IT'S GONNA BE A BRIGHT DAY IN VRAHASSI!

Vrahassi today, Kounali on Friday night - singers who will entertain in the school hall at Kounali from about 9 p.m. treated us to a song on John's birthday.

VRAHASSI FOOTBALL CLUB ANNUAL BASH

Whilst Councilor Kiria Ismini, led the dancing, David and I enjoyed a bottle of wine and delicious pork chop and chips. Children played with soapy bubble guns creating a surreal atmosphere in the windy playground, and the big crowd of locals and visitors partied on. Take a look at the video it will give you a flavour of the night, I know that I will have to learn to 'pan' more slowly but I'll get the hang of it one of these days.

CLASSICAL GREECE - THE PARTY!

...and this is how to party!

CULTURAL AND DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION OF SISSI

DON'T FORGET THE FOOTBALL CLUB BASH IN THE SCHOOL YARD, VRAHASSI, MONDAY 27 JULY. FOOD AND DRINK WILL BE AVAILABLE AND THERE WILL BE LIVE MUSIC AND DANCING.

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Cultural and Developmental Association of Sissi, among its summer events, is organizing a swimming race on 02/08/09 in Sissi Port. The starting point will be below the tavern "Paradise" and the route is to the Sea Wall and back. The length of the root is about 400m. The prizes for the first three winners are 100 euro, 75 euro and 50 euro respectively. Everybody can participate. The participation cost is 3 euro. The starting time is 11.30 a.m.

For further details or to enter this race please contact:
Mr Diplarakis, Yiannis, Tel: 6945871062
Mr Souladakis, Konstantinos, Tel: 6936373638

ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUESTED TO BE AT THE STARTING POINT 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE START TIME.

ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΟΣ ΑΝΑΠΤΥΞΙΑΚΟΣ ΣΥΛΛΟΓΟΣ ΣΙΣΣΙΟΥ

Ο Πολιτιστικός Αναπτυξιακός Σύλλογος Σισίου, στα πλαίσια των εκδηλώσεων του, διοργανώνει κολυμβητικό αγώνα στισ 02/08/09 στο λιμάνι Σισίου. Αφετηρία έχει οριστεί το σημείο κάτω από την ταβέρνα "Paradise" και η διαδρομή είναι μέχρι το μόλο και επιστροφή. Το μήκος της διαδρομής είναι 400 μ περίπου. Τα έπαθλα για τους 3 πρώτους νικητές είναι 100 ε, 75 ε, και 50 ε αντίστοιχα. Μπορούν να συμμετέχουν άπαντες. Η συμμετοχή στον αγώνα στοιχίζει 3 ε. Η ώρα εκκίνησης είναι στις 11.30 το πρωί. Όποιος επιθυμεί να δηλώσει συππετοχή ή να ζητήσει πληροφορίες, παρακαλείται να επικοινωνήσει με:

κον Πλατάκη Κων/νο, τηλ. 6974121229

κον Σουλαδάκη Κων/νο, τηλ 6936373638

Θερμή Παράκληση. Οι συμμετέχοντες καλούνται να βρίσκονται στο σημείο εκκίνησης 15 λεπτά πριν την έναρξη του αγώνα.

RESULT!

I have a bit of a thick head this morning, totally self inflicted of course so I'm not complaining, I did overdo the bubbly stuff yesterday. From lunch time onwards it was just one long celebration. My wonderful Lawyer rang me with the news around noon and the first cork was popped as I rang my daughter to tell her that the IKA Tribunal had ACCEPTED my case and therefore I have NOTHING to pay.

I just want to put out a BIG 'THANK YOU' to everyone who helped me get through the last year. I know that your well wishes, your supportive mails, your prayers and your friendship will certainly have logged up Karma.

I also want to thank my Lawyer, Mr George Vergiatakis of Agios Nikolaos for his wisdom.

As for George Stefanakis, I wish him a happy life and hope that he never hurts anyone else the way he has hurt me.

I am now going to write my book in the peace and quiet of my lovely house in Vrahassi where I shall enjoy life together with David my soul mate, my lover, my best friend and the best husband in the whole world.

(Did I tell you that Pouchi has been adopted? We are down to one dog again, Zouki, who is very happy to have her kennel back)

AND TONIGHT IS THE BIG PARTY AT ALMIROS WHERE I AM TO PLAY 'VALANTINO' so I'm off to practice my music before Greek class at midday. Life goes on dunit!

