HOUSE FOR SALE IN VRAHASSI - BUY NOW!

http://www.europeanproperty.com/sales/property4336-678

Take a look at this link if you are looking for a piece of the action in Vrahassi. This property is going to make a brilliant pad for someone. Renovate it yourself, or get a quote for someone to do the work. Buy now because when the recession is over house prices will rise again.

What with the new solar powered street lights in the square, and our newly paved streets and mended roads, Vrahassi is on the up at last. And, it is only 10 minutes to the sea at Sissi. I love Vrahassi!

Jane x

PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN

I am very sad to have just heard the news that Abe (of Abe and Elaine) two people from Ireland who have lived in Vrahassi for quite a few years now, is seriously ill in Venezelo hospital. Elain has asked me to send this message, to ask anyone who possible can to give blood. The process is very simple, just turn up at the hospital and say that you want to give blood for Mr Albert Glenholme.
I am sorry to have to give you this news, but Abe has Leukiemia (excuse my spelling). He is very ill. Elaine is with him.

That is all the news I have at the moment.

ELECTIONS FOR THE CENTRAL COUNCIL OF AGIOS NIKOLAOS

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE IN THE LOCAL/EUROPEAN ELECTIONS?

IF YOU ARE THEN PLEASE MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH

According to the new law of Kallikratis, Vrahassi/Sissi/Milatos will belong to the new Town Hall of Agios Nikolaos as from 1st January 2011. The Mayor of this council will be Dimitris Kounenakis. Representatives for the Vrahassi area will be voted in at the elections which are to take place on November 7 2010.

The candidates for the central town council are as follows:
1. Alexandra Souladaki - Assistant architect
2. George Datseris - Doctor
3. George Neratzakis - D.E.I. staff

The candidates for the local council of Vrahassi/Sissi/Milatos are:
1. Michalis Petsalakis - Seaman/Farmer
2. George Fthenakis - Taxi driver/owner
3. Maria Lebidaki - Owner of 'Traditional House' museum
4. Daterina Androulaki - Taverna owner, Milatos

So, out with the old and in with the new. I look forward to seeing you all on voting day. I know who I shall be voting for, do you?

(I was very kindly handed this information for my blog by Michalis Petsalakis, who also included a very kind note, directed at ex-pats, which read: 'We consider you equall members of our society and we hope with your vote and assistance to win a better future for our area.')

Jane x

A GRIFFON VULTURE IN MY BACK YARD!

This short video is only part of the wonderful pictures I took today of KK8, an 18 month old vulture which was found grounded, and looked after by the Animal Welfare people of Malia, until strong enough to be released. It was duly allowed to fly away yesterday but seems to have got so used to human company, and fresh meat, that it came back for more. You will find a full report in the Animal Welfare newsletter.

KK8 flew away, but apparently did not go far. Later in the day she was found in the church yard and was picked up and transported to safety. If KK8 or any other vulture lands in your back yard, the advice is, please do not give food, and after a short while the bird should fly away. If there is any concern then telephone your nearest Animal Welfare organisation.

A TAVERNA IN THE HILLS!

Meet Michaelis, the young, bi-lingual and very professional owner of The Taverna Paradosiaki in Kounali. He told me that the premise was a present from his Grandfather. To honour his heritage, Michaelis, together with his mother and father, Alex and Maria have developed what used to be a small cafeneo, into a thriving taverna. With a menu of traditional Cretan food including meat and potatoes cooked in the big outside oven, no wonder that locals and tourists pack the place. Sunday lunch is a special 'eating out' day for all - why not head for the hills this Sunday and have a real Cretan experience? Take the back road out of Latsida, (a small village just out of Neapolis) and follow the sign for Agios Antonios.

WEATHER FORCAST!

Hard to believe we slept 72 nights in this little tent, February, March, April 1992.

It is mid October and very humid, sweaty weather, with lots of sand in the sky and south winds. It doesn't feel right to be wearing sun dresses, the light has gone, and it feels like Autumn, but too hot to wrap up. I keep forgetting that there are still tourists here, and they want the warm weather for sure. A shepherd grazing his flock on the mountain, assures me that rain is on its way for the weekend. I don't want to be a killjoy but I hope he is right. How wonderful it will be to wear woolies when I go to England at the end of the month! The Cretan winter is mild, except for a couple of really cold spells. It will rain in December, a bit, but it is olive picking time and plenty of clear days. January too has sunny days, but cooler nights. February through to April is the rainy season. Hm... I suppose it wasn't too bad in that tent, very cosy!

FIRE IN VRAHASSI!

There I was enjoying a nice cup of hot chocolate after my Saturday talk in Hersonissos, when all hell broke loose. Aspasia's car was on fire! Yiorgos Kiverniti came into the cafeneo to ask Yannis to called the fire engine, Georgia went for help. There were a couple of explosions. I was quite afraid that the church would be damaged, but before long there was a hosepipe dowsing the flames. The firebrigade arrived just as the fire was put out, but a trusty fireman hot footed it to the scene and using a hand extinquisher he sprayed all parts of the burnt out engine. The pictures I took of the car were too dark to be any good, but I can tell you the whole of the front of Aspasia's motor is a molten mess; she was next to tears but thank God nobody was hurt. Vrahassi life eh! Sweet dreams, Jane x