San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu

Another sunny day today 

It's funny how when we get into April the weather suddenly starts to heat up. Although its been a very nice winter, with regular sunshine since mid February, its still been jeans and fleece temperatures. Then, this week its suddenly time for T shirts and cropped trousers!
And with the milder evenings come the sound of the crickets, and the spectacle of the fireflies randomly lighting up the garden. I'd never seen fireflies until I came here on holiday in May 2011, and I find them mesmerising.

Some of the hotels are in cleaning mode, opening up patio doors to give the rooms an airing, including Athina hotel and Nafsika.

This month is going by pretty fast, and I think alot of people are getting to work in earnest, so we can then all enjoy Easter festivities without worrying about having too much left to do after.

Just got back from the village, and it was a real hive of activity today.
The weather is glorious, warm and sunny, and everyone appears to be taking advantage of it.

Today seemed to be the day the shops were getting organised, ourselves included.
Vasia, Tereza's, Elizabeths, Perditas, Margarita supermarket, and ourselves were all in our premises today, organising stock, and getting things in place.

We were doing a spot of decorating, as was Yiannis, at Yiannis Gyros, who was giving the framework of his outside covers a lick of paint. Haven't seen Yiannis all winter so it was really nice to say Hi.   

And the sunshine meant the pressure washers were being put to good use at El Greco, and Olympia.

Ha, Ha, yep, just looked too, and she's there! Not too big that she obstructs too much of the camera though!!

Lots of lightening last night, with today being a mix of rain, sun, and thunder! Still, without the rain we wouldn't have the lovely flowers.
The weather has created some quite impressive waves, with 4 surfers taking advantage of the conditions today.

In between showers work was still in progress in the village, even on a Sunday.
Some of the signage from Binios Travel was being removed today, ready for the next tenant, who I was informed today should be Dimitris and Manos Car Hire, moving across the road from their previous office between the Chinese and Zorbas.
And San Stefanos supermarket had their fridges out, doing a good spring clean behind them.
With less than a month to go before the season really gets going, everyone is working towards everything being ship shape!

Hi All,
Didn't make it down to the village today, but we were there at dusk yesterday, dropping paint off, then took the dog for a quick run on the beach.
Work for the day was just winding down, with a couple of guys in overalls sat outside San Stefanos supermarket relaxing and chatting at the end of their working day.
After the waves of a few days ago, the sea yesterday was as flat as a millpond.

However, today has been a little overcast, and slightly cooler, and now the wind has really got up, so could be a bit choppy at sea again!

 

Another beautiful sunny day.....there's a theme developing here!

Just a little breeze, but the sea much calmer than yesterday.

The kiddies play area outside Mango is looking the same as last year.......as for the wasp nest, I'm terrified of the beasties so not going to get close enough to see if still there!!

The path to the beach by the side of Mango got a little bit of a pounding during the winter storms, with abit of a drop off the end to the beach. It's amazing how nature can shift the sands. But afew weeks ago there was a digger hard at work, and now it has all been built back up again, so another good access down to that glorious sandy beach.

Another nice day today, although slightly hazy this afternoon.

Also a little bit of breeze, so was a little windswept walking along the beach late this afternoon, although the sound of the waves rolling in is a sound I love.

The sea breeze did not deter Havana Bar however, where the beachfront woodwork was all receiving a fresh lick of green paint, and the wooden slats that connect the steps to the beach we all laid out in the sand, and being rubbed down for their paint job.
Also, new handrail posts are in place, to aid you down the steps to the beach, and back up again after a few bevvies at the beach bars!

Another glorious day today, the sea is a wonderful shade of turquoise, and there were a couple of 'sunday boaters' spotted out enjoying the great conditions.

Today we say 'congratulations' to Akrotiri who has been listed as one of the top 10 restaurants in Corfu by theculturetrip.com !

It may be a little walk up to visit them, but its worth the effort, as the views from their premises are amazing, back down over San Stef on one side, and over to Arillas and Gravia Island from the other.
When you get to the top, you can relax with a nice cold drink, and of course can always stop for another somewhere else when you've come back down into the village!!

Thanks for the positive replies!
Hi D@G, there will be some changes at Hippopots, lots of new stock, and we've got a little bit of decorating to do. We're abit behind some of the businesses, but our landlord has spent the winter doing building work above us, so we've waited for him to finish his work before we start.

However, plenty of others have been busy.
 
The building that houses Patricia's hair and beauty has had a total exterior paint job...not a small undertaking, but it looks great!

And further along the same road, heading towards the church, the old Sundowners Bar, is, as has been mentioned on the forum, having a big overhaul.....will be interesting to see how that progresses.

Plenty of other things happening which we'll keep you all posted on.


Today has been a little overcast with a few showers, the tail end I think of an amazing thunderstorm we had yesterday, followed by a hailstorm that settled in places, resembling snow!
But the sun is forecast for the weekend, so can't complain!