Girl Gone Greek Wins Best Screenplay

Great news on Monday. I was just flicking through Facebook after work, enjoying the shade of the courtyard at 28 + degrees) when I noticed a post from the London Greek Film Festival, showing photos from their awards ceremony. I wondered if Rebecca Hall was there and then realised that she wouldn’t have been as she was on Symi last weekend compiling a travel article for a British newspaper. You may remember that Rebecca wrote the book, Girl Gone Greek about her experiences of moving to Greece as a teacher of English…

Last year, she commissioned me to write a screenplay version of the book for her, which I did in close collaboration. That script was entered into the competition by Rebecca, who is what’s known as the property owner (Hollywood/film term). I went to the LGFF website to check out who had won what and discovered that we had one the ‘Best Screenplay’ in their Odysseus screenwriting awards. Obviously, I told her the news and then went to celebrate.

We’re waiting to hear when the festival will hold its award ceremony in Athens, as they hold one in London in May, and another later, for those from Greece who couldn’t make it. I can see another overnight on the Blue Star coming up (any excuse). Meanwhile, if you’ve not read the book, you can find it on your country’s Amazon, or by clicking this link to Amazon.co.uk: Girl Gone Greek.

So, congratulations to Rebecca. Let’s hope that this causes further interest in the project. It has already received a special mention at a film festival awards in Los Angeles, so you never know…

Rebecca’s travel blog can be found here: Life Beyond Borders

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Personal Delivery

Here’s how it works around here. You’ve got an important document that needs stamping and signing by a solicitor. You get in touch and describe what you need, the solicitor (mine is in Rhodes) says, ‘No trouble, I’ll do that…’ (for free) ‘but I’m not sure about posting it. Better to collect, or maybe someone is coming over who can pick it up for you?’ I’m not planning to be over there myself for a while, but it’s not that urgent. All the same, it’s best to have it here as soon as I can. So… (Random Symi photo breaks up the text)

A friend from Symi is going to Rhodes, and if the solicitor can leave it at their hotel, friend will bring it back. As it turns out, solicitor was unable to deliver on Saturday, and I thought friend was leaving the hotel early Sunday. Solicitor rings me very early on Sunday (I am up at 5.30 as usual so no problem), and I say not to worry, I’ll pick it up sometime. ‘Ah, hang on,’ she says. ‘My neighbours are going to Symi today…’ Bit of a pause in proceedings while she pops next door… Calls back. Yes, they are coming on the 10.00 o’clock boat… But going to Panormitis first and then driving to pick up the boat in Yialos in the afternoon…

A sudden decision is needed: meet them at the boat at 4.30 pm, or… Could they drop it off at Takis Leather for me? It’s on the way to the boat. No problem. So, that’s arranged, I tell the friend at the hotel to stand down and discover she was staying another night (I’d got that wrong) but that’s fine, she knows not to expect the delivery. Then contact Takis to ask if it’s okay for these people I don’t know to leave a document for me with him. I knew it wouldn’t be a problem because he’s a good friend, and indeed, it is no problem…

Solicitor’s friends, not on Symi, call me at about three-thirty to double check where to leave it, and instructions are given. The next morning, I get a message from Takis to say he has my papers and all is well.

The point being that I had I gone to collect it from Rhodes, it would have cost me the boat tickets and a day off work just to get a signature on a document. So, connections are important and very handy around these parts. All I need to do now is get myself to Yialos and collect it, which I will do the next time I am down there. Unless anyone is passing Takis’ shop and can pick it up and bring it up and… No, that’s just being lazy. I just thought you’d like to know.

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Back to Monday

And back to Monday… Over the weekend, a few more village businesses opened for the summer. Mariquita, the craft shop at the top of the Kali Strata (opposite Georgio’s) opened with its collection of clothes, handmade jewellery and other handicrafts. This shop is usually open late morning for a couple of hours and then the evening from about half-six onwards. Evangalia makes many of the items herself while looking after the stray cats and is always smiling and happy.

The Olive Tree has also opened, cakes have been baked, and homemade lemon juice prepared along with all the other healthy and homemade things they provide you with. The terrace is clean and painted, and everything is ready to roll – bacon rolls included.

Taverna Zoi has also opened. This, if you don’t know, is at the end of the main through-lane of the village, not far from the bus stop, so it’s easy to get to and from if you are in Yialos or Pedi. It has a roof terrace that looks down towards Pedi, is family run and always friendly. I recommend the chicken with cashews when it’s available.

Down in Yialos on Friday, the harbour was very busy with passengers from just one boat (later, more came in and they were also very busy with visitors). Guided tours, lone travellers, various nationalities and lots of bare legs and arms enjoying the warmth. Saturday was a little on the windy side, but Sunday has dawned less breezy and very clear. It looks like the season is now fully up and running.

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Symi Saturday Photos

A few random shots today as I watch the blue sky take over from Friday morning’s rain and brief thunderstorm. A bit more water in the sterna, no need to water the plants, and the air smells fresh. The sea is calm and, apart from a trip to Yialos later for the usual weekly business, I have a weekend of writing planned. Oh, and the Olive Tree is opening for the season on Sunday morning. Have a good weekend.

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Village Update

Here are a few more photos taken around and about recently. Meanwhile, I’m kind of celebrating the startling news that I can retire. Well, I can’t, but the point is, a private pension scheme got it touch after I contacted them because now I’m 55, I have options. It was just a bit shocking to see ‘Your retirement date’ as last March. It wasn’t because it showed March, it was because it suddenly made me feel ten years older. Anyway… That caused an on-going decision-making process for a while, and now I have made up my mind what I’m going to do.

I’m not actually retiring so the blog will continue, and so will the books, hopefully. Well, I know they will because that’s what I do every day for most of the day. Anyway, here in the real world, it’s good to see so many returning visitors arriving already, and so many day trippers. The other day there were five ferries in the harbour and a through catamaran visit. One of the ferries wasn’t actually carrying passengers, it was docking at the new dock when it was opened, but the Nikolaos X was pretty rammed and so, hopefully, were the other boats.

A quick village update: There’s talk of The Olive Tree opening this Saturday, so you have that to look forward to up in the village. It’s a great place to stop off after climbing the Kali Strata and stock up on your healthy juices and homemade cakes and salads. There’s also talk of Taverna Zoi opening soon, and I’ll let you know about that. Everywhere else is up and running or has been all winter, and The Secret Garden is now back to regular live music on a Friday – and other nights when they play Greek music, but on Fridays, it’s a mix of blues and rock western style. Not Country & Western, they’re not starting up a line dance group or anything (though it could be fun), but it’s western rock music as opposed to Greek rock music… You know what I mean.

Right, it’s back to the next creation now, a treasure hunt thriller based around ‘Dracula’ the novel, but with no vampires. Now, that’s got you thinking.

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