Many people have asked us if we’re affected by the Greek economic situation since the bailout is much in the news. Here’s the answer.
People are still out spending and the tavernas are full. Because many people are paid at least part of their salary in cash, they don’t seem to pay much tax. And public sector services like the port police appear to be heavily overstaffed. Small wonder the Greek government has run out of money. The big issue for us continues to be the exchange rate – and that’s the result of a weak pound and the state of the UK economy.
St George’s day is big around here with the farming community. They celebrate by racing stallions around the church outside Vonitsa to win a loaf of bread specially blessed by the priest. It has the mayhem of a drag race with little regard for safety.
The riders wear ordinary jeans and trainers, without a helmet. They talk on their mobile and smoke as they gallop. Afterwards on the quayside the sweating horses are tied to lampposts, benches or any other convenient hitching post to kick their heels while the riders drink a glass or two of ouzo. The horses lash out at anything that gets too close – a scooter, a baby buggy, a passerby.
The deck caulking is done – two weeks of strenuous work, aching muscles and filthy fingernails is finally over!
Here's Cathy hard at work.
We’re pleased with the result and glad to get it over before it gets too hot. Now we can leave Vonitsa and go sailing. We spend the first few days exploring the anchorages in the gulf of Amvrakia with some pleasant sailing. We have to move on twice when the wind shifts to put us on a lee shore. We fetch up in the tiny hamlet of Loutraki tucked in close to the shore beside some small traditional fishing boats. We’ve seen dolphins, turtles, pelicans and seabirds here.
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