Up ridiculously early considering how knackered we all were, but we had toast, and Alice’s jam before eventually getting up at 9.30am. Matthew came with me on Skilos to town (Skilos was a bit alarmed to have two 11.5 stone bodies on board!) Matthew was impressed (not) with my Greek language skills! Megala packetto of purple silk cut parakalo) very impressive. Jane showed Emma round the village. We all stuck labels on my tapes then just blobbed out for the day. Math was dead keen to hit the beach but we persuaded him to wait until later cos of the heat.

Eventually, we all walked down to Micro at about 4.20pm. For Micro it was quite busy (more than 20 people) but Matthew was quite surprised at himself at stripping off and sunbathing nude like the rest of us. I know what he means. I was very self conscious about it at first, but the appeal of an all over tan and the nice sense of freedom is a good incentive!! He wasn’t ready to swim nude cos this meant walking up the beach a little way (Emma neither) so they both put their cosi’s on to swim. Great snorkelling today. Emma and I went right out round the rocks and we saw an octopus and a shoal of about eight chunky fish. We didn’t leave the beach till about 6.30pm - 7.00ish when the sun was just disappearing behind the hills but it was still a warm walk up. When we got home it was 7.20pm and with swimming and walking I was knackered. Jane cooked a nice chicken casserole thing, after I’d butchered the bird with my ever blunting Swiss army knife. I nipped down to Andy and Alice’s to return their car and Alice gave me a large bowl of bread and fruit pudding. They give us so much!! We could hardly have met more generous people.

We all played cards and we’re in bed by 11.30pm.

Matthew and Emma went to the shops in the village and got lost (as you do). I went down to sing at Phillipe’s and guess what …… it was really quiet. Still one Italian couple bought me a drink and on their way out they bought a tape, so it was worth the gig. The others came down and met Steve. John Greenwood came in having got back to the island on Monday. We all went to Andy and Alice’s and had tea. Math and Emma decided to walk to Partitiri at 6.00pm down the donkey path so they could explore town, then meet us in Rissoume later. Jane and I skilossed down later and met the others there. Andy and I played OK. Peter, Jason and Mimi, went round with the hat. But it was a good night and a friendly, receptive place to play.

What characters Mimi and Jason are. They both go to stage school and its shows in their confidence (and style). Jason plays the young Alexi Sayle in the current series. He was encouraging people at the taverna to clap and one table of Greeks invited him over (he’s 11) with his dad’s permission he joined them and spent the evening with them. They bought him a meal and gave him their address in Volos. Respectfully they gave this to Peter saying what a fine chap Jason is and he can contact them whenever.

p>

3.8.95

Up early again!! Windy and cloudy with bits of thunder but still no real rain which we need. Its so muggy. We all walked to town and Jane was relieved to find the donkey path clear of buzzing biting things. We had a drink with Janis then shopped. Jane and I bussed back while the others walked.

Matthew and Emma walked down to Micro and I went down on Skilos (Jane didn’t fancy it). A bit ironic really cos when we’d had enough I offered to take Math and Emma’s ruc-sac up on Skilos to make their walk easier. After spending 25 mins trying to start Skilos (which consisted of fiddling with things I didn’t understand and pushing him up the hill a bit to roll down for a speculative jump start) I realised I’d have to walk ………and carry the bag. Bugger. Jane was probably a bit worried and I saw her looking down to see me coming. God! I feel old. I was knackered. I wouldn’t normally choose to walk at that time (6ish).

The beach had been a bit weird. No one was nude! At first! I thought about it for 20 seconds then stomped off into the sea naked. Well it is our beach after all and someone needs to maintain the standards.

Matthew and Emma cooked a nice tea and Jane went down to Alice’s to try making earrings out of stuff you can harden in the oven. She did well and has the bug. They plan to try selling them in town. I think they could do well. Me, Matthew and Emma sat on the roof (and kicked off the moss……..) I mean the terrace and chatted about life in general including future plans. Jane thought she sensed a bit of tension when she came home. Not so, though I think Matthew was a bit reflective about what may lie ahead for him and Emma and work.

Oh! I should’ve said that me and Math borrowed Alice’s car to go and look at Skilos (Lucky Matthew was here) It was the spark plug which was solid with oil. I need a plug spanner sometime.

