26/05/23

[Maik]

Kef fire risk 26/05/23: Low

Today’s bank rates:
1 €UR = £0.8940 GBP
1 €UR = $1.1057 USD
£1 GBP = 1.1186 €UR
$1 USD = 0.9044 €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 26/05   24°/17°   11 km/h   15%   Sun & cloud
Sat 27/05   24°/17°   14 km/h   24%   Sun & cloud
Sun 28/05   24°/17°   13 km/h   14%   Mostly sunny
Mon 29/05   24°/18°   12 km/h   40%   Thunderstorms possible
Tue 30/05   24°/18°   11 km/h   24%   Mostly sunny
Wed 31/05   25°/18°   11 km/h   21%   Sun & cloud
Thu 01/06   25°/18°   13 km/h   38%   Showers possible
Fri 02/06   25°/17°   13 km/h   52%   Thunderstorms probable
Sat 03/06   25°/18°   13 km/h   09%   Mostly sunny
Sun 04/06   25°/18°   14 km/h   05%   Mostly sunny

[Maik]

The Remarkable Story of the Greek Spy Who Helped Defeat the Nazis

The story of Helias Doundoulakis is like a great war movie. It is the story of the Greek spy who helped Greece and the United States win the war against the Nazis.

https://greekreporter.com/2023/05/25/greek-spy/

"helped Greece and the United States win the war"... hmm, I think the UK and Commonwealth countries chipped in a bit, too 

[Maik]

Flt Sgt Peter Brown: Hundreds attend funeral of WW2 RAF airman

Flt Sgt Peter Brown, originally from Jamaica, was one the last so-called "pilots of the Caribbean", a group of Afro-Caribbean volunteer RAF personnel.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-65697939

[Maik]

Poland and Greece could cooperate on war reparations from Germany: Polish envoy

The issue of reparations from Germany for World War II damages has never been resolved in Greece; it is an area for cooperation between Poland and Greece, according to Artur Lompart, the Polish Ambassador in Athens.

https://tvpworld.com/70090602/poland-and-greece-could-cooperate-on-war-reparations-from-germany-polish-envoy

[Maik]

Levante Ferries early morning Poros - Kyllini crossing didn't happen this morning due to a mechanical fault, should be an announcement re later sailings on their website. May be best to contact ferry agency if planning a crossing today?

[Maik]

New round of fines on Mykonos
Inspections reveal further illegal building activities by businesses on the island

The fine for Lohan Beach House in Kalo Livadi stands out as it is close to 2 million euros.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1211923/new-round-of-fines-on-mykonos/

[Maik]

M6.1 'quake at 70 km depth hit Japan this morning, no reports of casualties or damage so far. Follows a M6.5 on 05 May, 2023, and a 5.2 on 11 May, 2023.
emsc-csem.org

[Maik]

British Cycling to ban transgender women from competing in female category

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/65718748

[Maik]

Unconfirmed: a young child has drowned in a pool at a tourist hotel on Kef. Parents said to be overseas seasonal workers.

[Maik]

The tragedy occurred in a villa pool in Minies where the Sri Lankan parents were working. The child wandered off and was found in the pool by the mother who, unfortunately, couldn't swim. She called her husband who rushed the 2.5 y-o child to hospital in Argostoli in his car but there was nothing the doctors could do to revive the child. Allegedly, police have charged the parents with neglect.


Edit: ekathimerini.com report

.

[Maik]

Firewalkers honor Saint Constantine in mystery-shrouded, centuries-old rituals

https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1211972/firewalkers-honor-saint-constantine-in-mystery-shrouded-centuries-old-rituals/

[Maik]

Herpetologist in intensive care after snakebite

A 40-year-old herpetologist is in intensive care in hospital after being bitten by a viper in a Thessaloniki school.

The incident happened on Friday evening when the volunteer herpetologist – a zoologist who studies reptiles and amphibians – was called to the school to trap a viper spotted by a teacher.

However, the viper reportedly bit the woman in her attempt to catch and immobilize it.

https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1211980/herpetologist-in-intensive-care-after-snakebite/

"her attempt to catch"... it's still slithering around the school?