Merry Christmas from a Corfu Village

 Merry Christmas from a Corfu Village

As we countdown to the Christmas celebrations and almost everyone seems busy and focused on : 

Shopping,  The Christmas Decorations,  The Christmas meal, buying presents, and perhaps worrying about all of these too.  I thought I would share with you our simple Christmas here at our home in the village.

With just a few days to go I prepared our little lounge area.  No big tree for us with just a few Candles and baubles.  Apart from not being a huge lover of all the clutter it would just give more objects for our 4 cats to play with.

Our Christmas Lunch come dinner will be served at our larger table used for Special Days with a Christmas themed tablecloth and comprise Roast Chicken, Roasties and Boiled New potatoes from our garden and a few Brussels are ready too. 

I know there is often the debate should you have Yorkshire Puddings or not?   Well each to their own, however I will make a batter and enjoy my Yorkies.

Sage Balls with fresh herbs, again from the garden and a Lettuce Salad as a side as these are growing well.

When I first decided to stay in Greece in the Winter too, I was devastated when I was kindly invited to a lovely Greek family's home for their Christmas meal and there was no Turkey, it was Lamb.  I remember I cried this was my first Christmas away from the UK and I was so upset, What no Turkey, Brussel Sprouts, Mince Pies or Christmas Pud.  That was over 40 years ago.  These days you only need to visit M&S in Corfu town for the Mince pies and puddings.  Parsnips and Sprouts are available either fresh or frozen from many larger supermarkets, along with cranberry sauce, Christmas crackers etc.

Well one Christmas after I was married and happily settled in my own home, I announced we would have Turkey and a real (what I believed and grown up with) Christmas dinner.

After all the days and hours of hard work and stress, running around, bustling with the crowds and driving 40 kilometres each way to find firstly a parking spot, the Pies, Puds etc, buying the Turkey, hours later with the table dressed and ready we lit the Red Candles, clinked our glasses and tucked into our 'Proper Christmas Meal'.  I must admit the Turkey was ok, but only that OK.  I suppose it is similar to Drinking Ouzo or eating a Greek Salad when you are not in Greece.  So from that year on we have had a Greek/lish Christmas.  Roast Chicken or Lamb Tzatsiki and Salad and not forgetting Feta Cheese and crusty bread.  I still have a few Christmas crackers for the table left for this Christmas, however I understand these are no longer on trend or enviromentally friendly? 

So I am all ready for Christmas and only need to buy a freshly farmed chicken from our local village butchers and a crusty loaf from the local bakers, all within a 5 minute walk from home and thus supporting local busineseses.  The token decks are up and so far untouched by the cats!! 

Christmas morning, the routine will be as any other day really similar to a Sunday Roast Day.

Aris will pick a few lettuces and Spring onions and dig over a few new potatoes. I will make the Tzatsiki,  Yorkshire batter and make the stuffing and then Roast the chicken - oh not forgetting the gravy too. 

Our 4 cats will have their Special cat treats and no doubt hope there will be some leftover chicken too for them.  

If the sun shines we will have a few hours in the garden, as although it is not sunbathing weather here in December, it has been over the past few days around 14 - 16c in the afternoons, so a glass of wine and nibbles and relax. Others enjoy driving to the beach and a Christmas walk - as I no longer drive and there are no local buses on Christmas Day we will opt for our garden and hopefully some sunshine.

At 5pm here (3pm in the UK), we will tune into the King's Speech and no doubt watch whichever Christmas movie is on one of the Greek channels, normally there are a few of the favourites such as Mary Poppins, Oliver (in English with Greek subitles) and Ari will light the log fire and then have a little nap (siesta) giving me time to catch up on the Internet with family & friends around the World.

We will also enjoy during the evening Walnuts and Almonds from our trees this Autumn. The Walnuts with youghurt and honey and an Almond baked cake.

Over Christmas it is also a busy time answering email inquiries as for those thinking about 2024 holidays having had family & friends discussions over the Christmas meal on where to go for the Summer focus on the sunshine and recharging.

So from our little home in the village to all who read this, whether you are having a larger family affair or like us quiet  - Ari and I wish you all a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful Christmas.  

Life in A Corfu Village....... by LesleyAnn@CorfuSelections.

