6 years on

It has been a long time since posting something on this blog but, the time has come again.

In April this year we completed the sixth year  in Greece and it has been a fantastic time for us.  Very very busy indeed but all worth while.  We came here essentialy because of the dreadful weather we were getting in the UK and we have been justified because the weather here in the south of mainland Greece is fantastic.  So that everybody understands, we do not have central heating, just a fireplace and aircon inverter units.  This winter gone we used the fireplace but never used the inverters.  We had a total of 20 days rain and we were swimming in the pool and the sea even in December.

The year before I took some pictures of San swimming on the 31st of December.  The water was cold but you got used to it in 5 minutes.  The sunshine after coming out of the sea made it all worth while when you realise it was 24 degrees.

The house looks lived in now, the grounds are sorted, the trees are fantastic producing 320kgs of the purest olive oil, year after year, we also growing our own table olives, potatoes, lettuce, broccolli, carrots etc.....up until now I thought these things grew on supermarket shelves lol Also, for the first time I ve made my own wine (red) under the instruction of a pro, it was a fantastic experience and the red wine I produced is excellent, made from 5 different varieties of red and black grapes.  Of course I bought the wine barrels bla bla bla, all the equipment....ssoooooo.... I will have to make my own wine every year from now on......many drunk nights for the future.........

San always dreamed of a life in the sun and she sais she has got it now.

As a car driver and more importantly a biker, I have found this place a paradise.  No cameras, the polise dont give a **** about anything, the crash helmet law is valid but nobody wears a crash helmet (I cant bring myself to ride my bike without wearing one).  A stroll on the beach, the sea side villages, the loads of cafes-tavernas-bars........all add to the quality of life.....year round biking minus 20 days of rain..

We have made new friends here but we also miss our family and old friends in the UK. 

Apart from the basic house build we ve done everything else ourselves.  Even the supports for the tent, I felt that designing and welding a supports would protect the tent from breaking under stress.  I am looking for projects all the time and I do find them or San dreams them up. haha

Having painted the railings, house, swimming pool,built  the stone chimney this year, it is now the time to have my holidays which is the rest of June, July, August and September when our best mates Gordon and Sue are going to be coming over for a rest.....

Some pickies

Hi everyone,

I know it's been a long long time since the last time we published anything on this spot.

Never mind, we are well and hve been extremely busy. Perhaps you could see that from these pictures.

All the big projects are done and the time has come for a bit of a relaxing time as well as some biking around Greece, some islands etc etc.

Hi all
We know it has been a while since the last update, we now have some news to publish as well as some pictures.
The build has not progressed as before i.e. we had to wait for the plumber a number of weeks now but, finally, he started work on Monday just gone and looks to be getting on with the job. All the plastering has finished, the electrician has finished (needs to do the second fix, should not take long) and the rails on the veranda are installed (our own design and we are very pleased with the result). As soon as the plumber finishes, the floor (indoor/outdoor) and wall tiles (bathrooms) will start. The marble stairs to the side walk and the veranda are ready for fixing as well as the front stairs.
Well, the build now looks and feels like home. We had our first meal on the veranda the other night i.e. ouzo and meze.
We have now ordered all the furniture. The electrics with the eight speaker system wires are already laid under floor, I am well pleased.
On the shooting front, ten days ago I won the GOLD Medal at the Greek Open in Athens, clear by three targets, pointless to say that I was very pleased because I have not done any shooting for the past nine years.
October the 18th today, just come back from the beach and still the blue skies and 30 degrees. The tourists disappeared the beginning of September and the long sandy beaches are empty. In a 2 mile long beach (our favourite) there were today 6/7 people and the whole of the Med in front of us. Just beautiful.
We are getting ready for our first olive harvest which should start in November. We have bought several bits and pieces that we shall need like a chain saw, nets, rakes and a trailer for taking the sacks of olives to the press. We are also getting some stainless steel containers for the storage of oil, place your orders now, for virgin olive oil. lol
We are very well, we hope you are all very well.
Love to all,
Petros and Sandra

As from 21st August 07

We have finally got a roof over our heads. haha It's great that all the brick work is done and the tiled roof finished. The electrician has also completed the first fix and the plumber will be in his first fix in a couple of days time. The aluminium fixings for the windows and doors are also in position. Great guns.
San has just come back from Britain after spending time with all the relatives and some friends and it's great to have her back. She has enjoyed her stay over there but missed the Greek weather and the "easy going life" of the Greek lifestyle.
We hope that you like the latest news and pictures. The sunsets are fantastic here.
Love to all
Petros and San

Latest News

Hi all
We thought it was time to update the site with the latest developments of our build and to publish the latest pictures (taken yesterday at 8.30pm).
As you can see from the pickies, all the concrete work is finished and the brick work has started. The architect has said that the brickie will finish the whole house before he moves him to another job (propably next door, at our friend’s house, by the first week in August).
We have been looking at new kitchens, appliances, tiles for floors-verandas-bathrooms as well as outdoor and indoor furniture.
Life is still very good, exploring areas, water holes, doing some biking, shooting and generally having kept busy socialising with the locals and foreigners.
The pickie of San and me at 9.00pm in Finikounda.
And another pickie with good friends Tom and Kim.
Further news soon,
Love to all,
Petros and Sandra

Further Progress

Hi all
There has been considerable progress with the build and we thought we better update the site with a few words and pictures.
The basement of the house is done and the shuttering of the first floor is complete for pouring the concrete. I went on to it today and looked very impressive. The picture of the view is what we will be able to see from the veranda once the house is finished.
I can tell you that we are very excited with the progress that the architect has made.
We are still exploring the southern Peloponnesian coast and have seen several fantastic places of interest.
We also found the Kalamata shooting ground and I have started doing some shooting as well. The club president and the members have made us very welcomed. It has a very nice club house with great restaurant and bar facilities. I will take some pictures on Sunday for posting.
Further news soon,
Love to all,
Petros and Sandra.

House Build

Hi All,
Just a few words to update for you our progress in Greece.
We arrived in Methoni five weeks ago and so far are enjoying the village life, the people, both local and foreign and the fabulous weather.
Our house build has started and it looks like the architect is living up to our expectations and the house will be completed within the twelve months as promised. Pics of the footings/shuttering, ready for ironwork (anti-seismic) and concrete are attached. The background picture of San standing on mound of earth will be the view from the verandah.
We have started biking, been out twice now, exploring the local places of interest. Its biking in the mornings, swimming in the afternoons.
Can’t get used to waking up to blue skies and sunshine everyday…..temp. 28 -33….and not having to go to work!! Can’t be bad!
We have a new ‘local’ called ‘Destinos’ and we can be found in there most weekends. Pics. attached….only problem, no Guinness, but plenty of Tia Maria for Sandra.
Further news soon,
Love to all,
Petros and Sandra.