Day 123 - Forgot my password, bugger, but i'm back

So as you can see on day 99 i did start a blog update but logged out and then forgot my password hence just the little starter paragraph.

IT'S SEPTEMBER, YEEEEEEEHAAAAAAA! HOW YOU ALL DOING OUT THERE?

Even though i hate July and August apart from about 12 days throughout both those months it was a stormer of a period and 2019 season is now already my best season ever and still 7 weeks to go but it comes at a cost........I'm broken. I would be quite happy for the season to finish now as i explained to Sian and for the millennial's reading this "If i was a mobile phone I'd be on my final bar of power".

Had some strange nights in July and August as if it was Oct with old road being dead all night.

8.30 when people are usually off to the restaurants

10.30 when people are usually leaving the restaurants, even the shop closed early that night it was so dead.

IS ANYBODY OUT THERE? HELLLLOOOO?

Sian has just gone back yesterday after a 3 week stay which was so good, i needed her here so i would get a holiday. We had many date nights after i closed bar in Zakynthos Town, snorkeling, dined out allot, went out on adventures, had a movie day, had a few lazy days, lots of pool days, the odd beach day (yukky sand) but most of all just allot of quality time together and she's back very soon this month with maybe a trip to Athens for my birthday then back again in October to fly home together.

On one of our beach days Sian found a tiny crab walking along the sea edge, how she spotted it i don't know.

Not really done much apart from all the things with Sian as the bar has been manic, manic , manic and continues like it even up until last night, good job i have my emergency chairs.
Its also been a season of a few regular customers returning after a 4 year absence since 2015, the reasons i don't need to know and didn't ask but it was nice to see them back in again having drinks and laughs like old times, i don't have a problem with why they stayed away but so nice to see them all again over the past 4 months.

One day as i was riding through Zakynthos town on the port road and i had to do a double take. There was a boat moored up and on the top deck it had a helicopter, the boat is called "Cloudbreak". It cost £750,000 a week to rent. Just give me a call and i will tell you when its vacant lol.

I told the captain not to pick me up until October.

Now then, not much bugs me, I'm a pretty laid back guy BUT the locals and their parking grinds my gears. They park not in a parking space only 5 feet away from the door, OH NO, they have to park almost right at the door and here is 2 examples within a week.

At Lidl and 2 cars parked over bike park on the right of picture at front of store with 2 empty spaces only 5 feet away

And here is a car with a whole empty car park to choose from at 7am and you can see again how close the spaces are but that's to difficult so I'll just park right in front of the door.

I like to take a few pictures so thought I'd take a few early morning shots from the house.

The sunrise from my balcony.

In the opposite direction that same morning the moon.

And early morning mist over the field next to my house.

This season October can't come quick enough and its a quick trip to Geneva then on to London.
Why Geneva? I hear you ask, well...................Direct from here on the date i want to leave in Oct it was £400 for 2 of us, one way, no baggage or reserved seat with easyjet. Thomas Cook £490 for 2, one way, no baggage or reserved seat. TUI wanted £730 for 2 one way, no baggage or reserved seat.
So this is what i did. Swiss air to Geneva from Zakynthos with baggage, reserved seat, food and a drink £90 for 2. Night at Geneva airport in a Sofitel Hotel £60. Geneva to Gatwick £100 for 2 with baggage and reserved seat with Ryanair. In total for Sian and i it cost £250 with a night in Geneva.
How crazy but cool is that? We go to Switzerland allot so we know the hotel at the airport and there is plenty of bars and food places in the airport so don't have to venture far. Then 4 nights in London as a little holiday for myself and Sian at the Charlotte Hotel in Fitzrovia.

I amazed how many people are talking around the resort about me finishing up at the bar. Gossip must be very thin on the ground lol. I do wish they would get it right though, this season is NOT my last season, next year is but as I've said to few people, you never know there could be one more season in me after that but if the 9 people interested are serious in buying the business then a big decision will have to be made at the end of 2020 but that's ages away yet.

Mr. Jingles is now not in to salad, he loves the cake, cake , cake, cake, all day long but he has taken to nibbling the TV remote control.  I KNEW HE WAS WATCHING TV WHILE I'M OUT! LITTLE SHIT!

So there you go folks, I'm not dead or collapsed in a exhausted heap or done a runner, it's just been to damn hot and busy in bar and been enjoying my time with Sian.

So until the next update.........

Serve All, Love All, Peace All, Kevlar out.

Day 99 - "Nine nine luftballon"

Now it's day 99 and nine nine luftballon are released in germany and come up on a radar as unidentified objects and start a nuclear war. What a stupid song.

