San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu

In all my visits to the village I've never been in there! I'll cure that this year though and make sure I have at least one beer in there.

And me

The site isn't particularly sophisticated, but is easy to live with, and when you come back to it you know where everything is. It certainly has a charm and warmth, and is populated by enthusiastic and interesting people. It's a metaphor for the resort.

Sterling has certainly started the year well, and the Euro is on the back foot a bit.

The Bank of England might be the first major central bank to raise interest rates, which would continue to strengthen the Pound.

I predict Jimbo will be posting again, so hold your water!

Gavlah, thanks for that. Yes let me email them across to you to mess with. I've just scanned them, but some now need rotating and my interest in faffing about with them is starting to wane. So, send me your email address, and I'll mail them to you as they are for you to edit and post.

Cheers mate.

In 1981 we stayed in one of Manthos' rooms, in the buildings immediately behind the Church. These were on the upper floor, with the families' rooms below. Basic they were indeed, a double bed, chest of drawers, and a sink in the corner. There was a shared shower room at the end of the balcony, and I seem to remember he had a total of three rooms. The balcony faced towards the Church, and the little window gazed out onto the old harbour. We loved it.

We were drawn to the village after reading an article in the travel section of a Sunday newspaper, which also detailed the contact information for "Ilios Island Holidays". We don't have the newspaper article anymore, but we do have the original brochure, which illustrates places to stay in the village, plus car hire, etc. I'll perhaps scan that, and put the images on here, assuming I can work out how to do it, so you can take a look at what was on offer in 1981, along with the prices. The car hire is interesting, one of the options was a Trabant convertible.

For whatever reason, we didn't return to the village again until 2000, when we arrived with our young family and a group of friends, staying in Angela apartments. And then that was it, every summer, every year, in the original part of the village, until our last visit in 2011, and on that occassion staying in one of the Romanza villas. As much as we enjoyed our stay in Manthos' rooms, upon reflection, we do prefer Romanza villas!

So, having missed a couple of years a mob of us are going back this August. This time we're staying once again with our mate Dimitris at Fedramare, where once again we'll have a great view of the resort, including a view of those Manthos' rooms where for us, our relationship with San Stefanos started.

By all accounts when Greece won the Euros, Stefanos, formerly of the parish of Magnet Bar, got into the church and rang the bell with extreme vigour. I for one would very much have liked to have witnessed that.

Manthos' mother on the other hand, was a little startled.

Passive smoking, or passive cheap perfume, mosquito repellent and barbecue lighter-fuel?

Upon reflection I'll go for the latter, but I'm funny when it comes to my lungs.

I hope that's helpful!