Jane's VrahassiJane's VrahassiVrahassi, a mountain village in the East of Crete whose inhabitants claim that both Turk and German invaders were kept out. Jane Sharp, an English woman who was not kept out, writes a daily account of her life in Vrahassi. Articles
FUNERAL FRENZY
2007-10-11 18:01:00 Phew! That was a day! And it's not over yet!I was getting too complacent slowly plodding my way through the day, when a veritable crowd descended on me from the funeral of poor old Jannis Souladakis. (For those who may know have known him he had sons Nicko, Georgo, and Dimitris and I believe a daughter too). He was 77 and had a stroke, two or three days later he died.It is usual for the relatives to say if they are coming back to a cafeneon but in this case they tell me they forgot and after the funeral nearly 50 people flocked in under the pergola and ordered Greek coffee. It's a real bugger to make all those coffees and I nearly ran out of cups but I did it. Littlelegs arrived half way through and did a bit of serving for me thank goodness.Then I had Greek class and more customers. Then I had to bottle up. David had to go to the cava, I had to cook dinner for tonight "LAMB" and so there was no closing 5 - 7 today. Now my friends have arrived from England and I am frantically try... More About: Frenzy , Funeral
DIMOS VRAHASSIOU?
2007-10-09 09:29:00 http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_arti cles_politics_100002_08/10/2007_88681Get a load of this! What will happen next? Did we breathe too soon? As my fellow Vrahassian said: 'Get the black paint ready.'Please click on the above article to learn more of the Governments' proposals.BY THE WAY IT'S CHILI NIGHT TONIGHT AT JANE GUEVARA'S ONE POT SHOP... More About: Hass
NEW IMPROVED VRAHASSI
2007-10-06 10:25:00 History in the making! The graffiti has been removed from the old council office building, new doors and windows have been fitted, the inside has new wiring and has been painted and today the outside is being done. All signs of the eight year struggle to retain the office has been obliterated. Meanwhile in the cafe bar underneath the office, things have also changed. Sofia and Nikos have left and Yannis has installed a 'football' game. The good food seems to have disappeared along with Sophia and there is talk of a change of ownership.And... I AM HAVING TO COOK! It's my fate I suppose, and I don't mind really, it just means I have less time for my writing and other things at the moment. David is very happy, and so is George because they know that they are going to get a good hot meal every night. I have resolved to make a 'one pot' dinner every evening, first come, first served. Tonight as usual it isCURRY NIGHT, tomorrow, Sunday, it is STIFADO, Monday is my day off, Tuesday i... More About: Improv , Hass , Prove
ANAVLOHOS WALKS
2007-10-05 18:48:00 They did it without me! David and Mark led a small party up to the ancient site on Anavlohos on Thursday. I stayed back and rested my foot (ho, ho,) no peace for the wicked. I made refreshments for their return and prepared Greek class, then we all sat under the pergola and enjoyed a get together; walkers, students, drinkers and Greek farmers. More About: Walks
OCTOBER EVENTS
2007-10-03 09:53:00 SATURDAY 6 OCTOBER - TABLE TOP SALE 12 NOON.CURRY NIGHT from 8 p.m.WEDNESDAY 31 OCTOBER - HALLOWEEN FANCY DRESS NIGHT. (PRIZE FOR BEST FANCY DRESS).'REVOLUTION BAR' VRAHASSIOpening Hours11 a.m. - 5 p.m.and7 p.m. to 11 p.m. (or later)CLOSED EVERY MONDAY More About: Events , October
TABLE TOP SALE THIS SATURDAY 6 OCTOBER
2007-10-03 09:35:00 ANNOUNCEMENTMONTHLY TABLE TOP SALEREVOLUTION BARVRAHASSI12 NOONPLEASE NOTE NEW TIME 12 NOONSATURDAY 6TH OCTOBERPROCEEDS FOR VICTIMS OF FIRE IN GREECEPlease come and support this event. More About: Sale , Saturday , Table , October
AT MY WINDOW
2007-10-03 09:30:00 People keep coming to my window. All the way from Plymouth Lucy and friend Tracy chaperoned by Mark and Lydia. More About: Window
VRAHASSI TRANSPORT
2007-10-03 09:15:00 I'm not sure what it is but every time it passes the office it sounds like a helicopter landing. The Vrahassi 'Mean machine'. More About: Transport , Hass , Tran
MONDAY DAY OFF
2007-10-03 09:02:00 Can you believe it? The health inspectors had been to George's favourite cafenion in the mountains and now it is 'new' and 'improved'. There are tiles on the floor, new tables and new sink unit and glass cupboard. What is the world coming to, will there be nowhere that Littlelegs' microbes can settle in peace? We did have a good Monday though, after doing our list of jobs, tax office, police station for scooter licence, accountant, we hit the raz and when we returned to Vrahassi it was dark.