Day 74 - "Experiments are going well!

Well hello everybody, sorry its taken so long for a update but it's been manic, crazy, wawawoohhoo up until this week. I'm not complaining one bit but it is nice to have a little bit of rest in the bar instead of 100 mph every night.

It's the dreaded July and August which i hate as never 2 nights are the same where as May, June, Sept and Oct are amazing months which i really enjoy, ah well we keep our short stumpy aching tired legs going.

Not so much a rant today but more of a complaint.

Since 2016 i no longer use suppliers on the "never never" i always use cash and carries as i know where i am with my money and don't owe anyone anything BUT my main supplier has run out of Strongbow cans and won't be getting any more. HOW? It's mid July and 3 full months of season left and they're not getting any more Strongbow in, what type of cash carry doesn't get stock to sell? 

Ridiculous!

I have a new pet. I found him in my bath and he couldn't get out, his name is Mr. Jingles.

He looked so scared so i picked him up gently and spoke softly to him and let him free in my garden.

A day later my gardener came and cut down my grass. That night i got in i looked at the patio door and there was Mr. Jingles looking to come in as his home had been hacked down. I opened the door and he run in the room and straight under the sofa. He now has a safe home.

Mt. Jingles taking a bath.

I have decided to test his agility and intelligence.
Firstly i set up his eating and drinking area with a vanilla biscuit and glass of water, i will then try out different foods to examine his eating habits.

The experiments are going well, he seems to like sweeter foods, biscuits, cake, fruit. Nuts are an option and also some salad items such as cucumber and lettuce, he doesn't like berries. I will monitor his diet as if he eats sweet items all the time before i know it he'll be crashing about under the sofa while I'm trying to watch TV.

Agility test. I placed pieces of cheese at 4 different points on my dining chair to see how far he can climb. Placed one at foot of chair on floor, next on foot rung, next on seat and the last on the very top.

Mr. Jingles isn't very agile, he ate the piece on the floor and left the rest.

Skill test. I designed a assault course. First a tube with a piece of cheese in the middle of it which leads to a piece on top of a glass then a piece inside a plastic cointreau top followed by a piece under a red cap and finally a piece inside the bottom of a cointreau bottle. He failed the last 2. Not sure if he's clever or stupid? More studies are needed.

Movements. I set up his eating area with some lemon drizzle muffin cake. I took my place on the opposite sofa and waited very still and quietly. 20 Min's had passed and no sign of him. I decided to have a cuppa and my lemon drizzle muffin cake. BUGGER! While i was watching his eating area he was behind me on the fridge eating my lemon drizzle muffin cake. Am i clever or stupid? More studies needed.

Mt. Jingles assault course.

There is one thing happening though, whenever i see him , my lights flicker in all the rooms, weird.

Another great visit from Sian last week with pool time, meals out and or usual Saturday date night. Next visit is for 3 whole weeks, my holiday then begins.
I have started a little book exchange in the bar only due to the fact Sian reads so much in the bar that when she's out here even for only 4 days she can get through 4 books so there are plenty left behind after her visits, she's a right geeky bookworm and no mistake.

The season so far has been through the roof, i mean way above this years expectations so I'd just like to say a huge thank you to all who have visited so far and making season 2019 the best yet. About 75% have all been brand new customers to the bar, most of whom from recommendations around pool or at hotels and every single one has returned at least once after their first visit. That's the good thing about working the bar alone i know every single customer who steps in and all have enjoyed their visits so a big thank you once again.

Today is a glorious day, one of joy, one of elation, one of satisfaction and one of those days where you just want to stand in front of Castle Grey Skull and shout loud "I HAVE THE POWER" Sorry, that's wrong i meant shout from the roof tops "This is my day and i love it" and to top it all, i found some more Newcastle Brown Ale for my own private drinking stash. Paid my VAT.

So I'm sure now over the next 2 months I'll have more time to get out and about before the mayhem begins again in September and take little Kevin the Minion out as well.

Interest in the bar is very good, 8 people are interested to buy it after season 2020 these are all tourists, one wants to buy it and have me run it but that's a big fat NO, if i wanted to stay here i wouldn't sell it would i and one is an ex-worker who is now in the UK. This could start a bidding war lol.

So until the next update.............

Serve All, Love All, Peace All, Kevlar Out!

Day 45 - "Is it October yet?"

Thought of the day - Flavoured Gins.........why? Just add a flavour to the gin yourself. It's not rocket science.

Good morning to one and all, how are we this fine warm sunny day? or if your in the UK how are the storms and flooding coming along? After all it is British summertime.

