08/12/23

[Maik]

Today’s bank rates:   
1 €UR = £ 0.8832 GBP   £1 GBP = 1.1322 €UR
1 €UR = $ 1.1094 USD   $1 USD = 0.9013 €UR
1 €UR = $ 1.6899 AUD   $1 AUD = 0.5917 €UR
1 €UR = R21.2159 ZAR   R1 ZAR = 0.0471 €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 08/12   14°/07°   26 km/h   02%   Sunny    
Sat 09/12   14°/08°   08 km/h   06%   Mostly cloudy    
Sun 10/12   15°/10°   08 km/h   71%   Light rain probable   
Mon 11/12   16°/11°   10 km/h   18%   Sun & cloud    
Tue 12/12   18°/11°   07 km/h   18%   Sun & cloud    
Wed 13/12   19°/15°   12 km/h   24%   Sun & cloud    
Thu 14/12   20°/15°   20 km/h   50%   Showers possible   
Fri 15/12   19°/12°   25 km/h   63%   Light rain probable   
Sat 16/12   16°/10°   19 km/h   45%   Showers possible   
Sun 17/12   15°/11°   16 km/h   24%   Sun & cloud    
   

[Maik]

Rural doctor service available between 10:00-13:00 this Monday, 11 December, in Pessada.

[Maik]

Argostoli police arrested a 42 y-o foreign male on Wednesday for breaking into six business premises and one house between the end of September and start of December and stealing cash and jewellery valued at over 1,800€, After questioning he was also charged with connection to a crime in July, 2021, involving theft of almost 10,000€.

[Maik]

Portable planetarium popped up in Argostoli this morning, admired by school kids this morning, big people this afternoon.

[Maik]

2024 Declared "Year Of Lord Byron And Philhellenism”

In the annals of Romantic poetry, George Gordon Byron, the 6th Baron Byron, stands out not only as a literary luminary but also as a fervent supporter of the Greek War of Independence. As the world observes the 200th anniversary of his death in 2024, the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism, along with the Philhellenism Museum, has declared this year as the “Year of Lord Byron and Philhellenism.” The focus is on commemorating Byron’s profound connection with Greece and the broader impact of Philhellenism.

https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/12/08/2024-declared-year-of-lord-byron-and-philhellenism/

He who sat on a big rock in Lakithra and watched the airplanes come and go 

[Maik]

Greece: The legalization of same-sex marriage remains divisive

Conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis intends to introduce legislation in the near future, but the project is dividing his party and society.

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/lgbtq/article/2023/12/08/greece-the-legalization-of-same-sex-marriage-remains-divisive_6323014_211.html

[Maik]

Brutal dog abuse leads to Supreme Court intervention

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1226357/brutal-dog-abuse-leads-to-supreme-court-intervention/

Unconfirmed: the abuse of the dog was so severe the case is being handled by a team that normally investigates murder cases (of humans) and, allegedly, CCTV from private houses doesn't back up the owner's claims that the dog was abducted. Instead, the dog appears to have been neglected and left to wander. Suspicion appears to have fallen on the owner.

[Maik]

Christmas tree lights in Vathy, Ithaka, to be switched on at 17:45 this Sunday.

[Maik]

The Adorable Native Cat Breeds of Greece and Cyprus

https://greekreporter.com/2023/12/08/native-cat-breeds-greece-cyprus/

[Maik]

A Special Unit of Forestry Operations is to be established with headquarters in Kefalonia and a special category of personnel, Forestry Operations Firefighters, with responsibilities for execution of forest protection projects, prevention of and response to fire incidents and natural disasters.

[Maik]

Mother bear with 2 cubs shot dead near Konitsa

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1226351/mother-bear-with-2-cubs-shot-dead-near-konitsa/

Supreme Court intervenes over bear killings

Supreme Court deputy prosecutor Anastasia Masoura is supervising investigations to identify those who killed a bear and her two cubs in Western Macedonia.

Their bodies were found between Plagia and Eptachori, at the 106th kilometer of the Ioannina-Kozani highway.

Unknown assailants first shot the mother and then the two cubs.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1226765/supreme-court-intervenes-over-bear-killings/