Not the images we want to see

THE leaders of Greece's power-sharing government on have agreed on most of the cost-cutting measures for the next two years, in line with demands set by the troika of foreign lenders, the chief of a junior coalition member said.

  “We reached an agreement on the main points. There are still some outstanding issues. We are going to seek for a four-year extension [of the Greek fiscal adjustment program], said Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis after the meeting. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras of conservative New Democracy party was also meeting with PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos.

  Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras, who was present at the meeting of the three leaders, described the agreement as a “basis for strong negotiation” with the country's creditors.

  Stournaras said the proposed measures will first have to be approved by the troika envoys, expected in Athens during the weekend, before they are voted upon in Parliament. The cuts are essential if Greece is to continue receiving funds from international emergency loans.

  The meeting came a day after tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the capital in protest at the anticipated cuts.  It was not clear whether a new leaders' meeting will take place.

Tens of thousands of protestors shouting "enough is enough" took part in trade union rallies and marches organised in central Athens on Wednesday, as part of a 24-hour nationwide strike in protest against a new package of austerity measures.

  The main protest was called by the General Confederation of Greek Labour (GSEE) and the civil servants' union federation ADEDY. Pame, the Communist Party-backed trade union, organised its own protest.

  Estimates of the size of protest marches varied greatly between organisers and police, with the former claiming over 100,000 took part and the latter estimating participation to have been in the region of 50,000.

  The march went as far as Syntagma Square, where a delegation from the trade unions presented a resolution outlining the demands of Wednesday's nationwide general strike to parliament. There were more clashes with police by a small group, who threw petrol bombs at the police, and these were the images shown on tv around the world. While the majority of the rally was peaceful, and one can understand their reasons for the really, the clashes were mainly at the end of the day, but nonetheless  pictures that nobody wants to see.

 

We take to the hills

QUESTION: What has 24 wheels and carries nearly 200 excitable Greeks? ANSWER: Four buses.

We have often tried to remember virtually the first trip around the island that we made with our Elderly persons group - the KAPI, which took in some glorious caves and stunning scenery. Well, this week we found out on our latest trip.

  The caves in fact were the Sfentoni caves of Zoniana, high up in the Psiloritis  mountain range. In the seven years since our first visit the authorities have really smarted up the place with coloured lights to enhance the viewing pleasure. We were collected by the super coach at 8.00am and later joined the other three from various areas around up. First it was to the historic Anogia village, not an easy task on roads originally made for donkey transport, and just wide enough for coaches to carefully pass by. A brief stop at a special museum at Potomianos where the history of the region is played out, but must say the waxwork models could do with a little updating!

  Of course a trip out with the KAPI would hardly be possible without a visit to some religious building, this time to the Monastery of Timios Stavros. Fantastic views and superb gardens, which surprisingly did not seem to interest the majority of the large group. Then it was the highlight - at least for many. Lunch!!

  Not an ordinary lunch of course. It was in the village of Throsia who specialise in cooking pork and lamb, over charcoal, either on a spit or just simply turned by hand. It's always cooked slowly and the result is juicy meat, we had been before and it was as good as previously.

  Finally we turned toward home, but noit without a short stop at another very traditional village, Fodele well know for it's connections with famous painter El Greco and specialising in macrame work, which the ladies of the village happily show you as they work with nimble fingers on intricate patters off the back of an old chair. It was nice to see that they are passing on their skills to the younger generation. In Fodele we have a friend who runs the Taverna  Domenico, who serve up local orange juice as well as specialties of the region, So it was good to catch up and share a drink before arriving back in Old Hersonissos.