Matthew is so hyper!! I guess we have become so laid back that he seems to be on the go all the time. Our problem not his. He and Emma left early to go to Micro beach before it got busy (apparently it was really nice at that time). Jane and I pottered and joined them with some sarnies by which time two boats had dropped anchor and the beach was littered with Italians in cozzie’s. I’m beginning to not like August. Good snorkelling though. I’m getting less comfortable going nude in Micro as there are too many tourists who clearly don’t get it.

Bummer! We have new neighbour opposite. Seven French young people!! They arrived and got excited, so were noisy through siesta, though they did stop when Jane pointed this out to Melanie who is apparently staying with them. We’d met her on the beach. I was knackered today and blobbed for the afternoon. After tea, we decided to go crabbing! Matthew used an old string t-shirt Emma found on the beach to make a net using an old hose pipe as a frame. By the time we got it together it was nearly 8pm but we marched off to look at the beach below Philippe’s. It was a long walk but nice at this time of day. Shite beach as we’d been told but we clambered out onto the rocks and dropped the net with our lamb chop bones as bait. Its hard to believe, but we didn’t catch a thing, not even with our fishing lines. I got a mozzy up my shirt and have two corking bites and one on my elbow. Jane peed in a cup off the beach and applied it liberally to my bites. When we got up the hill to Chora all the power shut off and stayed off for an hour or so. We all sat on the terrace, chatting and looking for shooting stars and satellites and listening to our chatty French neighbours.

Our neighbors got back from some grotty club or other at 3.45am and though, in fairness, they were trying to be quiet they woke us up and their chatting was clear for at least 30 mins. BUGGER!! We did get back to sleep though.

Matthew and Emma went of to town for a day on their own, I went shopping on Skilos and Jane went to Alice’s to make earrings. I check the fax’s everytime I’m in town and I’m sure they think I’m just posing.

Well today we had one off Kathy and one off my mum! I grabbed one for Renee aswell and dropped it into her. She’s having a really quite season in her little gift shop. Like me with my tapes she had a good spell in June and ordered more stock, since then - nowt. I’ve had a singy, writing sort of morning on my own which has been very pleasant. Not that productive but nice all the same.

Jane and I packed our bag to go down to meet Math and Emma on Megala beach but we found them at "Be sure - No’s" on the way so we canceled our plan. Well, there’s plenty of time for beaches.

Me and Andy played Paraport. Went well and I sold 2 tapes after three songs (and a total of 5 at the end of the night). Jane and Alice didn’t sell any earrings but maybe it was not a good time.

Jane was going to try flogging earrings with Alice in the village at 11.00am. Alice turned up at 11.15am saying the village was empty. We are still waiting for the season to get started as we have been assured it will since we arrived here in May. Me and Matthew spent the morning (well, Matthew really) constructing a net out of a long piece of wood with a coat hanger and the multi-faceted mozzy netting, to try and scoop the stopper I’d dropped into the water tank. I dropped a vital part 10ft down in our huge tank. Probably it would never get full enough to worry but I had this sneaking fear that it might fill up and of course, over flow. The others laughed at me, but I was relieved when Matthew eventually scooped it out. We broke the habit of our normal routine and went to Megala beach at 2.00pm. We Skilossed, Matthew and Emma walked (well - they’re young!). It was quite nice seeing a few people we know, but we were wiped out by the time we got back at 6ish. We took the old air bed Jane had found (and Matthew and Emma repaired) which was a bit of fun. Matthew and Emma went off with air bed and masks for underwater observations. We saw an octopus moving along changing colour, as it crossed different areas.

I could’ve done with a sleep, but I had a gig on at Rissoume. Jane came, leaving Matthew and Emma to what was billed as a ‘romantic evening’, though Emma was asleep when we left. Layla Steve and Jenny were there and it wasn’t a bad night. People didn’t seem that enthusiastic but when Alice did the hat, she said people were complimentary and we made 3500dr each.

Matthew and Emma had arranged the foam mattresses into a sofa, cos we’d said how we miss our comfy seats - isn’t that nice! I had to fight to get on it though.

The French posse were up at 6.40 bloody 5am. We hoped it was cos they were leaving but alas they were just out somewhere early. Still we all got back to sleep till 9.45ish.

