Motley or What?

The E-Team (as in Ex Pat), circa 1985, finally found in the dusty archives of our apotheki The team has at least nine nations in it (not including Pan who started playing for both sides when we were down by two digits). Spot then junior usual suspects Steffie far left hiding behind Lennie. Blake our mascot (Teresa Seabrook’s four year old son) just to the right of the match ball (propped up by a single malt beverage). Photo definitely taken before the game began as the lack of bloody appendages will attest. (see below, An ‘Almost’ Perfect Game)

A Frightening ‘Thing’

The world has become far too serious. Even on the Comet we have found ourselves drawn into the news and obituary side of matters. An integral part of life to be sure, but we have decided to periodically revert to the more whimsical aspects of our existence in this village. Continue reading →

At first glance it looked as though Kamini was under threat of yet another prolonged major noisy construction. The appearance of a bulldozer, tons of rock, and cement bags deposited at the bottom of our hill looked ominous. What new dreadful invasion was this?

‘Catapillar’ in the trees

Turns out it is going to be an attractive and most necessary addition to our valley. The elegant stone channel that runs through the centre of the village is to be extended up the gorge to help prevent further erosion and flooding during the rainy season. Also, labor is not expected to take too long and shouldn’t interfere with the tranquility of our community as dynamite and deafening compressors are not predicted to be part of the industry.

Bulldozer to others

Back in the winter of 1985, a sporting event happened on Hydra, and if it had been officially sanctioned, it would still hold several records in the Guinness Book of … Continue reading →

Anchors Aweigh

Sure, it doesn’t look like much now (my camera phone’s zoom isn’t too strong), a small, innocuous platform bobbing off Kamini. Imagine this same view in a couple of months’ time with a thirteen-ish-deck, multi-swimming-pooled, super cruise ship inserted into it.

Our new deep-sea heavy mooring platform, designed to anchor the largest of oceangoing luxury liners, was “planted” last month. It is hoped that the guests shuttled back and forth on its tenders will boost the island’s economy and bring all the benefits that such an increase in tourism promises.

As with all things of “progress” here, or anywhere for that matter, a flip-side debate has kept the island busy this winter—and not just about the pros and cons of said affected view.

What about the gulf and the pollution such large ships can bring to the beaches? The island struggles to cope with current busy-season ablutions. What will hundreds more visitors do to an already taxed infrastructure, etc, etc?

All of which is rather moot as the mega buoy is in place.

Of course, any big event on (or just off) the island comes with a typical Hydra rhubarb. A couple of days after the cranes and work ships had completed their deep-sea task, a large French cable-laying ship was seen in the same area. Much activity aboard led to the inevitable conclusion that the sea anchor industry had severed a communications cable to the mainland, much in the same way we have seen, say, waters pipes conflict with other underground systems when upgrades are being installed on land.