My Christmas day blog

This Christmas day's dog walk early morn

Gave me time to think when Christ was born,

When kings traversed the lands afar

Just guided by one lonely star.

The inns were full, no rooms existed
But Joseph he continually insisted
and space was found in that stable forlorn
Where the Christ child soon was to be born.

How lucky we are in life today,
Our children are not born in that way.
Except if you live under human oppression
In countries where dicators rule with agression.

So give a thought on this special day
To those that suffer in that way.
Mankind must live without division
No matter what colour, nationality or religion!

12 days of Christmas

 

On 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me

One F1 racer….

On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Two Disco 2’s

On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Three 3 wheeler Robins

On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Four 4/4 Morgans

On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Five Renault 5’s

On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Six Mazda 6’s

On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Seven Caterham 7’s

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Eight Morris 8’s

On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Nine 9 seater Chevys

On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Ten Austin 10’s

On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Eleven Renault 11’s

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Twelve V12 Jags……..

Chorus:-

AND A CAN OF CASTROL OIL FOR FREE !

Afghanistan

After 20 years of fighting western world troops have abandoned their fight against the Taliban.  No lesson was learnt by "the powers that be" from the Russian withdrawal years before, a war that could not be won. Place yourself in the position of the families of all those soldiers that lost their lives for what now is a lost cause.

Many more lives will probably now also be lost as Taliban leaders seek out countrymen and women that worked for the western powers as well as those who do not comply with the strict code the Taliban demand of so called Islam.

Why do I have thoughts that a deal has been made by the western world with the Taliban? "We'll leave your country if you promise to form a stable Islamic government and not interfere nor take reprisals by inserting terrorists in our countries !"  Break the deal and we'll come back!

I do have great sympathy for those who have to tolerate the rule of the Taliban and do not wish to do so, but I know of no end solution to this plight 

Gender imbalance...

Having just listened to an article on the TV news about over demand for NHS services and private services to assist young people towards transgender I have to wonder what is wrong in society.

I am not making any assumptions on people who decide to transgender but ask the question was all this hidden in the past, are children being "pushed" by parents who wanted a child of the opposite sex or is there something in our ever changing world that is causing an additional hormone imbalance in our bodies?

Scientific research has stated that Estrogen compounds have been detected in influent and effluent of sewage, there are also  concerns about estrogen levels in natural waters and their effect on fish physiology and other aquatic wild life.  Steroidal estrogens have been detected in effluents and influent from a variety of apartments of the environment; in particular, soil and water bodies at regions near Sewage Treatment Plants

Now-a-days there is a massive consumption of chicken, far more than in our grandparents days...chicken estrogen is identical to human estrogen—they're the same molecule.

Are we consuming some of these higher estrogen levels in every day life?

So what about testosterone? Well yes again we have hormones and steroids are given to livestock to help improve the production of beef. ...  testosterone, and progesterone—steroid hormones added to promote growth and production. We then go on to consume these products.

Food for thought, or for sex change ?

Society is now obsessed on how we as a human race are destroying our planet, perhaps thought and science should now also investigate how were are changing our bodies.

Climate crisis

You can hardly ever turn the TV on recently without seeing or hearing about demonstrations in respect of climate change. World seminars, documentaries and international agreements.  We hear about the climate heating up, the fact we are using up the earth's resources too quickly etc.  Anyone driving a fuel hungry car is chastised and being taxed to the hilt and in many cases governments are subsidising replacing resource guzzling equipment.

Yet NO-ONE is challenging the massive use of resources used to run the worlds advertising boards, lights etc.  We would find it hard to live without heating in the western world, hard not to be able to travel etc. but we can live without brightly lit adverting hoardings, shop fascias and blinding internal lighting. During the fuel crisis in the early 70's in the UK retailers were told to remove every other fluorescent lighting tube, to disconnect all  illuminated advertising signs and many other energy saving measures were introduced.  A massive saving can be made if world leaders were to consider the banning of unnecessary lighting alone......