Jane and I did a Skilos run to Votsi and Patitiri for essentials. We got home to find someone had got our mail and delivered it - a letter from Pete and Cath with drawings from Ruth. Good buddies!!

Matthew and Emma went off exploring the lanes at the end of the island. Its nice cos it means we don’t have to bother doing it, they can tell us what it’s like - there’s nowt there!!

They came back at 3.00pm for a drink and a snack and were then itching to go to Micro so I walked down with them. We walked out round the rocks and did some fishing with the lines Kevin and Sue left us. Using little snails as bait, Math soon caught a small fish. He had to kill it cos its too hard to get the hook out, so we used the head for further bait. I snorkeled out to a rock and dropped a line. I caught two fish - one got away just as I was going to grab it! (honest) and I got a spiny bugger but the second hook got caught on a rock so I had to jump in, free the hook and swim back to shore dragging my fish!. I got the ugliest! Matthew got another one. Our first catch was quickly pounced up by a big red and yellow hornet things so we left it. We walked back to the beach which was nicely peopled with nude bodies, so getting the kit off was no hassle. Andy and Alice were there. Matthew and Emma had a plan to float out deep on the air bed with snorks and drop a line with one of our fishes. I did some snorkelling around them and removed a funny little yellow, pulsing jelly thing (looked like a cauliflower) and got bored and bit knackered so I went back onto the beach. Math and Emma apparently saw a large fish come rushing out to grab their bait and it freaked them out realising that they may actually catch one! So they abandoned the mission. It was quite compelling, fishing off the rocks, feeling fish grabbing the bait - its sport!! But it did feel barbaric especially as we couldn’t throw them back cos we didn’t have gear to get hooks out. But as my mum once said - "Fish don’t feel pain"! Right!

We walked up at 6pm and it was hard work (for me) I must, must get back to walking up after 7pm in future. Jane cooked a nice tea and Peter and Mimi came round so I could buzz Peter’s head. He’s a Number 1 all over man. He said he used to have really long hair. I’d love to have buzzed that off. They left to eat - Jason was out again with the Greeks he’d met in Rissoume so Peter was treating Mimi.

The rest of us had a nice evening with Janis who lives in Simon’s weird and wonderful house. Matthew took some photos of it for her and she gave him a copy of Simon’s poetry book. Janis is nice. She has a social work background and was married to a Brit potter / sculptor who lived here for 12yrs. Monty and Claudette bought their house and Peter and the kids are staying there. Renee joined us later and we all had quite a laugh. p>

There were lots of people in and out of the French house opposite which raised alarm bells. They had a key to the other house over the way and went in there to party.

8.8.95

Unfortunately they kept us awake. Not so much with party noise but the odd loud voice and that bloody door which they can’t open or close without slamming it!! I did mention it to Melanie, this morning but I’m not sure they will do much about it. Lets hope they go soon.

Matthew and Emma hope to get up to Steni Vala on the bus (Stenhousemuir - as Matthew says). Jane is out with Alice trying to sell earrings. I went down to see Buck and to discuss the problem of the banging door of the French people. I stayed for a drink and a chat (it just occurred to me the Buck sounds like John Wayne!) and he assured me that the neighbours door will be sorted. Buck and Marion had just been in town paying water bills for the houses they look after and it took 1 ¾ hours! Each receipt has to be separately handwritten!! What Joy!

Alice sold a pair of her earrings for 3000dr so she and Jane are a bit more positive then they were. Later on Jane and I Skilossed half way up the cost to find Megali Ammos beach. Beautiful pine forests and reasonable dirt track roads led us to this delightful beach on the north western coast. There were very few people there, most had come in posh looking motor boats including the Arcamedes entourage. It was a nice change to go to a different beach and we will go again. We got home at about 7pm and Matthew and Emma had not returned. They got back after 8pm and had worked out the buses to Steni Vala - but missed it today. So they explored Spartines and Votsi and Milia before walking home on the road.

(On two occasions now we’ve spluttered up the last bit of the hill with smoke puffing out of Skilos, to be followed up by Nickos from Paraport saying "is this a Harley Davidson?" - He works at Paraport every night and is up early working on the bar he plans to open next year).

Matthew and Emma went out to Zorba’s to eat and were out all evening. We stayed in. God, its getting hot here now! At night it is really sticky and Jane’s finding it hard.

