This is an Image of Aegina Island harbour, and for those that know Lynda and me , know that this place in the Saronic islands of Greece had been a second home for us for around 30 years and that we have had a house up the hill from the harbour for around 25 of those years.
However , this is the first time Lynda and I have been in a position to be able to stay here for 3 months at a stretch--- and this is added to the month at Easter and the same at Xmas, so the dream of living in Aegina for the larger part of the year, is still alive and well.
Add to this that not only have we spent the majority of the time we have owned the greek house-- forever know as Kardia, yeah ok so work it out--- doesn't sound so good from Frank Sinatra if he sang " I left my Kardia, in San Francisco", but it kind of fits for Lynda and me in Greece--- bringing it up from a real wrecker to what it is today and that is a 200 year old Greek house that still captures the character of what it should look like while still being very practical with enough Modernity to make it work well for every day living, and we love it.
Just like that--the shape of a Kardia---get it?
Now , there have always been those that have the opinion that we were raving looney's, quite mad to spend our hard earned buying a place in a country that wasn't even in an EU controlled country to boot, and to the point that nowadays, we get far more "Aint you Lucky" or similar remarks.
This view isn't luck--Lynda and I created this roof terrace where was not even any access, and it was hard work.
The point is that , yes , we took a bit of a gamble, back in the late eighties, but you know what, it gave Lynda and I a bit of Purpose to Life, something that we were continuing to be able plan the next bit of the restoration--- This place was a real wrecker when we bought it, dark and gloomy, with wallpaper that it looked like came from the set designers of Dracula, and probably as old as the original.
Plus it allowed us to bring all the children over for much more family holidays that could last a lot longer than back home.
It also allowed us to get to know people that we had met when we first came to stay like these below--
So this is Mr & Mrs Mastrellis, of whom , Elaine lived with us in London when doing her studies in the UK and of whom I was best man at their wedding of which I am very proud, here in Greece, with all the tradition that goes with that. The complete family of the Antonios, the Klellis, and the Papadakis, I will touch on in the future, suffice to say that they have allowed us to become in some way an extended part of their family in Aegina and we are always amazed at how great that feels.
There is also a bit of needing to have got to the stage where you are financially sound enough to be able to do this , with a very understanding Boss, if you plan to carry on working in any way--- I have reached the age where I could walk away from work legally but you know that doesn't suit us right now , so we are happy that Peter Greenhalgh , my CEO, has wanted me to stay , even on a basis where i get to take this kind of time off--bearing in mind that it is 2014 and i can communicate daily on any issues if necessary--and just in case people are wondering , i do not get paid for all those extended holiday--- but for us right now it is the perfect arrangement, especially as we believe that the time is right to start to see and learn a little more of Greece .
It has also allowed us to get to know not only many wonderful Greek people, but also many Ex - Pats that mean a great deal to Lynda and I.
The wonderful Mike & Janet James, Damitra and David Sleddon and the beautiful Constantina just to mention a few.
I was looking for photos for the likes of Georgina, Sylvia, Sue etc but cant find at the minute so witll make up for that later.
Ok so found these---
Georgina with Kostas Pertunia
And with Peter Pan-- No actually Achelleous
Then there were a whole bunch of other wonderful folk but look, Before I Go On, I wont have time for everyone in this post so for those I miss------SORRY.
Mr. Giannis Papadachis looking very handsome---
The beautiful Anjie Lynne and my Lynda
Like sisters they are Ann and Lynda -- and of course Rod and Ann and their Gemma are regular visitors to the house in Greece over the years--
Yeah Ha! and Happy Trails.
And this , motley crew doing a reunion after 25 years--- like an old rock group who should know better but this is Yannis , Achelleous, Jimmy and yours truly--where have those years gone.
Then there are the things we have seen while here such as this-- what a sunset from a beautiful restuarant in Anganitisa
Two beautiful people at the same location--
My Lottery Boat just for a bit of fun anyway
Memories of J & Lynsey at Vagia Beach
Cant have memories from anywhere without some kind of reference to the mighty Blues and a beer with my boy--
Especially with some chelseas reminders over the head of a manc
And for those who cant work out the sign it's "Don't Mess With the Chef"
Great lunch in the Fish market with my boss--
Putting this on of my daughter as I have yet to get one of her and her friends since they have been here--proper partying --got in at 6 this morning
We miss this bunch very much -- but who knows if we are gonna see the out here anytime soon but we live in hope--
Nice photo of JJ , Lynsey & Kathy
Good one at random of Rod and Ann
Hopefully this little thing above will finally be here on the island with us---Lynda has christened it "Super Frankie"-- but jezus Christ, you cannot understand how many forms that we had to fill out --actually there were 11-- which is incredible when you have the money and just wanna drive away with it.
So as we haven't taken a really nice photo so far this summer I thought I would pick this one which I like very much.
So look , these are just ramblings of a madman--
---who just happens to be an Englishman abroad who is loving it here in Greece with my wife, friends and some of the family .
I am here for the whole summer so plan to write a few more blogs in that time so don't fret, don't get jittery or paranoid--I will be back ,promise. :-)
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