At first glance one could be forgiven for thinking this was a photo taken in the outskirts of a place like Kabul. But not so, this is a snapshot taken on Hydra this month. Few would believe the amount of rubbish strewn on our pristine isle in outer Mandraki, East of the main port.

It is not our usual style to show a negative aspect of the Rock, but this was just too deplorable to ignore.

So what can we do about it? Instead of merely reporting “the dirt” we have a simple idea which could greatly assist the municipality with its complex garbage disposal problem. There is no easy fix, but if enough people backed the Comet’s suggestion, it may grease the lethargic wheels of bureaucracy. A simple and comparatively inexpensive proposal that has become widely used and popular abroad. As our photo above shows, plastic shopping bags are a major part of the problem.

Keeps cats out and groceries fresh.

These two bags are examples of what can be achieved with a little good will.

The green bag we found at a large supermarket in Africa, they charge for usual plastic bags to discourage the environmental plague, and sell the hot and cold lined sturdy bags for the equivalent of €1.40. The white bag (right) has a Velcro fastener and comes from a supermarket on mainland Greece which they sell at the checkout counters for €1.00.

The bags can be used over and over with the added advantage that they seal which keeps curious kitties out of the groceries, not to mention the ‘green’ aspect of using them. They fold away to almost nothing and weigh zip.

So what if the Municipality ordered similar such grocery bags, perhaps with a memorable Hydra flag and /or map with a slogan in Greek and English promoting keeping our island clean. Distributed to the Hydra shops; and it would be good advertising too.

So why are we not proposing this ourselves? Simply because we are too aware of the pitfalls. Even though I am an island resident with voting rights and all, I am aware of the folly of trying to introduce something ‘new’. We have picked up flack and suspicion for trying voice an opinion in the past, and we have reached a point of surrender. Like farting against thunder – it was not for lack of trying.

Back in 1995 when the internet was unheard of on the island I tried to get the Demos to give me a desk and phone line. In return we would build a website promoting tourism and offer an email service for visitors, (one of the first in the country)

To be honest the idea was enthusiastically received by the Mayor Mr. Anastopoulos, but in order to authorize said desk the project had to be submitted to one of the boards who convened only every other month or so, then a vote had to be passed and after that (if it was agreed upon) a various selection of other red tape processes, which including having our names posted on a public notice board for a period of time were to follow. Enough said, it would have taken ages and we opened the Hydranet site privately on our own terms.

Similar frustrations have re-occurred over the years when we brought up the idea of motion detecting streetlights in the outer suburbs, or when we presented the idea of solar heating. We even went to the trouble of finding a manufacturer who made solar panels that conformed and looked like roof tiles. (Being acutely conscious of the Hydra architectural bylaws).

Dare we mention the proposal of Hydra passports for tourism stamps at establishments, or perhaps the outlandish idea of two wind turbines up behind town, our research indicted that two would suffice for almost all power needs.

Again not to present a negative light on the system here, it is just that they are hamstrung by reams of red tape and laws and sub clauses that can derail the simplest and best of plans. So this time all we are doing is putting the idea ‘out there’ and hope that enough Hydrophiles are motivated to add voice and encourage the powers that be to do something.

Send them an email perhaps, contact via the link on the left hand side of this page.

Pavlos must have been smiling behind that big bushy mustache of his when he looked down upon the lunatic antics of his beloved village last month. It never fails to amaze us how news on the island can spread like wildfire, because within twenty-four hours of his passing, it seemed like the whole village and a great part of the meglopolis of Hydra’s townsfolk, including both current and former mayors, had assembled at the little chapel in Kamini to pay their last respects.

Pavlos smoked Judas for years at Pascha

However, the event was not without its share of village idiosyncrasy. Firstly, and remember all this happens within a twenty-four-hour period, the venue for the farewell changed location twice, which in itself could have caused havoc for the those wishing to attend.

The local beards deemed that a chapel service would be inappropriate because Pavlos and his wife, Peppa, had not had an orthodox wedding but been married in a civil court. So Pavlos was to be carried straight to the Vlichos cemetery for a graveside service. This provoked outrage from the community who, to quote one local resident, threatened to burn the church down.

Then we knew Pavlos had made it back to the island at 9.00 a.m. the morning following his passing when the first prolonged dong of his death knell sounded across the Kamini valley. A second reverberated and then followed an unusual silence. Turns out the chain broke on the third yank, and a kindly neighbour, Captain Brian Sidaway, came to the rescue. His back terrace adjacent to the bell tower was the most expedient avenue for solving the problem. He produced and attached a makeshift rope in time for the 11.00 a.m. memorial service. A final tale so fitting to the life Pavlos led.

Pavlos's office with with a view

We agreed when someone this past summer commented on the fact that the Kamini Comet was started to resemble a running casualty list. We seem to have lost so many friends and residents in 2010/11, and it was becoming understandably depressing. This is why we have not posted many of the recent sad obituaries, but we also feel we would be remiss not to say anything about the loss of one of our finest and best-loved local characters.

Pavlos will be remembered for his kind generosity, by island kids for playing Agios Vassilis (Santa) for many years and executing Judas each Paska, and for his extraordinary skill as a gunsmith and builder. He had gone into Athens for tests of suspected throat cancer six days earlier and died suddenly in the hospital of suspected heart failure the 10th of December.

"Santa" discusses the fate of naughty children

The year 2011 also saw the demise of some of the islands most beloved personalities: Bill Cunliffe, Maggie Martin, Rolfe Chamness—to mention but a few of our long-term fellow inmates. We shall miss you all, and our lives are richer for having known you.

The staff and management of the Comet hope that 2012 will be a kinder, healthier, and more financially stable year for all.

A bunch of the usual suspects, 1979

This photograph was taken by John Paul Jacques in the ruins of a pre-umbrella Castello. Maggie Martin, who passed away this summer near her home in Thailand, is in the centre. The happy crowd surrounding her includes the following people: Simone (Maggie’s daughter); Christina Kingsmill; Tayu (Barbara Lapcek’s daughter); Evelyn (Nicky and Robert Hale’s daughter); Vassily; Lena Cunliffe and her daughters Cathy and Caroline; Helle (Rie and Robert Goldman’s daughter); Thor (Alison Gold’s son); Joel (Thor’s friend); Kathy (Johanne Goldman’s friend); Amanda Divine and her daughter Fern. The donkey’s name was Oswald. The Goldman family borrowed him from Lilly Mack that summer—probably 1979. Maggie and Christina are remembered with much love by many people.

Submitted by Helle Goldman.

Winter Lifeguard Wanted?

This “lifeguard” seat suddenly appeared on the Kamini Rocks recently.

Pietro and Fabrizio Caróla at Da Barba Dimas.

This summer the island acquired a couple of splendid new attractions. Not only Jazzmin’s jazz club but also a real asset for the palate in the form of authentic Italian cuisine. Da Barba Dimas is owned and run by a team who hail from Naples, father and son, Fabrizio and Pietro Caróla.

A great alternative dining experience and reasonably priced for us village folk when we do escape to the megalopolis of Hydra Town, ‘Little Italy’ in a very short time has earned a reputation for scrumptious food and splendid hospitality. They also stock wines from their hometown region.

We wish them a long and prosperous stay on the Rock.