Well May has been and gone and my outdoor heater didn't get put away until 5th June. Seriously it was that cold at night up until then. Even riding home at 3.30am from the bar i was still wearing a jacket and gloves, unbelievable.

Season 2019 is crazy, manic and stupidly busy. One minute I'm thinking a nice calm night the next thing "BANG" everyone piles in at once and turning custom away as no room at the inn.

Now then, lets talk about me finishing and selling up in 2020, so you all know the facts not the fiction.
I'm quite humbled by how many people don't want me to leave, they say i will be missed and where will they drink? Also i get questioned "But why?"
Lets be realistic, I'm 52 next year, the bar is getting busier every season as I'm getting older, Physically I'm as fit as ever and can still beat Hussain Bolt to the supermarket but my joints through years of playing many sports are now starting to take its toll. At one point i was playing a sport or training every day of the week and sometimes 2 games a day on weekends and all those jars and knocks catch up with you at some point. Also a specialist looked at the x-ray i had up in the bar one season and said i have a S curve on my neck from a sports injury that meant by the time i hit 60 i may have a problem walking.......what a happy customer he was, made me feel great lol.
People have said to me "your only open 7 hours a night, surely you got a few more years in you yet?"
I do have a few more years in me yes and don't call me Shirley (Police Squad reference).
The thing is its 7 hours a night when open but also 4 hours a day when closed and 170 days straight through plus i do the job of 4 people.I'm the host, waiter, bar person and glass collector. Other businesses have a person for each of those jobs and me as just one doing all for 40 customers almost every night it is very demanding but i love it.
So this is why i want to leave after 2020, I'm going to leave on my terms, I'm going to leave knowing i still enjoy doing what i do. I don't want to be that ex-pat who has become bored and miserable and fed up with my business and just doing it cause i got nothing else going. At 52 i can put my other plans in motion and still with years ahead of me.
But this isn't the only reason. I feel my life is now in the UK with Sian. I have a very happy, fun home life and don't want to be apart for weeks on end even though Sian does get out 4 maybe 5 times a season and loves it out here. We've known each other 23 years and this is our time now.
My life has always been dictated by my personal well being and being happy, if I'm not happy with something, it goes, simple as and I'm at my happiest with Sian.
I also have to take in to consideration my mum who is now 81 and think will need me in the UK after next season so I'm there within miles if needed for anything not a flight and train journey away that could take hours to travel or days to sort out.
So there you have it folks, hope that's cleared up the details.

Now then, animals.
In my back garden i have a huge bunny but he hides allot and very rarely see him apart from early hours in morning around 6.30am, he is called Mr. Hoppington the third, i will try to get you a pic but i can't be arsed to get up that early just to take a pic after only getting in to bed at 4am.
I also have a hedgehog in my front garden, that was by accident. I got home 4 days ago around 3am and at my electric drive through security gates was a hedgehog. I opened the gates and it shot through the gates in to the courtyard and around in to the garden. It was so quick, i mean speedy quick.
If all hedgehogs are that quick how come so many get squisshed?
I have named him Mr. Shuffle Bottom

Most people know of Bobby the dog. He stayed with me at the end of last season until i packed away the very last bit of the bar for winter, WELL..........Bobby has almost become a resident in the bar. he's in there more than ever and follows me in to my kitchen.

Bobby eyeing up a Mythos

Bobby after a Mythos.

Don't worry, the sofa covers and cushions have been washed, he was a little sneak and got up, little bugger.

I have been to the pool, Yaaaaaaaaaay! Sian was over last weekend and we had a morning around the pool, hopefully I'll get another pool day in before Sian comes back in 20 days, i would like a tan this year if possible lol.

So that's about it folks, its been so busy in bar it's been just work, work, work and no adventures yet but i promise on the next update Kevin the Minion will be here.

Until the next time...........

Serve All, Love All, Peace All, Kevlar Out!

Day 26 - "And you'll never walk alone!"

"WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS MY FRIENDS"

I took the night off for champions league final 2005 when i was at Tropicana, i take the night off from Oceanic in 2019 and the result is the same, WE WON!

My Actor/teacher nephew Leighton sent me this text from Jurgen Klopps news conference before the game, Klopp was asking for fans to demand that Oceanic opens as it will give Liverpool a chance of winning. This is because when i watch them they usually lose.

NOT TONIGHT!

This was me at the Strada Marina 15 Min's before kick off

This was me toasting my brilliant beloved Liverpool after they won with a Jack and ice..

I moved to a better seat in front of a 56" inch TV before it kicked off and the bar did fill up in time for kick off , all Greeks and no drunk d**kheads. Great way to watch football.