Now let me guess why they don't!   Ah yes, there would be less income for energy producing companies, that means less tax paid to governments. Far easier to just tax the people and raise even more income......Are they REALLY interested in climate change ?

Brexit

It has been quite sometime since I last typed a blog and more than "a lot" has happened.  As many of you know I live most of the time in France after retiring from work in the U.K., and part of the year in Greece.  Over the years I have travelled extensively in Europe, mainly by car so have experienced many cultures.

So what has prompted me to write this blog?  B R E X I T......

Sadly mainly by frustration with people who continually say and think because I live in Europe Brexit will not effect me.  Well how wrong they are!

To start with even after paying the U.K. national insurance & taxes all my working life Brexit could mean my state pension could become frozen, that is what I get now may never be indexed linked to match inflation. It could stay the same amount for the rest of my life......

I will not be able to legally be resident in another EU country without formal application to live there.

My health care (which again I paid for all my working life in the UK by NI contributions could be taken away from me, and I may have to pay for private health insurance, that currently can cost well in excess of £350 per month !

Even dogs gets affected by Brexit as they need a blood test if they travel to the UK and then return to mainland Europe....(truthfully in my dogs case she has a Greek Pet Passport so will be OK as she had the test some years back)

So how did I vote in the referendum, well you can guess how I would have voted if the local authority had posted my election papers on time.....in fact they came too late for me to be able to post them back in time for the deadline!!!!!!
What is more I have spoken to many people in France, Spain and Greece that had the same thing happen.  A fair referendum?  I think not!

Refugees

Time after time we are hearing about these poor refugees on TV, radio etc. and yes one has to have a concern about their well-being.  However give a thought to the actions of our ancestors.  Did they flee from war?  NO they fought for their country, to make it a safe country for their descendants.  So safe others now see it as the "place to be".

Ask yourself the question why are all these young men capable of military service leaving their country, leaving their families etc. and not fighting to make their country a better place for their descendants?  Perhaps part of the solution to the current situation is for Western governments to place those capable into military service, train them to fight and help them return to fight for the freedom of their own country from tyranny. Fight to make their country safe for their dependants and descendants. 

These actions would also immediately stop the flow of economic migrants, the thought of being placed in the military would not be that appealing would it?

Come on holiday

As another tourist season is well and truly under-way on mainland Greece and it's islands there is of course hope by the local communities the season will bring "big spenders".  With the Euro exchange rate against other foreign currencies at a 7 year high Greece needs all the tourist income it can gain to offset it's massive "imbalance" in the economic balance of trade and indeed it's massive EU debts.  However the Greek Tourist Board seem to be doing very little to help win the tourists, is this because there is no money for advertising, or just plain lethargy?

Few places in Europe can offer the brilliant blue sea and unspoilt beaches Greece can offer, if partying is your thing some of the island resorts may be your ideal location. If you want peace and quiet, then again the choice is massive.

Do not let the political situation in Greece put you off coming to this magnificent country for your holidays, this will not effect you as a tourist and your support for the local people who have business in tourist resorts will make all the difference!

UK retail scene...

Having spent quite a lot of time away from the UK over the last few years and having retired from the retail grocery trade some 6 years ago I decided to take a closer look at the current supermarket trade that appears to be going through a difficult time.

The grocery trade has seen difficult times before, in the mid 70's discount stores like Kwik Save & Lo-Cost rapidly grew at the expense of the mid market and upper end supermarkets. So the rise of Lidl & Aldi today should be no surprise for the "big four". The problem is memories are too short, and of course many true grocers from those early days have long since retired. 

So is this just a repetition of those early days?

Well truthfully, yes and no.........certainly interest rates are a fraction of what they were in the 70's. Yes unemployment is high, yes money is tight (isn't it always) and yes people are more demanding.  However the question must be asked have the modern day supermarkets (the big four) lost their way?

I am more inclined to answer a   B I G   yes to the last question.

