Author Archives: Robin

About Robin

We started visiting Lesvos such a long time ago we can't remember when. We simply fell in love with the island in general and Molyvos in particular. In 2005 we bought some land and tried to manage the building of our house from the UK. Holidays became site visits and our house was [mostly] completed in 2007. In 2009 we sold up in the UK and moved to Molyvos. This is now our home and we count ourselves amongst the luckiest of the lucky. I am a member of the Molyvos Tourist Association, providing photographs for their brochures and general publicity. Most of my time is spent on activities to encourage tourism or taking photographs of one of the most beautiful places on earth. I also produce calendars and sell them on-line through Lesvos Calendars. Please visit and have a look. You can also see more of my photographs on my  Robin Sanders Photography website.

Storm Damage

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Storm damage in PetraMarch storms have damaged part of the seafront road in Petra and caused further damage on the road to Eftalou.
Lesvos Mayor Dimitris Vounatsou visited Petra on Saturday 23 March with other officials to view the situation. As well as the damage that can be seen in these pictures, large piles of sand, rocks and seaweed was washed onto the main road making it impassible. An urgent clean Storm Damage Petraup was put into place to ensure that the Independence Day celebrations could take place.

The coast road between Molyvos and Eftalou (which was damaged in 2010) suffered further damage. The already collapsed areas have sunk further and more areas have now been sectioned off as they are unsafe.

Storm Damage EftalouStorm Damage Eftalou

Καθαρά Δευτέρα – Clean Monday

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Καθαρά Δευτέρα (Clean Monday) marks the beginning of Lent. In Molyvos it was celebrated with a village gathering in Lefkonikou Square. There was traditional Lenten food, a series of sketches (most of which were far too rude to report here) and dancing.

The weather was fantastic and it seemed like the entire village (and many from surrounding villages) had turned out to celebrate. What a fantastic party atmosphere.

[shutter_gallery name=”Clean Monday 2013″]

 

Lets go fly a kite!

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Kite Flying near Molyvos Castle.Kite flying is a traditional end to Carnival in Greece. It is a time for families to spend time together and have some fun. Spring has already arrived in Lesvos so there was a good turn out to enjoy the warming sun and fly their kites.

Many people make their own kites and there is competition to have the prettiest kit. The real battle though is to see who can fly their kite the highest.

In Molyvos people gathered on the land at the top of the hill close to the castle. From here the top flyers were mere distant specks in the sky over the sea. A few kites managed to escape and take refuge in trees. I will spare their owners blushes by not showing the pictures.

Kite Flying near Molyvos Castle.  Kite Flying near Molyvos Castle.Kite Flying

 

Τσικνοπέμπτη – ‘Smokey Thursday’

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IMG_0443Lent will soon be with us. Greeks like one last celebration to eat lots of meat (mostly lamb), drink a glass or two of wine and party.

Smokey Thursday gets its name from the smoke of the barbecue and as you can see [opposite] the name is quite apt. The village was filled with the wonderful smells and sounds of Τσικνοπέμπτη.

There was lots of traditional music and dancing.

There was lots of not so traditional music and dancing

But mostly there was lots of food, wine, good company and good humour. A massive thank you to everyone for the donations that made this all possible. Times are hard in Greece, but the spirit of Molyvos refuses to lie down.

I love this place.

All dressed up. Dancing in the StreetTraditional Dancing

 

Should have come to Greece

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Highway robbers are hitting tourists in Spain. Crime gangs target hire cars and cars with British number plates

In March 2013 the British Government issued a warning to everyone visiting Spain.

Thieves distract their victims with faked accidents or supposed vehicle problems. The gang hotspot is the AP7 motorway heading to the Alicante region in southern Spain. British consulates reported 140 robberies last year on the AP7 motorway alone.

Roadside robberies reported to the Barcelona consulate are currently running at almost 1 per day!  Authorities believe that many thefts remain unreported by embarrassed victims.

The best way to avoid these incidents is HOLIDAY IN GREECE