Cretan Vista Site News Archive November 2005

Cretanvista Site & Local News - November 2005 Issue 34
No links to sites with adult content accepted.	NOVEMBER WEATHER ... Changeably interchangeable!! Not really knowing what it was doing or what to do next. Some quite large storms but also some very nice days - sometimes on the same day... In general, much cooler now, especially in the early evenings. New Crete Weather Site Link. _____________________________ "Athens was just a place on the radio dial"... Photograph: But there is another Greek city on this dial, seen on a radio in Plaka, Athens recently. E-mail me the modern name of that other city and win GOS Hospital London and a Chania special school tenner each. CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE and see details. Astratigos Village Life... 'Not now, later'... The Process of buying the house here in Astratigos which is now our own personal paradise, was, compared to some of the happenings since doing the deed, or should I say 'Deeds', relatively tame. There was of course the well known 'Hawthorne Effect' - the excitement of experiencing something new - dreaming one's dream and so on - but the associated nightmares began very, very early on. Almost before the Ink from the Public Notary's pen was dry on the paper making the ancient village ruined house ours... Back at the airport in fact... It was a very good feeling, arriving at the old arm-guarded Chania Airport - which was really a tightly controlled military fighter base then. Becoming schizoprenic for the short summer months when it was also an international airport, alternating with military base, at different times of the day. Today was Tuesday, summer, 12 midday. International airport. We were about to go through to the 'air side' to catch our flight to London Gatwick. Proud of being no longer tourists, but possessors of land - property owners! Anything for anybody - try me. Ask a favour, go on - you can't fail - try me! Dominic did! 'This is Aristotle', our beaming agent said, introducing us to a seriously uniformed gentleman with a serious half smile. We wondered, could you do him a favour? Why not? In the same club now, Cretans together.. Invincible... 'He wants to buy some perfume for his wife' smoothed Dominic. 'French perfume'. 'No problem' says I, 'I will buy it as soon as we reach home and send it on'. Dominic's smile didn't move... Well, he was dealing with the newly born wasn't he.. 'No need, you can get it in the duty free here'. Well OK. 'Why can't he buy it then'? 'Because he is the duty immigration officer - not allowed airside'. Not allowed to buy duty free either, I thought. 'What's the perfume'? 'He will tell you when you go through' said Dominic. It turned out that Aristotle's desk was in the same room as the departure lounge - which was in the same room as the duty free - we could all see each other but only Dominic, apparently, the invisible line which Aristotle was not allowed to cross. As we handed over our passports I asked furtively for the name of the coveted perfume... 'Not now, later' he almost whispered.. glancing around for hidden CIA agents - or customs officials maybe... We sat down, now apparently over the invisible line, to await a message from Aristotle. I hadn't felt so vulnerable since I stood before an Immigration officer in a passage at Sheremetyevo (Moscow) many years previously and repeated my name... Burgess! (And I had a cousin named McClean - really)... He had given permission for me to board my London- bound aircraft. Maybe I was now pushing my luck too far... I only wanted to buy the house, not a spell inside, though a 'cooler' would have come in handy - it was at least 90F near the duty free. I watched everything that moved, even the kids. Anything could convey a message was scrutinized closely if it passed my seat. My tension increased with each passing minute. Why doesn't he get the name to me, I almost yelled at myself... 'Ding Dong - passengers for Caledonian 522 to London Gatwick are required to board now via Gate 2' - severe Greek accented announcer. We joined the queue shuffling through gate 2 - the only gate around. Maybe Gates 1 and 3 were invisible, like the line preventing Aristotle buying his own seriously risky (or so I now felt) perfume. How many years does one spend for 'collaboration with intent to evade customs duty'? One? five? Twenty? This was Greece, not Alderley Edge! And I didn't even know the name of the stuff! We were at the exit. 'Yas' I proffered the girl taking the tickets and re-glancing at passports as she handed back severed ticket stubbs - boarding passes. I am away, clean.. It was a long walk across the apron in the blazing sun (no buses then) and I expected a hand on my shoulder at each step... 'HALT' - had been the the staccato shout at Sheremetyevo as the Russian guard carried out his psychological warfare as I walked towards the 'plane... This time there was no shout, nothing.. We boarded BCAL255 to London Gatwick. The doors were closed and a few minutes later the wheels left the concrete.... Safe... It was then that I realized - that was the name of the perfume - "Not now, later"...!!	In the News... Escape from jail... No thanks! Safer in jail.. Escaped prisoner is hunted by police on Crete to save his life. Link to Story. Rethymnon yacht-fire death... Man dies trying to rescue passport from blazing yacht. Link to story. Athens International Airport..