CURRY NIGHT

TONIGHT - CURRY NIGHT AT THE REVOLUTION BAR, VRAHASSI

FROM 8 P.M. ONWARDS

VANESSA HAD A LITTLE LAMB!

Vanessa had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow, and everywhere Vanessa went...she had some hunk in tow!

ONLY HUMAN!

So sorry Pat and Denise your photo got mixed up with the wedding ones that I went to and missed putting on the computer. Jayne came up to slap my legs! Hope to see you next year.

VRAHASSI LIFE

Work is continuing on the Council Office above Plateia in the centre of the village. Brand new window and door frames have been put into position. Drill-sound has provided background noise all morning and it is nearly 3 p.m. and still going strong.

I HAVE A TOILET PIPE CONECTING THE OUTSIDE DRAIN TO THE INSIDE BATHROOM. No sign of a toilet yet but watch this space.

George is working hard in the fields and I have had a steady flow of customers all morning. The sun is shining and all is well.

Tonight at 8 p.m. I am going to a lecture in the old school by the big church about the history of Anavlohos. Three archaeologists will be speaking. I only hope that I will be able to understand enough of what is said. Anyway I am looking forward to it. David said that he would cover for me in the bar.

AND... TOMORROW...SATURDAY...IS CURRY NIGHT. COME AND ENJOY A BIT OF INDIAN HOT.

And now I am going to see if I can fathom out how to leave a message for Pete on a site called portokalada.com.

Byeeeeeeeeee!

MY BISTO FINALLY ARRIVED!

Oh God! the Tesco 6 came and I hadn't had time to polish the bar. Not good. But luckily the weather was just great for sitting outside, and while Dan, Bob and Dez did a bit of bird spotting from the camouflaged cover of Jane Guevara's Pergola, Cess, Liz and Hazel delivered a year's supply of Aah! Original Bisto gravy powder. Does this mean that I shall have to cook a roast dinner on Sunday? Maybe not this Sunday but I feel a bit of Yorkshire pudding coming on.

YVONNE AND MANOLIS

Neighbours in Vrahassi, Yvonne and Manolis, (see the twinkle in his eye and the curl of his moustache?).

AT MY WINDOW (NEARLY)

How's this, two ladies from Wisconcin (sp) brightening up my day, Debbie and Polly, who together with partners Bob and Steve came to check out Vrahassi.

Always sparkling, James and Yvonne living it up in Sissi.

MIA VOSKOPOULA - A SHEPHERDESS

Vanessa had a little lamb its fleece was white as snow, and everywhere Vanessa went

REPORTED MISSING

At my window 15th September but missing since then (actually I forgot to put them on the blog) sorry about that Val and Peter, such a lot going on, but I know that's no excuse. Hope you got back to Ireland safely and have booked your ticket to return. Thanks for the nudge it has made me look for other people missing from my window. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Just to keep you up to date with what Jill is doing, kittens now had operation but Cisskit isn't talking to her. Still with the hairy one. Dogs OK. Is going to see Mici and Tony tomorrow in Stalis. Not done Greek homework and in dog house!

A GRAVE DECISION

It happened like this. I saw the Mayor in conversation with Littlelegs, which is not unusual as George very rarely misses the opportunity to acost his past army buddy (well, Sargent I think) with some political chit chat. Anyway, a few minutes later over his first Metaxa of the day, George and I talked about... the Grave Yard.

Now, it is the plan of the Council to extend the grave yard at Vrahassi and David and I just happen to have a plot of land right behind the present grave yard. Another neighbour has donated his little plot to the church and apparently if we were to donate three of our trees then a rectangular area could be added on to the present, full to overflowing, grave yard.