Tesco built its early growth on a "pile it high, sell it cheap" philosophy, in later years growth was through expansion both at home and overseas, now instead of being satisfied at being a leader in the "middle market" it is trying to be all things to all people. Consumers do not need to see Tesco store staff dressed in fancy dress costumes "making shopping fun" and being told to raise money for charity.  Staff "forced" to make idle conversation so you "feel" welcome.....what most consumers want is choice on the shelves (not just the current trend of 75% Tesco own brand that make higher profit margins), good prices across the whole retail shop (not just special offers on demand lines, and massive mark ups on toiletries and less price obvious items) and quick, efficient service.

Morrisons also have moved away from its true roots, whilst early Safeway trading practices were sound and solid, latter year Safeway policies and customer facing practices faltered. Ironically Morrisons seems to have been enveloped in those latter year practises.  I have little time for Ken Morrison but he was a "grocer" and knew how to watch the "pennies" with a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach to trading.

Sainsbury still take the approach that they will allow you to shop with them and who can afford to do a whole weeks shop in Waitrose?

Is it any wonder "Joe Public" are voting with their feet and walking to Lidl & Aldi?  Frustrated as it can be with queues at the checkout all too often, but there is a fine balance between price-variety-service. The two main discounters are on the whole clean and simple stores, no frills, no pretence to be something they are not but just offer an acceptable product for an acceptable price.  Now if they can address those checkout queues currently I see no limit on what they can achieve in the UK.

Let us now look at food producers, have you noticed not just how prices are increasing, but in many, many instances how weight of items has been reduced. Compare for yourself, one example is the now 190gm jar of coffee that has always been 200gm (think this was Dowe Egberts, but I stand corrected). The biscuits that drop to 185gm instead of 200gm and so on. Look closely, you will be amazed and I am not even mentioning the quality of some supermarket own label items that have greatly deteriorated, especially in the processed food and ready to eat ranges.

Net margins in the 70's were as low as 2-3% in some cases, now its in double figures and of course shareholders want more.

So to use another catch phrase, come retailers.....GET BACK TO BASICS.

Simple, well stocked shelves......Two brand leaders and one own label of any item only......find out what the customer wants, not what buyers think should be stocked.....efficient checkout service.....a basic greeting not a life story or the Spanish inquisition from staff.....concentrate on YOUR role to provide food not sponsorship or fund raising in your stores.....a fair price and quality across the whole range of goods stocked, not high / low prices....

because if you don't it will definitely be:-

 Deutschland, Deutschland über alles, Über alles in U.K

Road tolls and FREE Britain

Come to Britain and drive on our roads FOR FREE for up to 6 months in your European car.......It never fails to amaze me why the UK government have not imposed a road toll tax on foreign vehicles that enter at our ports. Certainly an easy way to raise funds for the Exchequer. 

I have just driven through Italy from Bari and entering France through the Frejus Tunnel the toll costs added up to 186 Euros !!!  Of course on top of that I have French toll road fees also. 

Come on Mr Cameron, reduce some of our taxes...and introduce boarder fees on foreign vehicles......

Life and money......

Seen from our balcony snow appearing on the Taygetos mountains can only mean one thing, its nearly Christmas.  So as another year approaches its end what has  been happening in Greece.  Truthfully down here in the Peloponnese not all that much!  The economy is still bouncing along at the bottom of the ocean (but at least the ocean is beautiful and blue)  with little growth on the business front, but perhaps the housing market is starting to move very slowly. Our accountant told us of four of her British clients that had sold properties recently and a friend of mine has just sold his property in Corfu. 

When you look around its a very mixed story, drive towards Kalamata along the old Athenon road and around one in five businesses have gone, there are many empty buildings. Yet walk along the sea front or city square and the terraces are filled with people drinking frappe etc., and no these are not just tourists but locals. Its hard to get a "handle" on just how the financial situation has really effected this part of Greece.  A builder we know said to us, you may think that old man and old lady in the village may look tired and poor, but when I do work for them they pay me from a suitcase of money! 