& Chania.. Has gained many awards since it was first opened. Maybe the security staff deserve one too... It would be well deserved - same goes for the Chania police force on Crete.. Link to story. Learning to write with Agamemnon... Not surprisingly to those in the know, on Crete. Survived fire around 1400BC.. Link. Mikis Theodorakis... Musician; internationally renowned composer; famous Cretan! More awards for a seriously beautiful person.. Link 1 to story. Link 2 to Story. More titles for Greece ... You may, or may not, want one of these. Either way it is as well to remember that affairs of the heart can be heart-stopping. Link to story. Sewer pipe to Sudan? No way!... Oil pipelines; gas pipelines; water pipelines - but surely not sewerage!! Sudan doesn't want it - not even by boat. Any offers - 170,000 tons? Link to Story. High living costs?..Buy Nothing.. INKA - the Greek Consumer's federation, has a way to stop those spiraling household bills -don't buy anything. Do not laugh -it actually works.. Link to Story. VAT on houses ...January 1st. November 25th saw the government bill increasing the taxes on new houses to 19% - and existing property to 11% - as well as other property tax changes. An accountant is an essential accessory.. Link to Story. Greek man extradited to UK... Link to Story. OA Flight 412 to Athens - 15 months! But don't laugh. And don't smoke on the 'plane either if you don't want to take as long. Link to story. Good News for Vultures.. Recent conference held in Thessaloniki - organised by the WWF Hellas & the University of Crete shows that Greece is protecting these beautiful birds. Link to Story. Taxi and transport prices - up.. And to clarify the numbers - a daytime taxi from the airport to the Acropolis (near Athens city centre) will cost around 30 Euros.. Link to Story. Khat is 'Arabic Tea'.. It may be on some menu's in Athens - including the one used by a judge in court... It can get you arrested at least. Link to story. C'mon Tony?.. Current British Prime Minister Tony Blair has, amazingly, passed up two outstanding opportunities to gain accolade for Britain from the rest of Europe, if not the world, by returning the Parthenon (Acropolis) Marbles to Greece. Last year's Athens Olympics would have been a Gold Medal for Britain in righting an ancient injustice - and the current British Presidency of the EEC. The latter is about to go down in the flames of failure so c'mon Tony - a second chance - go for it... History will remember you forever as the man who gave them back... Don't miss this chance. Link to Story. Even the Aussies want it.. Link to Story. ________________________ COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT All of the material produced by Cretanvista is copyright and belongs to someone who has spent time, effort and money to produce it. We are often willing to allow the use of our material for personal (non-commercial) purposes. For example our calendar photographs can be used to reproduce the pictures for your own individual calendars, or to hang on granny's bedroom wall. We will however, take action against anyone we discover using our materials in any mass distribution exercise, especially for financial gain, unless specifically authorized by us and we are acknowledged as the source in the reproduction. ________________________ The Cretanvista Review of Carol Palioudaki's 'Cool Guide to Living in Crete' (A gold mine of information) is, like the book, available now. Out Now - Get it at www.livingincrete.net Or visit www.coolpublications.co.uk ________________________
FREE... Cretanvista is a free site. We accept neither cash nor gratuities and sell nothing. We don't carry paid for advertising. But we do try to give you information which you might want to know about. House FOR SALE... If you are looking for a house in Crete here is a private sale in SPILIA by an English couple - a house and an attached apartment suitable for holiday letting. No Agents involved. We know this couple - have a look around the house and area on the following link.. www.crete-house-sale.com Accommodation in Astratigos - For rent again.... The first house on the left as you enter Astratigos from Afrata - a magnificent cream and green affair sporting two apartments two balconies and a small pool at the front and containing two holiday apartments. Live in Astratigos maybe? You can also see inside at: www.villa-astratigos.co.uk TWO HOLIDAY VILLAS... .. Another local owner has carried out some superb traditional renovation on a ruined house - and has renovated what was his own accommodation - maybe for your holidays! Book and check availability at:- Holiday-rentals.com In Kolimbari - right on the beach near the tavernas:- The Grand Bay Beach Hotel Visit Interdynamic's website. ______________ www.provencebeyond.com Well worth a visit if you are interested in France, especially the southern parts.
FERRY SERVICES Blue Star Ferries no longer service the ferry route between Souda Bay and Piraeus. The original resident ferry line, ANEK LINES schedules are unaffected by this change. Anek currently leaves Chania at 8.30pm Hellas Fling Dolphins commence two sailings per day from June 17th 2005. LINK. WEBSITE LINKS
Moving to Crete - Practical Advice.. 'Notes on Greece' is a British Embassy publication which gives information on matters relating to Greece. Obtaining a copy first hand from the British Consulate in Iraklion (Heraklion) will ensure that you have the most recent edition - and professional contacts with up-to-date and wide ranging knowledge on matters relating to Crete. Contact the consulate via:- : crete@british-consulate.gr An e-mail copy is available as a Microsoft word file - a very fast email of very useful information.

