Thursday 14th June

Our deal with Sarah was that she would be out of her place by Wednesday 13th June (she had originally said she wasn’t moving until the end of the month), and that we would give her a hand with preparing her new house for her to move into. Well, we went to see her new house and boy, did it need work. We helped with a bit of painting then went back to “our house” and packed up the van with Sarah’s stuff. Within a couple of days of hard slog by Sarah and her friend Angela, the difference was remarkable. Angela was working flat-out and by Wednesday, the living room and 2 of the bedrooms were ready to move things into. Not so sure about the kitchen and bathroom though. There is a well in the garden but a distinct lack of running water inside the house. Still, Sarah knew all this when she agreed to move at short notice so we can’t feel guilty about leaving her like this!

Sunday night The Ride were playing at Deano’s and were raided by the noise police. Licences stipulate that music can be played outside until midnight, after which it must be inside behind closed doors. However, the police want the music to stop by 11pm, and after 30 minutes grace, they carry out raids any time after 11.30pm. The courts are supportive of the police and Dean is facing a hefty fine. Carl was visibly shaken by the arrival of the police and he quit the band with immediate effect. Monday, David was to be performing at Deano’s but with Carl’s sudden departure, Dean cancelled Diamond Dave and asked David to fill in for Carl with The Ride at the Enigma club in Tsilivi. David was disappointed because he’d been practicing for his solo gig. As it turned out, the disappearance of a bass guitar led to the late commencement of The Ride at Enigma, there was an audience of only about 20 people, and the manager pulled the plug after 45 minutes. Tuesday, David attended a meeting of Tsilivi bar owners and although the proceedings were in Greek, he said that their anger and frustration was obvious. No entertainment means no tourists means no livelihood for anyone on the island! The law doesn’t make sense. Irene and Dave assure us that the police will find something different to fuss about in a couple of weeks’ time and that this will all blow over. A few months ago there was a clampdown on foreign registered cars and owners were required to pay a huge tax in order to register their cars in Greece. The tax was so expensive that some ex-pats were taking their cars home to sell them and then buy a Greek registered car. This clampdown lasted all of 3 weeks.
Wednesday was moving day and it all went remarkably smoothly albeit exhausting! By the end of the day we were tired and filthy, and must have looked delightful as we went to the fast food place in Alykes for some gyros – the best late night snack ever!

Having completed most of the cleaning last night, we spent today unpacking our things which were piled high in Sarah’s baby’s room. David attached the washing machine (Mum: you wanted to see a picture of the whirly line) and blew up the inflatable sofa (surprisingly comfortable). We went shopping for some bits and pieces, including to Lidl – a bit like McDonalds – they’re identical the world over! Then back “home” for a siesta. The weather is becoming hotter day by day, and by afternoon it really is too hot to do anything but snooze. David’s gigging in “Mad Murphy’s” Irish pub in Lagana tonight. It’s an 11.30pm start, and a different set of police! No problems with late noise in Lagana! Meanwhile I’m making a start at unpacking books …..