Regatta Week on Spetses
By Helen Grubner. Filed in Uncategorized |
View of Yacht Racing from near where we swim and sunbathe
During the past week from 18-21 June the annual Spetses Classic Yacht Regatta was held. Bringing millions of dollars worth of vessels … a record 75 yachts in all (classic boats, schooners and lateens), people and money to the island. Constantine II, the ex-king of Greece was seen on the island … not that that is so unusual, he and his family are frequent visitors here. Check out more on www.classicyachtrace.com/en/ Although we could not attend the Welcome Cocktail party at the Poseidonion Grand Hotel (for participants only), Thursday evening my new friend Evdokia and I were able to secure a table on the terrace there for a couple of drinks, before going to Bar Spetsa until late.
Saturday night was Evdokia’s last on the island so we met in the Bar around 2300 hours. Fortunately, that night Costas had four helpers … just as well as the place was packed, especially between 2300 and 0200 hours. Costas and I did not arrive home until 0540 hours, via Abari Bar and the bakery, with two Bougatsa (custard filled pastries, hot and fresh) which were devoured before going to bed.
I try most mornings to get myself out of bed early enough to do my 5 kilometer walk before the real heat of the day. I had just returned to the house on Monday morning when rain accompanied by thunder arrived … it was back again that afternoon. However, since then the weather has been stunning … cloudless blue skies, not too hot, perfect for the two of us to go down to Agios Mamas beach for a dip and to spend a little time in the sun … wonderful therapy. My family and friends back in Wanganui, New Zealand have not fared so well this past week. With the highest rainfall in recorded history and the Whanganui River breaking it’s banks, many homes were flooded … the city is a mess! To add insult to injury, since then it has been extremely cold with one night a temperature of -20 degrees C being recorded somewhere in the South Island. Yes, I am blessed and very lucky to be here.
It seems there is no end to the Greek Crisis either … I am not sure what the Government is trying to do, I doubt they know themselves. Ann Diamond, my Canadian friend who is a writer and like me, lives between her country in Montreal and with her partner on the island of Lemnos, wrote an article on the subject earlier in the week. I recommend you go to my last Blog “Precious Hot Summer Days and Nights” where there are 2 Comments posted. Click on Comments and there you will find one from Ann with a link to her article … makes for very interesting and entertaining reading.
It is four weeks tonight since I arrived back on the island. My main aim is to make the most of each and every day and I believe I am achieving that.
Thursday, June 25th 2015 at 8:40 pm |
Hi Helen greetings from flood damaged Wanganui. What a weekend last weekend turned out to be. Flooding,power cuts, phones down and no internet connection, Bridges closed, road closure etc etc . Not to mention the continuous rain. All 3 bridges were closed. Fortunately tucked away where we are we had no flooding whatsoever. We only had power outages x 3 for short time.
A huge clean up is still being carried out. It is so sad to see the mess left behind. The underground car park at Traf Sq was flooded out with water coming right up the first half of the ramp into the building.
Kowhai park was under water with the tip of the big snake only seen above the water. That’s how high it was. A terrible mess to our lovely town. The Paraparas still closed due to many slips. The River and sea were very angry looking.
Glad to hear you are enjoying all that lovely sunshine.
Take care and love to you both xx