Thankfully though the overall cost of living has remained more or less constant this year, and hopefully next.  Oil prices are level (if not minutely lower) than the same time last year. Road taxes for car for 2014 are practically the same as in 2013 and during the year we did see the 23% tax on eating out lowered to 13%.  However reduced earnings and pensions for many people are still very much in evidence.  A school teacher earning just over 2000 euro per month in 2012 is now earning 1350 euro per month.  Imagine how you would feel, and what cut backs would you have to make if your salary dropped by 30%.

So what next?  Well currently its olive harvest and families tend to get together to gather in the crop, and that is the difference here to much of the "western" world. Families do come together to help each other, be it to gather olives or to look after "granny" in their home during the colder months. Sundays still remain special family days (despite the Troika pushing the country to introduce Sunday retail trading) when their sons and daughters bring their children back to "mum's house" for a traditional Sunday meal and play in the garden with Grand-dad. 

What does 2014 hold for the Greek people?  Well I recall a story told me by an old Greek man as  he mocked an American tourists' idea.

"There I was sitting on the harbour front having just come out of the five seater taverna I own and run about to set up my fishing rod for the second time in the day.   This American, who had been eating in my taverna came and sat by me and said :-

"Kostas, you should expand that business, you offer great food, there's plenty of opportunity out here.  In a few years you could have a whole group of taverna's bearing your name and making you lots of money". 

  

......and why do I need lots of money I said, what would I do with it?

Well he said, "you could retire, buy a small place buy the harbour and fish every day.........."

I rest my case........................................

The summer of 2013

click on photo to enlarge

This summer we travelled a fair bit around Greece, including trips to Kefalonia, Evia, Poros as well as many other places on the Peloponnese. The original plan was to take our caravan, but our experiences of a couple of years back with the weather getting so hot in June to the end of August demanded a rethink as it tends to be rather uncomfortable without air-conditioning. On top of this road tolls here in Greece tend to on average double if you are towing a caravan, as can ferry prices. Added to that the extra fuel costs of towing and after a brief search on the internet it was clear it was actually cheaper to book self catering apartments, again taking into account a nights stay at a caravan site would cost 20-25 euro.

To give you some example of what you can get if you search, a week on Kefalonia at Easter cost us just 87 euro !!!!  (see apartments below)

Of course these islands become far more popular in the main holiday season, but are far more pleasant when not busy!  The nearest airport to our home (Kalamata) according to local Greek newspapers had this year the second largest percentage increase in tourist arrivals in the country. Saying that, that only resulted in about 15 planes a week. However next year we are already hearing that more carriers are planning a longer season, good news for the tourist industry.

So are things picking up in Greece?  Despite what many will say, I do  believe they are. Yes times are still hard for locals in the village, yes unemployment is still appallingly high and there is a long way to go but locals here are no stranger to hardship and adapting, something perhaps we British find much harder to do.

To see more photographs of the places we have visited why not visit  "Rosie's Blog"  at  http://greek-dog-rosie.blogspot.gr/  she has been far more active than me at keeping the blog up to date. 

Pack "yer" bags......

Looking at the weather over the last few days, winter has finally left us, and its time to start grumbling about just how dry the ground is!  (well I'm allowed to complain about the weather no matter what it is...., I'm British).

Seriously, it does seem a bit early to have days and days without rain. Certainly the warm weather is welcome for the Easter break (its later out here than in the UK), and indeed welcome due to the fact heating oil this winter averaged 1.33 euro per litre. 

I have a strong suspicion that this year will see the turning point for Greece, indeed ahead of Spain and Portugal.  Not that the economic pain is over, far from it. There are still masses unemployed and VAT running at 23% on most goods, including eating out and 13% on all food purchased (supermarkets etc.). However the currency exchange is far more favourable now and already we are seeing more holiday  bookings for Greece.  There are lots of bargains out there!