Jane x

BEACH BELLES!

Following 'terrible Tuesday' it was so good to relax on the beach with all my friends. Here, Diana, my friend of 30 years is enjoying her first outing with the ladies.

...and later that day, Paul, Master Lutier from Cambridge, and professional cellist performed surgery on Valentino to ensure he is in tip top condition for our concert tomorrow evening. While Gillian made spag bol, Paul gave me some hints and tips on how to become a better cellist. Hope they work!

...and last night imbibing yet again in the centre of Vrahassi, our company, Rosemarie, Gavin and Patrick who is on a flying visit from London where his job as Sports Commentator demands most of his time.

SEE A PIN...!

Well, the BIG DAY came and went and now I wait patiently for the answer from IKA.

You have all seen those American court room dramas; it was very similar. He who shall not be named turned up with his lawyer and two 'witnesses', one a relative, the other a mate (yes he managed to find one). The IKA Board consisted of 8 people. With me was my Lawyer, David, my two witnesses and my interpreter (who I have to add was an angel sent to me at the very last minute).

Going into the office I saw a pin on the floor and of course picked it up, "see a pin and pick it up, all the day you'll have good luck," that made me feel very positive, however when he who shall not be named entered the premise I wanted to stab him with the said pin and in my mind devised all sorts of scenarios. Shall it be in the inside thigh? Shall it be in his kidneys? Shall it be straight for the... no, no, stop, I thought. The pin was getting very hot in my tense fingers so a carefully put it down on the window ledge for somebody else to pick up.

Then we found out that our case was last on the list, again, and that we would have to wait for about 2 hours, and while my solicitor had a 'power nap' the rest of us made small talk. Then I noticed that he who shall not be named was 'SMOKING' right under the NO SMOKING sign. I marched up to his solicitor and said, "Am I correct in thinking that it is not allowed to smoke in here?" "Yes," he answered. "Well, HE, is smoking," I said pointing to his client. As I walked back to my company the offending cigarette was put out (in the tall ash-tray provided for... hem... none-smokers). It was of course mental war games. He eyeballed me until he had to turn his head away because I sure as hell wasn't going to. All I could think of was the crushing hurt that he had inflicted on me by having the police take me in, by blackmailing me for 8,000 euro first and then trying a Solicitor's letter for 10,000 euro. And because I laughed at that then he had gone wimping to the IKA office which had resulted in all the stress of this Tribunal.

There was a lot of shouting, mainly by his Solicitor, some from mine and authoritative voice raising by members of the Board of IKA. He who shall not be named said very little unlike last time when he too nearly blew his head of in a spitting rage. I remained silent until I was asked to speak and then I have to admit I broke down. I really tried to keep control but my voice strained through the tears until I had said what I wanted to say. Then it seemed to be over and we were all ushered out.

And now we are still waiting for the results. Whatever the outcome, I feel a winner. I am rid of the worry of having to go through that meeting, and I can move forward with my life.

I don't know whether the pin which I picked up did me any good, maybe I should have held on to it a while longer. When I know whether the Board have agreed to his demands or not I will let you know, meanwhile...

PEACE AND LIGHT... PEACE AND LIGHT... PEACE AND LIGHT...

FLOWERS OF CRETE BAZAAR

The 'Home Produce' stall was almost an instant sell out and we sold lots of books and brick-a-Brock. Cindy's Bar in Agios Nikolaos was a good venue and 165 euro was made for the F.O.C. funds. Following the success of this month's Bazaar it has been decided to hold another one on the 13th September - write it in your diary NOW and stock up on home made cakes, jams, marmalade and chutney.

SATURDAY 25 JULY - DON'T MISS THE TALK BY JENNIFER MOODY AT BIOAROMA IN AG.NIK AT 6 PM - AUTHOR OF THE BOOK 'MAKING OF THE CRETAN LANDSCAPE' JENNIFER WILL SPEAK ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

Unfortunately David and I will not be able to attend this event as we shall be whooping it up at Elizabeth's party.

And for those of you who might be interested, tomorrow we have to attend the IKA tribunal once again. It is at 3 p.m. so please send me as much energy as you can around that time. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks a million!

DRESSING UP - DRESS REHEARSAL!

...and now we are all set for the big 'debut' evening next Saturday!

