Front Page

Volume 2, Issue 1

March 2009

“Couldn’t you just stay here forever?”

“a lovely place to stop, with some sun, shade & a relaxing atmosphere”

“as the glow in the church increases, the bells ring out in celebration”

“tracks that reward you with unbelievable views of the island and the not-to-distant Balkans .”

“a challenging dish even for two people!”

“...he stood among the myrtle trees...”

“Thank you Roda for our very special day”

When homes were locked up tight for the winter, with dirty wood & coal fires, there was a case to be made for a thorough annual cleansing to sweep away the dust and disorder that had invaded every corner of the house. This momentous task was triggered by the arrival of spring and an opportunity to open up doors & windows to purge the home in readiness for the glorious months to come.

Most nationalities have some form of spring cleaning, and the Greeks are no exception. Clean Monday (kathara deftera), this year on March 2nd, signals the start of a spell of abstinence and a whole household clear out. Christians across the country are called upon to begin the holy season with ‘clean hearts and good intentions’. Not only do people clean

their physical homes, but they are called upon to clean up their spiritual house & come to terms with their lives. For many of us, a week spent cleaning the

bearing the logos of favourite football teams. Restaurants like Drosia & Opa were full, as visitors from all over the island stopped for leisurely traditional lunches of sea-

Free from the stresses of daily life, escape to a place of happy relaxation, meet old friends & acquaintances and feel that warm, cosy familiar glow of being part of a comfortable community:

Roda

… drop in to your local this summer!

food, halvas and sesame bread. Len-ten dishes are the order of the day as fas-ting is still strictly

adhered to in many households. In Greece, the start of spring is welcomed with enthusiasm, anti-cipation and celebration.

However you decide to celebrate spring this year, consider what Bern Williams said – ‘The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.’

house might be easy by comparison!

In northern Europe, opening up doors and windows on the first day

of spring is a wonderful feeling. Similarly, in a society that spends much of its time outdoors, Clean Monday in Corfu is an opportunity for outdoor activities and picnics. Last year, we saw sleepy Roda come alive as families flocked to the beach to fly kites, traditionally hand-made, but with many now