We were all up early and left at 9.30am to walk to town. Matthew and Emma seem OK in the heat. Jane and I find it really steamy, and were knackered when we got there. I went to the Post Office. We had letters off Bob, Neil, Dave and Jackie, Yvonne, Di and a card from Matthew and Emma which they posted at the airport thanking us for their stay. Beaten by the Greek post which is fast shattering its own reputation for being crap.

We just managed to get on the bus, which is now constantly full of tourists during the day, and dropped off mail to Layla and Janis. Layla’s a good motivator (possibly for her own benefit) and asked if I was singing today. I hadn’t planned to but cos of this, I did . Phillipe had his customary moan about me having not been there for days. Though Wendy explained that I don’t get paid so I come when I feel its worth it. I said I needed to know it was OK by him and he said I could come when I want. In spite of his idiosynchrocies he is always pleased when I do OK and he said "Bravo" when I told him I’d done 3000dr with a tape. I said "Bravo" too!

I showed Matthew how to handle Skilos (he said like a veteran biker) - he and Emma have taken Skilos off to look further up the island. They returned about 7pm just as we were wondering if Skilos had behaved. Oh Dear! They got ¾ of the way to Megali Amos and got a puncture. Wisely they left it and had a good day on the beach before heroically pushing it all the way (3 miles) into Patitiri where there parked it and walked home. They were dripping. Bilious Ilias had quoted them 4000dr to repair!! Jane went out to sell earrings on the main street. Alice was ½ an hour late and joined her for 40 mins! They sold a pair! I went down to Andy and Alice’s and we left soon after 9pm for Rissoume. The Taverna customers were Greek and were glued to the telly as a popular Greek team were playing football. We hung on for a bit but decided to come back and try again on Friday. It would not have worked to play. We had a look at Votsi which was dead so we called it a night.

Neighbors woke me up at 4.30am!! I wrote a song called "Gonna kill my neighbors"! It did it for me at the time.

Matthew and Emma were off to get a boat up to Stenni Vala, so I walked in with them to sort out Skilos. I asked Mitros how much he charged to fix puncture. Amazingly he said "nothing". I've underestimated him. He even offered to go and collect it but I said I’d do it. So I spent the morning watching the town bubbling with tourists. I sat in the cheap seats, where the old Greek men sit and I could watch the excursion boats go out - including Matthew and Emma’s. I saw Steve in town and took the opportunity of reminding him that he owes us 2000dr (from months ago). He took it well and was gutted he’d forgotten. I told him to keep it as we owe him 3000dr for the video, so we owe him 1000dr - I’ll pay for it in a few months (only joking). He gave us this wonderful promotional video of Alonissos made by the Italian tourist office in Votsi.

Matthew and Emma were keen to treat us in some way for letting them stay, as if we wouldn’t!! but we didn’t want them to pay for a meal out as we never think its that special, so its wasted expense. Instead we all walked to town where they treated us to Gyros Pittas which they’d had before. Jane and I had never tried them. The place is just a kebab shop Take away with a few tables outside. It was packed and extremely hot! The owner kept bringing out tables and setting them up in front of shops - now closed for the evening. Eventually we got our gyros and they were great. Very greasy, but filling, cheap (300dr) and nice. We sat at Bette Midlers for ice-creams afterwards and spent an hour people watching before getting the bus up to the village after 10pm. I slept with earplugs in and had an undisturbed night.

Matthew and Emma took Skilos out again ………(and the front brake cable broke). He just doesn’t seem to like them. We were invited to The Goodwin’s for a barbecue. It was nice of them to invite us as we don’t know them that well. John and Robyn have been at Phillipe’s several times when me and Kevin have played and Robyn actually bought one of my tapes so she enters an elite band of people for that alone. We didn’t know many of the other people so we didn’t mind too much when we had to leave cos I was singing in Rissoume.

We got to Andy and Alice’s for 8.50am where Andy told us they were off to Germany for a week to see Alice’s father. Alice was clearly upset and edgy about finally deciding to go. So Jane and I are going to look after the house for a week. Alice didn’t come to Rissoume but Jane did as did Charlie and Hannah, both lovely people. Charlie is Alice’s friend from Germany and we have really enjoyed evenings with him and Hannah or Hanilora. It was a good gig. We had lots of room and played well and got applause. Father Greg was sitting right behind us and it was a bit odd singing "if there’s someone up there". Instead of singing the line "Hey Preacher I’ve got a question" I said "Hey Hmmmm Hmmm" Jane did the hat and got us about 3500dr each. Some Greeks who’d been clapping didn’t put anything in. Charlie paid 2000dr! He is so generous. We had a tea with Andy and Alice so they could tell us what’s what with the house. Poor Alice is shot away. I hope Andy gives her the cuddle she really needs.

