Warm greetings from Corfu.
Time certainly does fly during the winter here. It seems like only yesterday that I sent out the last newsletter.

So with Christmas fast approaching, how do the Corfiots spend their festive time?

 Christmas in Corfu

As many of you may know, Christmas in Greece is over shadowed by Easter. Still, over the years it has become a commercial success! On Christmas morning, we go to the local church. People seem far more religious in Greece than else where. Everyone from the village is seen at the church. After the service, there is the usual loading of shotguns and shooting them into the air!

After Church, the 'men' do the cooking. Unlikely to be turkey! Normally spit roasted lamb or goat. You might not be so keen for the traditional roasted lamb’s head that is usually on offer!

Like everyone else, we put up a tree decorated in the traditional manor. The local mayor, puts up 'Christmas' lights along the lampposts and aound the church. You may have noticed these during the summer, as last winter they were not taken down!

All the Tavernas and restaurants are closed over the holiday period, so if you plan to visit (and eat) then make sure you are invited to join a Greek family!

If you are planning to visit Corfu during the winter, then you will need to fly via Athens. During a recent visit, Theo and I searched out some of the sites!

 Athens Report

 Looking out through the aircraft window, it was pitch black. Occasionally a small village would loom into view, given away by scattered lights.  We were on a night flight over the Greek mainland. Theo and I were off to the Athens boat show. No sooner had we taken off and climbed to a safe altitude, we started to descend. The flight from Corfu to Athens only lasts a short while. As the plane banked, the glow of the city could be seen on the horizon.

We arrived at the new Athens airport. It is large, clean and efficient. Indeed, within minutes we had collected our luggage and were in search of a taxi. Taxis in Athens are the most popular way to get around. They are easily identifiable as they are all yellow. Often while taking a ride, the driver will collect another passenger on route - an interesting way to meet new people!

Anyway, it was late at night, we found a taxi and headed into the heart of the city. For the first time, I had not already pre-booked a hotel via the Internet. Normally when ever we travel, I am always hyper organised and have a schedule as to where we will stay and at exactly what times! With this trip though, it was arranged at the last moment. We asked 'Spiros' our taxi man to suggest a nice hotel. This proved a mistake. The moment we arrived, he ran inside - I can only assume to collect his 'commission'.

With my limited Greek, I think it said at the door - rooms available by the hour! This should have put us off, but it was late. The room was awful, the beds soft and do not ask what the bathroom was like. I slept on the floor and had a surprisingly good sleep - my years of back pain disappeared over night! The next morning we headed to the boat show. Arrived at 10am only to be told that they did not open until 5pm - typical Greeks! We spent the rest of the day sightseeing.

Athens is a city that never sleeps. Traffic, smog, people trying to sell you something at every set of traffic lights, and busy Athenians.  Having lived in Corfu for ten years, this brought back my nightmare memories of being back in London.  

Surprisingly, you will find around every corner an ancient relic or quiet street.

Everyone in Athens is talking about the Olympic games which will be held here in 2004. Old buildings are being knocked down to make way for new roads. Impressive buildings are being built at a frantic rate - especially as they are behind schedule. Construction is everywhere.

Talking of old buildings, this one is being repaired. The Acropolis, dominates Athens being high up on a hill and can be seen from nearly everywhere. At night it is lit up and it looks stunning. To visit, you need to walk up. Not for the elderly, especially as the ancient rocky paths have become smooth and slippery through the ages. 

Its sheer size is impressive, and the views over Athens are breathtaking. From here (see the above panoramic), you can see that Athens is actually built in a large dip - hence the smog.

For lunch, we walked down to the "Plaka". This is the old part of Athens, and where you will find Americans pointing at ancient monuments and exclaiming 'Gee honey, I've got to have one'.

The buildings are old and architecturally interesting. The flea market is touristy. But, the little 'Plattias' where you can stop for lunch are a delight.

After our first hotel experience, we excelled on our second choice.

The 'Oasis' hotel (www.oasishotel.gr) in Glyfada, as its name suggests very welcome after a hot day of sightseeing along the dusty streets.

We wrecked it though!

 Athens - Useful Info:

• Tap water is heavily chlorinated and fluoridated and supposedly safe to drink. Even having a shower in it, you can taste the chemicals, so drink bottled water.

• Credit cards accepted everywhere (unlike the rest of Greece).

• With sunny, hot (but dry) summers, and mild winters, (it was 25c when we were there in November), Athens has an ideal climate.

• Supermarkets and local 'corner' shops often stay open until 10pm.

• Regular shopping hours are: Monday and Wednesday 9.00am - 14.30pm; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.00am-13.30pm and 17.30pm - 20.30pm; and Saturday 9.00am - 15.00pm.

I almost forgot, we returned to the boat show and bought the following:

It is the 'Pelkios 10m' 22 person boat taxi, with a top speed of 32 knots. We will be using as our boat taxi to the Taverna each evening from the surrounding bays.

 Recommended Wine

This months recommended wine is helping me write this newsletter! Rhodes tends to produce large quantities of good quality table wine, with a dry new world character, mostly due to its Southern Mediterranean climate. During a recent visit to my favourite supermarket - the Alpha Veropolos or "AB" for short, I noticed this new wine. It is a move away from mass production and is well worth a try. If they can keep up the quality and consistency, then I will be stocking it next year at the Taverna!

"Villare"

Oinothiki Emery from Rhodes. 12%

Price (AB Super Market): 7,95 Euros

Golden straw colour with light green tints. Mature nose with a fruity, citrus scent. Thick and bodied. Oily. Deep summer fruits on the palate, giving way to a light smooth acidic finish. A little too short, but it does keep you going back for more.   

The Taverna is of course closed during the winter. As we live just above the bay, I walk down most days to feed the cats and check up on the web cam!

During the winter months, Eleni and I are testing new recipes for next summer - I'll report on how we are getting on in next months newsletter!

Well I have at last started this winter's site revamp. After my trip to Athens, I had a computer crash - loosing all my work. Still I have been day and night revamping and adding new content. If there is anything that you think I have missed out, then just let me know and I will see what I can do.

Yep, forget Noel Edmonds, we had a visit from Bob and Wendy - message board regulars during November. Bob managed to walk past the computer without posting a message on the site - although he was shaking a little! He has promised Wendy that he will not install a PC at their house in Lafki - who's he kidding!