Weather wise it hasn't been a great start to May. We had some winter-like temperatures today. No rain, but a wind chill factor of - put your coats on again.

Saturday 2nd - There's a new kid in Frikes this Season with a new Cafe Bar and Accommodation opening right on the (opposite) bayside.

Sunday 3rd - Things are really beginning to look like the Summer season. People eating along the bayside and the bay full of yachts. The weather is fantastic by the way. Where are you?? Shouldn't you be here? :)

Visitors coming to the island at this time of year enjoy cycling and walking. Every road you drive or walk down, you will come across a visitor enjoying Ithakis natural landscape. If they're not out walking or cycling, then you'll find them at one of the traditional cafes or restaurants, meeting the locals and enjoying some good old Greek hospitality. Some visitors are also braving the still quite chilly waters of our beaches too. That makes us look twice, as we're not quite ready to strip off all the winter gear just yet, at least not early in the morning or late in the afternoon. I guess the biggest and most dominant sign of the 2009 Season thus far are the Flotillas coming in. They liven up the bars at night and give the mini markets plenty of business.

Friday 8th - Perfect Spring weather today with the sunshine throughout the entire day and blue skies wherever you set your eyes. In Vathy, Workers are busily tarring the roadsides which were dug up for the new water pipes recently put in around Ithaki Capital. Looks like they'll have the roads ready again just before the hectic season begins.

Left - Vathy bayside. In the north, things are quietly progressing. The Marmaka road is now completed, but not sealed, so care should be taken if you decide you want to travel this way to Marmaka instead of the old traditional way of either hiking along the path or taking a boat. Below - Mid afternoon Frikes looks peaceful and a little sleepy.

Everyone coming to the island at this time seems amazed just how green everything is. Well, it should be considering the record rainfall we had over the winter. Ithaca is looking quite beautiful, lush and green with wild flowers wherever you look. It's a little paradise, what I can say.

Wednesday 20th - Above Right - It's good to know that in Raxi, no matter what time of year, you can still experience a view such as this. Traditions still run deep in many parts of Ithaki.

Above Left - Krouvoulia 3 beach. Above - Krouvoulia 2 beach. Left - Taxiarchis church in Platrithia is sparkling with a brand new coat of paint and looking wonderful again.

Dimitris Danis is proud to announce that artist Sevgi Urum will be exhibiting her work at Ores Gallery in Vathy from 3 - 13 June. Opening night there will be the usual drinks and meze, always a special time, so if you are interested, then go along, not only to enjoy the exhibition, but to support Ores Gallery. Doors open at 20hrs. Some of you will remember the wonderfully presented Cavafy Exhibition, well seems New York had the same great idea when Cavafy was presented at the Great Hall.