Greece: Earthquake activity in the region of Greece continued regularly this month and including locations in the regions of Parthina; Karpathos; Aigio; Limnos; Samothrace; Nafpaktos; Crete. Attracting yet more comment on possible effects... Link to story.

08 Nov: 3.5 Richter Scale, 01.10am. Epicentre in area of Parthina. Link to Story.

10 Nov: 4.3 Richter Scale, 06.47am. Island of Karpathos. Undersea epicentre east of Karpathos. .                                                            Link to Story.

12 Nov: 4.3 Richter Scale, 23.52pm. Epicentre area of Aigio, 150Km west of Athens.                  Link to Story.

15 Nov. 4.9 Richter Scale, 07.01/09.00am. 4 quakes (strongest 4.9) plus aftershocks undersea epicentre area of Limnos & Samothrace.                         Link to Story.

19 Nov: 4.5 Richter Scale, 7.26pm. Sitea, Crete.

20 Nov: 4.4 Richter scale, 07.56am.Nafpaktos/felt Patras.                                                    Link to Story.

25 Nov: 5.4 Richter Scale, 11.30am. Paleochora, Crete. .                                                              Link to Story.

26 Nov: 4.3 Richter Scale, South of Crete. No other information.

No damage or injuries reported.

At least one professor believes that there will be at least 4 major earthquake in the future. Link to Story.

Earthquakes are a common feature of life in Greece and rarely cause any damage. The problem is that the ones that do are unpredictable. Recent Greek research has indicated a strong earthquake in SW Bulgaria and the continued advance in methods of prediction.
            _______________________________

A Little Extra News.... Christmas cometh!

As if you needed someone to remind you. But please bear with me, having just made a couple more air trips en-route to the UK and travelled a good few miles on British roads, I do need something to take away the culture shock!

The news that 'Arabic Tea' (Khat) may be available in Athens - apparently it produces euphoria and makes you laugh - just like British airports, politics & supermarkets. Or am I confusing 'euphoria' with 'hysteria'? Probably I am!

But can you blame me for becoming hysterical? I am in the UK for Christmas. The news for me, a true Grecophile attempting to keep my finger the pulse of both countries is a little complicated. One present for example, a crane (3 feet high - radio controlled - drop your dad's watch in a bucket of water from 100cms) was purchased at one of the Lidl's supermarkets in Chania. Another (for me), came from PC World in Lincoln, and that American giant 'Asda' swallowed my wife and daughter 3 hours ago and is showing no signs of returning them.. Do I want them back? Of course I do, and I am getting a little hungry.