ANAVLOHOS LECTURE
2007-10-03 08:47:00 On Friday evening I joined a packed audience in the 'village hall' to listen to a talk about the history of Anavlohos. Of course it was all in Greek and to be quite honest I understood very little of what was said even though I do speak quite a lot of Greek. It was all so fast and big words. Anyway I did get the gist as there was an accompanying slide show. The main point is that on the other side of the mountain there is this huge ancient site that is just begging to be uncovered.I have a walk going up there on Thursday if anyone is interested. David and Mark will guide this time but hopefully 'foot' will be completely better very soon.I couldn't help noticing the fully decorated Christmas tree on the platform. Early or late? I think just 'ever ready'. I also noticed a small 'no smoking' sign on the wall, could this be the beginning?
CURRY NIGHT
2007-09-29 10:15:00 TONIGHT - CURRY NIGHT AT THE REVOLUTION BAR, VRAHASSIFROM 8 P.M. ONWARDS More About: Night , Curry
VANESSA HAD A LITTLE LAMB!
2007-09-29 10:05:00 Vanessa had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow, and everywhere Vanessa went...she had some hunk in tow! More About: Lamb , Vanessa
ONLY HUMAN!
2007-09-29 09:56:00 So sorry Pat and Denise your photo got mixed up with the wedding ones that I went to and missed putting on the computer. Jayne came up to slap my legs! Hope to see you next year. More About: Human
VRAHASSI LIFE
2007-09-28 13:54:00 Work is continuing on the Council Office above Plateia in the centre of the village. Brand new window and door frames have been put into position. Drill-sound has provided background noise all morning and it is nearly 3 p.m. and still going strong.I HAVE A TOILET PIPE CONECTING THE OUTSIDE DRAIN TO THE INSIDE BATHROOM. No sign of a toilet yet but watch this space.George is working hard in the fields and I have had a steady flow of customers all morning. The sun is shining and all is well.Tonight at 8 p.m. I am going to a lecture in the old school by the big church about the history of Anavlohos. Three archaeologists will be speaking. I only hope that I will be able to understand enough of what is said. Anyway I am looking forward to it. David said that he would cover for me in the bar.AND... TOMORROW...SATURDAY...IS CURRY NIGHT. COME AND ENJOY A BIT OF INDIAN HOT.And now I am going to see if I can fathom out how to leave a message for Pete on a site called portokalada.com.Byeeeeeeeeee! More About: Life , Hass
MY BISTO FINALLY ARRIVED!
2007-09-28 13:45:00 Oh God! the Tesco 6 came and I hadn't had time to polish the bar. Not good. But luckily the weather was just great for sitting outside, and while Dan, Bob and Dez did a bit of bird spotting from the camouflaged cover of Jane Guevara's Pergola, Cess, Liz and Hazel delivered a year's supply of Aah! Original Bisto gravy powder. Does this mean that I shall have to cook a roast dinner on Sunday? Maybe not this Sunday but I feel a bit of Yorkshire pudding coming on. More About: Finally , Ally
YVONNE AND MANOLIS
2007-09-28 13:36:00 Neighbours in Vrahassi, Yvonne and Manolis, (see the twinkle in his eye and the curl of his moustache?).
I'M BACK!