 For bookings for 2024 see: www.corfuselections.com 

November Village Life.

 November in Our Village

November in our village for me tends to be a rather quiet one. The clocks have gone back, the mornings start earlier and the evenings draw in quickly with longer nights ahead, my whole sleeping pattern changes as we try to make use of these daylight hours. 

November started mild with midday temperatures reaching 23c, sun shining gracing us with her warmth and clear blue skies. Certainly we both made the most of this beautiful weather being perfect for Ari (hubby) as he painted the bathroom, lounge area and my ceramic pots, whilst I took the opportunity for a good house deep clean and decluttering.  Curtains washed, windows cleaned and rugs aired for the forthcoming Winter months very soon to arrive.  The Summer wardrobe clothes all washed and packed away until late April and the heavier clothes, jumpers, leggings, jeans etc now ready and waiting to be worn when the colder days would arrive.  Actually we didn't have to wait too long as the evenings became cooler and damper, typical Corfu weather then for November.  Still not cold enough though for the log fire just a few hours each evening of the air con on a warm mode was pleasant.  Doors and windows remained open most days to keep our little house well ventilated to help with the general dampness up here. And the duvet now on the bed too.

We then moved onto several rainy days, thunder and lots of lighning storms and yes, you guessed it Power Cuts!!!  As we do not have piped gas on the island if you do choose to cook with gas then this is bottled gas.  Personally I do not like it, we only have an electric hob and oven. Over the years I have learnt always to have plenty of bread, feta cheese and salad for such days when the power could be off for only a few hours or even a whole day until the electricity company detects the source and repairs.  Often these cuts are due to fallen trees or the actual poles supplying the electric plunging us into darkness.  Another tip always have plenty of candles around the house.

After the rain and some more warmer days, Ari went foraging for 'Horta' Wild Greens (you can read about this on an earlier post). A perfect and healthy dish and as I hate to waste my old bread I serve with Skordalia, a garlic dip made either with leftover bread or potatoes or a combination of both. I also give any leftover bread to a Greek lady up in the village which she uses for her chicken's feed and in return often provides us with lovely fresh free range eggs when they are laying as several times yearly they don't.

Our 1st round of new potataoes from the garden are starting to appear, again not to waster anything, we use the eyes of any old potatoes and plant back in the soil.

Lettuces are also coming through nicely, with seeds brought over from some lovely guests whom have become friends over the years of visiting our island, however due to the rain, damp and humidity you do need to do a snail run every few days as this weather brings them creeping slowly up from the earth and trying to munch on the new lettuce leaves.  Tryng to be as Eco Friendly as possible, where the garden is concerned, we don't use pellets or pesticedes instead this is one of Aris' jobs as he goes out when the sun drops and removes them and again early morning too. Do you know snails feature in several dishes around the World?  Not for me though and I have tried!!

The fallen Autumn leaves are collected dried in the sun and mulched back into the soil too.

The last of the peppers were dried but wow they have rather a kick, now in the feezer to use in soups and stews over the Winter.

Mid November some fragrant Narcissus flowers popped into a few of my flower pots outside, so pretty to see flowers in the garden.

The Rag & Bone man known here as a Paleogeis, arrived down our little lane whilst we were outside relaxing and enjoying another sunny midday glass of wine, he took away an old fridge and oven that had been an awful garden feature for quite a few months.  It is a shame more people don't use this free service rather than just dumping their stuff by the village green bins. The Paleogeis are up and around the villages and the island in their open back trucks often,  shouting over their loudspeakers: Paleogeis, Paleogeis. Income for them and free garbage removal for us!!

A few days later on another sunny lunchtime along came a few goats too.  Now whilst it is lovely to see this rural side of life here, goats will eat almost anything.  We have a gated patio/garden area so we escaped their rampage but the land across our lane saw them happily and greedily munching through the owners grass and anything else they liked in her garden. Our cats sat and watched as not sure they had seen a goat before.

As we reached the last week of the month, the 1st snow fell on our highest mountain Pantokrator which stands at 906 metres high. (Photo provided via a Corfu Forum). There was also snowfall opposite on the heights of the Albania mountains, it doees look so pretty however when the wind blows this way the temperatures drop, as they did for various evening when it was just 3c during the night. 