Me and Matt Skilossed to town (gently) to get the brake done. Nikkos partner Mitros did it (eventually) and reminded me about the puncture. I said I was told it was no charge, but Nikkos said he had to give the boys 1000dr for doing it. I wish he’d said, I felt a bit guilty. Anyway it was 4000dr all in so not too bad. We went home having hung around town all morning watching boats getting their anchors tangled. We had a chat with Darren who’s ‘resting’ while his girlfriend is away in Crete. We took a few things down to Andy and Alice’s as Jane and I are to look after their house leaving Mat & Emma to have our place to themselves for a few nights. We immediately treated our clothes to a wash in Alice’s machine. We know how to live!

(I’ve just remembered - a few days ago I cut German Heida’s hair. She had planned to have a Jane cut, but bottled out and left having had a rough (very) trim. Not my usual style and I found it hard as my clippers did not like going through such thick hair. Later she returned having been "talked to" by Alice and Jane. The came too, and ‘supported’ her to having it all off. My buzzer struggled with her thick curly hair but it looked good in the end. She bought a tape.)

I had to play Paraport on my own as Andy and Alice are away. It went well but I have to say, it just ain’t as much fun on my own. I have become used to doing these gigs with Andy. I sang for longer than usual though and had the chance to sing all my own songs. Charlie did the hat and it was as good as usual (not that good then) and I sold one tape , making 6600 ……all for me! There are benefits to going solo.

13.8.95

I skilossed, the others walked to town for shopping. I was doing Phillipe’s at lunch time and didn’t want to risk the bus or walk. Phillipe ……was a waste of time though for some reason I always quite enjoy it. A few people listened. I made 360dr (just over £1 but it goes along way in the veg shop) Jane, however sold 2 pairs of earrings to one of the Eldorado set,(we call the new houses on the edge of the village Eldorado after that famous Spanish based soap opera) who’d come up to see her goods. So the family business is ticking over. I’ve sussed out how to use Andy’s porta studio, so I’m getting my new songs recorded. We went up to our house and had a gorgeous BBQ with salad and Tsatsiki etc. Really nice last night nosh for Matthew and Emma. We lay around on the terrace watching shooting stars in the clear night sky. Jane and I got the key for Andy and Alice’s car off Hieda via Ilias then went home (to Alice’s)

14.8.95

Matthew and Emma came down for 7.30am and we drove down to Partitiri to take them to the ferry. John’s Goodwin’s friends were also on the same boat. Its been really nice having Mat & Emma here for 2 weeks. No tears today though! We know we’ll seem them soon. We took advantage of the car and did a big shop. W went up to check our house and emptied bins and all that. Jane is actually watching telly back at Alice’s. What a decadence.!

I’m making use of Andy’s porta-studio to get down my new songs. I took the guitar up to Phillipe’s even though it was really windy which always guarantees very few customers as the wind gusts aggressively up the steep valley on the exposed side making it impossible for people to sit for too long. So I didn’t play. Instead I sat for nearly 2 hours chatting to Steve and later our favorite Greek chap. Steve was impressed that I kept a diary all summer and feels that it would be an interesting read.

I did a bit more recording having had a good sleep. (I’m getting into siestas). Jane went up to the village to try selling her earrings. I joined her later - no go tonight. We dropped the foam bedding back to Arcamedes and Bernadette. As we tried to open Andy and Alice’s door the key snapped off in my hand. Oops! I had to climb in through the window from next door. Philippe (a different one who has been renting the big house next to Alice’s) invited us over for a drink as it was their last night. Peter and the kids were there and Olivia and Frank. It was a lovely evening and we were there until 10.30pm chatting about culture, Thatcherism (spit) and other brain teasing subjects that we haven’t spent much time considering recently.