2007-08-09 10:51:00 First of all let me say I have had THE most wonderful, romantic, relaxing, stomach filling, entertaining journey around the Mediterranean Islands. One week on the cruise ship OCEAN VILLAGE, and, apart from the fact that 'foot' has been very painful (in between pain killers) the experience was well worth it and a fantastic holiday.BUT... now we are back! OK batteries are charged and expectations were high I know, why I should have expected more I can't imagine, but, the bar is an absolute tip, food is festering everywhere, the toilets are dirty, fag ends litter the outside floor around the cloth-less tables, I can only describe everywhere as 'sticky'.It's no good George saying, you have to remember that this is Vrahassi! That's not good enough at all. There are standards and there are standards and my name is on the shop so why should I accept it all. I really am so disappointed in what I have come back to.So, having said all that, what am I going to do about it. Well, with th... More About: Back
ALMOST READY FOR THE OFF!
2007-08-01 18:25:00 That's it folks! I'm closing the office for a week. I hope to have access to a computer on the CRUISE so that I can publish a few pics. If not you will get the full 'low down' when I get back. To all of you who like a daily update, sorry, I've got some serious CRUISING to do. Meanwhile, Little Legs is looking after the bar so do pop by and say 'Hello'.Bye bye for now,I must go down to the sea again,To the lonely sea and sky,I left my vest and socks there,I wonder if they're dry. Spike Miligan I think! More About: Ready , The O
ONLY CLASS ACTS
2007-08-01 18:08:00 I'm out of action for a couple of weeks and the place is going downhill. Is this the best George could do for entertainment? Notice the crutches, mine not Steves. Notice the table clothes, now removed to save George the extra work.Notice the empty chairs - there was an audience but we were all keeping well back so as to appreciate the sound. Hmm! More About: Class
CRUISE COUNTDOWN
2007-08-01 10:48:00 1 DAY TO GO - YEAH! Just some lables with our cabin number on to make and we're all set. More About: Cruise , Countdown
KALO MINA
2007-08-01 10:09:00 This is the latest picture of Hi Tech Vrahassi.Kalo Mina , and to all fellow Yorkshire people, HAPPY YORKSHIRE DAY!Yes, it's a White Rose day, I'm sure I'll be able to find one somewhere. I'm off out for a girlie lunch today so I might just pop into the flower shop in Sisi.I spoke to Mavis yesterday and she told me that at that very moment she was with John at Agios Nikoloas Hospital and that he was sitting up in bed saying he was bored. It was a bit of a scare but all seems well now. John will be home on Friday. Get Well Soon John!I'm all but packed, my nails are polished and my eyebrows plucked, just to choose a good book or two now and I'm ready to go. Choosing a book shouldn't be difficult as I now have over 100 paperbacks on the Bring One/Take One shelf in the office. Don't be stuck for reading, you are welcome to browse the selection.
BACK IN THE OFFICE
2007-07-31 16:36:00 Well I'm back in the office trying to get 'ship shape' before I leave. One or two loose ends to tie up before I lock up for a week.David paid a few bills this morning for me while I was getting my blood results. The good news is that they proved negative for Arthritis. The bad is that I am still in pain (though if I don't walk anywhere I'm not) and there was such a huge cue at the hospital, people sitting about in wheel chairs with legs in plaster, in fact plaster casts all over the place that I hobbled out on my crutches and decided to rest while I'm on holiday, do as much 'self healing' as I can and see how I am when I return. At least I know it's not GOUT (and don't laugh). More About: Office , The Office , Back , The O
No! 21st Century hits Vrahassi!
