23/03/24

[Maik]

Today’s bank rates:   
1 €UR = $ 0.8856 GBP   £1 GBP = 1.1291 €UR
1 €UR = $ 1.1216 USD   £1 USD = 0.8915 €UR
1 €UR = $ 1.7077 AUD   $1 AUD = 0.5855 €UR
   
Based on National Bank of Greece exchange rates.   
Other banks likely to offer rates which may be marginally higher or lower.    
Banks and foreign exchange offices normally charge standard 2% commission.   
You may get a better rate changing your holiday money in advance at e.g. the Post Office.   
NB: some f-ex agencies advertise "No Commission".    
Invariably, they deduct commission before they (don't) advertise the rate.   
Foreign exchange offices are businesses, not charities.   
   
Ten day weather forecast for Kefalonia:   
This is an overall forecast, due to the mountainous terrain the weather can be very localised.   
Updated forecast @ weather.com   
   
Day, Date   Hi°/Lo°   Wind sp   Wet   Forecast   
Sat 23/03   17°/11°   13 km/h   24%   Sun & cloud    
Sun 24/03   18°/14°   16 km/h   24%   Sun & cloud    
Mon 25/03   18°/11°   24 km/h   33%   Showers possible   
Tue 26/03   20°/15°   31 km/h   40%   Showers & winds possible   
Wed 27/03   21°/13°   30 km/h   24%   Sun & cloud, winds possible
Thu 28/03   18°/12°   25 km/h   40%   Showers possible   
Fri 29/03   19°/12°   15 km/h   11%   Mostly sunny    
Sat 30/03   21°/13°   10 km/h   05%   Mostly sunny    
Sun 31/03   22°/14°   11 km/h   04%   Mostly sunny    
Mon 01/04   21°/14°   18 km/h   14%   Sun & cloud    
   

[Maik]

Greece to take part in Earth Hour on Saturday

The Presidency of the Hellenic Republic will take part for another year in WWF's symbolic action for the protection of the environment "Earth Hour" and will turn off the lights of the Presidential Mansion on Saturday 23 March from 20:30 to 21:30, ANA reports.

For exactly one hour, attractions, important monuments, institutions, and businesses around the world will symbolically turn off the lights, highlighting the most pressing need to protect our common home, the planet.

https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/tornos/green-travel/50058-greece-to-take-part-in-earth-hour-on-saturday.html

[Maik]

Temporary road closures for Independence Day parades on Monday, as follows:

Argostoli:
09:00-11:00 - Leoforo G. Vergoti in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Evangelistria
10:00-12:30 - Rizospaston from I Momferatos to D. Deladetsima, whole length of Momferatos

Lixouri:
09:00-13:00 - no parking or traffic on A. Laskaratou from Port Authority building to odos Mantzavinatou

Sami:
09:30-13:30 - parking on Ioannou Metaxas from M Alexadrou to Horofylakis
11:00-13:30 - passage of traffic on Ioannou Metaxas from M Alexadrou to Horofylakis

Poros:
10:30-12:30 - no parking or passage on C Metaxas from odos 25 Martiou (kiddies playground) to Al. Papagou

Diversions will be in place to enable through traffic.

[Maik]

Independence Day celebrations on Kefalonia:

Lixouri @ 10:30 - Official eulogy at Metropolitan Church of Pantokrator followed by laying of wreaths and student parade

Eris @ 10:00 - service at the Holy Church of Agia Paraskevi, Mesovounia, followed by laying of wreaths at the Memorial of the Fallen and student parade
Pylaros @ 10:15 - Official eulogy at the Holy Church of Agia Efimia followed by laying of wreaths at the Memorial of the Fallen and student parade
Sami: 11:30 -  service in the Holy Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos followed by laying of wreaths at the Memorial of the Fallen and student parade

Poros @ 11:00 - service and wreath laying at Monument of the Heroes in Poros plateia followed by parade at 11:30

[Maik]

Minimum wage to rise to €830

The government has decided to raise the minimum wage to around 830 euros gross and €705 net as of April 1.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1234705/minimum-wage-to-rise-to-e830/

[Maik]

The tax office cellphone app

Taxpayers now have the ability to pay taxes, make appointments with the tax office, save all the necessary tax documents, and be updated on payment deadlines from their smartphones.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1234511/the-tax-office-cellphone-app/

[Maik]

Bears ride a pedalo after safari park floods

Playful animals give visitors their money’s worth at Woburn Safari Park after heavy rain created a mini lake

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/03/22/black-bears-play-swan-pedalo-mini-lake-bedfordshire/

[Maik]

Two Canadair aircraft in Corfu for third day running to help fight Albania fire

Two Greek Canadair CL 415 firefighting aircraft have been flying In the skies over Corfu for the third day running. They are based at the Airport Fire Station and are being used for a firefighting operation to combat the large fire in Albania.

The two aircraft were dispatched by the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vasilis Kikilias, to provide assistance, as wildfires are ongoing in the protected area of Pishe-Poro in the Fier region of Albania.

Greece promptly responded to the request of the Albanian authorities through the European Civil Protection agency rescEU.

The Canadair planes arrived at the Corfu base fully equipped and with double crews, as well as engineers. They refuel from Corfu Airport and collect water from the sea. They have a capacity of 5.5 tons of water, allowing them to make even targeted partial drops, always under the guidance of ground firefighting coordinators.

https://enimerosi.com/news/82159/Two-Canadair-aircraft-in-Corfu-for-third-day-to-help-fight-Albania-fire

[Maik]

Speculation in Greece that owners of cars ten years or older will be penalised with addition taxes to encourage switch to 'greener' cars.

[Maik]

Plane trees ravaged by killer fungus

A deadly fungus targeting plane trees has reached epidemic proportions in Greece. So far, more than 52,000 plane trees have died, and there is a risk that most of these deciduous trees will be lost.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/society/1234574/plane-trees-ravaged-by-killer-fungus/

If I remember correctly the plane trees in Tzannata plateia were identified as suffering from a deadly disease a few years back and were injected with an 'anti-virus' that restored them to health.