The last day of the month Easyjet announced that they had more aircrafts based at Birmingham providing more direct flights from May 2024 into Corfu.  The Corfu airport was closed for scheduled runway updates and will reopen on 5th December.  There are no direct flights from Europe and other hubs onto the island from mid November to late March and tourism is very low key during this time.  There are normally 5 domestic flights in from Athens which offers anyone wishing to visit for a holiday, visit friends, family etc and there are always plenty of flights from around the World into Athens so a short 40 minute flight then from Athens to Corfu provides the way to visit during the 'off season', along with ferries via the mainland too.

Now I am looking forward to December however I am not putting any Christmas decorations up until a few days before as here, despite seeing on Greek TV the 1st advert this year, as we tend to keep the deorations up until Epiphany being 6th Januaury when the priest will come to bless the house with Holy water.

Thank you for reading about my Life in a Hillside Corfu Village, if you are thinking of moving here or retire hopefully providing you via my blogs an insight to daily life to consider.

If you are planning to visit in 2024 then you can also find me on www.corfuselections.com  I will always be happy to assist you with holiday related questions and services here in the North West Corner of our island of Corfu.

You can follow me too via Facebook: Corfu Selections and Instagram. Click on icons via my website.

Lesley Life in a Corfu Village

Horta - Wild Greens

 Horta - Wild Greens

After some lovely November days so far blessing us with mild sunny days interspersed with rain and dampness at long last we can now enjoy our Wild Greens, known as Horta over here. This time of the year is a great time to harvest Wild Greens from the mountains, hillsides or your garden. Well if you know what to pick!!

During the Summer the land is partched and too dry for the Wild Greens to flourish so we await the Autumn, Winter & Spring months to enjoy this dish.

A healthy dish to add to your diet.  In fairness I haven't a clue which leaves to pick so this is a job for Ari (hubby).  He knows what he is doing, taught by his mother many years back when as a young boy in a busy household when many lived off their land.  Off he went with his knife and bag to gather the Wild Greens.  I am now washing and prepping these and they will be boiled in the morning until tender and served with a drizzle of Lemon Juice, Lemons are picked from the tree and Olive Oil, from the family's Olives and then adding a side of a Garlic Dip (Skordalia) to soak up swith our fresh crusty bread of course the famous Feta Cheese. As tomorrow being Friday some small fried fish too. Sardines are a good choice.

I make my Garlic Dip (Skordalia) from old bread which I soak and then blitz with garlic, Olive Oil, salt, pepper and some vinegar.  Other make with boiled potatoes or a mix of bread and boiled potatoes.

A healthy and budget friendly dish.

Kalo Orexi x 

Looking to visit Corfu for our Greek Easter this falls for 2024 on Sunday 5th May - you can book your accommodation via our owners directly on www.corfuselections.com just click on link for more information

Life in a Corfu Village by Lesley Ann Hoy @ Corfu Selections: Sunny Sunday in October

Life in a Corfu Village by Lesley Ann Hoy @ Corfu Selections: Sunny Sunday in October:   A Sunny Sunday in October..... I am often asked ''How's the weather in October?'' My answer is it is normally still su...

Sunny Sunday in October

 A Sunny Sunday in October.....

I am often asked ''How's the weather in October?''

My answer is it is normally still sunny and warm.  Warm enough to sit outside, keeping the doors and windows open until the sun drops.  Great for walking as not too hot and you do not need air conditioning to sleep at nights. Yes much quieter than the busy high season months, just perfect for me.

In fact I still haven't put a duvet on the bed, just a light throw over the top sheet.

For me, I wish it would be such as this all year round.

The leaves are slowly falling from our grape vine and fruit trees. However, I do miss the golden and red colours of Autumn leaves in London, England - although I certainly do not miss the English cold winds or many years back even snow when visiting during October !!

