The Odd Poets of Crete, Agios Nikolaos June 2012

Odd Poets, Musicians and Dancers, Entertain in Agios Nikolaos.

Founders of the Odd Poets of Crete, Jan and Jane.

My poem The Old Cafeneion Chair, brought a few smiles!

Kyria Maria, who is in charge of the Cultural Committee of Agios Nikolaos, and Kiria Paroula of the Lycium of Greek Women, opened the event.

I played Chariots of Fire on the keyboard, suitably wired for sound, together with Caroline on the flute.

That went down well, then I changed hats and became Jane the Poet again!

I had strong competition, Ola read one of her favourite poems, in Polish.

Barbara read in Russian

Ania read in Polish, and Natalia in French (Sorry I don't have a picture of Natalia)

Then we had a little sing along with Jean and Brian

Followed by fabulous Greek music and dancing

The ladies were accompanied by Dimitris Thrapsaniotis.

A few Mandinathas (Greek poems) from Dimitri Kyriakakis.

A rendering of a part of Homer's Games of Reconcilliation) by Gavin and Daniel.

And local poet Gill, read her poems, The Flower, and Experts, in English.

And in between it all The Emerald Trio played a little Irish music.

Then we all relaxed and enjoyed one last dance before the sun went down.

                                           

                                                                  What a splendid evening it was, my debut in the limelight at Agios Nikolaos. Wow! Where to next? Oh and I forgot to mention that the Mayor of Agios Nikolaos was in the audience too. V.I.P's no less!

Jane's Motivational Video - Be Nice!

Do you know, that small bunch of flowers, handed to me as a kind gesture, had a most profound effect. All it takes to make someone's day is to be nice. A smile, a few words of genuine interest and a little gift that begs no return of favour, just the satisfaction of giving. Some people find it difficult to be nice, I bet if they tried it they would be so much happier. Try it next time you feel the urge to say something nasty about someone, think nice and feel better for it. You know what they say, "If you look for the worst in someone you will surely find it." So look for the good, you will find that too.

So, the New Democrats won the election! How will effect my life? We shall see. A loaf of bread is still one euro, a tin of Heinz beans is 1.40 in the supermarket in Neapolis, sugar is 1.09 e for a kilo bag, let's watch those three things. (Of course sugar is only 1.05 e at Liddle supermarket but the petrol from Vrahassi to there and back has to be taken into account) Petrol, by the way is more or less 1.900 a litre and 30 e doesn't quite half fill the tank in my car.

Tomorrow David and I shall attend the funeral of Steve who used to live near Sissi. I haven't seen the notices yet so I don't have a time. If you are on Facebook and want to find out, then as soon as I know I shall post it.

Thursday is coming round quickly, and I have not practiced my scales this week. Maybe tonight. Next is dog walking, then my 7 minute workout, and then, (hallelujah) it will be tea time.

Have a nice time being nice!
Love Jane x

You are cordially invited to a free event

IN THE SPIRIT OF THE OLYMPICS

A production by The Odd Poets of Crete for the Municipality of Ag. Nikolaos, sponsored by INCO

An evening of Poetry, Music and Dance,

by the Lake in Agios Nikolaos

Sunday 24th June - 18.00 to 20.00

...and that is why I have not blogged for a week. I have been busy getting it together for next Sunday. At least my music and poetry has taken my mind off the elections. Well we shall soon know the outcome. I intend popping down to the cafeneo tomorrow to get the latest from the street. So, I will blog again when I have a few photos and comments from my neighbours. Unitl then, have a good weekend and jot down in your diary to come and support The Odd Poets of Crete next week in Agios Nikolaos.

Hugs,
Jane x

Get Fit For Foggies - 7 Minute Workout

So, now my lovely visitors have gone, I have to work off all that good food and drink. It is back to the exercise! And back to my diet!

I have to say, I am feeling strong, and strong is good when the country you are living in is on the verge of catastrophe. Will the euro survive? Will the drachma return? It is the question on the lips of most people these days. The general election will be held next Sunday 17th June, and we await the results and the decisions of the Greek people. The advice we have been given, is plan for the worst and hope for the best, though what to plan for is a difficult question. Whichever way things go, there will be a future of hardship. Thank God the sun is shining and we can laugh about things. By the way, I am stocking up on porridge.

Hope you are laughing too, this video might help bring a smile.

Love Jane x

The Island - Spinalonga

Andonis the Barman made sure we didn't go thirsty and he had a lovely smile!

The Island - Spinalonga

The little church of St George, a great place for a breather.

 I was up early this morning to collect my relatives from Stalis, and take them to Agios Nikolaos where we took a day trip to Spinalonga. The boat left at 10 a.m. and returned at 4 p.m. The price, 25 euro included plate of salad and a barbecued pork chop, an apple, and a glass of wine or juice. We also had to pay 2 euro each once on the island to look around. The boat that we were directed to was The Lato, a pleasant enough boat, but all the other passengers were either Russian, Polish or Dutch and there was no English commentary. When I made enquiries about having the information in English, a very nice Greek lady did come and explain the timings of the trip, and what we had to do should we want a vegetarian lunch. Once on the island we were on our own but that was OK as I did know quite a bit about the history of Spinalonga.

The Walls of the Old Venetian Fortress

This was our boat, but we were not alone!

Greeted by a huge glass cross as we got off the boat.

The Gun Turret

First we walked around the island, it is not far, half an hour's walk at the most.

The Grave Yard on Spinalonga

There were lots of black flags flapping in the strong breeze.

After the trip around the island of Spinalonga, we took the boat again to a small, sandy bay, where we could enjoy a swim while the crew prepared lunch. It was my first swim of the year. I worked on my tan and enjoyed being a tourist for a day.

I think I shall have to work on my tan!

God Save The Queen - Jane's Beacon Party in Crete, Greece

This is our Diamond Jubilee Beacon for the Queen. We had a great 'Beacon' party last night in Kritsa, where loyal British subjects got together to celebrate  60 years rule of Queen Elizabeth. It might not have been the biggest beacon in the world, but it shone brightly under the full moon.

Balloons, bunting and beaming smiles!

Gillian leads the cheering crowd!

Hip Hip Hooray!

And just for a touch of atmosphere, God Save The Queen, on cello. Sorry about the blackness, but the video does work, if you click the middle of it.

Yesterday we watched the pageant on big screen, all those boats on the Thames, the Queen and her family on the biggest barge ever. And the London philharmonic bringing up the rear with Rule Britannia, their unfortunate choir getting soaked in the rain as they sang to the Queen from the top deck of their floating orchestral boat. The Queen looked resplendent in a white coat which was threaded with tiny crystals, and a wonderful creation of a hat, that I thought had slight tones of Tudor, it was also white.

So, it was a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend for David and I here in Crete. We escaped the doom and gloom of the economic crisis for a few hours in the company of friends and relatives. My cousin's son and his girlfriend are over for a short holiday so we are all having fun in the sun.

And next week it will be back to preparing for our event in Agios Nikolaos on the 24th June, The Odd Poets' first airing in public.

I hope you have all had a good Pentecost/Whitsuntide/Jubilee weekend.

Lots of love,
Jane x