July 2017 Update

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Having been back a week and reacclimatised ourselves to the good old British summer (West Country variant), time to add my tuppence worth on the changes since last year.

Firstly, Halki was physically quieter if not actually quieter. Building projects (two long term o/s water front refurbs and one high up new build at the eastern end) were unobtrusive. Most of the work in progress was being done by a team of Albanian painters, hence the low impact. On the day tripper front, Fedon's not had a good run by all accounts, the Halki is holding it's own and the Express does the odd run. Thursday remains the big day with a sizable contribution from the Dodec Express to add to the Fedon's and Halki's loads. There appeared to be more resident visitors also, including a lot of Italians and a good few Greeks. The Brit flagged pleasure boats were more active than previous years (Halcyon & Tinks) - Simon timed his run in after a v large 'gin palace' moored on the jetty, so he had to 'park' for the night on the wrong side until it shifted next day. The yachties were largely unentertaining and only one boat diced with the Prevalis by motoring a bit close to the hull as it was preparing to leave.

End of June/beginning of July was unseasonably hot, more like August. It settled back our second week to more the normal range but it made any activity after 9am hard work. A/C at night was an absolute must have.

There was a major crisis first Wednesday in July. The larger of the two buses broke down at the junction of the main road and the Kania turn, completely blocking both roads. Apparently the suspension collapsed. Improvised transport got all to Kania as normal whilst the bus was moved (assisted by the forklift?) and fixed, which it was by mid pm. So all was back to normal for Thursday. We missed the fun as we walk over the saddle to the fish farm to get to Kania.

Halki Town Council have invested in new recycling facilities - a concrete 4 Euro bin enclosure with coloured doors and planting trough on top. They look very smart but for practical reasons are only located on the main road or water front. Some of the doors have been blown off in the winter storms, so they have a bit of a design fault. Halki were the first to install them.

On the point near the hotel, a new navigation aid has been built. It will be a light 'house' (column is a better description) but not this year as the light hasn't been installed. It's been floodlit but not as well done as the windmills or the clock tower.

Prices may have increased the odd 50 cents or Euro here and there - certainly the 1.5l retsina was now 6 Euros a go whereas last year it could be had for 5.5 Euros.

[stevec]

Few more tipbits I didn't have time to include above:

The Halki has a new livery - a dark blue superstructure and the 'Velis Lines' strap line has been removed. No tie up with the Fedon but the similarities in look aren't a coincidence.

The new taverna that's opened in the unit the short lived and much lamented pie shop occupied was doing well, whereas it's immediate neighbour, Lefkosias was having another poor start.

Mike & Maria's little bundle of joy, Cleo, jumped out the car on Rhodes, surviving the experience but not been traced since a few early sightings of a cat with a pink collar. Replacement cat unexpectedly delivered 6 kittens late May. Mike adopted a stray and it (Scruff) now guards the place after closing most nights until about an hour after sun up. They are also selling draft Retsina, slightly less resinous tasting than the Cair bottled variety sold elsewhere, so may appeal to those not quite sure about the taste.

Finally, Katerina, of the Express, got married 'a few months back'. Picked that up en passant on the way home from a fellow visitor who stays at the Admiral's House but she had no other info.

The October wedding event appears to be causing a spike in late season prices if anyone was thinking of a spur of the moment trip.