Well, morbid as it might, be after a short discussion about the whole thing, we came to the agreement that in exchange for the land with three trees the Council would provide a private grave for David and I. This means that when we finally drop of our perch our bodies will be put into our grave and left there. The alternative is a communal grave which is kept for those people who do not have a family grave and if this is used then the person's remains are taken out after about 4 years (by this time only bones) put into a small wooden chest and lodged in the Bone House, Osserie if you're posh. So, it seems like a good deal. Of course the Council won't provide a marble top and statue of an Angel but that won't bother either of us. Maybe we may get to have our grave under one of our own trees - who knows.

We joked about it and I asked George if the private grave could be used for any member of our family. "Oo plently of room for anyone," he said, "but don't put me in there with you."

There you go, I suppose I'd better get back to work, I'm painting the stairs that go up into the bar while I'm quiet, that should guarantee a customer or two.

Greek class tomorrow - byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

HOT SATURDAY'S

We had such a good time at the first curry night last Saturday that we shall repeat it this Saturday. It may even become a regular event!

There was hot curry for the brave, vegetable curry for herbivors, lots of rice and chips to soak it all up and a yoghurt dip to cool it all down. So don't miss out this week.

JANE GUEVARA'S HOT SATURDAY at the REVOLUTION BAR
VRAHASSI
FROM 8 P.M.

Give me a ring if you would like to book a table: 6945 872472

SINGING STARS

(details later have a customer)

AT MY WINDOW

Dimitri, my raki drinking partner, supplies me with fresh horta (greens) to keep me healthy. At 86 he struggles up my stairs to the bar. If he can do it then nobody has an excuse! Must be all that vitamin E!

BUSY BEE

What a busy little bee I have been over the past couple of days. Not just in the bar but in the office too. Under offer are two houses in Vrahassi and one plot of land with 100 olive trees. And now it is Saturday evening and the Curry is in the pot ready, just the rice to do.

The weather is a little grey, windy and just a spot or two of rain, the perfect evening for a cheery get together. Here come Yvonne and James all done up for the evening, going to Sissi for a bit of live 'Kenny' music. Full title according to James, 'THE LEGENDARY KENNY KORTES'. Vrahassi residents do like a bit of 'shake it all down'.

Apart from the tinsel twins brightening up the street, Vrahassi is dead as a door posts. There seems to be this grey grey edge of night in between the sun going down and the street lights coming on. It's a sort of 'prowl-y time'. Speaking of which here comes my first customer. Better get to my place behind the bar.

I promise photo's tomorrow.

RIP OFF!

Why is it that people get so gready. Friends asked us to get a taxi for them to take them back to Malia from Vrahassi. The Taxi driver asked 45 euro. A taxi from Heraklion airport to Vrahassi is 45/50 euro so where did he get this price from. Surely their is some regulation as to pricing.

INDIAN CURRY A LA GUEVARA

ANNOUNCING A "SATURDAY NIGHT IS CURRY NIGHT" SPECIAL
THIS SATURDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER
FROM 8 P.M. ONWARDS
REVOLUTION BAR
VRAHASSI

INDIAN CURRY + RICE OR CHIPS

Hope you can make it
All welcome

CAFENEON LIFE

It's my plan to have every Monday off. That is, to close the cafebar every Monday. Now I doubt very much that that will me feet up and a choc ice, but it should mean that I can get on with all those jobs that I have missed doing due to socializing, if you know what I mean. I tried it this Monday but it didn't quite work. George and I went to the Town Hall in Ag Nik to apply for electricity for our old houses without which we cannot start any renovations. Anyway we got that sorted, went to photograph an old house for sale, trekked across land to photograph two windmills that are for sale and finally had a jug of wine in a cafeneo back in Ag Nik. We got back to Vrahassi about 3.30 and do you know, my pergola was heaving with people just sitting there waiting for my return. I served up a few fanta orange and sprite, made a couple of coffees and within half an hour they had gone. I hope they don't sit there till Tuesday next week when I close the shop for a Monday in Heraklion.

The cafeneon George took me to was how he imagined ours to look - you might see now that we had two separate dreams for the Revolution Bar.

