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Yes after an exciting and busy
winter, the Taverna is now open.
Greek
Easter
First though, a little about
our Greek Easter.
It is hard for me to
encapsulate the feeling and ambiance of Easter in our little village of
Loustri. This religious time is far more important to Orthodox Greeks than
Christmas. Corfu is famed all over Greece as being particularly special at
this time of year, and many Athenians like to visit. Most families have
relatives visit and the island starts to liven after a dormant winter.
Easter this year, was just as festive as ever. The weather was perfect and a
surprising amount of non-Greeks descended on the island - having to fly via Athens - as
there are no direct flights to Corfu until May.
We enjoyed midnight mass at
our local Church. I missed the famous 'pot smashing' in Corfu town - where
at 11am, old olive pots are hurled out of the upper windows to signify
'throwing out the old'. Great fun, but dangerous if you are standing below!
Anyway, at the church later that night, over two hundred people attended.
The night was warm, and the fireflies danced to the prayers offered by the
priest.
At midnight, the bells chimed
and a salvo of fireworks erupted, lighting up the night sky.
Only I was silly enough to
stand under the 'battery' so I could take these great shots for the website!
Easter Sunday - like any
popular religious celebration - involved food! Dad woke at 5am to prepare
the goat and lamb. Particularly tempting was the 'Kokoretsi' and grilled
lambs head - always offered to the most prominent guest.
After lunch, we played the
equivalent of 'conkers' with brightly coloured eggs - chicken not chocolate
- to see whose egg did not break.
If you are lucky enough to
visit at this time of year, then look out for the 'Easter flower' It is a
prolific vine that covers many tavernas and verandas. During late April
it has the most amazing coverage of pale lilac flowers.
Also during April/May, look
out for the fireflies. I spent two hours trying to take this shot! They
actually make a slow flashing, which is surprisingly bright - and can often
illuminate a dark path - just in case you have forgotten a torch.
Taverna News
We are open. Our hard
work restoring the taverna during the winter has paid off. The results are
stunning - I am sure you will agree when you next visit.
Alex prepares the new menus.
Mum collects some wild flowers
for the May day celebration.
Our opening day started quiet.
But soon picked up - and we
were then packed!
It was great fun and an
enjoyable way to start our summer season.
Local News
Olga's potatoes are nearly
ready!
Our grape vine above the
taverna started a little late this year, but now the summer is here it is
making up for lost time.
Yassou
or Yassas
Each month, we aim to teach
you a little Greek - to prevent you from looking like a complete tourist! So for this month, when you say hello, should use Yassou or Yassas - as you
may have heard both!
Basically, for one person use
Yassou and for greeting more that one, use Yassas. So if when you next visit
the taverna I introduce you to my wife Eleni, then you would correctly say -
Yassou (one person). But, if I introduce you to Theo and Lynn, then you
would say Yassas (more than one). But, if you meet in the road, a person who is
older than you (!) or you have never met, you would say Yassas.
So to recap, use Yassou when
you meet a friend (single person). Always use Yassas when there is more than
one person or a person you do not know.
Simple isn't it. I look
forward to hearing you practicing Greek in the taverna!
Before I finish this short
lesson, I am sure many are saying 'Well, what about Goodbye - what is that
in Greek?" Well you already know! In Greek, you use 'Yassou' and 'Yassas' for hello
and goodbye!
Does this sound strange? Not once you get used to it.
Hilary's
House Hunt
San Markos Garden House. A
house with a garden and with views of the sea is everyone’s Corfu
home-making dream, and if the house is also not too far from Town and in a
picturesque location, so much the better. Set on the foothills of Corfu’s
northern mountain range and overlooking the sea, Agios Markos is one of two
villages in Corfu to have been classified as Heritage-listed Settlements,
under the protection of the Ministry of Culture (the other village is Old
Perithia). The listing ensures that this lovely traditional village will
remain unspoiled. Under the designation, the appearance of its buildings
must be preserved in original style. Authentic rooftiles, shutters and
rendering must be used when renovating, and new buildings and extensions are
not permitted. Corfu Estate Agents, which aims to preserve old properties
featuring traditional Corfiot architecture, has welcomed the move, and will
assist purchasers to maintain the character of their new properties in these
and other villages. One old building in Agios Markos which was sensitively
renovated before the ruling came into force is the San Markos Garden House,
located in a quiet position on the edge of this sought-after village.
The two-storey house of approximately 90 square metres faces south and
enjoys unobstructed breathtaking views over the sea and towards Corfu Town.
Access is 20 metres from the village road along an alley, with parking space
on the street. The house has a wide veranda sheltering the front door, which
opens into a spacious living room, with an airy, light kitchen and bathroom
attached. Internal wood stairs lead from the lounge to the upper floor,
where there is a landing and two bedrooms, each with its own very extensive
veranda, one covered. Part of the house has a flat sun-roof, accessible from
a spiral staircase leading from the side veranda and offering amazing
all-round views. The garden in front of the house comprises a very extensive
paved patio area with a lower level garden planted with a mature almond tree
and oranges, and shower room. The house, built of stone and brick, now
requires redecoration and some TLC to make a very lovely home in a
convenient location, within a short drive of the beach and close to local
amenities.
