Monday, 27 June 2011

Useful summary of strikes in Greece

What with strikes and ash clouds my recent trips to Greece have been less relaxing than usual.............

http://livingingreece.gr/strikes/

A useful summary - but note the comment that strikes may be called off, and that airlines typically announce cancelled or rescheduled flights 24-36 hours in advance.

And there are also strikes in England to add to the equations.

Saturday, 18 June 2011

The Acropolis Museum - second birthday

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite4_3_17/06/2011_395049

Two years - it seems like yesterday that the new museum opened.  I've paid several visits.  There is so much to see, these three bodied demons are amongst my favourites.

http://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/default.php?pname=ArchaicAcropolis&la=2&collection=8





http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13802940
Film of the dog at the midst of the riots in Athens reminded me of when I was in Athens in March 2005.

I had arrived in Athens in the early hours of the morning on 12 March.  I had intended catching a ferry to Naxos, but this was the last weekend of Carnival, and all the ferries were full.  So I decided to stay in Athens until Sunday.  I found a hotel and after a short sleep set out across the National Gardens to the Museum of Cycladic Art.  I noticed a lot of unusual activity, including TV cameras, and wondered what was going on.  I did not know that Karolos Papoulias was about to be sworn in as President of Greece. 

Some time later I emerged from the Museum, and was in the thick of the ceremony.  Soldiers parading, bands playing, and a dog greatly enjoying itself. 

The dog photographed in the riots was a different colour to the dog I saw back in 2005.

Enjoy the photos!

Here the dog seems to be looking at its reflection in the well-polished car.

The dog is getting the attention of the band!



Friday, 17 June 2011

WWOOFing on Lesvos

I haven't been WWOOFing for years - I went WWOOFing in England before I had my own garden to tend.  But the WWOOFing weekends were very enjoyable weekends.  And here is an article about WWOOF in Greece
WWOOFing on Lesvos

I see that WWOOF is now World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.  It used to be Working Weekends on Organic Farms.

Read more WWOOF - World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms  and WWOOF Greece

Saturday, 11 June 2011

Keros and Cycladic figures

Read about the findings of the excavations on Keros.

Broken idols of Keros: British archaeologists explain Greek mystery

Paddy Leigh Fermor

Paddy Leigh Fermor has died aged 96.  I took "Roumeli" and "Mani" on my first trip to Greece in 1981. Not long before that I had read  “A Time of Gifts” and “Between the Woods and the Water”.  I hope that the third volume will be published.


 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jun/10/patrick-leigh-fermor-dies-96

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/11/books/patrick-leigh-fermor-travel-writer-dies-at-96.html

Thursday, 2 June 2011

Old Carvings in Katapola


"A M Archimandritis 31 July 1903".  Archimandritis is a Greek surname. 
"1893
Sidero...................
Ant. M Despotides"
"Sidero" means iron, so I guess this stone was originally on an ironmonger's shop. Despotides is a Greek surname.


"16 May 1892.  P P"

A Walking Haystack


A stormy day in May.
A rural scene in Katapola, a doney carry a load of hay.  The load may look large, but I am sure that the load was not heavy and that the donkey was well cared for.


Express Skopelitis

The Express Scopelitis near Naxos on 7 May 2011.  The Express Scopelitis is the small ferry running from Naxos to Amorgos, and calling at Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonisi, Donoussa and Aegiale.


Read more about the Express Skopelitis on my Greek Travels Wikidot

Greek Travel Pages currently (30 March 2012) shows the times of the Express Scopelitis until 28 September 2012
Short Skop
Leaves Katapola at 07.00 on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, arriving in Naxos at 10.50.
Leaves Naxos at 14.00 on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, arriving in Katapola at 17.55.
Long Skop
Leaves Katapola at 06.00 on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, arriving in Naxos at 12.05.
Leaves Naxos at 14.00 on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, arriving in Katapola at 20.20
For the latest timetable check on Greek Travel Pages