A WONDERFUL PRESENT

James and Yvonne arrived the other day and last night we were able to get together for a good old chin wag. It is so good to see them again, another breath of fresh air into the village. AND they brought me this wonderful present. It is an album full of A4 size photo's which Yvonne has taken from my blog and printed off for me. What a wonderful present!

Ian and Diane arrive tonight so tomorrow it's back to the giggles again.

PUT OUT THE FLAG

Spot the difference! George has shaved the beard and cut the fringe that was growing around his ears. Can you believe it, not only is he up and about by 9 or 10 at the latest but he has smartened himself up AND bought a scooter. WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES.

SOCIETY WEDDING

Friends from Malia had a great day at their son's wedding. The reception and blessing was held at the Vasia Beach Hotel in Sissi and I have to say it was the best wedding I've been to for years. The pictures say it all.

VISITORS FROM LAST YEAR

The first people to sign the Jane Guevara Visitor book were John and Di Gardiner of Swindon who have returned for a holiday together with twin brother Pete and his wife Annie. They had come to have a look at Vrahassi one year on but very little had changed except the new Revolution Bar.

ELECTION DAY

Striding out to cast their vote are two families from the village. In the background with white hair is the parliamentarian Yannis Souladakis and his brother Georgos, when they passed my window I asked politely if I could take their photograph and they waved me away without speaking - they are PASOK and they left me with the feeling that if I could vote I would not be voting PASOK. Very snooty politicians, it's only a job for God's sake.

It's Election Day and the village is busy. I have been at the cafebar since 9 a.m. sweeping and cleaning. It is now 11 ish and Yannis across has got his barbecue going ready for company. Both Lefteris and Yannis have had a busy morning. I open at 11 a.m. until late so I cannot do the early morning shift. That's good because it is not the type of bar that Jane Guevara is now developing. I don't want the drunken shepherds who smash up your bar when they have had too much. I want a place that people can come to for coffee and know that it is clean. Vrahassi may be a rural Cretan village but that does not mean that it cannot have a 21st century coffee shop.

Then there is my office, and it is begining to work. This week I have already sold a couple of properties and some land, all at realistic prices. Property will sell if the price is right but so often people are greedy. This week I saw a place that would turn into a lovely home with about 30/40 grand spend on renovation. I took photo's for the owner and awaited his price. The person, who lives in Athens came back with 140,000 euro believing that it is a place ready for occupation. How out of touch is that! OK if this house was totally modernised then that may be the asking price but in this condition without an inside stair case to bedrooms how can I even attempt to sell it?

If it wasn't election day I would have washed the old Samauri (another good excuse). David has been doing his bookkeeping in the office this morning so I have had company. Now he has gone to start work on our house to get it ready for when Cindy and Pete sell their's in England. I do hope everything goes through before Christmas because I am living in a building site and will soon have to vacate the bedroom while work goes on. This means either sleeping on the roof or moving in to the room above the bar. David favours the roof. God damn it, will I ever have a proper house?

NAME DAY - STAVROS

At last they have found a use for the post box which arrived a couple of months ago, was laid on its side in the street and has been abandoned. I'm not sure what's drying!

Today is the Name Day for all those men called Stavros. I only know two, one has a restaurant in Apano Sissi and the other is a retired gentleman who lives in Sissi but comes from Vrahassi. Maybe he will be up here today and I will get the chance to say 'Xronia Polla' which literally means 'many years'. It is the custom to give little cakes to your friends on your name day so the cake shops do a roaring trade as nearly every day there is a different 'name day'. There is no Greek name 'Jane' so I only celebrate my birthday.

Today David and I are going to a wedding. It is an English wedding which will take place in a hotel in Sissi. Lydia and Mark will watch over the shop for a few hours. I still have no idea what I shall wear, at least my foot has improved so I hope to get into my silver boots. I have piled on about half a stone since last year, but I'm feeling so much better with the cooler weather.