The house is for sale through Corfu Estate Agents, and the price is 111,500
Euro.
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Lynn at the Loustri Church for Easter.
Lynn's Travel Corner
After a busy Easter and start
of our summer, we have still found time to add some exciting new properties
to our listings:
Villa
Emilios - above Kalami/Kouloura
Sleeps 3-7
This latest addition to our
program is undoubtedly one of the finest villas in the area, offering
Panoramic uninterrupted views from the balcony and pool terrace, to the sea.
The fully equipped modern kitchen, three large fully air-conditioned
bedrooms each being en-suite, with the master bedroom 'suite' featuring a
bathroom with 'Jacuzzi' style bath and shower - another luxury that elevates
'Villa Emilios' into a class of its own. All of this is complimented
by a highly desirable pool making the villa ideal for a family holiday.
Inside, the house is spacious. There is a well
equipped kitchen and the lounge offers comfortable seating, set around a
brick fireplace, with views out to the sea. Also included is a satellite
television system.
There are three bedrooms -
all en suite and fully air conditioned. The master bedroom even boasts a
Jacquzzi bath with six water jets!
This will help you unwind after a busy day 'relaxing' around the
pool!
Large patios and verandas
with breathtaking views complete this outstanding property. For more
details, follow this link:
Villa Emilios
Korina
- Agni Bay
Sleeps 2-3
Tucked away behind Agni bay
is this delightful little cottage.
Korina is Olga's daughter and their family
cottage has been completely renovated. The cottage is over 300 years old and is full
of character. As many features as possible have been incorporated into the
renovation - including the old stone floor - but modern fittings have been
used where appropriate such as the air-conditioning, a modern bathroom and
kitchen.
The front door opens into the main room.
It is has a high wooden beamed ceiling. A kitchen and breakfast bar is
to the left, comprising of a mini oven with extractor fan and fridge. The sleeping area is opposite and has large
fitted wardrobes and air-condition unit above.
In front of the
cottage is a large patio area which has a private parking area, a BBQ and a
shaded stone bench and dining table.
Part of the cottage to the right, has been
converted in a similar style and is owned by Korina's cousin. It has
separate access and parking area.
For More details, follow this link:
Korina - Agni Travel
Villelmina
- above St Stephanos.
Sleeps 4-6
Villelmina
stands on a headland location above St Stephanos and Kerasia. The villa is
on one level with a stunning central balcony. There are impressive sea views
over to the Albanian mountains. The villa is
light and spacious with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
The fully equipped modern kitchen has large
marble work surfaces, a full sized gas hob and electric oven, dishwasher,
fridge/freezer and washing machine.
There are three
bedrooms one double and two singles. All have plenty of built-in style
cupboards.
The veranda enjoys breathtaking views
including down to Kerasia and of course the Rothschild's estate.
For more details, follow this link:
Villelmina
If you would like to reserve any of the above
properties or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact
me: lynn@agni-travel.com
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BEYOND OUR VISION - VILLA MICHAEL The Plans
If
you are planning to own a house on Corfu, then the continuing saga by
friends of ours 'Alan and Bre' is definitely worth a read.
1st
April 2003
It’s ironic
that I am writing this today, April Fool’s Day, or is this an omen that we
may be foolishly entering into something which maybe beyond our Vision and
our pocket! bearing in mind the current strength of the £ against the Euro,
which seems to be getting steadily worse and has already added 10% to the
cost of the project.
However, as
we have said before we are an optimistic couple and no more so than today,
when we opened the package delivered by DHL and found the completed plans
for Villa Michael beautifully drawn up by Yiannis. To our delight, they
look absolutely great and the Villa now looks to be taking on a definite
feel of openness, Greek character and reality. Yiannis has even drawn a
pagoda on the top balcony with imaginary vines illustrated around it, which
has really made the plan come to life.
The
drawings also show a garage and a very nice pool (additional planning
consent required for these) with beautiful wide steps leading into the
pool. I can now visualise myself gliding down from the Villa in a tiny
bikini, sitting on the steps with a glass of Boutari and dipping in my big
toe to see how warm the water is. Dream on Al, when was the last time you
saw me in a tiny bikini?
Now is the
time to submit the plans for Planning Permission and “nothing comes cheap”.
This has cost 8,000 Euros and with the current exchange rate equals just
over £5,600 including the £25.00 bank transfer charge.
It is now
time to sit back and wait with everything crossed for the next couple of
months and hope upon hope that the plans are passed without a hitch,
otherwise we will be taking orders for Wild’s olive oil, so start saving
your bottles.
The real
fun will start as the site excavation commences, so until the next time,
here is a drawing of the Villa, which is something Al put together, which is
not an exact copy of Yiannis plan but is as near as damn it!
Boat For Sale
Do you visit Corfu often -
then why not buy your own boat? We are selling our traditional wooden boat
taxi and replacing it with a larger one.
The boat was completely
refurbished two years ago with a new mahogany deck and stainless steel
railings. No license is required for private use. Offers in the region of:
15,000 Euros
Specifications:
50hp Ford diesel engine (only
2 years old)
Speed: 8 knots
Number of passengers: 11
Length: 8m
The Pulse
The May issue of 'Pulse' which is the Anglican Church
monthly newsletter can be found by following this link:
The May Pulse
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