag' for the large dog at home.

This year, there are complaints generally about higher prices in restaurants, but our experience is just the opposite - of the 7 or 8 restaurants where we regularly eat, the prices still seem to be very reasonable - and the food wonderful!
Diana

Take your scissors!

If you are out for a walk in the hills and mountains of Corfu this month, remember to take your scissors with you. This is the time of year when the lovely, strongly scented herb oregano is ready for picking.

I keep seeing locals from my village with armfuls of oregano which they have gathered, and decided to have a go at collecting some myself while walking the dog. I hadn't realised how tough the stems are, so this morning I remembered my scisssors and picked this lovely big bunch.

Oregano (rigani) is one of the most popular herbs in Greek cooking, but my favourite way to use it is on the stem, as a sort of basting stick. Take a few stems of oregano, dip them in a mixture of oil and lemon juice and then splash the basting mixture onto the meat or fish. Messy but very tasty!
Sarah

When I woke up this morning ...

What strange weather we are having this year. More than a week of rain and low temperatures in June, to be followed by an early July that it more reminiscent of late September than full summer. Cool evenings, misty and damp mornings, it doesn't seem as if summer has started properly, so it shouldn't have been a surprise to open the shutters this morning and see - well, not much! We have a really nice view from our upstairs verandah, but this morning it was obliterated by thick, thick fog. Definitely autumn then?
Susan

Doing business - Corfu style

I bet if you said to someone "Just going to pick up my computer from the repair man", it wouldn't conjure up this picture. Only this is Corfu, and our computer repair man happens to live on the beach in Acharavi. In the bag is Sarah's computer de-bugged and ready for use.
Susan

Some Have Them and Some Don't

In the same way as the weather can be really good in one part of the island and pouring with rain in another, it appears that certain insects are common in one area and never seen in another.

It hadn't really occurred to me until a discussion arose over Sunday lunch in Antiperni. Admiring the abundant flowers in the garden, we asked our hosts how they dealt with the grasshoppers that have eaten the new shoots and tender flowers from most of our own garden just a few kilometres away. "Grasshoppers?" they said, "What grasshoppers?"

As far as we are concerned these green, slightly prehistoric looking insects are as much a part of our daily life as ants, wasps and flies, so how come they don't have them in Antiperni?

Apart from decimating our plants, they are also indoor visitors and leap from wall to floor and back again. Unfortunately they aren't particularly afraid of humans and quite often hitch a ride on a shoulder, head or leg. Most annoying of all - they don't sleep at night. If you make the mistake of going to bed without checking walls, floors, curtains, etc, you are likely to be jumped upon and bitten! Okay, so they don't draw blood, but they nip hard enough to wake you and once you are awake and know that one of them is around, you have to get up and hunt it!

So we have them in Skripero and I wish we didn't!
Susan

How perfect can you get?

Don't need any words to go with this photo, do we? This view can be
yours for 1,220,000 Euros, and a pretty splendid villa to go with it!
Susan