Today it is once again a mild 25c approaching midday with a clear blue sky and just a gentle warm breeze.  Actually a perfect day for a BBQ, however, as it's Local Election Day, Ari has walked up to the village school to cast his vote and as I have no idea on how to barbie, I will instead roast a chicken with lemon potatoes, leaving me time to relax and enjoy the sun and warmth outside in our garden and finish my book.  Almond (Book 3) and the Silver Saint by Jim Hawkins.  I so enjoy reading Jim's books, yes I can refer to him as Jim, having met Jim and his lovely wife over in the resort of Agios Stefanos N.W. Corfu more then 15 years ago and he has become a very good friend to Ari and I since then. If you haven't read his books, then check out on Amazon, especially if you enjoy Corfu and a Corfu based book. 

Happy Sunday everyone from a sunny Sunday in October here from our hillside village in Corfu.

Lesley Ann @ Corfu Selections.

www.corfuselections.com

Life in a Corfu Village by Lesley Ann Hoy @ Corfu Selections: Tomatoes Leave Us - Lettuces now ...

Life in a Corfu Village by Lesley Ann Hoy @ Corfu Selections: Tomatoes Leave Us - Lettuces now ...: Bye Bye Tomatoes - Here Come the Lettuces  As the Summer slowly rolls in to Autumn the last of our Tomatoes are really trying hard to ripen....

Tomatoes Leave Us - Lettuces now Greet Us

Bye Bye Tomatoes - Here Come the Lettuces 

As the Summer slowly rolls in to Autumn the last of our Tomatoes are really trying hard to ripen. It will be sad to see them leave us until next year......

Over the past few days with daily temperatures reaching 27c during the daylight hours and despite the forecast of storms, rain and generally bad weather our Lettuces instead decided it was time to show their leaves too.

Yesterday, the heavy rain  resulted in 10 minutes of light rain up here in our village in NW Corfu.  So hubby (Ari) still needed to water the veggies. We wait now courtesy of our garden for our salad diet to change from Tomato Salads to Lettuce, Spring Onions and Dill. 

Evenings are very pleasant, dipping down to 18c, clear dark skies with stars twinkling overhead. These temperatures make for a long undisturbed comfortable sleep, no longer do we need the air conditioning either (thinking too about the electricity savings made). A light throw and no duvet so far.

Roses are budding and the beautiful wild Margaritas (Daisies) are plentiful. My home is comfortably cool and the bright flowers adoring add sunshine and smiles.  Only my opinion, however if all year could be just like this, then really we would live in Paradise? Well I would.

It will soon be October when slowly the leaves will drop, drying these as they make a great mulch to dig into the Winter soil too.

It's great weather for our visitors, a few hours in the sun for Vitamin D, ideal for exploring and walking and the sea is warm having warmed up all Summer.

As the nights become longer and cooler we can reflect on the joys of Summer and the gifts of the Winter which will soon be with us all...... 

 Lesley @ Corfu Selections

www.corfuselections.com

Life in a Corfu Village by Lesley Ann Hoy @ Corfu Selections: Snails - Love or Loathe Them?

Life in a Corfu Village by Lesley Ann Hoy @ Corfu Selections: Snails - Love or Hate Them?:  Do you Love or Hate them? As we come into the last week of September, the weather here in our Village has certainly been very kind. Daytime...

Snails - Love or Loathe Them?

 Do you Love or Hate them?

As we come into the last week of September, the weather here in our Village has certainly been very kind.

Daytimes, warm, sunny and sometimes humid, around 28c - 30c - perfect sunbathing and swimming weather for our visitors. I too enjoy September, comfortably warm and cooler nights meaning no air conditioning either resulting in a long peaceful sleep too.

As the sun drops you notice the cooler temperatures, around 19c - 21c however still warm enough to sit outside, pour a glass of chilled white wine whilst watching the stars slowly appear in a clear night sky and they twinkle overhead.

The other evening enjoying this quietness I was aware of the patter of rain on the garden trees breaking the silence  and yes we had a few drops of rain thus dampening the soil in the garden and our numerous plants pots  but then THEY emerged.  Yep Snails!!!

I appreciate these are considered a delicacy in many countries, Escargots in France with Garlic and Butter  Caragols in Spain, Portugal and the Catalonia Areas - served as a casserole.  And yes, here too in Greece.  

Although not something you will see often on many menus here,  several areas enjoy a Snail Cassarole - Stiffado style. Tomatoes, Onions, Garlic and Snails.  In Crete often served with Spinach and Rice.

