05/05/24

[Maik]

Kef fire risk 05/05/24: Low

Today’s bank rates:
1 €UR = £ 0.8834 GBP   £1 GBP = 1.1319 €UR
1 €UR = $ 1.1035 USD   $1 USD = 0.8975 €UR
1 €UR = $ 1.7003 AUD   $1 AUD = 0.5881 €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   
Sun 05/05   24°/13°   16 km/h   06%   Sunny    
Mon 06/05   23°/13°   15 km/h   07%   Sun & cloud    
Tue 07/05   23°/15°   13 km/h   06%   Sun & cloud    
Wed 08/05   24°/16°   10 km/h   04%   Mostly cloudy    
Thu 09/05   22°/14°   17 km/h   59%   Scattered thunderstorms probable   
Fri 10/05   20°/15°   15 km/h   60%   Scattered thunderstorms probable   
Sat 11/05   22°/15°   19 km/h   24%   Mostly sunny    
Sun 12/05   22°/15°   17 km/h   16%   Mostly sunny    
Mon 13/05   22°/15°   16 km/h   10%   Mostly sunny    
Tue 14/05   23°/16°   18 km/h   05%   Sunny    
   

[Maik]

Number of wildfires 22% higher since start of 2024

Greece experienced 3,543 wildfires between January 1 and May 1, a rise of 22% compared to last year’s 2,907 blazes, according to the Fire Service, which is bracing for a very difficult season.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1238036/number-of-wildfires-22-higher-since-start-of-2024/

[Maik]

Bernard Hill: Titanic and Lord of the Rings actor dies

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68962192

[Maik]

Greece churches in Vrontados take part in annual 'rocket war'

Two churches in the Greek town of Vrontados were lit up on Saturday night, as they fired streams of rockets at each other as part of an Orthodox Easter tradition.

Throughout the annual 'rocket war', Easter mass continues inside the churches on the island of Chios.

The spectacle dates back to the 1800s - when Greece was ruled by the Ottoman empire - but now rockets are used instead of cannons.

Parts of the local area are boarded up with metal barriers, to try and protect them from fire damage.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-68961495

[Maik]

Watch: Giant pot thrown from window in Easter ceremony hits pedestrians

The traditional ceremony performed in Corfu is believed to help ward off bad spirits

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/05/05/giant-pot-thrown-window-easter-hits-pedestrians-corfu/

Ouch!