Author Topic: 06/12/22  (Read 2061 times)

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Offline Maik

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06/12/22
« on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 02:34:37 »
Today’s bank rates:
1 €UR = £ 0.8867 GBP
1 €UR = $ 1.0905 USD
£1 GBP = 1.1278 €UR
$1 USD = 0.917 €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
Tue 06/12   18°/13°   15 km/h   76%   Light rain probable
Wed 07/12   17°/14°   17 km/h   91%   Rain probable
Thu 08/12   18°/14°   13 km/h   75%   Thunderstorms probable
Fri 09/12   19°/16°   16 km/h   31%   Showers probable
Sat 10/12   20°/16°   27 km/h   70%   Thunderstorms probable
Sun 11/12   18°/14°   34 km/h   82%   Thunderstorms & winds probable
Mon 12/12   17°/12°   24 km/h   57%   Showers probable
Tue 13/12   16°/13°   19 km/h   38%   Showers possible
Wed 14/12   17°/13°   19 km/h   54%   Showers probable
Thu 15/12   18°/13°   21 km/h   55%   Showers probable


Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 02:44:59 »
Quote
Strep A death of eighth child confirmed
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-63860028

Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 14:04:58 »
Quote
Greece Celebrates Saint Nicholas, the Orthodox Version of Santa Claus

Greece celebrates Saint Nicholas December 6, who according to the Christian Orthodox faith is the predecessor of Santa Claus.

The omnipresent, joyous, white-bearded man dressed in red most of the time, became particularly popular in the 19th century but his story unwinds back into the past of Bishop Nicholas, the devoted Greek bishop who lived in the 4th century in the Lycian town of Myra in Asia Minor.

Although Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, is the figure that all nations with Christian traditions associate with Christmas, one major difference exists between the Greeks and the rest of the world regarding the identity of the man who brings good children their gifts at this most special time of year.

In Greece, the Americanized name ”Santa Claus” simply does not exist, and children always wait for their beloved Agios Vasilis (Saint Basil) to bring them gifts on New Year’s Day.
https://greekreporter.com/2022/12/06/greece-celebrates-saint-nicholas-santa-claus/

Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 14:30:54 »
Eighty one years ago today HMS Perseus sank off Katelios.

Today is also Agios Nikolaos feast day, patron saint of sailors (as well as of merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, unmarried people, and students).

Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 14:37:51 »
Around 1:30 local time today a  62 y-o British resident on Kef was airlifted by medical helicopter to Corfu for medical treatment after suffering undisclosed injuries.

Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 14:39:51 »
Skala Christmas tree lights being switched on at 18:00 this Saturday, 10 December.

Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 14:49:57 »
A foreign national arrested yesterday in Argostoli for theft of 120€ from a vehicle belonging to his employer.

Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #7 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 15:09:29 »

Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #8 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 15:39:35 »


Quote
Gregory's: From Suburban Athens To Top 10 European Coffee Chain

It was in 1972, when Grigoris Georgatos decided to realise his dream and create his own business - Gregory's. He opened the store in Dafni, specifically on Vouliagmeni Avenue, and named and designed the company's first logo himself.

The pites (Greek pies) he prepares have the "secrets" of his birthplace of Kefalonia, and of Polis, the birthplace of his wife, Sonia.

On the threshold of its 50 years of operation, Gregory's has over 370 stores in Greece and in major European cities, which are visited daily by over 250,000 customers.

For 2021-2022, it was awarded as a Famous Brand in the Greek market and occupies the 9th place in the European ranking of the largest coffee chains.
https://greekcitytimes.com/2022/12/06/gregorys-surbuban-athens/

Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #9 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 15:52:20 »
Quote
”Karavaki,” The Tradition of Decorating Boats — Not Trees — at Christmas

Christmas is linked all around the world to the ancient tradition of decorating trees with countless ornaments and beautiful lights. However, an old traditional custom in Greece’s islands and coastal regions dictates that people should decorate a boat rather than an evergreen tree at Christmastime.

Despite that nowadays almost every Greek city and household does decorate a Christmas tree, there are still a number of public spaces in Greece where one can see a Christmas boat right next to a tree.

The tradition of the ”Karavaki,” which is Greek for ”small boat,” is deeply rooted in the folkways of a country with a symbiotic relationship with the sea.

In fact, it is safe to say that on many Greek islands, the Christmassy-decorated boats still remain the most popular symbol of this beautiful holiday season.
https://greekreporter.com/2022/12/05/karavaki-the-old-greek-tradition-of-decorating-boats-not-trees-at-christmas/

Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #10 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 16:24:33 »
Quote
Tattooists and beauty salons replace banks on High Streets

Beauty salons and tattoo parlours have prospered on High Streets while the number of banks and department stores has fallen, BBC analysis shows.

Places to eat and drink have also increased - despite social distancing.

The full extent of changes to Britain's High Streets after two years of Covid lockdowns and trading restrictions is revealed in data from Ordnance Survey.

