Haritomeni and House Insurance
And here we are back to what constitutes normal around this place and around my blog. As per usual, I am writing this yesterday, as I am up early to work a day on the latest book. Before that, I need to put the blog in order, and before that, I need to do my usual email and spam trawl and deal with admin.
Right, I’ve done that now. I have seen off a charming Russian lady who starts all her correspondence with a flesh-creeping ‘Dearest’, a polite Chinese firm who want to do business with me selling barbed wire, the CEO of some G4-IC offering SEO but no dictionary, and a very pleasant man in Nigeria whose wife died and left him £4M that he wants me to have a large share of. I’ve also managed to resist bedroom-enhancing tablets at $7.00 each, a new kitchen and a free holiday where I would only have to pay for flights to Antigua (plus spending money, insurance and visa).
What did come in the email, however, and which is definitely not spam was a message from my AXA insurance agent bringing good news. Long story short: I have private health insurance with AXA; because of that I am entitled to a discount on house insurance – except the house contract is in Neil’s name, so it couldn’t be done; except we are married under Greek law and our agent considers us part of her family, so rigorous investigations were made and are now complete and, lo! I have, somehow, a discount on my insurance bill which over the year should be more than the cost of the house insurance. Which means, our contents are now insured for free, and the AXA cover includes things like earthquakes, lightning strikes, floods and other acts of an unseen concept.
Meanwhile, Saturday night was a treat. We were taken as guests to Haritomeni, the taverna on the hillside at Petini which overlooks the harbour. We arrived early, in plenty of time to see the sunset as you will see from the photos. The menu here is wide-ranging, and there is a specials board which included rabbit, lamb in lemon sauce, veal cheeks and something I had never had before, chicken and yoghurt in pastry. Our party shared a few starters, salads, dips, bread, and a very pleasant house wine while discussing all and sundry, and enjoyed the sunset almost as much as the food. A big thank you to Hillary and supporting cast, it was a treat and a very special evening.
It’s not difficult to find this taverna. You can take a taxi from Yialos or walk up, or walk down from the village (take a torch for the way back). Returning from Rhodes on Friday, I walked up from the Blue Star port, passing Haritomeni on the way. Opposite the turning at Petalo (the taverna on the east side of Yialos, the entrance to the new harbour, now with lush seating, plenty of space, swimming and, I am told, great food), there is a cut in the hillside and a road heading up. It’s a bit steep at times but not for long. Follow that up, and you will arrive at Haritomeni. Can’t miss it. From the village, walk down to ‘Kali Strata corner’ where the bar was, and further down to where the high school still is. Cut diagonally right across the carpark and follow that lane. It winds and dips, offers lovely views of the harbour and eventually comes out at the top of the cut/road mentioned above, with the taverna on your right. You can phone for a taxi later, and they will take you wherever you need to go with, perhaps, the exception of Nimborio – check that though, as I heard a couple of the drivers will drive there now.
So, that’s my early Sunday morning catch-up and a few photos for you. Here’s wishing you a good week. Back tomorrow.
