20/09/23

[Maik]

Kef fire risk 20/09/23: Medium

Today’s bank rates:
1 €UR = £0.8885 GBP
1 €UR = $1.1034 USD
£1 GBP = 1.1255 €UR
$1 USD = 0.9063 €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
Wed 20/09   29°/21°   13 km/h   02%   Sun & cloud
Thu 21/09   29°/21°   10 km/h   10%   Cloudy
Fri 22/09   30°/21°   10 km/h   10%   Sunny
Sat 23/09   31°/21°   11 km/h   05%   Sunny
Sun 24/09   30°/20°   16 km/h   22%   Sun & cloud
Mon 25/09   28°/19°   16 km/h   47%   Scattered thunderstorms possible
Tue 26/09   27°/20°   14 km/h   43%   Scattered thunderstorms possible
Wed 27/09   26°/19°   16 km/h   40%   Scattered thunderstorms possible
Thu 28/09   26°/19°   13 km/h   20%   Sun & cloud
Fri 29/09   27°/19°   18 km/h   20%   Sun & cloud

[Maik]

Ithaki coast guard yesterday performed an emergency transfer from Piso Aetos to Sami for a 75 y-o local in need of urgent medical attention.

[Maik]

Acropolis: Romanian tourist arreseted [sic] for stealing marbles

https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/09/20/acropolis-romanian-tourist/

Bit hard to imagine she spotted a stray stone horse's head laying on the ground and stuck it in her handbag, probably a bit of gravel - enough to get arrested on the Acropolis.

[Maik]

UK inflation unexpectedly slows to lowest rate in 18 months at 6.7%

https://www.itv.com/news/2023-09-20/surprise-drop-in-uk-inflation-as-it-falls-to-67

[Maik]

Wigan Casino celebrates 50 years since the beginning of Northern Soul culture

https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2023-09-19/the-dance-hall-sensation-that-lives-on-after-50-years

[Maik]

Government faces criticism over plan to delay ban on sale of petrol and diesel cars to 2035

The government plans to delay a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars by five years to 2035, ITV News understands.

It comes as Rishi Sunak appears to be rowing back on environment policies in a bid to gain votes ahead of the next general election.

Other environmental measures which are believed to be considered for watering down are lowering home insultation [sic] targets, delaying the phase out of gas boilers by 2035, and no new taxes on flying.

https://www.itv.com/news/2023-09-19/government-to-push-back-ban-on-sale-of-petrol-and-electric-cars-to-2035

[Maik]

Half a million borrowers to face remortgage shock over Christmas period

Nearly half a million mortgage borrowers face sharp increases in their repayments this Christmas, as a wave of fixed-rate deals come to an end.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/property/mortgages/home-borrowers-mortgage-shock-christmas/

[Maik]

Freeview’s Streaming Revolution Is Here: ‘Freely’ Unveiled

In a groundbreaking move that promises to redefine the way British viewers consume television, the UK’s leading broadcasters have announced a new free TV service called Freely.

This service aims to deliver live TV over broadband, merging the traditional TV experience with the modern streaming era.

In other words, it will be the streaming replacement of Freeview and Freesat, although those aren’t going anywhere – for now.

Set to launch in 2024, Freely is being developed by Everyone TV (formerly known as Digital UK), an organisation jointly owned by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 – which is currently responsible for operating both Freeview and Freesat.

https://www.cordbusters.co.uk/freeview-freesat-streaming-freely/

[Maik]

Body of an 89 y-o Greek female recovered yesterday afternoon from the sea off Nea Epivaton, Thessaloniki

[Maik]

Two clothes / linen / shoes purple recycling bins in Sami area, one outside Sami KEP, t'other outside the former Pylaros town hall.

[Maik]

European Heritage Days: Free entrance to sites, museums Friday-Sunday

Entrance will be free to all Greek archaeological sites, museums, and monuments for all visitors from September 22 (Friday) to September 24 (Sunday), in celebration of the European Heritage Days.

https://www.amna.gr/en/article/761834/European-Heritage-Days-Free-entrance-to-sites--museums-Friday-Sunday

[Maik]

Priest accused of desecration after installing beer pumps in 600-year-old church

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/09/20/st-ives-cornwall-priest-desecration-beer-pumps-church/