It is nearly eleven and George will be hear for his morning coffee. He is so much happier away from the bar and things are going just fine for him. He has quite a lot of work in front of him and with the money from the bar he is going to buy a motorbike. We are also still partners in the 'house finding' venture, which is going very well. If you haven't seen my House Blog then take a look. (see Links opposite).

So, I'm off for a coffee, James and Yvonne arrive today, Cindy and Pete tomorrow and a full weekend ahead. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

GENERAL STUFF

Now I'm not certain but I do believe that it is my neice's birthday today. Sam if you are reading this Happy Birthday, I hope you have a lovely day and get together with all the children at Mum's.

Thinking of Birthday's it is my Grand-daughter Jade's birthday next week 19th Sept. and my Sister's on 18th Sept. Cards are a bit difficult to find in Vrahassi so I am going to make some using some of my pictures. I'm absolutely terrible with birthdays so please anyone out there that I have forgotten Happy Birthday 2007.

David and I are invited to a wedding on Friday. There is a do tonight but we have visitors coming to the bar and cannot get away. I have no idea what to wear, I've so much but it's all quite tatty, I could always wear the belly dancing costume of course, (joking).

Looking forward to seeing Ian and Diana out here next week and a few other familiar faces.
Got customers, have to go,
Jane x

CRETAN MOUNTAIN MAN

Meet Manolis who we call Mavro Manolis (Mavro means black in Greek). He is a local shepherd who always has a twinkle in his eye. He always dresses in black and takes great pride in his moustache which he twists to make it turn up at the ends. Mavro is selling his house if anyone is interested because he has moved to live nearer the centre of the village with his daughter. He is asking 30,000 euros. It has electricity and mains water but is in need of renovation.

TURKISH DELIGHT!

You want entertainment! We had a super leaving party for George combined with a Thank You party for Lydia, Jean and Vanessa (the scrubbers). I made a curry, Vanessa brought a cake, Jean did a bread and butter pudding and Lydia supplied the champagne. And for entertainment... none other than Queen of Belly Dancers - Fatty-ma! (Must start that slimming club soon).

YORKSHIRE DAY

Can you believe it, all the tables were full under the pergola, David was showing someone a house for sale and there were people in the office using the internett. For the first time my little organisation was well and truly working. And two super people from back home, (Yorkshire) on holiday in Stalis, popped up to do the Village Walk. What a Happy little Cafe!

PRIME MINISTER IN HERAKLION

The Prime Minister, Mr Karamalis, was in Heraklion last night to address the people. A coach arrived in Vrahassi about 6 o'clock to take anyone who was interested to the rally. George, naturally, had his best togs on and had combed the beard (or so it looked). It seemed as though only a few people could be bothered to go and support the New Democrats as the coach was not even half full, a pity really as if it hadn't been for certain key people in the Government then Vrahassi may not have won back its Council. Let's hope that there is a better turn out for the elections on the 16th Sept.

HOW BIZARRE!

I seem to bump in to Maria once a year when I visit the seaside resort of Stalis. It is only about 20 minutes away from Vrahassi, if that but we only get there when we have visitors or when we are asked out as in the case of last Friday. After a wonderful Chinese meal we did the shopping bit and called at Maria's Bazaar.

NEVER ON A SUNDAY

My first Sunday without George and all is going well this morning. It rained in the night and is cooler this morning but still very pleasant. The square has been very busy with people gathering to set of for Ag Nik where there is to be a political rally. George has gone with them, all spruced up (now why couldn't he have made the effort before). I tell you he looks so much happier now. I hate to say this but I could really do with a quiet day just to catch up with my office work. I went to see two houses yesterday and one the day before, all in Vrahassi. Now I am awaiting prices. Just as soon as I have full details I shall put them on the Jane's House Shop (see links right hand side of page).

We have had another visitor from England over the last few days. A gentleman who has bought a property in Vrahassi. When he arrived to inspect his purchase he found that there had been squatters in the place. The police were called to investigate but the culprit had fled. Now the house has been made secure and the TV etc have been removed.