I knocked up a stir fry cos Jane had found some soy-sauce in town. Its the festival of Mary (or something) tomorrow and they’ve put benches in the trees at the bus-stop. A Greek trio of bazouki, violin and clarinet played (very bad in my view but it had a real raw quality unlike the tinkley Greek music we usually here and the local people loved it) till gone 2am. I would describe it as excruciating and incessant. We watched a film. Yes we are officially lording it

Had a great sleep (means a lot to me). Up at 9.20am I went to town to get petrol and stuff. The Post Office is still closed dammit!! Traffic up to the Chora was very busy with cars parked all the way down past Andy and Alice’s lane cos locals flocked up for the religious part of today’s festival. People gathered at the grave yard church to be blessed by Father Greg then everyone hung out at "Be sure - No’s" until Father Greg, the Mayor and other dignitaries offered prayers to the memorial of the soldiers killed by Nazi’s in the war. We sat in Zorba’s and chatted to Nic then watched the scene, which didn’t really amount to much. D’you know, people ask me what I do all day. Well mostly I write my diary saying how little I do! Its great!

We skilossed to Micro beach and popped in to see Peter and the kids on the way. We stayed there for about 1 ½ hours just chatting. They were all hanging around with no clothes on enjoying the isolation of their (Monty and Claudette’s) house. The house is much pokier than we’d thought it would be. It does have a lovely big terrace though. Peter spent a lot of time trying to convince me to keep on pursuing my music as a career and has promised to get my tape to someone he know in the biz. (I won’t be holding my breath 'cos people often say this sort of thing). We agreed that I need lessons on how to sell myself and get "in their faces". Eventually we got to the beach for an hour and had a good swim.

Jane got ready then went out to sell earrings cos the Village was full of Greeks up for the festival. She sold a pair to Steve ……….

I spent a few hours finishing off porta-studio recording of my newest songs. (My guitar records really well on this machine). Then I got a meal ready, taking advantage of Alice’s oven. I made a sort of vegetable and cheese pastitssio. Loverly!!

Peter and the kids came round and finished up the leftovers before we all went to the village to see what was going one. The Greek trio had started up again and were playing their unfamiliar (to me) brand of traditional music which sounded more Turkish / Eastern than what I know as Greek music. The violinist played chords and sang (!) and the clarinet player had an incredible style, his head and neck were as one and he produced this very proficient, eastern sound that cut through my head like a knife. The village was heaving and people were handing out food. We didn’t try any cos I have a suspicion it was not free. People were dancing but this was mainly tourists. I thought that many of the Greeks who sat on benches under the trees were a bit pissed off with tourists getting in the way. No doubt the locals would get going later. Neville (rich, getting on , lovely kids) said that last night a 70 something man did the most exquisite dancing. Jane and I wandered around the village and for the first time this summer every table in every taverna was full of people. They say the season drops off from now on. We bumped into Neville, Veronique, Olivia and Tan Tan. Tan Tan wants me to give him some guitar tips so I arranged to go to their house tomorrow.

We did a circuit of the village and saw Charlie and Hannah who were similarly cynical about the music. We invited them both back for a cuppa which they did. They invited us to Monika’s house, where they’re staying, for a meal on Friday.

The music from the village went on loud and late, but its incessant repetition sent us to sleep.

Jane was up early again. I got up at 9am and it was really cloudy. We skilossed to the dump but it was…………well full of rubbish!! And it started raining so we came straight home. Jane went back to bed.

We walked down to Neville and Veronique’s (past the quaint, hand-painted sign that says "no way to sea") so that I could give their 15yr old son a few guitar tips. I think he was into it. He knows a few chords so I showed him some more and chatted about how I learned. His mum asked how much I charged. I said nothing but she was insistent so I said I’d be happy if they bought a tape but he already had - for 2000dr cos he said they were too cheap anyway. Neville’s English and Veronique is French. The kids are perfectly bi-lingual. Neville is a barrister or judge or something. He gave me a guided tour of their house. They have loads of land. He asked if I’d help him dig up a path and lay a sort of stone patio …..sure!! He’s been a property owner here since 1979 and has lots of land. He says he had a problem with the hardware shop guy in the past so now boycotts it (its like that around here). So I agreed to go and price up a pick-axe for him. Veronique said if we’re still here in October we can stay in their house for free.

We went up and found where Heida was staying by following the sound of her kids. We stayed and chatted for a while then went back to Andy and Alice’s for food and sleep. Peter and kids popped round later and we put some washing in for them.

