09/08/23

[Maik]

Kef fire risk 09/08/23: Medium

Today’s bank rates:
1 €UR = £0.8874 GBP
1 €UR = $1.1272 USD
£1 GBP = 1.1269 €UR
$1 USD = 0.8872 €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 09/08   30°/21°   12 km/h   24%   Mostly sunny
Thu 10/08   29°/21°   23 km/h   10%   Sunny
Fri 11/08   30°/20°   16 km/h   10%   Sunny
Sat 12/08   30°/21°   15 km/h   43%   Thunderstorms possible
Sun 13/08   30°/22°   17 km/h   21%   Sunny
Mon 14/08   31°/22°   19 km/h   03%   Sunny
Tue 15/08   31°/22°   21 km/h   05%   Sunny
Wed 16/08   31°/23°   19 km/h   10%   Sunny
Thu 17/08   32°/23°   18 km/h   03%   Sunny
Fri 18/08   32°/23°   19 km/h   03%   Sunny

[Maik]

Body of a 79 y-o Greek male recovered yesterday morning from Myrsini beach near Kyllini

Body of a 75 y-o Greek female recovered yesterday afternoon from the sea off Agios Andreas, South Evian Gulf

Body of a 73 y-o Greek male erecovered yesterday afternoon from Rizomylos beach, Diakopto

A 64 y-o foreign male in need of medical attention transferred yesterday morning by Coast Guard vessel from a boat in Vathy bay to the port and then by ambulance to Ithaka Health Centre

[Maik]

Doctor resignations multiply, leaving national healthy system teetering

The constant movement of doctors from hospital to hospital to fill vacancies, exhausting working hours, constant on-call duty and understaffed emergency departments at regional health units have led many doctors to resign, placing renewed pressure on the country’s national health system (ESY).

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1217272/doctor-resignations-multiply-leaving-national-healthy-system-teetering/

[Maik]

What to do if you can’t see a GP

Nearly half of appointments are now done over the phone – but in-person examinations remain essential

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/how-to-get-a-face-to-face-appt-with-your-gp/

[Maik]

U.S.-flagged boat with two crew towed into Vathy port yesterday afternoon after suffering mechanical failure off Filitros beach. No injuries to crew and no marine pollution observed, boat confined to port until repaired and re-certified seaworthy.

[Maik]

Two foreign nationals arrested at Kef airport after trying to use forged documents to board a 'plane to Italy

[Maik]

Another motorbike (Honda 50 type) gone missing from Argostoli, this time a black Honda Astrea Supra reg KEZ 663 missing since yesterday.

Anyone with any information please contact the police or Dionisis Gasparinatos on 6946 463313

[Maik]

Loggerheads hatched on Avythos beach and helped on their journey across the sand into the big blue by volunteers from Wildlife Sense.

[Maik]

I spent a week driving around Greek islands – and survived! What it’s like behind the wheel tackling some of the world’s narrowest and twistiest roads (amid some VERY impatient drivers)

Our car was a Toyota Aygo, which had a piddly sewing-machine engine. And I quickly discovered that it offered no pull at all in second gear up any sort of incline.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-12389137/I-spent-week-driving-Greek-islands-survived-like-wheel-tackling-worlds-narrowest-twistiest-roads.html


Didn't see any mention of Kef's funny roundabout and, Yep, Kefalonia is mountainous and was like that before he booked the holiday. We used to get numpties book the smallest, least expensive car, fill it with passengers and baggage and then bitch that it didn't pull like their Chelsea tractor back home. If they were unlucky we'd bundle them in the passenger seat and one of the car boys would demonstrate how quickly it could ascend an incline if they knew how drive it.


Edit : Link amended

[Maik]

Dead pufferfish discovered west of Kef a few weeks ago in the Hellenic Trench, one of only a few sites in the Med where pufferfish are born and raised.

[Maik]

TUI: Heatwaves likely to affect where and when we holiday

The boss of TUI has said heatwaves and climate change could prompt people to take their holidays in spring or autumn and choose cooler destinations.

Sebastian Ebel, chief executive of the tour firm, said holidaymakers might choose to travel to Greece in November, benefiting the travel industry.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66449744

[Maik]

Doreen Mantle: One Foot in the Grave actress dies aged 97

Actress Doreen Mantle, best known for her role in the BBC comedy One Foot in the Grave, has died aged 97, her agent has announced.

Mantle played Jean Warboys, the annoying friend of Victor Meldrew's wife, Margaret, in the BBC series.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-66456002