But then, I am assured constantly by Sir Bob Geldoff and the live aid 8 team, so is half the world - in spite of all the (apparent) efforts Africa is dying of either famine or disease, to say nothing of South America. While we all sympathise and maybe donate a few bob in the hope of stopping catastrophes we barely understand the size of. Same problem; same need; same response 20 years later..

Meanwhile, back on the farm, our leaders (in the west) are spending billions increasing security to levels beyond those of WWII and reducing civil liberties to unprecedented levels in the process. People are still hungry, isolated and dying from diseases whilst those fighting their corners desperately seek your donations. Some are simply being killed by others because the others believe that they should be...

Christmas started early again - both here in the UK and on Crete - the Christmas trees are up in Athens and London. Lights twinkling brightly -lit by burning electricity. Paid for with money... Maybe we should turn out the lights and give the money to those who will starve and die without it..

Well, maybe... But then again, maybe not. Maybe there is no need to. Maybe it would make the situations worse. Maybe the way it is for the best. Just maybe the Christmas Glitz makes those who have remember those who haven't.. And try to do something for them - better than nothing...

And then again, by trying to do for others maybe you will, in some round about way, take away their own ability to survive without you. To dig their own wells, find their own water, grow their own food. Well yes, maybe. But isn't there something, every day, that we could all do with a bit of help with?

Maybe just give a little - every day. Wherever you are...

Kalos Ithate Stin Kriti
WB.
________________________________

A Little More Site News.
How about that?....
Since we first published our site in 2001 it has grown slowly but surely to its present size. Cretanvista contains more than 1500 files; supported by over 1000 photographs (mostly high quality). To keep it all together there are more than 4,000 links between the files. You may also notice some of the news page links to other sites, all of which have to be replaced with an updated set for each edition - once a month... As does the news page itself.

Finding us ......
Don't forget you can access this website via several different spellings of our site name. So if your typing skills are a bit 'iffy' you can still find us. We also use different ISP's and domain endings to make it as easy as possible for you to find us.

Try it: www.cretanvista.co.uk really is no different to www.cretanvista.gr - except that you receive them from different parts of the world.

Did you want one and didn't get one?!
The publishers have agreed to support our Christmas/New Year news with a few more copies of Carol Palioudaki' The Cool Guide to Living in Crete (Cool Publications). You can of course buy one yourself if you can't wait, but Christmas isn't far away if you can...

Last Competition Winners:
Ann S - Yorkshire, UK.
Niall B - Birmingham, UK.
Alan P - Lincolnshire, UK.
A. Davies - Nomos Chanion, GR.

Books & Good Reading - Latest Review.
No increase this month, but several in the pipes... Try our latest, you may want it for Christmas...

Collins Complete Mediterranean Wildlife.
Dr Paul Sterry. HarperCollins.

The people behind the books: Every book review has an introductory paragraph about the author/s. We have decided to go a little further and where possible, include profiles of not only these talented authors but also, where we can, of people behind them.

Good examples are 'Patouchas' - Ioannis Kondylakis (Read the review) and 'Who Pays The Ferryman' - Michael J. Bird (Read the review) These profiles will be attached to relevant book reviews. Watch this space...

Photo Galleries
NEW Gallery. A first! Klaus-Dieter Thill - author of Minaturkapellen auf Kreta, a real photo albumn detailing some of those enigmatic roadside shrines of Crete, has supplied photographs for a gallery which is now being put together here at Cretanvista. There will also be, of course, a review the book... the gallery should be on-line within the next week or so...

Wild Flowers: Up from 96 to 144 different wild flowers covered. 99% have been taken right here at the base of the Rodopos peninsula. We are continually working on these galleries and will soon been adding further pages including detailed reference pages and more photos of each specimen. There are now more than 4,000 flower photographs in our databases. Rising to 168 shortly and an additional 24 already in the workshop!

Bird Galleries.  Building on...
Athanasios Sakoulis, who contributed the magnificent gallery from his book on Cretan wildlife to our site has now contributed 18 pictures of birds for addition to a gallery. We will attach this to Paul Smith's bird-watching page in the near future. Something worth waiting for..