So this takes me back to a time when I lived on the beautiful Greek island of Spetses, a small island which is part of the Argo-Saronic chain. I was living with a Greek family who ran small Pension Style apartments whilst I was a rep for a well known British Tour company. 

It was late September after a typical long, hot and dry Summer the heavens opened and the island welcomed and danced as the dry soil was plunged with the first heavy rain, however within an hour the sun broke through.  It was late afternoon and the son of the owner said ''Ella'' - come - jump on my moped but first bring a bag as we need to go and collect?  Collect what I said - He replied Saliggaria.  Back then almost, 25 years ago my understanding of Greek was limited to work related issues.  I could ask for a Plumber, Electrician or a cleaner to provide more towels but what was Saliggaria??  I was soon to find out and further improve my vocabulary!!

We drove 10 kilometres along the coast on his moped - there are no cars on this island other than a few taxis and 2 minibuses used for holidaymakers arriving in the harbour of Dapia to reach their accommodation.  Spetses, is reached via Athens and then from the port of Piraeus by catching a Hydrofoil (known as Flying Dolphins) or a much longer and cheaper option of a ferry boat. The island has around 4,000 population and is 24 kilometres of coast line.  Small, traditional and very popular too with Athenian weekend visitors, many having their own Villas on the island.

We arrived and he parked his moped under a tree, looked like a Walnut tree to me.  Ah I thought we are collecting Walnuts!  Now I really like Walnuts with my Greek thick yoghurt and local honey so I was imaging  healthy breakfasts before walking to my office in the harbour every morning. But NO!! He cried out Yes, punching the air -  over here lots here as he shoved 2 or 3 snails in the bag.  This continued for an hour maybe more and then before the sun finally dipped we arrived back at his parents house.  His mother was delighted as she washed the sand from the snails, lined a plastic fish style tank with kitchen paper poured in the numerous snails and closed with a lid.  I could see the snails had started to crawl up the plexiglass, sorry but I really couldn't stomach this any longer so went outside for a cigarette.  

I was invited the following day for lunch after my morning shift, I politely declined saying I had an emergency with some guests I needed to sort out and would grab a Tiropitta instead as I just knew what would be served for lunch.

So this week, after our light rainfall here, memories invaded my silence, as I watched the snails in our garden emerge from the soil climbing up towards our newly seeded Winter lettuces. I do apologise for lovers of Snails and this delicacy but I crushed them.  I didn't want to cook or eat them and I also didn't want them to devour my Winter Salad Lettuce either - hence the photo of snails within my blog are Stock Photos.

Kalo Orexi, Bon Appetit for those that do appreciate this delicacy though..........

Life in a Corfu Village by Lesley Ann Hoy @ Corfu Selections: Healthy Eating Menus on a Budget

Life in a Corfu Village by Lesley Ann Hoy @ Corfu Selections: Healthy Eating Menus on a Budget:   Village Life - Eating Healthy on a Budget. As many, the Cost Of Living is something many of us think about, and us too included. Thankfull...

Healthy Eating Menus on a Budget

 Village Life - Eating Healthy on a Budget.

As many, the Cost Of Living is something many of us think about, and us too included.

Thankfully one of our pleasures, delights and cost saving ventures is, with living here in Corfu in a village, having a large garden, enabling us to eat healthily and with a minimal outlay, thanks to our hard work in our garden. Time invested well as we are not retired as yet but need to think about all cost saving ways as possible these days!!

Here are a few things from last week on our menu.

Briam

We picked :  Peppers, Tomatoes, Courgettes and Aubergines, Potatoes already had been stored. So apart from the cost of the water to grow and the electricity to bake/roast plus the bought items below. 

Result was a Tasty Briam. known as Roasted Greek Vegetables became the dish.

Olive Oil from our stock of.

Bought items included: Bread, Salt, Pepper, Onions and Feta Cheese.

All Baked in one casserole dish in the oven. Also saving on washing up too.

Stuffed Peppers and Tomatoes

We Picked, Larger Tomatoes and some Bell Peppers and Fresh Mint.

Bought items included Long Grain Rice, We had Feta, Onions and Bread from the day before. Along with the Oil, Onions and Potatoes from our stock

Stock Items, Origano, Salt & Pepper.