One thing we have seen though is more and more ex-pats returning to the UK, Germany etc. for longer periods.  In the past the Greek government has been happy with ex-pats spending most of their time in Greece and only imposing on them the "virtual living cost" of taxation.  Provided you could prove an income from your homeland to Greece (by showing financial currency exchange) this could be negated. Now however the Greek government are strenuously imposing the 183 day resident rule and claiming taxes from your total worldly income. With double taxation treaties with most EU countries (plus many more), you are taxed only once, but with ex-pats understanding the taxation policies of their homelands, and virtually no one (including qualified Greek accountants) understanding the Greek taxation policies, ex-pats prefer to stay within the 183 day rule and be taxed "at home".  This actually means a net loss of revenue for Greece as ex-pats "go home" for six months a year and Greece fails to benefit from their income.

It may be that I'm only a simple grocer, but I would welcome anyone spending their income (no matter what country they earn it in and are taxed in) in my shop!  

Just how it is....

I have not blogged for quite a while so thought as we approach the "season of goodwill" now would be a good time.

Well I think most of Europe is all too well aware of the situation of the Greek people, or are they? Certainly many will have "full knowledge", or is that "knowledge" that is viewed through TV and newspaper media?   After all we all  believe in the news media, don't we?

No matter what history has led Greece to this current situation, there by the grace of God can (and maybe will) go many countries in Europe. No one can defend the poor economic controls the past governments here have had  and "fat cats" certainly have taken the cream!   But as many will know if you have visited Greece whilst you might see some "fat cats" you will see far more roaming around starving.  This metaphor certainly applies to the Greek people.

A system top heavy by government employees that have enjoyed European financial support and a private & commercial industry that has been ruled by closed shop union agreements has benefited those that are part of it.  However there are many, many hard working Greek families that have neither benefited nor have they been able to have their voice heard to change society over here. Forget the tourist image of a "nice Greek village" and venture to "real Greece".  Take it from me many tourists would drive right past and not stop, yet this is true Greece......modern day Greece. Local villagers growing a little veg on their plots that can feed the family and often be exchanged with other villagers creating a  barter system, or what is far more common giving it to those even worse off. I have yet to meet a Greek family that has not opened its doors and welcomed me, offering coffee & food.......food they can not really afford to give, but that is the hospitality experienced in a true Greek village.

These are not the fat cats, but these people now have to suffer not only the pains of heavy taxation, cut pensions etc.  but also the indignity of many Europeans declaring them lazy, no good for anything and deserving of whatever they get.

If my diatribe makes you think then it has achieved its objective...........we are now approaching the season of goodwill to all men, aren't we?

Greek election June 2012

It appears to me a little ironical.....Samaras would not support austerity measures when GP was in power and I firmly believe the initial elections were caused by the stubborn actions of Samaras. Now of course he sits in the driving seat he has changed his tune and will expect PASOK support. Now to become a credible leader he must keep his promises to the Greek people.
In reality we are no further forward than we were 12 months ago, apart from the fact the actions of Syriza have focused the mind of many politicians in Brussels and many of the Greek people have had their voice heard in respect of just how far austerity can be accepted. Perhaps this together with the views of the new French PM may create an alternative train of thought to resolve the current EU crisis.


The election result though was far too close for comfort and I believe if Syriza had gained power it would not have been long before their true colours showed, and in my mind not for the better. It is worth remembering Syriza is a mix of leftist parties, just how strong the glue is that combines this group has yet to be tested.


No matter what, the new government must now set on a course to change much of the countries constitution, open all closed practices and begin a total review of the government sector.

Greece rocked.....

Did Antonis Samaras (leader of the Greek ND Party) cause Greece to shake yesterday?  Well after his visit to the Peloponnese there were two earthquakes of 4.1 & 2.8 on the Richter scale, but did he really expect the sort of "shake up" his party got from the national elections?  I think not.  His demands for this election as part of his agreeing to the requirements of the EU bail out money surely now must give him sleepless nights. 

My blog yesterday predicted the obvious "hung" parliament and now the farce starts of trying to form a Greek government. Whatever "cobbled together" government emerges it can only result in Greece being worse off than before these elections.  I say that because the parties on both the right & left extremes of the political spectrum can not and will not be acceptable to a democratic European Union.  Sadly the current situation brings this country to its most critical political period since the Military Junta of 1967-1974.  