Insects..
We have built up an extensive collection of photographs from which we are producing galleries for our wild life page. The next of these will be insects - about which we have received few queries, but many of which are supremely photogenic. We have some beautiful reptiles too...

GENERAL: There are now 13 galleries featuring aspects of Cretan life, including sunrise and sunset pictures; Souda Bay War Cemetery; and the gallery of magnificent wild-life pictures by Anastasios Sakoulis, author of "Stigmotipa Tis Kritikis Freesis" (Moments of Cretan Nature) - (Links below - bottom right column); our infant gallery about house renovation; and of course our annual calendar galleries containing 60 or so pictures of north western Crete.

There are of course many other areas being developed all the time - including new ones in the pipeline.... Continued progress with additions to our weaving page for example, is being built upon to match the practice which has taken place since the page was first added.

                        ___________________

Are we listening, do we hear?
We are and we do. The continuously increasing numbers of visitors and complimentary e-mails seem to show that our visitors - 21,000 plus individual visits in our best month last year - appreciate our efforts.

Keep on coming, you are very welcome.
                         ___________________

E-Mail Requests..
I receive some brilliant e-mails - really - and they are very welcome. But sometimes there is no acknowledgement that our answer has been received. We don't mind, but worry occasionally that someone may not have received an answer from us and think the worse of us! We will ALWAYS reply to e-mail so please, if you have mailed us and not received an answer - resend your mail - we didn't get it or have somehow overlooked it. Our response time is usually within 48 hours.

Personal Information..
We have been asked in the past to help locate people. We would love to be able to assist but regret that are unable to do this. There is fuller comment in previous issues of CV News.

Questions and Answers..
Quite a lot of questions are received here at Cretanvista and, as with e-mails and other forms of communication, we do our best to supply valid answers. We never respond "Off the Top of our Heads" but always research the answer - even if we already have one (things change) before passing the information on. We provide links to appropriate alternative sources where we have them. The answers are given with the proviso that recipients are responsible for any action taken by them.

Guest Book. E-mail links are accepted. Website URL, Bulletin board and chat-room style links are not. Website links are removed automatically to prevent inclusion of sites without agreement.

Book Reviews.
Because each book review is original - we steal nothing from the book covers or the reviews of others - it takes a little longer to deal with each. No point our reviewing the reviews when what readers really want to know about is the content!

The Cretan Vista Calendar Photos - Birds.
We trying to build a specialist calendar of birds - whilst we are building our own library photographs - contributions are always welcome. They will always be acknowledged and copyright will remain your own. (Please email us before sending pictures).

Bird Watchers.
Paul Smith, our resident specialist on ornithology, as regular readers of his page will know, has undergone very serious surgery for a life threatening illness. He is now winning the fight - at his home is Neo Chorio, Voukolies. New NOVEMBER Diary.

We remain deeply indebted to Han and Inger van der Lelie, 3815 PV Amersfoort, The Netherlands, whose completely co-incidental e-mail to Paul enabled us to publish the June 2005 page of his now unbroken series.

mailto:Webmaster@cretanvista.gr

Best Books..
Check out our easy to use 'Book Shelves' containing all our book reviews. Just point the mouse and left click in the boxes below..

BookShelf1

BookShelf2

We will be updating the appearance of this page too fairly soon - particularly the Icons leading directly to the bookshelves (maybe prettier than the ones above!) and perhaps the current new book review.

Latest Book Review...

Latest Review - Complete Mediterranean Wildlife: Author: Paul Sterry.

The 'Bookshelf' links (yellow) above contain all current books.
___________________

Can this be you.....or yours?
Every so often when I am out and about taking photographs I come across someone who could be you - or something which could be yours (or theirs!!). Maybe passing in the opposite direction on a full tandem bicycle (yes, that happened); an unattended car with foreign plates; something which catches my eye and leaves me not knowing......... Either there was no one to ask or they were moving too quickly! I thought that perhaps site visitors might like to see or be able to help identify one or two 'unknowns' which have left me wondering who, or what I have missed.   Can this be yours?



                        Chania, Crete, Greece
        French Jeep - parked near the Central Market
                           Saturday 16th July 2005