18/08/23

[Maik]

Kef fire risk 18/08/23: High

Today’s bank rates:
1 €UR = £0.8796 GBP
1 €UR = $1.1227 USD
£1 GBP = 1.1369 €UR
$1 USD = 0.8907 €UR

Based on Alpha Bank exchange rates, these are widely used by exchange agencies in Greece.
Other banks likely to offer a different rate 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
Fri 18/08   33°/23°   22 km/h   03%   Sunny
Sat 19/08   33°/22°   21 km/h   05%   Sunny
Sun 20/08   33°/23°   18 km/h   03%   Sunny
Mon 21/08   34°/25°   18 km/h   03%   Sunny
Tue 22/08   34°/24°   15 km/h   01%   Sunny
Wed 23/08   33°/24°   16 km/h   01%   Sunny
Thu 24/08   32°/22°   16 km/h   03%   Sunny
Fri 25/08   31°/22°   15 km/h   05%   Sunny
Sat 26/08   30°/21°   18 km/h   08%   Sunny
Sun 27/08   30°/21°   20 km/h   11%   Sunny

[Maik]

Body of an 87 y-o Greek male recovered midday yesterday from Ammos beach, Agios Nikolaos, Crete

Body of an 80 y-o Greek female recovered midday yesterday from Chalkoutsi beach, Oropou, Attica

Body of a 63 y-o Greek male recovered midday yesterday from Buka, Messinia, Kalamata

Body of a 55 y-o Greek male recovered midday yesterday from the sea off Kara Tepe, Mytilini, Lesbos

Body of an unidentified male aged 40-50 y-o in an advanced state of decomposition recovered midday yesterday from the sea two nautical miles outside Zea Marina, Piraeus

Body of an 88 y-o Greek male recovered yesterday afternoon from the sea off Yialos, Ios

A search found no sign of a 63 y-o foreign diver missing since yesterday afternoon off the coast of Amorgos

[Maik]

A 56 y-o local male presumed missing at sea off Zouberi, Attica, yesterday morning was later found alive and well back on land.

[Maik]

Italian-flagged boat towed into Argostoli port yesterday evening after suffering damage to its rudder and lack of fuel near the airport. No injuries to any of the four foreign nationals aboard and no marine pollution  observed. Boat confine to port until re-certified seaworthy.

[Maik]

Mungo Jerry frontman Ray Dorset rescued by RNLI off Bournemouth coast

The rocker, best known for hit single In the Summertime, had to be saved when boat ran into shallow water

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/08/17/mungo-jerry-ray-dorset-rnli-rescue-boat/

[Maik]

Trump supporters publish jurors’ names and addresses

Fringe website shares personal details after vote in favour of bringing racketeering charges against former president

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/08/17/names-addresses-grand-jury-donald-trump-supporters-website/

 

[Maik]

Apple Watch and Fitbit straps ‘carry high levels of E. coli’

Florida Atlantic University finds bacterial growth to be common on cloth, plastic and rubber wristbands of popular gadgets

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/08/17/fitbit-apple-smartwatch-straps-filthy-bacteria/

[Maik]

Fire near Spartia last night extinguished by firefighters before it spread.

[Maik]

22 arrests for illegal use of public beach space

Police have made 22 further arrests for the violation of regulations on occupying public space on beaches, during raids carried out by the competent authorities on Mykonos, Paros and Rhodes.

During the raids, inspectors found loungers and umbrellas that had no permits or were within five meters of the shoreline and spaces being used that fall under archaeological protection legislation.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1217986/22-arrests-for-illegal-use-of-public-beach-space/

[Maik]

British Woman Alleges Rape on Greek Island of Ios, Prompting Police Investigation

https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/08/18/british-woman-alleges-rape-on-greek-island-of-ios-prompting-police-investigation/

[Maik]

Temperatures on Kef could reach 36C on Monday and Wednesday coming, possibly 37C on Tuesday. That's according to emy.gr

[Maik]

Greek drivers prone to parking violations, speeding

Illegal parking and speeding are the offenses to which Greek drivers appear most prone to this summer. Indeed, one in four inspections by the Traffic Police found an infringement, with Crete leading the way.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1217973/greek-drivers-prone-to-parking-violations-speeding/

[Maik]

Mykonos: Dragging a suitcase while driving a scooter

https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/08/18/mykonos-dragging-a-suitcase/

[Maik]

Curtain fixture collapses as minister opens rail safety centre in Huddersfield

The rail minister remarked "you couldn't make it up" after a curtain pole collapsed as he opened a new safety centre.

https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2023-08-18/you-couldnt-make-it-up-pole-collapses-as-minister-opens-safety-centre

[Maik]

Bus driver quits mid-route and leaves passengers locked inside

Go North East driver left the vehicle by the famous Angel of the North sculpture, with travellers stuck inside

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/08/18/bus-driver-quits-mid-route-passengers-stranded/

[Maik]

Almost a tragedy on the road to AntiSamos earlier today when a car left the road and landed on its roof in an olive grove down a small cliff. Driver escaped unaided and unharmed.

[Maik]

Rural doctor service available between 10:00-13:00 Monday, 21 August, in Pessada

[Maik]

Wildfire breaks out in Zakinthos island, threatens homes

A wildfire broke out among low vegetation in the eastern coast of the Ionian island of Zakynthos on Friday night and is threatening homes, state-run broadcaster ERT reported.

The flames were in the area of Tsilivi, according to the Fire Brigade.

The Ionian Islands Region’s civil protection have requested an evacuation order.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1218017/wildfire-breaks-out-in-zakinthos-island-threatens-homes/

[Maik]

Also a fire at Akotiri, Zakynthos

[Maik]

‘Bird killing machines’: New Zealand cools on cats to protect native wildlife

Once a nation of cat-lovers, attacks on other animals and recovery in local fauna is reshaping attitudes toward felines

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/19/bird-killing-machines-new-zealand-cools-on-cats-to-protect-native-wildlife