As happens every year since the cessation of our ferry to Patras, the grapevine has it that another ferry company, Agoudimos Lines, previously running from Igoumenitsa to Brindisi, will take over the route Ithaki-Kefalonia-Patras by May this year. I'm not holding my breath, because in the midnight hour, the rug gets pulled out from under us year after year. It would however, be a happy thought to entertain that we would once again be directly connected to Patras. Losing this connection has made travel more than difficult, not only for locals, but also for visitors to the island. The other thing to hope for is that the timetable will not ferry people in only 3 times per week at 1am.
February 2015 - Wednesday 4th - After quite a few days of heavy rain, wind and storms, yesterday it all calmed down again with some dramatic skies for effect, but mild and excellent for being outdoors.
Sunday 8th - It's been an extremely windy and stormy week with only occasional patches of calm. Rain has poured down harder than I've personally experienced, but the bitter cold that was forecast for winter, has up until now, not eventuated.
Pre-Easter, there will be more and more things happening between now and then, so keep your eyes out for things to do on the Ithaki Calendar.
With a new government, I'm hearing lots of worrying noises from visitors too scared to invest in a holiday. The upside for you is that even if everything goes pear shaped, your money will be worth more than ours so will get you an even better holiday. Don't be scared, book your holidays on Ithaca just like you planned, we have a 50% chance of predictions being wrong. No one really knows what will eventuate. Who knows, Greece may prove to be the exception and come out on top. Whatever the situation, for your holidays you will want sun and sea, and regardless of what happens politically, no one and nothing can take the sun from the sky or the water from the Ionian. You will stil have a great holiday on Ithaca.
Monday 9th - Wet, wet, wet. Not much more I can say.
Agoudimos Lines have formally declared their interest in taking over the route from Ithaca - Kefalonia - Patras to the Maritime office. Let's hope they are not turned down. Their ferry Ionian Spirit would be the one fitted to this route. Keep your fingers crossed that the Kefalonians don't put a spanner in the works, they haven't been too kind to ithacans over the years, including keeping Ithaca without an engineer in the Building Permits office, halting all sorts of people from earning a living and/or many other issues to do with this office. I say it again. It's CRIMINAL!
I was told by a council member that the issue was being seen too regularly, but unfortunately our council has no weight in this. Their hands are tied by the Kefalonians, who, up until now, have been ignoring Ithaca's needs, although it's within it's domain of governing. I was asked to hold tight before exploding the names of those responsible (in this case irresponsible), so I will ... for now.
It just makes me so angry, that with so many things happening in Greece right now, so many uncertainties, that those who do have control over some things, blatantly ignore them. If Kefalonia can't govern over us, then we should have the right to govern ourselves. Ithaca can't just accept this behaviour.
Tuesday 10th - February usually means some snow on Ithaca, albeit in Anoghi. Last night there was quite a covering with -2C there weren't mountains of snow, but enough to cover the fields and the road.
I got up early in hope it hadn't all melted to mush overnight, to get some pics for you. The road was 2 - 3 inches thick with ice, so it was pretty slippery. It cracked under the tyres and the noise of it vibrated and bounced off the mountains and alerted locals someone was coming.
Left - Probably not a day for drying clothes on the line.
Above - George Daglas will be reciting his book of poetry at Mylos Creperie in Vathy tonight.
Stavros Carnival Party that has been advertised around the traps for this Friday 13th has been cancelled. Do not go to the party, do not go to the party.
Below - Lots of things happening between now and Easter so keep your eyes on the Ithaki Calendar where 'what's on' will be continuously updated.
While the top of Ithaca is just beginning to thaw out after a snowy night, below it's sunny for the first time in weeks, with not a cloud in the sky. It is pretty cold though.
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made into virtual postcards for you to send
to your friends and loved ones.
Nothing can replace a real postcard
but this is a good second place when you
want the card to arrive before you do.
ithacagreece.com Mobile/Cellphone App
ithacagreece.com now has an app for your
mobile/cell phone. Covering many
platforms. To download through your
Mob/Cell Click on Icon Above.
Send an e-Thiaki Postcard
A Collection of ithacagreece.com photographs
made into virtual postcards for you to send
to your friends and loved ones.
Nothing can replace a real postcard
but this is a good second place when you
want the card to arrive before you do.
ithacagreece.com Mobile/Cellphone App
ithacagreece.com now has an app for your
mobile/cell phone. Covering many
platforms. To download through your
Mob/Cell Click on Icon Above.
Send an e-Thiaki Postcard
A Collection of ithacagreece.com photographs
made into virtual postcards for you to send
to your friends and loved ones.
Nothing can replace a real postcard
but this is a good second place when you
want the card to arrive before you do.
ithacagreece.com Mobile/Cellphone App
ithacagreece.com now has an app for your
mobile/cell phone. Covering many
platforms. To download through your
Mob/Cell Click on Icon Above.