Saturday Sept 4th - Albania challenged Euro Cup Winners, Greece, yesterday and won 2 - 1. Red flags were waving victoriously around the island long before the game started and then naturally continued through the night celebrating the 'underdog' victory. Greeces' loss may have caused uproar everywhere else in Greece, but on the island, Ithacans lost gracefully (with minimal pouting) to the Albanians who have made Ithaca their home (flaunting exuberant cockiness).

September 6th - Above - Quiet streets around the island as the winds blew through Greece and even whistled through Ithakis trees. Photo - Stavros at midday

Below - The wind churned up the seas yesterday all over Greece. Ithaki wasn't spared. It kept people inside and gave all the businesses an early night. The threatening skies didn't open up and not a single drop of rain fell on the island. The seasonal change inspired many for the winter ahead. Photo - Frikes Bay after dusk.

September 16th - Now that the tourist season is quickly nearing its' end, workmen all around Ithaki are getting back down to business. As everyone gets ready for the Winter ahead, laborers, electricians and plumbers are shooting all over the place trying to get things done before the rain sets in. Left - Kekatos from Exoghi is working in Vathy this week. We caught him taking a chocolate break and enjoying the warm late afternoon in the Vathy Square.

September 16th - Progress report on Elvis. He's working hard trying to get in some reading inbetween fixing mopeds and fishing..

September 21st - Now that the Summer heat has been cooled by Autumn breezes, it's a great time to walk and enjoy all the views that Ithaki has to offer. If you're not sure where to go, you may like to visit the Walks of Ithaca page or for a guided walk, ring Ester on 26740 31058. ithaki has alot more up its' sleeve than great beaches. Take advantage of your stay on the island by taking a good look around.

Under the cover of a single cloud the village of Exoghi can become grey and cold, but as soon the the cover lifts, blue skies and pristine views abound. A mostly elderly, but extremely friendly community inhabit this mountain village

Readying wood stacks for winter

From the Exoghi Cemetery there are views down to Aphales and beyond and headstones that outline family trees for generations. during the days before electricity and motor transport, this community lived through many difficulties in their isolation..

At Exoghi there is history buried in each stone. Ruins and Bell Towers around every corner. Take a walk up further to the apex, ring the bell in the church high above the village. On a clear day you can see forever.

Below - Katrina and Kiki in Freaky Frikes, holding still for the camera before getting on with the shopping. Any crunchy Peanut Butter?

September 23rd - Ithakis new settlers head to the big smoke (Vathy), to enjoy the feasts at Kalakanis Restaurant. L - R Derek, Gillian, Ester, Linda, Rien, Demetri, Wendy and David. With less yachts heading into Vathy, the bayside may be quiet, but in the back streets, where real life is just heating up, you can't tell that Summer is officially over.

Some local wine and a good grill do wonders for the midweek slump. Aristotelis (right) and his family served up good food, good humour and a warm night at Kalkanis restaurant with an interesting mix of old locals, new locals and tourists, all having a good time. If you want your night to end with romance, take a walk around the bay.

September 24th - It's 8.30pm and it looks like a quiet night in Stavros, although you can never tell. Stavros at this time of the year is the haunt of locals and we all know locals go out late. Above left - Yiannis Taverna and Above Right - Margaritas (The Zac). Kioni and Frikes are quiet also. At this time of year these villages depend on yacht traffic to the island, but with the threat of bad weather, and the usual Weekend slump, the yachts stay moored where they are. Ironically it's mild and pleasant on Ithaki and a great night to sit outside. Maybe there's something good on the tele.

Saturdayr 25th - Below - View from Varka at 12pm.

During the afternoon the skies battled with sunshine and storm clouds until late in the day when a small storm front swept quickly over the island. A quick downpour, a sudden gust of wind and it was all over. All through the evening, distant lightning lit up the skies, but the temperature remained mild and a calm night prevailed. A clearing, starlit sky brought people out and about despite reports that there were worse storms heading this way. In Frikes the supermarkets closed early, as did the souvenir shops, but the restaurants set up tables inside and carried on to the delight of some happy diners.

Right front - Lefki Locals Lyn and Derek dine with their friends Nancy and Tom, recent arrivals from the UK, at Symposium Restaurant where Meropi and Olympia serve them up their favourite dishes.