THE LOSS OF A GOOD NEIGHBOUR

For years now, Ninian was a good friend, good neighbour and good guardian to me. His family brought him to the village 6 months every year. For those 6 wintermonths every day he was guarding his family and mine. He was the fluffiest, softest and sweetest dog around. But I don't want to refer to him as a dog, he was more like a human. Every day I would pass to go to my chickens, he would run down those stairs to give me a hug. When he was on the street taking his daily walk, and he would happen to meet me, in that moment his eyes would fill with joy, and he became a baby again, and he ran into my arms. Sometimes due to his massive size and his overraided love I would fall to the ground, as he would try to lick me, his way of giving me a kiss. A little bit less then a month ago he was eating a chicken bone. As dogs in Greece do. My dogs for example, have been eating chicken bones all their lives. But Ninian was not used to it, since his mammy and daddy raised him with European standards, so he got a little wound in his mouth, causing him to bleed. His family took him at once to a doctor to give him the proper antibiotics to avoid any infections. BUT THIS DOCTOR who I do not wish to express my real thoughts about him, found out that Ninian had throat cancer. A small tumor, somewhere near his main arteries of the neck. And he demanded that they bring Ninian back to him for surgery, so he could earn a miserable couple of hundred euros. They brought him back, gave him his surgery and returned him home. Ninian died that night next to his mama. He is buried and resting under Azogires' soil. We are all very sad, we will not get another dog like this. And everyone misses him. For me he is always alive in my heart. FAREWELL, DEAR NINIAN

BOOK SIGNING DAY IN AZOGIRES

A great success, not only for Azogires and Azogirians alike, but even greater success for all the fans and fanatic supporters of the author Julie Griffiths. We were all so excited for the 7th of October to come, cause it is not only one of the days of the festival of the 99 holy Fathers, it was also the day Julie Griffiths came to Azogires to sign copies of her book for friends and family. People that couldn't come gave a big list to Bob Tait also a very famous author of our area.

To buy books for them with special dedications straight from Julies hand and heart. We all got drunk with joy and happiness. Not to mention the raki and popcorn. Julie on her speach mentioned she is writing a second book 'THE NEW ADVENTURES OF LUCKY' which will be out by next year. Since her first book 'THE ADVENTURES OF LUCKY' is nearly sold out all over the world!

THE TENTH INTERNATIONAL BACKGAMMON COMPETITION IN AZOGIRES

 With great success the 10th International Backgammon Championship in Memory of Andrew Millar, a man who we all loved, took place in Azogires.
A contest that was founded 10 years ago today from myself, my grandfather Eftihis Koukoutsakis, who is not longer with us and Andrew Gordon Millar. It was his idea actually. Me and my grandfather, we just liked to play backgammon and eat popcorn.
Although he was from Scotland and he was not a Koukoutsakis my grandparents always refered to him as 'pedimou' which means 'my child'. The years he was coming here since 1976, he was practicly raised by my grandmother as one of her own. And that's what makes us love and honour Andrew Millar every year in his favorite village, Azogires by playing backgammon, eating popcorn and consuming loads of Raki. Long lives his memory

Some people this year decided to spill this memory and hold a totally illigal backgammon competition in Paleochora with only 3 players.., so that they could win the Andrew Millar trophy cup. Causing a big problem and many people not to come to the 10th historical championship, but those who were loyal to the memory of Andrew Millar were here. Neil and Julie for example traveled all the way from England, just for this occasion and they arranged all their work and their vacation around the days of the championship. Never the less it was a great success. 5 different nationalities, 2 judges and off course our security guard who makes sure that no one cheats. He does this by drinking his head away or eating popcorn. Many spectators came from time to time to witness this historical event. First prize winner was Monica Michna from Texel of Holland, 2nd prize winner was our very own champion Arthur Jarvis from manchester of Great Britain. 3rd prize winner was my good friend Neil Brothers and for the constellation tournament, I was the winner of the loosers. 2nd prize winner following was the one and only Paul Hunter and 3rd prize winner was my beloved sister Julie Griffiths. They all received titles and prizes. The prizes were sponsored by the Alpha Cafe. A special thank you to the judges, Martin Elliot ann Billborough, and to our security guard Martin Webster. But most importantly a very big thank you for the people behind the scenes, my mother Harriet, who make the best popcorn of the year, my father Tony and the one and only Ioanna. Who coordinated everything and even took pictures.

DO NOT MISS THIS EVENT

THE STARS OF PALEOCHORA IN AZOGIRES

The theatrical team of paleochora ,made a surpise visit to Azogires on Sunday night for a friendly chat and a cool drink these very talented and kind hearted children ,not only have a bright future in the movie business but also give away every penny they earn to PHILANTHROPIC causes , I personally think we should give them all our support and love for they are the living example that children care and love the world they live in

A SUCCESFULL RESCUE OPERATION

On one of the hottest days in July 3 brave people walked al the way to Azogires enjoying the beautifull mountainviews and the sight of Azogires. Little did they now? that just 8 hours later they would be lost in the heart of it without water and with the mobilephone as their only hope. They walked to Azogires with great joy in their hearts cause even though some people write in certain books not to walk to Azogires along the road, cause it is hot and sunny, it's not true. It is a beautifull 6 km walk that leaves you stunning.

Any way to get back to our story, after they visited the monastery they started to walk the path to Anidri. But.. cause of wrong markings they went the wrong way and they kept walking and walking and walking down into the most wild landscape of Azogires. Till their water runned out, untill their hope died and until they realized that they were lost. At once they phoned their tourist operator who allerted the authorities. I had just returned from the waterfall, after having had a cooling swim. And I see a white jeep with a sirine on top. They were the citizens protection group of Paleochora-Selinou. A group who is funded in order to protect and to rescue visitors and citizens of this area. From my cafe the rescue operstion started. Since we did not know where they were lost I went downhill and Ioanna with her rescue dog Capone went uphill. As Clinton the orange and white dog that you see on the picture, stayd home to watch the fort. When I was down the police was already there searching along the road for signs of life.And finally we heard a woman saying hello hello, and we knew where they were. I took my walking stick, binoculairs and off course my feet with sandals on and walked over bushes to reach them. we found first the woman, who was in good health and further the men. After making a brief meeting it was understood, we could not carry them up, it was too steep, too hot and too dangerous.Ioanna with the brave Capone, came down with water that gave them life again. We went all slowly up through Oleander bushes to the more civilised area of Azogires. My father, the firedepartment and the medics came straight to us. And succesfully everyone was rescued barely with a scratch. a few days later we met the people in our cafe and we realized they were so nice we would be honered to rescue them again a big thanks to everyone who made this operation a success.

FAMILY CONSTELLATIONS IN AZOGIRES