06/02/22

[Maik]

Fifty six new cases of coronavirus confirmed on Kefalonia yesterday by EODY, three on Ithaka.

Today's bank rate:
1 GBP = € 1.1669
1 USD = € 0.8602

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
Sun 06/02   16°/11°    5 km/h   22%   Sun & cloud
Mon 07/02   15°/08°   24 km/h   57%   Showers probable
Tue 08/02   12°/07°   38 km/h   24%   Partly cloudy, strong winds probable
Wed 09/02   14°/08°   12 km/h   00%   Sunny
Thu 10/02   16°/09°    7 km/h   05%   Sunny
Fri 11/02   16°/10°   10 km/h   07%   Mostly sunny
Sat 12/02   15°/10°   11 km/h   22%   Sun & cloud
Sun 13/02   14°/09°   12 km/h   43%   Showers possible
Mon 14/02   14°/09°   16 km/h   30%   Showers possible
Tue 15/02   14°/10°   17 km/h   22%   Sun & cloud

[Maik]

Boris Johnson prepares mass clearout to save own skin

A senior government source said: "He made it clear he thought they had let him down. Boris's view is that he is not to blame. That everyone else is to blame."

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/boris-johnson-prepares-mass-clearout-to-save-own-skin-73jcqds35

Oh dear, wonder if he'll be throwing Carrie under the Downing Street bus, along with his staff?

The Mail on Sunday is publishing extracts from Lord Michael Ashcroft's book, First Lady: Intrigue At The Court Of Carrie And Boris Johnson. Here's a quote from the first installment:

Carrie uncovered: The explosive book by LORD ASHCROFT that's set Westminster alight...

Someone else who knows Johnson, both politically and personally, has given much thought to the development of his character over the past four or five years. This person is in no doubt about what has happened.

'Boris changed after he met Carrie,' they say. 'He always was a bit of a lonely figure because he has few friends, but now it's worse than ever. He's fallen out with his children, he's lost Marina and, since he became Prime Minister, so many of the problems he's had to deal with have been because of Carrie.

'Deep down, I think he knows this. Sometimes I've seen him make excuses to avoid going upstairs to his flat in Downing Street. The whole thing is like a Greek tragedy.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10480695/Carrie-Johnson-uncovered-Book-LORD-ASHCROFT-thats-set-Westminster-alight.html


The article doesn't flatter Carrie Johnson, and while it doesn't flatter BoJo either it does sound like an echo of what we've heard all along:

"Boris's view is that he is not to blame. That everyone else is to blame."

Hey ho, keep fluttering your eye lids, Nadine.

[Maik]

Might be a bit late for most female GGi readers on Kef but maybe not: any females interested in playing women's football might like to contact akademiespanathenaikou@gmail.com for more information.

About time walking football got a leg up on Kef 

[Maik]

St Albans: England's 'oldest pub' Ye Olde Fighting Cocks closes

A pub reputed to be the oldest in England has closed after its licensee's firm went into administration.

Christo Tofalli, who runs Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans, Herts, said the move came after "challenging" trading conditions due to Covid-19.

He said he was "heartbroken" and had "tried everything" to keep open the pub, which dates back to AD793.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-60270775

[Maik]

Today's coronavirus tally on Kef/Ithaka: 34/0

[Maik]

Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Regional Director of the Ionian Islands, has "extensively reported the particular problems and shortcomings of the General Hospital of Argostoli to the Ministers of Health", according to a statement she made while visiting the hospital. Allegedly no significant money has been spent on the hospital since the earthquakes of 2014.

[Maik]

The Daily Mail appears to be sticking the knife into Carrie Johnson, if only via several references to the latest book by former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, Michael Ashcroft:

Book reveals power wielded by Boris's wife with sources warning: 'If she doesn't like you there can be big consequences'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10482163/Carrie-Johnson-got-rid-sexy-spad-Ellie-Lyons-fears-close-Boris-Johnson.html

Ashcroft is no stranger to controversy himself due to his tax status, a leak from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, his business practices and another book he wrote, Call Me Dave: The unauthorised biography of David Cameron which contained the unsubstantiated allegation that a photograph exists which shows Cameron putting "a private part of his anatomy" into the mouth of a dead pig's severed head, which was positioned in the lap of another man. [Source: Wikipedia]

That's one of a number of books he's authored, mostly published by Biteback, a company he co-owns.

As his latest creation does state, Boris has few friends. Can't see Ashcroft being invited to any No. 10 parties any time soon.

[Maik]

Carrie Johnson: I'm target of a brutal briefing campaign

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60281615