LADIES DAY IN VRAHASSI

It's not the WI as in Women's Institute but the WI as in Wednesday IFYOUCAN. The first of our Wednesday Women's Day kicked off with Coffee and Cake at my place. Next week we are to meet at the 'Shack' (our name for the beach bar just past the Archaeological Site at Malia) at 11 a.m. for those who want to follow on for a swim at Stalis where there are free sunbeds (if you know where to go), and for those who don't want to swim then we shall meet at the 'Shack' for lunch at 2 p.m. Come and join us.

Meanwhile the chaps can do what they usually do! To be fair this was a gathering outside Cosmos bar in Vrahassi on Wednesday evening when we all got together to wish Mark a very Happy Birthday (That is Mark the Bug Buster). Unfortunately my camera is really not working too well since I dropped it and the pic I took of Mark and Lydia was not good at all.

FUTURE EVENTS!

"There will be a bazaar for Flowers of Crete at Cindy's Bar in AghiosNikolaos on Sunday 19th July from 10.00 am - 1.00 p.m.Lots of books, preserves, and bric-a-brac. Please come along and give us your support. Proceeds will go towards the cost of hosting Dr Moody's talk at BioAroma on the 25th July and towards the legal costs of forming the Sylogos."

See you there,
Jane x

BIRTHDAY WEEK - WHOOPEE!

First a stroll through the top street of Vrahassi in the July heat.

I took energy from the trees and enjoyed a little nature walk.

Meanwhile, oops, Zouki and Pouchi were destroying one of my cushions.

We had lovely drinks and mezedes in Sissi.

And this is me with a Guinness in the centre of Rethymnon.

We did a bit of site seeing...

...and then had lunch.

...followed by a swim at Agia Pelagia on the way home.

...and good old fish and chips in Malia. And after that 'food fest' I'm on salad for a few days. Still we have plenty of tomatoes in our fridge.







Now the celebration is over and it is down to work again. Cello practice first for my debut with our 'ensemble' on the 25th July. It's a private party... very select...and Mozart!

Then my art homework. I took two pictures showing day 1 and day 2. I know what Russell will say, "I'll start with the bits I like, then I'll tell you the bits I don't like."

And after art lesson tomorrow it is back into Greek with beginners class in Vrahassi at 2.30 p.m. Yannis place in the Centre. Do join us if you want some basic conversation skills.

WEDNESDAY - Ladies don't forget 'Coffee and Cake' at my place, 11 a.m. to about 2.00 p.m. Bring food if you want to lunch. (If you haven't had an invite it is an oversight on my part and (providing that you are female and you know me... because we want a good old gossip) then please come along.

So, not much else to report except the joiner has promised to fit my kitchen before the end of July and I shall be very upset if he doesn't.

Now I'm off to learn a bit about David's computer business so that I can 'assist' in more ways than just making coffee.

P.S. Did I tell you that the case with he who shall be nameless was postponed until the 21July? Well it was and we have that to go through again next week. Never a dull moment eh!

HOW BAZAAR!

The Revolution Bar is no more - so what am I going to do with my time? Seems like I haven't had a problem this week. First we welcomed new neighbours and friends from England, Ian and Diana who have a beautiful house in Vrahassi. Then the debut in Neapolis of Grant and Ross who entertained with 'Rock music' and didn't these two young boys do well in front of a large audience. Then it was my turn to play when Gillian, John and Elizabeth came to rehearse our newly formed quartet. Thanks to Vanessa and Simon we all got together for a barbecue on the beach at Malia and still in party mode we were invited to the 'house warming' of Maria and George from Italy (Vrahassi certainly has some class property). The Bazaar which was held in Neapolis was a bit of a non-event however we shall be holding another in Cindy's Bar in Ag Nik in a couple of week's time. So, that was last week and it seems like this week is shaping up well. Art class yesterday and, apart from going into the electricity office to pay my telephone bills it was a lovely day ending with a dinner invitation to George and Anna's place at Sissi. Today is music practice day and tomorrow Greek Class in Kritsa. That will bring me nicely to Friday, 10th July and MY BIRTHDAY! See ya later!

Music on the mountain.

Ian and Diana just arrived from England for a life in the sun and David and Gail with son David who will be joining us very soon.

Maria and George perfect hosts at their house warming party.

Androniki, Dimitri and son Manolis (the Serviceland gang) with David enjoying the fun.