My hope is that N.D & PASOK will find a way to work together and create a pro-European government excluding these  crazy extremist sectors of our community.   The actions of the next week or so as to what government emerges will define Greek history once more. 

Greek Elections

It is surprising that in the lead up to the elections in Greece very few towns and villages around my location have seen the normal electioneering posters plastered on buildings, walls etc. Not that I am complaining but they are certainly noticeable by their absence!

Indeed despite the seemingly lack of publicity by the political parties we shall by this time tomorrow  know the decision of the Greek people in respect of their choice for a new Government and new mandate.  Not that I expect any party to have overall majority, as I truly believe both main political parties have failed to gain the confidence of the public as to the actions required to take Greece out of the current economic crisis.

The worry is that if the "majority" party wants to gain office just what are they willing to comprise, and just how far will they divert to the right, or left?

It is not that long ago that Greece saw a very communistic outlook on life, and indeed a military government. With that last fact in mind perhaps one day we shall know the true reason George Papandreou, during his term of office dismissed the three Chiefs of Military staff (little was internationally publicised at the time). The point I make is that if the EU continue to squeeze the Greek people, the people will rise up; as history shows us true poverty, lack of work etc. is a course to civil unrest. The police may retain control, but if they fail or even support Mr & Mrs Joe Public then as we saw in the Arab states the only option left for the government is military intervention...........a disaster!

Whatever the parliamentary result is continual support within the EU is essential if Greece is to remain a stable member of the "club". Some of my close friends will know the term used often by one of our work leaders...T.I.N.A.

Making life easier for citizens when moving with their cars to another EU Member State

The diversity of rules and the various conflicting requirements for cars registered across the EU still constitute a considerable impediment for the cross border transfer of vehicles already registered in one Member State. These problems also represent a significant barrier for cross-border workers, citizens, car dealers, car-rental companies and all people who buy or sell a car in another EU country. As a consequence EU citizens are frequently faced with cumbersome registration formalities and paperwork when buying a car in another Member State or transferring it due to change of residence. These problems occur also in car rental business, when companies are trying to relocate their fleets from one Member State to another depending on seasonal variation in demand.

This press memo informs on:

• The most important changes the new proposal will bring about
• The current difficulties citizens face when moving with their cars in the EU
• Estimation of the costs of the current system

1. Less paperwork and formalities when moving with a car

There are more than 300 million registered cars, buses, trucks and vans in Europe. Most of these will not be concerned by this proposal which concerns only the cars, buses, trucks and vans that frequently go across the borders within the EU. It is estimated that 3.5 million vehicles are transferred to another Member State per year.

The proposal introduces the principle that a car should be registered in the EU country where its owner lives, and that all other Member States may not ask her/him to register the car with them, even if the car owner spend a longer period there.

For companies, the same principle applies: the cars, buses, vans and trucks should be registered in the EU country where the main office is established.

A few examples:

• People who spend part of the year in a holiday residence in another EU country will not have to re-register their car there.
• People who work in another EU country and use a car registered by their employer there will no longer have to register it in their home country.
• Car-rental companies will be able to transfer cars to another EU country during the holiday periods without re-registration (e.g. keeping the same cars at the sea side during summer and in the Alps during the winter). This should lower the price of car rentals.

The most important changes:

• Moving permanently to another country with car will be easier: Most of the paperwork and the physical controls will be abolished. Car registration offices will get the technical information directly from their counterparts in the other EU country. This will save a lot of time and reduce bureaucracy.
• Six months for registering cars abroad: Citizens will have 6 months to re-register their car after their move to another Member State.
• Easier to buy cars abroad: Citizens who buy or sell a second-hand car in another EU country will not have to face additional technical controls and administrative problems.

• This proposal also introduces a temporary registration of 30 days so that a second-hand car can be easily driven to its new owner.
• There will be no change for selling cars within a Member State.
• Car dealers who like to sell cars in another Member State can use a ‘professional registration’ for short drives across the border.

