New sports area in Pelekas.

A new sports facility was recently completed in Pelekas. This floodlit area provides a place for the village kids to have a kick-around, as well as somewhere for teams to train. It was funded by the local Parelion Municipality.

Wedding in Madrid

On 1 April, Spiros and Teresa were married in Madrid. As many of you will know, Spiros is the eldest son of Tellis and Brigitte Martinis from Pension Martini. As well as family, a number of Spiros and Teresa's friends from Pelekas were in attendance and the other guests were treated to some traditional Corfiot music and dancing! Spiros and Teresa later travelled to Tunisia for their honeymoon.
 

2nd Annual Pelekas Graffiti Festival

Following the success of last summer's Pelekas Graffiti Festival, it is expected that this year's gathering will be much bigger. Starting on 30 June and lasting until 4 July, the Festival will involve over 170 artists, musicians and dancers. These will include 45 graffiti artists, 5 bands and 12 DJs. Once again the event has been organised by the Pelekas Cultural Society and the performers' accommodation and meals will be provided by local businesses. To find out more you can visit the Festival website by clicking here.
 

Corfu Animal Welfare

The Ark was founded in 1997. It was formed primarily to alleviate the suffering of stray and abandoned animals on the island of Corfu. The Ark is a registered charity and is administered by an elected board of trustees who are responsible for the various functions necessary to ensure the smooth running of the organization. It receives no government funding and relies entirely on volunteers and the generosity of its members and the public for its income, which comes mainly from donations and fund raising activities. If you would like to help or just find out more you can visit their new website by clicking here.
 

Cheap Flights

Corfu Escape is a small tour operator that specialises in holidays to Corfu and sells cheap flights from the UK. The flights are with Monarch Airlines from Gatwick or Manchester in the morning and early afternoon. Prices include all taxes and other flight supplements required to make a booking, so there are no hidden extras. Sales of one-way flights are also available. You can use their reservation system to book instantly online. We suggest that you click here to check out their website.
 

Cookery Corner

This page gives you the opportunity to re-create some of your favourite Corfiot taverna recipes at home. This month, Tsoureki. This traditional Greek Easter bread is characterized by hard boiled, scarlet dyed eggs baked right into the braided bread dough. Scarlet is the traditional colour, as it represents the blood of Christ.

Ingredients

1 cup milk. 5 cups of flour. Three quarters cup sugar. 1.5 tablespoons yeast. 3 eggs and 1 egg yolk. 1 teaspoon salt. Half cup softened butter. 2 tablespoons orange juice. 2 teaspoons orange zest. 2 teaspoons vanilla. 8 dyed hard boiled eggs.

Instructions

Heat the milk until very warm and pour into an electric mixer bowl. Whisk in one and a half cups of flour, the sugar and yeast, until well combined. Detach bowl from mixer, cover with plastic wrap and allow to stand in a warm, draught-free place until bubbly (approx. 30 mins). Fit the mixer with a dough hook and add the eggs, one at a time, to the yeast mixture. Add another cup of flour, the orange zest and salt. Add the softened butter vanilla and orange juice, mix well, then gradually add enough of the remaining flour to form a soft, sticky dough, kneading until smooth. Coat a bowl with vegetable oil and turn the dough into it. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise in a clean, draught-free place until double in size (approx. one and a half hours). Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Braid the dough by dividing the dough into thirds, rolling each third into a long rope then braiding those ropes and twisting the whole braid into a ring. Tuck the dyed hard boiled eggs, wide or heavy side down, between the strands of the braid, at even intervals around the circle. Mix the egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water. Brush the loaf with egg mixture and bake for 15 minutes. Lower the heat to 350 degrees F and bake for about 20 minutes more or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

To dye eggs: Place the eggs in a pan of lukewarm water. When the water starts to boil, lower the temperature and simmer for about 10 minutes. In the meantime, prepare red dye, according to the directions of the package (dye for Easter eggs can be purchased at any Greek shop or local supermarket). Place boiled eggs one at a time into the dye. Simmer for another 5 minutes or so. Remove the eggs from the dye and allow to drain. Rub eggs with soft cloth, dipped in some olive oil, to make them shine. Wipe off the excess olive oil with paper towels.

Editorial

Recently released figures showed that temperatures in Greece dipped this winter to 7.5 C (45.5 F) versus an average figure of 9.3C (48.7F) during the previous 100 years.
Another concern for the rapidly changing environment is the drop in the number of rainy days that have resulted in heavier rainfall and increased the risk of flooding.
Recent weather changes have caught some state officials largely unprepared, as the country has had to deal with cold snaps that are uncommon in this part of the Mediterranean. In fact, snowfalls hit Corfu on two separate occasions this year (see below).
Although not as devastating as the sub-zero temperatures experienced here two years ago, gardens and orchards suffered once again. Interestingly, desert plants such as cacti and some succulents happily withstand freezing temperatures as nights in their native surroundings can be very cold.
Like the rest of the world we are learning to adapt to global climate change. And rest assured, the sun still shines all summer!

Kalo Pasca

Easter in Corfu will be celebrated by Orthodox Greeks on April 23rd this year.

British Consulate Relocates

The British Consulate moved on April 3rd to new premises on the first floor at 18, Mantzarou Street (opposite the Municipal Theatre).

Snow in Corfu

If you look carefully at this photo you can see snow on the top of the hill opposite Pelekas. This picture was taken in February when it snowed here for the second time - it had already snowed in January. Although snow is not unknown in Corfu, it is extremely unusual (every 10 years or so) and no one can ever remember it snowing twice in one winter. An effect of global climate change and a taste of things to come?

Pelekas Merchandise

In association with Cafe Press and artist Connie Zegers, we are now able to offer a wide selection of merchandise which you can order online. Items range from classic t-shirts to fridge magnets and barbecue aprons and will make a unique present or souvenir.

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