Left - Views to Platrithia and beyond to Frikes and Atakos. Ithaca is very relaxed at this time of year. Everyone has time to sit and chat and locals themselves get a moment to enjoy the great island they live on.

Fri 12 Oct - Above and Left - More thunderstorms last night, but these were in the distance, lighting up the sky over Lefkada to the north. Over Ithaca the skies were mostly clear and star-lit. Patchy rain in the morning with a few rumblings here and there, but nothing too dramatic. Temps are predicted to drop quite dramatically over the weekend. Below Left - Fiorendino Bar in Frikes was pumping last night as it put on an end of season party for the crews of Sailing Holidays. 'Wild' is an understatement. Wall to wall testosterone and estrogen mixed with quite a bit of alcohol and all night music, had Frikes vibrating from around 9pm to dawn. Full pics here at www.fiorendino-bar.com

Sun 14 Oct - Lots of rain over the past few days, even some hail, but still somehow, the days end up with long sunny breaks and blue skies with most of the rain falling over night or early morning.

News in the north of Ithaca is that some concerned locals are getting together to start a Pressure Group to encourage the local government to do the right thing by the island and to make sure that improvements promised are kept to. More news on this group in the coming weeks as they organize themselves and determine their direction.

Below Left - October neighbours look a little different to August neighbours. Unfortunately they smell differently too and make more noise than a sailing flotilla party. Wonder which ones will end up on the dinner plate this winter. Below Right - The mountain village of Exoghi with around 100 or so inhabitants in summer, is now back to normal. A few locals, a couple of dogs and a litter of cats.

Thur 18 Oct - Brilliant weather over the past week will continue through to the weekend at which time rain is predicted again, but until then, many are taking advantage of the sun by still heading to the beach.

On the 22nd of October, there will be another Vets visit. The 3 day open surgery and consultations for your pets and for strays will start with 2 days in Stavros and 1day in Vathy.

Dimitirs Danis has left Piccolo and is now working at Porto on the bayside, almost opposite the Port Authority building. We can't have Danis fans aimlessly walking the streets of Ithaki looking for their Ithacan icon now can we?

Just when you think that Ithaki couldn't be in need of another supermarket with Proto and Marinopoulos serving the community well, the shelves are now stocked at Dia supermarket, set up in the back of Vathy. Doors not open yet, but the clock is ticking. If you know where Costa the mechanic has his shop, the supermarket is near there.

The mystery petty thief struck Frikes again last night, this time breaking into Symposium. Clever too, he/she broke the cash register drawer even with the key in the lock. They got away with a handful of change.

Above - Frikes in the mid afternoon. Only a few yachts in the harbour now. The bay has been reclaimed again by the local fisherman. The streets are quiet, barely a soul around. Above Right - The Apostolata corner of Stavros in the golden rays of the setting sun. Right - This begs the question - which one?

Above - The view toward Mainland Greece from Apostolata, Stavros, catching the last rays of sun before it disappears behind the mountains and prepares the island for night. Right - This little puppy, Sara, short for Sarakiniko, was rescued from Platrithia by Kosmar Rep and Vathy local, Judi Levy, who has brought it back from the scrawny and undernourished little feather ball she was when first found. Cute!