25 Jan ’08 – Having lived in Hydra for 18 years, I’m still learning about new events every day! Knowing that the same orthodox name day celebration can occur twice during the year, I only learnt three days ago that the name day for Grigoris happens not just on the 10th January (as I had put on the event calendar) but also today, the 25th January. Today was a local name day for Grigoris celebrated solely in Hydra.

Every year, Ayios Grigoris church celebrates its name day. Situated in the grounds of the 2nd Primary school, all the students from both schools in Hydra gather for the church service. (It also means no lessons!). Parents and locals are welcomed too.

It was the first time that I had ever been to this particular church. All the windows had been decorated with red flowers and it looked stunning. Standing nearer the back, I was fascinated how all the children were so intense on listening to the priest.
After the service everyone collected holy bread and a chocolate sweet.
Huddling into one of the classrooms from the bitter cold, it was a great comfort to drink a hot Greek coffee that was being served!

A few words were then made by ‘papas’ Vagelis to bless the New Year pita. Standing in rows all the children took one by one their very small piece of pita. They ate their small pieces really quickly to see who had the piece with the coin inside! Lucy, (one of the students) was presented from the parent committee of the 2nd Primary school with a prize for finding the lucky coin. 
 
A lovely morning enjoyed by all.

More images can be seen in Ayios Grigoris photo gallery.

27th Aug 07 – A new baby girl was born to the proud parents Maria Voulgari and Nikos. Weighing 3.100g, both mother and daughter are doing fine. Congratulations and wishing them all a healthy and happy future together.

Congratulations to Maria Kokori and Dimitris Gionis who were married at Ayios Giorios church on 18th August 07. The reception was held at Sunset restaurant, which was beautifully laid out and everyone had a wonderful time. I wish them both happiness and health in their future together.

It was the 3rd September 2007 and it started like any other day, down by the quayside at the harbour having our coffee at the clock tower watching the world go by.

The donkeys where being loaded at the waters edge with an array of different supplies, just as they are most days of the year, only this time we noticed a more unusual load. It was roofing tiles. Now I don’t know why we made the comment, but we did, ‘Just imagine what would happen to the tiles if one of the donkeys bolted.’ At which point we made our way off to do what ever it was we did that day.

Later that afternoon, walking back to our accommodation which was near the old fishing village of Kaminia, turning to go up the last bit of the hill, we first noticed red tiles all over the roadway.

And as we looked up the hill more red tiles could be seen, the pattern zig zagged up the steep hill side until it stopped. At which point we could see a donkey tethered to a post looking all ashamed!

It was starting to look like the comments we had made in the morning had happened, broken tiles all over the road.... but what had happened? Over the next hour or so locals appeared out of the houses and helped to pick up the broken tiles and load them into sack, then onto the donkey. What happened we still don’t know, we did not see the donkey man again for the rest of our holiday.  So what did happen to the donkey man and the broken tiles, do you know?

Written by Chris Freer - a true tale that happened whilst on holiday

17-Aug-07 The children from the Y.N.O swimming group (that is sponsored by the Mayor every summer) had been invited today for a final party at Omilos.

Salsa music blared out loudly but it was a real treat to everyone. A professional instructor got up and did his swaying of his hips, with probably forty excited children copying him, all lined up in rows!

Snacks and cold refreshments were laid out and all (including us adults) had a most enjoyable time.

On Sunday 19th, Y.N.O will be having their swimming gala and awards at Mandraki beach, at about 5.00pm. Everyone is invited and your support for the children’s efforts will be most welcoming. Hope to see you there!