The Greek Gatsby

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June 17th

Floods in Provence, unseasonable chill in Spain, but Greece is having a heatwave that leaves people gasping and flapping like fish in a net. The only place to be is by the sea now.
As soon as Evi in the Five Star Greece Athens  office can detach herself from her air conditioner, she will go to Mykonos to look at a new house that sounds very exciting – a private path to the sea,  anchorage for a yacht,  and a beautiful pool.

From there, a hop over to Andros to check out a stunning huge villa with tennis court and sandy beach below,

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The High Life

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June 8th

Corfu High life

It doesn’t get much better than this – magnificent villas in Corfu on the sea, two of which compete for the crown in this area – Corfu CH is an oasis of Aman-style serenity in the happy-go-lucky muddle of Greece. The colour of the pool matches the blue of the sea and the towels perfectly folded on each deckchair, orchids reflect in mirrors, pavilions are mirrored in the pool, stone paths wind down to little beaches, cypresses frame beautifully planted vistas, underplanted with blue iris and lavender. The other is an even grander affair with courtyards, vast terraces, and wonderful full length picture windows to show off the views. There were guests staying, ( not ours,) so I was told to say I was the upholsterer if anyone asked, and we tiptoed round, sticking to the shadows…

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Ithaca to Corfu

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June 7th

The island hopper plane jumps from Crete, to Zakynthos, to Kephalonia, to Preveza, to Corfu. The stewardess just has time to explain about seatbelts before it is time to land each time. A great day out for 40 euros!

The first house to be visited was Corfu AT which sits grandly above Kassiopi. Secluded in its wonderful garden, it looks out through stone arches over its lovely pool and Albania. The owners’ children – a group of 6 university students, were there, and had obviously been told to tidy up and make themselves scarce, for they fled as soon as they saw us to take the boat out and spend a day pottering along the coast. The house was immaculate and anyone lucky enough to spend time there will see Corfu at its best.

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The Condensed Milk Age

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June 6th

Ithaca

Those of a certain age who spend childhood summers on a Greek island, appreciate as no-one else can, the joy of coffee and condensed milk for breakfast. Thick and sweet, you gloop it into your coffee and stir. Infinitely better than any Nespresso or cappuccinos… It may have something to do with the fact that when we were growing up, the remoter islands like Ithaca only had goat’s milk as an alternative, which in coffee, or in anything else other than a baby goat, is truly revolting. I still get a thrill when it appears on the breakfast table. Try it!

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