Again all baked together in the oven in one casserole dish.

Of course you can add mince meat and fry if you prefer to have a more meat based diet.

Fried Aubergines with Skordalia.

Aubergines from the garden.

Stock items : Flour, Salt & Pepper & Olive Oil.

Fresh Egg - locally from a neighbour (we give her our left over bread to feed her chickens, free range of course and she gives us a few eggs every week) Fry the Aubergines in Olive Oil, dipped in the batter.

Skodalia (Garlic Dip)- Old bread socked in water and then drained, Garlic (bought) and  Red Wine Vinegar (bought).

Blend together to make a lovely Garlic dipping sauce.

Aubergines - dip in the flour and egg mixture, fry in hot olive oil.

Served with your already purchased Feta and some Fresh Bread 

Desserts included:

Pancakes/Crepes

Served with Cactus Fruits and Lemons picked from the garden.

Stock Items Sugar, Flour Milk and 1 Egg.

Grapes - Picked from the Vine

Cheese, wine, grapes and feta.

Bread & Butter Pudding. Grapes dried for raisins.

Our Sunday Special

You can see we live healthily on a mostly non meat diet and treat ourselves to a Fresh (not frozen) Chicken at the weekend bought from the local village butchers and not from the supermarket.

This Chicken I roast with veggies

Avgo Lemono Soup

Leftover  Chicken I make the following  day as the famous Greek Avgo Lemono Soup - Chicken Egg & Lemon Soup.

So you need:

Chicken Leftovers) Eggs, Rice and Lemon all as above already in stock or purchased.

Boil Leftover Chicken for a tasty broth - forget stock cubes and if you need to thicken the stock use your flour. Fresh Dill from the garden to serve

Other items purchased for a weeks shopping included:

Feta Cheese - choose from your local minimarket the type in the large tin already preserved in Brine whenever possible rather than the mass produced Feta in a plastic tub.

Lentils - To make Fakes - Lentil Soup 

Chickpeas - Revithia Soup made with chickpeas, onions, garlic, lemon and flour to thicken. Leftover soup  can be strained and made into Humous - add some more Garlic and Olive oil and blend by mixer to make a tasty dip.  Some add Tahini however I prefer Greek Yogurt.

Spaghetti No 6 - for a simple 3-4 ingredient spaghetti, sauce made with tomatoes (small Cherry ones picked from the garden which are sweet & tasty) , Onions, & Garlic.  I also pick celery from the garden to add some more flavour to the tomato sauce.

Of course, with all of the above you can make a healthy lunchtime snack of Greek Salad and I make potato salad but instead of mayo I use Olive Oil, Mustard (stock item) and mint.

You can use the Homous as above. I also strain the Lentil Soup to make Lentil fritters.

Boil some Eggs and make a Egg (Mayo) Salad served with tomato salad........ 

I haven't included recipes but a synopsis of our typical Summer menu.

If you would like any of my own simple recipes you can post comments or email me on  corfuselections@gmail.com

Kali Orexi.......

and when I am not cooking and gardening??? .......

 You can check out my websites should you choose to look at booking your next vacation directly - thus supporting our local owners and the Ethos of my website.  

See : www.corfuselections.com

Life in a Corfu Village by Lesley Ann Hoy @ Corfu Selections: Happy September - Kalo Mina....

Life in a Corfu Village by Lesley Ann Hoy @ Corfu Selections: Happy September - Kalo Mina....:   September, Sunny Days, Fruits and Flowers..... It's September, the sun is shining, the nights now are thankfully cooler,  evenings are...

Happy September - Kalo Mina....

 September, Sunny Days, Fruits and Flowers.....

It's September, the sun is shining, the nights now are thankfully cooler,  evenings are balmy as we watch the Moon rise and the Stars sparkle over a clear night sky. We now enjoy sipping our wine in the garden far more comfortably after another hot August when temperatures reached the 40's C -  No longer do we need our air conditioning and instead can breathe in the pleasant warm air and reflect on this Summer so far, as we start to think about our Winter vegetables which now need planting.  These include, Carrots, Spinach, Winter Gem lettuces, Spring Onions, Cabbage, Brussels and a few herbs too.  I will once again try Parsnips and hope for a frost later on, which are needed for a healthier crop!! - or so I am advised? Maybe this time they will grace the Christmas table (gosh did I mention Christmas, sorry folks). 