Overall, there were 9,300 fewer retail outlets in March 2022 than March 2020, as shoppers switched to online stores.

The findings illustrate the changing face of the British High Street from a place to buy things to a place to do stuff - like get your nails done and meet friends for a coffee or a cocktail.

To find out how the High Streets and shopping areas near you have changed since the beginning of the pandemic, type in your postcode below.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63799670

What am i missing here: media full of tales of financial woe and individual hardship yet 'beauty' parlours, nail bars and tattoo studios prospering?  :hmm:

Some interesting comments at end of article.

Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #11 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 16:39:36 »
Quote
Strep A deaths: Five-year-old becomes ninth child victim after contracting infection

A five-year-old child who attended a primary school in Belfast has become the ninth child to die with a Strep A infection.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/12/06/antibiotics-could-given-entire-year-groups-help-curb-spread/

Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #12 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 16:49:23 »
Quote
Michelle Mone takes leave of absence from House of Lords amid PPE contract claims
Tory peer at centre of controversy over alleged links to firm awarded contract during Covid

Baroness Michelle Mone, at the centre of controversy over her alleged links to a firm awarded a PPE contract, will take a leave of absence from the House of Lords with immediate effect.

It comes as Labour tries to try to force the publication of texts and emails relating to £200m of Covid PPE contracts secured by a company linked to Conservative peer.

A spokesperson for Baroness Mone said: “With immediate effect, Baroness Mone will be taking a leave of absence from the House of Lords in order to clear her name of the allegations that have been unjustly levelled against her.”

The leave of absence means Lady Mone will not attend sittings of the House, vote on any proceedings and will not be able to claim any allowance.

Baroness Mone has come under pressure since it was reported that she is a beneficiary of an offshore trust believed to have received £29m from PPE Medpro’s profits.

A Lords standards inquiry over allegations that she failed to properly declare an interest in the company has been put on hold while a police investigation takes place.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/michelle-mone-house-of-lords-ppe-b2239762.html

Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #13 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 16:54:05 »
Quote
Ambulance staff to strike on 21 December

The coordinated walkout by the three main ambulance unions - Unison, GMB and Unite - will affect non-life threatening calls only.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-63873505


Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #14 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 17:21:36 »
117 confirmed coronavirus cases on Kef during period 28/11-04/12, 8 on Ithaka: eody.gov.gr

Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #15 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 18:02:45 »
Allegedly seaplanes could be operating from Kef by September 2023 and potentially Kef will connect from Argostoli to 12 destinations:

3 in the Ionian (Corfu, Levkas, Zakynthos)
5 in the Peloponnese (Corinth, Kalamata, Katakolo, Kyllini, Patras)  
2 in Aetolia-Acarnania (Agrinio via Lake Trichonida, Astakos) 
2 in Epirus (Ioannina, Parga)

No relevant info I can find on hellenic-seaplanes.com

Meanwhile, they're (allegedly) "Getting Ready for Next Season Spring-Summer 2023" at flykefalonia.com

Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #16 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 19:20:44 »
Quote
Exclusive: England footballers concerned over lack of club security arrangements

Premier League players do not feel they are receiving enough protection, support and advice from their clubs regarding personal safety
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/12/06/exclusive-england-footballers-concerned-lack-club-security-arrangements/


Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #17 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 19:27:03 »
Quote
She’s a little bit country, they’re a little bit rock’n’roll: it’s the Dolly Parton/Led Zeppelin supergroup!

The much-loved singer says she is recording a rock album – and hopes to get the surviving members of the legendary Led Zeppelin to re-form for it
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/dec/06/dolly-parton-led-zeppelin-supergroup-rock-album

Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #18 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 19:48:04 »
Quote
Pogues' singer Shane MacGowan in hospital following recent health trouble

The Pogues' singer Shane MacGowan has been taken into hospital, according to his wife.

The 64-year-old frontman has used a wheelchair since breaking his pelvis in 2015 and has been in and out of hospital in recent years.
https://www.itv.com/news/utv/2022-12-06/wife-of-pogues-singer-shane-macgowan-asks-fans-to-send-prayers

Offline expat

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #19 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 21:52:29 »
Quote
Exclusive: England footballers concerned over lack of club security arrangements

Premier League players do not feel they are receiving enough protection, support and advice from their clubs regarding personal safety
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/12/06/exclusive-england-footballers-concerned-lack-club-security-arrangements/
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Offline Maik

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #20 on: Tuesday, 06 December, 2022 @ 22:13:44 »
expat, try https://12ft.io/

You can either copy the URL of the article and pop it in the paste-into box or you can pop 12ft.io/ in front of the Telegraph URL, i.e.
Code: [Select]
12ft.io/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/12/06/exclusive-england-footballers-concerned-lack-club-security-arrangements/
Works well with the Telegraph, mixed results on other sites.

Sorry, thought I'd mention this before.

Offline expat

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Re: 06/12/22
« Reply #21 on: Wednesday, 07 December, 2022 @ 12:12:16 »
Ta muchness Mike :)