THE END OF SIFIS THE CROCODILE

SIFIS the crocodile that had taken up residence in a reservoir near Rethymno in Crete has sadly been found dead.

  The crocodile who is thought to have once been a pet that had been released when he grew too large, was first spotted last summer by somewhat dumbfounded municipal workers. He rapidly became a local celebrity drawing tourists and locals alike eager to catch a glimpse of the reptile.

  While the cause of his death remains unknown it is considered likely that the reptile failed to survive the Cretan winter which this year was particularly harsh.

  After he was first sighted, a committee was established to monitor and capture Sifis and rehome him in a zoo. However the crocodile evaded all of the traps set for him.

  Since mid-February those involved in the effort had lost track of Sifis. Efforts were made to track him over the past month but hopes that he had found some form of shelter were dashed when Sifis’s lifeless body was spotted floating in the lake.

  A team including researchers from the Museum of Natural history and the herpetologist Petros Limberakis will attempt to recover the body and examine it to determine Sifis’s cause of death.  The examination will also answer other questions about the crocodile that have perplexed experts since he was first spotted in the reservoir.

Proud to be Greek - Independence Day

XRONIA POLLA !!! To all our Greek friends and all who attended the Independence Day celebrations, here in Hersonissos today. Similar parades are staged throughout the country in large cities ad well as small villages, as young as well as old come together proudly in support of their past.
  They were lucky weather wise, it was sunny at the start, the last gro9up had finished and it poured down - all over the country they celebrated, many wearing their best traditional costumes.

Leaving it all so late

MARKETING, or rather the lack of it here in Greece, is a real bug bear. How often do we find out events or activities with very short notice, or even the day or week later. It’s not just us who see the stupidity of it, although the locals seem happy to accept it.
  Take the Hersonissos cycle Grand Prix as a further example. Three well organised races, trophies on offer for all classes from youngsters through to virtual professionals, loudspeakers, police closing off roads, but only small A4 posters in about two places here in our village - yes it was through the village!!!!
  We only found out as we strolled in the sunshine to collect our newspaper and later to have a coffee ib our square. It came as a shock to see the square packed with bikes and the riders, relaxing as they waited for the start of their event.
  It was not just a solo event, there were team events, up and through the hills around our village, only a handful of locals - like us - surprised that this was being staged. The riders swept through the village from the steep side roads, through the square, a very sharp turn had to be negotiated by the old well before they disappeared down the hill. Each of their laps being counted off professionally and each main bunch proceeded by a service motor scooter to make sure that the road was clear.
  The sun was out, but very few people, which was a great shame, and we were certainly not alone in disbelief that an event like this was not announced properly. Friendly villagers complained, in fact the only ones who benefitted were the two open coffee houses which were delighted to be full.