This Summer we harvested a variety of goodies too including, early lettuces, always tasty until Mid May then it gets too hot and they bolt.  However I made some lovely lettuce soup instead of  wasting them.

Potatoes do well, as do Green Beans, Courgettes, Peppers and a great variety of Tomatoes from small Italian Cherry Tomatoes, Medium sized salad tomatoes and huge Beef Tomatoes which I use to make a popular Greek meal of Stuffed Tomatoes. We still have many more growing going into September for salads and tomato based dishes and puree. 

Fruits so far included, Cherries & Apricots in June, Juicy Peaches in July, Seedless White Grapes from our vine late August. We prefer to eat our grapes with Greek crusty bread and Cheese rather than make wine. Cactus Fruits (Prickly Pears)  just picked these a few days ago which I used as a filling for the Pancakes and also made a lovely syrup from these fruits too.  Ari (hubby) adores pancakes which have now become a fortnightly treat.  No, I don't use a Pancake mix either, just a simple Batter which my mother taught me back then. when I was allowed to assist in her kitchen as I reached the grand age of 10!!! And of course we have free range eggs here in the village all adding and enhancing the overall taste. 

Ari bashed the Almond Tree to collect the nuts with his long Bamboo stick, as many Almonds were starting to fall.  He then de-husked them and will break open the shells so I can store these for such delights as Almond Milk, Almond Butter, and Cakes too. 

A variety of flowers spring up over the Summer months always adding a great and happy colour to our outside area.....

September - brings us later in the month Walnuts - a favourite for breakfast with Thick Greek Yoghurt and local honey and another alternative taste for our Pancakes. 

Wishing everyone visiting Corfu this month an enjoyable stay and holiday too.

If you are still thinking of some late sunshine or a last minute holiday, you can also visit my websites www.corfuselections.com & www.sanstefanosapartments.com and book directly with our owners thus supporting local businesses too....... 

Kalo Mina - A happy month of September with Health and Happiness.

Life in a Corfu Village by Lesley Ann Hoy @ Corfu Selections: August in Our Village

Life in a Corfu Village by Lesley Ann Hoy @ Corfu Selections: August in Our Village: August in Our Corfu Village  Our village, Avliotes is situated in North West Corfu and is always a hive of activity mid mornings. The local ...

August in Our Village

August in Our Corfu Village 

Our village, Avliotes is situated in North West Corfu and is always a hive of activity mid mornings. The local men sit around the Kafenion, sipping their Greek Coffee and sometimes an ouzo or two too, whilst debating the world of politics and of course football!!

For me, I like to sit back and listen to it all, whilst drinking my Frappe Coffee and admiring the amazing view across the valley.

Each Summer it amazes me that the Shades of Green adoring the valley keep their foliage and variety of colours even after experiencing weeks, sometimes months of continuous sun and hot temperatures - a view to admire all year round.

Life in A Corfu Village in August

- just so so very relaxing......

Life in a Corfu Village by Lesley Ann Hoy @ Corfu Selections: Mosquitoes

Life in a Corfu Village by Lesley Ann Hoy @ Corfu Selections: Mosquitoes:   Mosquitoes. I am often asked what do I do regarding the presence of Mozzies? Here is what I have discovered over the years here...... I no...

Mosquitoes

 Mosquitoes.

I am often asked what do I do regarding the presence of Mozzies?

Here is what I have discovered over the years here......

I now simply have gone back to Nature to provide the solution.

- I start with showering with a non fragrance soap or shower gel.  I wear Long linen trousers in the evening.

- If sitting outside as the sun drops so at dusk when these little things love to dance and nip I pick some fresh mint from the garden and rub this on my ankles and arms. 

- I pick again from the garden fresh mint and have this in small bowls around the house.

- I hang above the bed a Mosquito Net. (I bought mine whilst working in Kenya - but they are easily available on Amazon and I am sure other sites too).

I gave up on the chemical approach years back - no sprays on my now aging skin (after all I/we need to look after our bodies)

No chemical sprays and plug ins either - looking after our environment and the Ozone.

Nature looking after Nature.