• Cars will continue to be registered in the home country of the owner. It will not be possible to register a car in any Member State.
• Impossible to register a stolen car: Registration authorities will increasingly cooperate with each other, making it easier to track stolen cars. The vehicle registration authorities of other Member States will be informed that a vehicle is reported as stolen. That will allow them to refuse its registration if the stolen car is presented to them for re-registration. Thus, it will become impossible to register a stolen car in another EU country.
• No new European number plate: Car registration and number plates remain national.
• Registration and circulation taxes: This proposal does not affect registration and circulation taxes.
• Not any wreck on 4 wheels can be registered: When registration authorities have doubt about the roadworthiness of the vehicle, they are fully entitled to refuse the registration and to send the vehicle to a technical inspection station.
• Roadworthiness test for cars from another EU country: If a national rule says that a roadworthiness test is obligatory for the sale of a car, that roadworthiness test will also be obligatory for cars coming from another EU country. However, registration authorities must still take into account the roadworthiness tests made in another EU country.

Candles at Easter....

From a comment I put on Facebook a few people asked me what I was referring to when I stated I could not accept Easter Candles in Greece being sold with "Barbie-Power Rangers-Cowboys & Indians" designs on them alongside the tradition Easter Candle for the transfer of the Holy Fire........

Let me explain what goes on Saturday night into Easter Sunday

The Church service starts at 11 p.m. The church is dark and no light is turned on. The darkness represents the darkness of the tomb. The faithful bring or buy large Easter Candles and hold them in their hands without lighting the. 

A few minutes before mid night the priest comes out of the Altar and holding a large lit candle and sings:

"Come receive the light from the unwinding light and glorify the resurrected Lord".

Everybody approaches the priest with their candles to receive the light and go outside. A big procession led by the Resurrection Banner goes out of the Church to a make shift stand. There the Gospel depicting the Resurrection is read and the Hymn of Resurrection is chanted 12 times:

"Christ is Risen from the death trampling death by death, He has bestowed life to those in the tombs".

While this hymn is chanted everybody embraces each other and says "Christ is Risen" and the other party responds "Truly He is Risen". 

The procession returns with Easter hymns to the Church, where the matins and the Pascal Divine Liturgy is celebrated with every body holding the light of Resurrection in their hands.Those who are prepared receive Holy Communion around 1.30 a.m. and before the conclusion the priest reads a special prayer for the eggs, milk and baked lamb.

The Homily of  Resurrection of St John of Chrysostomis is read and the priest distributes red eggs.

People take their candles and bring them to their home without dying them out. At the top of their door with the flame of the candle they make the sign of the Cross, as a sign of protection and blessing of the Risen Lord. 

Then they take the candle and put it on the Dinner table where they have a soup called magheiritsa, look at the recipes, or hot milk with the Easter tsoureki and crash eggs with each other saying Christ is Risen Truly is Risen.

Some families at 2 a.m. have full dinner. If somebody who has fasted for a long time it will be wise to eat Easter cake with hot milk and then have a rich Festal dinner the next day, which is Easter Sunday.

Agree / disagree.....accept / refuse

In the last two years hardly a day goes  by without Greece hitting news headlines throughout the world. More and more austerity measures are demanded by the EU on Greek citizens in return for loans that will take years to repay.

I can not defend some of the past actions taken by various governments in Greece nor do I agree with the "game" some Greek citizens play of constant tax evasion. The fault lies on both. It is no good Greek people saying we will not pay taxes because it goes into the pockets of the politicians, corruption at all levels needs solving. 

The people have to accept massive cut backs in employment in the government & local authority offices, they are well overstaffed. Unions have to accept an open market and total removal of the closed professions.

However the EU also has to understand its continuing pressures will result in massive public rebellion in Greece. It becomes totally ironical that the EU is now unwilling to make loans to Greece and if it forces more austerity measures as a precursor of any loans it is pushing the Greek people into poverty which will result in riots against the government. When on the other hand it is sending financial help to foreign countries to try and stop internal rebellions, or indeed costly peace keeping forces to control rebel factors.