2007-07-31 16:18:00 What's going on. Such activity as never. Little Post Men rushing about all over the place, if it's not 'electric men' it's 'post it' men... And... What have they left behind, one here, one there, lurking in the shaddows? Yep, post boxes. Now where they are going to erect them and when is another mistery altogether. Meanwhile I wait with baited breath them trying to put one on MY WALL. There'll be trouble, mark my words! More About: Hits , Hass , Century
NEWS ON THE STREET
2007-07-30 19:49:00 Elaine has had an operation to fix her hip, all is well as yet, she is well into her 80's so we don't expect her to return home for quite some time.And... David has just told me that John (of John and Mavis) had a heart attack last week and was in Ag Nik hospital. I don't have an update but will make a few enquiries.What with Lydia's arm, Gill's shoulder, David's back and my foot, it feels like we are all in some sort of 'injury' club. Well, GET WELL SOON, to everyone, we have serious partying to do in the next few weeks...14th August is George's (Little Legs) Birthday, (What shall we do for that? Ideas on a postcard please).SORRY NO TABLE TOP SALE FIRST SATURDAY IN AUGUST (you know why... something begining with 'C') the next one will be Saturday, 1st September, from 4 p.m. (Charity to be decided).Oh, and it's the FULL MOON tonight, and if that means to you what it means to me...H(a)...O(oo)...W...LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLSee ye' More About: News , Street
WORDS OF THE DAY
2007-07-30 19:30:00 Thought I'd better catch up on the 'word of the day' thing. With not being in the office I can't actually write in Greek, but I'm sure you will get the gist of it. So, here goes..."Pou Pas;" (apart from the pees this is how the words look). Say, 'poo pas?'It means: Where are you going?Now you all know where I am going I'm sure, but just in case you don't...read on...CRUISE COUNTDOWN3 DAYS TO GO AND COUNTING!Tomorrow I get the results of my blood tests. So far the Brufen has helped but the farthest I have walked for a couple of days is on to the roof and back down to hang some washing out. I don't feel up to a cross country run, that's for sure.I'm sorry there haven't been any photo's lately but you will be in for a treat very shortly.The wonderful Pete paid us a visit today to measure up the house for fitted kitchen etc. He's literally on a flying visit and goes back to England tomorrow. He brought with him two English friends of his, Chris and Neil, who also have a h... More About: Words , The D
CRUISE COUNTDOWN
2007-07-28 13:41:00 5 DAYS TO GO AND COUNTING!All clothes are washed, ironed and hung up ready to be packed.Last minute diet going well. More About: Cruise , Countdown
ACCIDENTS!
2007-07-28 13:16:00 It seems to be one of those days. There has been an accident on the main road at the other side of the tunnel and the road is blocked. All traffic is being diverted through Vrahassi and that has caused all cars to come to a halt in the village. I have not seen the road but David tells me that all the honking and hooting is because of the two way traffic diversion bottleneck.What a good thing that it happened after they took Elaine, our next door neighbour, (Elaine Diplorakis for those of you who know people in the village) away in the ambulance. She had a nasty fall whilst feeding her chickens. The first thing we knew was that Zouki, our dog, was looking through the gate. David went into the yard and saw Elaine in the street. I called George to get the ambulance right away then put pillows under her head and made sure she didn't move. David stood over her with an umbrella to keep the sun off her and I sat behind her to make sure she wasn't going anywhere. We talked to her till the... More About: Accidents , Cide
WHO WORKS IN JULY/AUGUST ANYWAY?
2007-07-25 07:37:00 ...and then there were two (and Little Legs of course).The Birthday Party is finally over. Our lovely daughter and son Jack have gone back to England, (Jack protesting: "I don't want to go, Nannie,") which only brought more tears. But it was a lovely two weeks with my family even though I could not race around quite as normal.David has made me rest the leg. Three whole days in the house with my feet up, a course of Brufen tablets and a Joanne Harris book (Gentlemen and Players) later, I have to admit that 'foot' (I'll say it in a whisper) does seem to be on the mend. And I'm not discounting the Reiki therapy which was sent by my friend and Reiki master, Margaret.So, what happens next? Well, George seems to be in control of his little empire, the cafeneion. There is not much trade so he is OK. He did say that he was missing me nattering at him to do this and do that, but he may as well enjoy the peace because it won't last. Standards have to be maintained and it is my name on t... More About: Works , July , August
BRIDLINGTON IS OFF
More articles from this author:2007-07-21 15:39:00 We had a long Skype link with our son David and his family this morning, it was wonderful. Our camera system, video link worked and we were able to see them in their house in England, doing last minute packing for their holidays at Bridlington.Unfortunately they were not sure whether to set off or not due to the very bad weather conditions i.e. it is still raining! They were able to turn their camera to their TV, on which there was a reporter updating viewers on the latest flood conditions. It looked like the whole of the middle of England and south were under water. Motorways were blocked, high streets like canals, cars like sunken wrecks just visible above the water line. Am I so glad that I'm not there.Our Bridlington holiday never materialised in favour of an English trip later in the year. We may have gone at the last minute if it hadn't been for my foot injury, which does not appear to be getting any better. Following a hospital visit yesterday, I have had blood tests which ... 1, 2, 3, 4 |
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