VANESSA'S BIRTHDAY - CRETAN NIGHT!

It was great we all went on a coach (tourists for the night) and enjoyed the music, the dancing and the food. It was something different and I am sure that Vanessa had a lovely birthday.

And these lovely people are Jan and Nina Winter who had heard that I was selling my piano accordion and who came looking for me in Vrahassi. Jan Winter is a famous hurdy-gurdy, groddalira player from Sweden. He brought me a gift of his latest CD (very celtic sound) but my accordion was too big for him.

David meanwhile was setting up my piano in the house ready for me to practice for our next Soiree. That will probably be at the end of August so watch out for the ads as to where and when it will be held.



As you can imagine this week is a mixture of hard work and tattered emotions. The bar is almost empty (except for the dust) and my lovely new house is busting at the seems with boxes of household posessions. It is nearly the 30th, Tuesday, when I have to be at a tribunal at the IKA office in Ag Nik to state my case against he who shall not be named. They are asking a sum of just over 28,000 euro in payment of insurance stamps which he who shall not be named is claiming as being due to him from me. When I would not give in to his blackmail threat of 'Give me 10,000 euro or I will go to IKA' he did just that saying that he was 'employed' by me. Well, he knows the truth and I know the truth and to say that my digestive system is a wee bit upset is putting it mildly but I have to go through this. I have a good lawyer and can only go with that. One thing is for sure, I don't have anything like that sort of money.

Looking on the bright side of things...I have some wonderful friends and one hell of a fantastic husband, and me and Valentino are getting on just fine. (For those of you who don't know it, Valentino is my Cello).

So, at 3 p.m. on Tuesday I would appreciate as much positive energy as possible to see me through this nightmare. Thanks to all who do that.

I will of course be letting you know what happens but it may not be until next weekend because on Wednesday I am off to Sitia with a group of laughing ladies. It is another coach trip. Yippeeee!

Bye for now,

Jane x

SO MUCH GOING ON!

Whilst I was in Kritsa this week I came across this beautiful home that is for sale. (Learn more about it in a couple of days).

It may look like a social outing but 'Greek Class' has got very serious. We now have the wonderful Manolis to give us a lesson each week. Manolis, who taught at Agios Nikolaos comes all the way from Ierapetra to help us along. Some of us used to be in his Advanced class and we were keen to continue. Now I've lots of homework, David too.

Meet Pouchie, he was starving and had a piece of wire around his neck as a collar. Now he has one foot firmly in the door but I am still prepared to give him back if his owner wants to come and collect. Zoukie seems to have taken on the role of mother and seems to know that Pouchie needs a home.

The opening of Julia's exhibition of paintings and photographs got off to a good start with a cheese and wine reception given by the 'Cultural Committee' of Agios Nikolaos. The title of the exhibition is 'Precious Inheritance' and is being held for the next 10 days in the gallery which is in the pedestrian precinct just up from the lake. I wore my tiara of course!

And now it's bedtime! I have a busy day tomorrow. Art class in the morning, Greek lesson for beginners in Vrahassi, 2.30 p.m. and I am sitting in at the Exhibition tomorrow night 6 - 10 p.m. (When am I going to move my stuff from the bar? - It will have to be weekend). Night, night!

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER IN VRAHASSI!

It was a beautiful setting with the newly renovated exterior of the church providing a backdrop for the musicians, the souvlaki was delicious and the bottled wine a reasonable price. I think the Cultural Association should be congratulated for organising such an event. (Thanks for putting me right 'Vrachassi').

WORLDBUSK WEEK

Collector Carol who helped us gather in the euros.

We were a hit in Agios!

"Buskers are always prone to wind"
Gillian and I took our music (and were joined by Alison on the violin and Nick on triangle) into the street in Elounda to help raise money to fund music programmes for children in underdeveloped countries. That was Monday, we based ourselves in Agios Nikolaos today, Sunday and joined thousands of buskers all over the world going for the World Record of the number of buskers busking at any one time. It was great fun and we had lots of supporters. Thanks to all those people who generously gave money we raised 132.43 euro.

THE END OF THE 'REVOLUTION BAR'

REVOLUTION BAR - VRAHASSI, CLOSES!

But it is not the end of Jane Guevara!

Thank you to all past customers of my little bar. All good things come to an end as they say. David and I made the decision to close the bar after months of depleted trade. I shall continue with my walks, my music and my artwork and I shall, of course still be blogging and letting everyone know what is happening in Vrahassi (even though it is not a lot). Having said that, there is always some news on the street.

A grandmother swimming with her granddaughter in Sisi the other day had a heart attack and drowned. A sad event indeed. She was a local lady from Sisi.

Gillian and I started the WorldBusk Week in Elounda and will end in Agios Nikolaos on Sunday at midday going for the world record number of people busking at any one time. The money we raise will go towards buying instruments for children in underdeveloped countries. If you would like to donate click on http://www.worldbusk.org/

My Greek for beginners class will be held at Yannis' in the middle of Vrahassi every Tuesday at 2.30 p.m. For more advanced classes join us on a Friday 1.30 p.m. when Mr. Manolis a teacher from Ierapetra will take the class. Ring me for details: 6945 872472

Julia of Flowers of Crete will be holding an exhibition of her art work in Agios Nikolaos next week, 18th June. The venue is the exhibition hall in the pedestrian precinct.

Tomorrow I will post a few pictures of the week but to be going on with here are ladies of Vrahassi waiting to collect their pension.

STOP PRESS...STOP PRESS...STOP PRESS...

JEAN CHAPPEL WILL BE ENTERTAINING BY SINGING AND PLAYING GUITAR, 50's 60's and 70's MUSIC, THIS COMING FRIDAY, 5th JUNE, 8.00 P.M. THE REVOLUTION CAFE-BAR, VRAHASSI.

ALL WELCOME