VRAHASSI WON THE BATTLE OF NEAPOLIO AND THE WALLS CAME TUMBLING DOWN!

As residents of Vrahassi improve their houses, the streets are left to ruin and are really very dangerous.

RETHYMNON PHILHARMONIC

Sorry no pictures of this but what an exciting evening I had last Friday. Did I mention that I had been asked to join the Rethymnon Philharmonc Orchestra, well I went to my first rehearsal on Friday. David drove me over there, the two hour drive was effortless, we found the orchestra's building in the middle of Rethymnon and then it was music all the way. Wow, it's a long time since I was in the school orchestra and to have all instructions in Greek was yet another challenge, but I got through and now I have a whole new set of music to master. You can imagine the programme in my house, I am lurching between proofing my book, music theory, cello practice, Greek homework and making sure that there is food on the table.

Both David and I are also on a diet to reduce blood pressure and colestrol, we have both lost a little weight but it is not easy this weather. We are trying not to combine carbohydrates with proteins, it is an eating plan which we have tried before (successfully) and we have started to shift some of that fat.

The village seems very quiet at the moment, most people are at home in the evenings by their log fires, watching TV in comfort. That's where I am and that is where I am going to stay, enjoying a bit of hybernation until we have blue skies again.

There will be brighter days soon though - and photos!

Can anyone tell me what (if any) action Vrahassi is going to take in opposition to the new 'Kapodistria' bill? I'd appreciate some information. I have read the report from the council saying that Vrahassi will oppose the bill. How and when?

OK it's proof reading time, bye for now, Jane x

OH TO BE IN ENGLAND!

In fact I have been missing England of late. Well not England as much as my family. This picture of the area where I was brought up brought back lots of 'shivering' memories. So, to all friends and family in England, I have been thinking about you in all that snow and hope you were not too inconvenienced. There is a covering of white on the hills across from Vrahassi today but our winter (so far) has been very mild.

Tomorrow I am to travel to Rethymnon with David to attend the rehearsal of the philharmonic orchestra. I have been practicing like mad tonight but I think I will need a few weeks to get the music right. It's an exciting new venture. Never a dull moment eh?

AUNT MARTHA'S ESCAPADE IN BLACKPOOL

I've discovered Youtube! To see more of my poetry (and it's not all 'funny') then take a look at Jane's Poetry by clicking on the link on the right of this page.

IS THE RECESSION BEGINING TO BITE VRAHASSI?

This is the olive factory in Vrahassi. It is not the most well kept building in the village as you can see. I am not sure whether there just are not enough olives on the trees this year (I know it is a bad year) or whether the local farmers are taking their olives to another factory. The yard is almost empty whereas at this time of year it is usually full of sacks of olives waiting to be processed. I also heard yesterday that a good number of Sissi restaurants have been closed down because they had not got the right papers, or maybe hadn't paid bills, I am not sure which. Anyway I was told by one of the restauranters that there would only be 6 restaurants open in Sissi this year. Things are a bit 'grim' eh?

WINTER GREY VRAHASSI

It was a bit of a grim evening walk, not many people on the streets of Vrahassi, but always something to photograph.

MUSICIANS IN AGIOS NIKOLAOS

Gillian (in the background) and I were in Agios Nikolaos today looking for a fiddler to play a bit of Mozart with. This local character auditioned but he wasn't exactly what we were looking for.

Seriously, we are seeking violin players to join our little ensemble. Gillian of course, my wonderful teacher, can play either violin or viola and with a Cambridge degree they don't come much more highly qualified. I on the other hand have reached about grade 3 on the cello so the music which we play is probably very easy for most musicians. The good news is that I am improving daily. So, if there is anyone in the Ag Nik area who would like to join us once in a while to make music, please contact me. Tel: 6945872472