Jane and I went to check to see if we’d had faxes from Kevin and Sue (NO) then onto Rissoume where Steve said Layla would be for her birthday. Wrong!! We waited until 9.30pm then Skilossed over to Votsi where Layla and Jenny were. Hank and Ali (Dutch - all year rounders) came later as did Steve. Nice evening. Hanks a nice bloke. Scotland were playing Greece at soccer on telly in the taverna, which was nice to watch (lucky I didn’t take the guitar). Late home at 12.40!!

17.8.95

Still cloudy and later this morning we had some serious rain. Before that , I popped into Patitiri to price a pick-axe. No go on repairing Andy and Alice’s key. No mail, No fax. Saw Darren - he was hungover!

We had a day in at Andy and Alice’s. We watched the rain hammer down, then Heida appeared with Johanis (8yr old) who wanted a number 4 haircut. He had gorgeous shoulder length blonde hair and though it was his choice, I think he was a bit shocked when he saw it. Heida stayed for hours chatting then Uwe came and later Hannah. It was interesting have a 5 way conversation with 3 Germans. They rattled on in German at times - we could pick up some of it but then they’d stop and summarise for us.

Then Mimi and Jason came for an hour or so. I gave Jason a zero haircut - looked great on him. We all walked over to their house and had tea and chats. We packed up the guitar in the ruc-sac and skilossed down to Rissoume. Layla, Steve (later) and Jenny were there and Heida and Ute came with Johanis. Not a bad gig though I wasn’t singing as well and I realised why half way through. I’d tuned my guitar down a semi-tone with Tan Tan cos he was working off a tape and just that little change affected my voice. I asked Layla if she’d do the hat and she said Jenny would do it. I said an adult should go with her but Jenny wouldn’t let Layla go with her, so Jane had to do it. Apparently it was very embarrassing cos Jenny, of course saw it as a game. Anyway, people weren’t very generous and the take was about 2500dr. Luckily though, I sold 4 tapes so it was a good earner.

When Steve walked in he had Neil with him. (Neil, long hair, jelly fish sting - Melissa and Melanie). He and Melissa left on the same ferry as Kevin and Sue. Neil said he’d not really spoken to them cos they’d seemed subdued. Neil is here for a long weekend (BA Employee!) It must have been a weird evening for him when we were all seeing them off on the ferry. He told us later that when he’d been here before he "had a thing going with a girl from Rissoume" She’d written and phoned him but just before he came back this time to see her to tell him her boyfriend would be here. He WAS here at Tassos taverna. She was unable to speak easily with Neil so it was……….strange. He thinks the boyfriend goes on Saturday and he has a secret meeting with the girl on the rocks at Argo (song title?)

18.8.95

We moved most of our stuff back up to our house today. I hiked up with a ruc-sac full of stuff (one week we were there!) and my guitar. I reported to Neville and he gave me 15000dr to buy the pick and ladder. Jane cleaned Andy and Alice’s then we went Phillipe’s to meet Neil who may need a bed for a few nights. He thinks he’s sorted now which is relief to me - We would have let him sleep on our floor but to be honest, I want our house back now. I did want to sleep but we were visited by Peter and kids. Slept later though, I’m getting stuck into John Grisham’s - The Client, so I read till we got ready to go to have a meal with Charlie and Hannah. What cracking people they are. Charlie is very flamboyant with a huge mustache and sideburns. We had a lovely evening and a good feed and were there till 2.30am.

We were up at 6.30am (must be mad) to wave off Peter, Jason and Mimi (who left us coffee and stuff) and Heida and her gang. We thought we’d go back to sleep but we couldn’t. Just as well as some guys started repairing the wall in the lane. Another Greek guy came along and a huge row developed out there and went on for ages. Very entertaining. It only stopped when an American woman whose wall it is, came to cool the scene. I think it only stopped cos the Greek complainant couldn’t handle arguing with a woman.

I walked to town to buy Nev’s ladder and pick and I bought a spark plug spanner for Skilos with the change which I’d been told to keep for me troubles. I tried to use Andy’s car which Heida had left on the harbour but I couldn’t find the key so I did a bit of food shopping and got a taxi to take me up to the shop to collect the stuff then up to Chora. What a miserable git the cabbie is.