AT MY WINDOW

Yia sou Yiannis. One of my regulars at the bar, and happy holiday maker Lizbeth from Belgium.

TEN OUT OF TEN FOR VRAHASSI COUNCIL

I have been asked to comment on my blog about Vrahassi Council. An English man had some business there today and when he had completed it he came to me and said that I should write the following in praise of the people who work at the Koinotita of Vrahassi. I quote:

"I have just been to the Council offices in Vrahassi and I found the people there to be very efficient and very helpful. They were courteous and made me feel very welcome. After having dealings in the past with other official offices in Crete, I found it a pleasure to do business with the people of the Koinotita of Vrahassi." Anon.

So, a big WELL DONE, to our friendly, efficient office.

MY BEST CUSTOMER

I don't get it. My first customer of the day was George who arrived just after 10 a.m. looking squeaky clean almost alive. Not the 'just got out of bed' George that we all know (and love). Typical. But the truth is, he is happy. He has got me of his back, he can get up when he wants and he has better prospects on the horizon. The split has done us both good. I've got a wonderfully clean cafebar to do with what I want and George has become my best customer. The cogs have turned and fate has sorted us out once again.

VILLAGE WALK

The first village walk after the intense heat of August took place on Tuesday. While David and Mark escorted Nick and Alison around Vrahassi talking about the history and other interesting stories about the place, I prepared a light lunch for us all. When they returned we all ate, drank and were merry. Well done Nick and Alison we really look forward to your return.

Now you have seen the top half of the village, maybe you will be game for the bottom half next time.

A NEW BEGINNING

While the girls finished sorting out the bar I served and kept customers happy outside. It was a steady day. Now it is 11.30, I have closed the bar and have come into the office to catch up with the paperwork and write this blog. Meanwhile, Little Legs has remained friends, though retired, and is watching TV upstairs until I've finished and want to lock up. We have had some lovely customers today some new people to Vrahassi and some returning for yet another holiday on Crete. At the window is Mr Thomas who has just bought a house in the village, he looks happy enough about it all.

A RIGHT PAIR OF SCRUBBERS

Get a lode of this - rubber gloves at the ready, "We're going in," they said, and they didn't stop for two days until the bar was squeaky clean. Thank you so much Lydia and Jean. I missed a photo of Vanessa who also passed by and got stuck in (and never mind the manicured nails). Also on the team was Mark with his extension (window cleaner) every ready.

STOP PRESS -VACANT SEAT ON BOARD

LITTLE LEGS HAS GIVEN UP HIS SEAT ON THE BOARD - well not exactly given up his seat, just the work that went with it. After a slight altercation yesterday, George expressed a wish to leave. The fact is that we cannot work together any more. I want him to be clean, and he just doesn't seem to get it. I have defended him for so long and I am not prepared to do it any more. We have parted best of friends and now he has a pocket full of wonga so he can keep his seat at the backgammon table but he will no longer be a partner in the 'Revolution Bar'.

And where does that leave me? Busy I suppose but then who was it said "I've never known a millionaire who didn't like work." Just got to do it. My aim now is to spring clean or September clean the bar top to bottom, work out a menu that I can manage myself, and, based on the fact that revolutionist never got anywhere by sitting on their backsides, I shall get up that bit earlier. Of course I don't expect to be doing all the work myself and whilst David and I are a team we have helpers lined up.

Anyway apart from that, all in the garden is rosy and we have a Village Walk today starting at 10 a.m. David will take the walk with Mark and I shall be scrowing out with Lydia. So, to boldly go as they say. It is 8 a.m. and I will open the bar at 9 with no more stress about getting Little Legs out of bed. He's a lovely man but he will never change, and why indeed should he, I certainly defend his right to be who he is. We just cannot run a business together.

WALKING, WALKING, WALKING

The walks are back,