Not only did Liverpool win but I was also a winner, i had 2 pints and a jack on ice and only paid for one pint and i had a free bowl of crisps and then a free bowl of mixed nuts, BOOM! BACK OF THE NET!

People said to me "What about the money you'll lose from closing?" Its not all about money, money has never made me happy as its a material thing, some people lie, cheat and steal for money and some people love boasting about money but I'm much happier with life and tonight i am happier than ever but would have been perfect if Sian had shared this moment with me.

I have to say Spurs were the better side but had no finishing touch, they were great in the build up but poor on the finish so i would say Liverpool were lucky, but luck is needed sometimes, the game itself was quite boring if i'm being honest..

Never mind, i will enjoy this moment until the next Champions league final as we remain THE CHAMPIONS until then.

Day 21 - What is going on?

What the hell is going on? 27th May and still the weather is playing up, it's lashing it down this morning. My heating in the bar has been on every single night since i opened and only had 5 full days of sun since i got here on 1st May, never known a start like it.

Anywhoooo, hello one and all, how we all doing today? 

I think starting each update with the "Day" is going to be a pain in the ass as i have to count them on the calendar before i post the update.

Quite a bit of interest in the bar after i announced i was selling so that's good but then again every year someone has shown interest in buying bar but money talks and no one has "SHOWN ME THE MONEY" so never taken the interest seriously.

Day 11 and the bar is at capacity and emergency seats are out, everybody loves a warm bar.

Even people sat outside but as soon as seats become free inside the people move.

Due to the shocking weather I've only gone from house to town to bar and out for coffee's, that's it, not gone anywhere, so not much to tell you or show you.

So for this update i will give you my views on things going on in the world over the past days since last update:-

Eurovision : Whats the point?
The competition is meant to be to vote in a song for Europe, a song that brings Europe together, a song to inspire.
So why is it hardly any of the winners have charted all over Europe and only in their own country?
Why do the UK get automatic entry when they have finished last quite a few times over the past years?
And when has Australia been in Europe?

Jeremy Kyle taken of air for good : People will have to get jobs now instead of appearing on the show.

European Elections : ????????????????????? Haven't a clue what this is all about.

Spice Girls First gig has sound problems : No it doesn't, their just S**T

Hiker found after 17 days in forest : She said she "Chose life", amazing how in the face of adversity she was thinking of Wham.

And that's the headlines that have caught my eye over the last few days.

I will give you a warning of the next picture as it contains a obscene word but how is this the sign of a great place to go for a drink and how is it even allowed. Is this what the island really needs?

So folks its most probably my shortest ever update but what can you do when the weathers shocking.

So hopefully a longer update the next time but until then.......

Serve All, Love All, Peace All, Kevlar Out!

Day 9 - Welcome to Jurassic Cavo Doro

"We've used Dino DNA to create yet another Greek wonder........Welcome to Jurassic Cavo Doro"

Trust that stupid car to drive past, it was looking good up until then, bet you thought it was real didn't you?

Basically that's the entrance to the new part of Cavo Doro.

Well we're 9 days in and all is well. No different to any other season, same good start, mainly all inclusive holiday makers and mainly first timers to the island and resort so that's always good to have in the bar with a sprinkle of regulars.

Took a picture of when the bar was half finished, why i don't know, i guess cause it looks neat and tidy without any furniture. Couple of scatter cushions would improve this picture but not really viable what with dust, spilt drinks, cats, dogs, flying ants (whats up with flying ants, why do they lose their wings almost instantly, how stupid) and limbs that won't allow people to get up once they're on the scatter cushions. NOT A GOOD IDEA AT ALL.

My first frappe of the season. Should have gone somewhere that served it in a glass for the first picture instead of a plastic, not very environmentally friendly either, poor turtles.

My first Alpha Weiss at my Saturday night hang out after i close, this also includes my date night with Sian (via text when apart) while I'm sat sipping and chilling. Something to look forward to at the end of a busy night and week. No need to cook that night either as get free peanuts with my beer, ISN'T LIFE GREAT!

It is bloody freezing at night, so much so that on my bike on way home at about 2.30am my feet and shins are numb. Never had that before and in the morning its a hoody, long sleeve top and gloves while i'm out and about. The worst weather start to a season in my 19 years here, thank god i got the heater in the bar which has been on every night.

Now then, when i left last year i left a sign on the bar saying "Just popped out for milk, Back 1st of May". I think you'd agree that's quite a obvious sign for all to read. I told Angelina in the shop opposite when i left i had my flight booked for 1st May, i had booked it before I'd even left the island. I had e-mailed my bar landlord and told him i will be back 1st May. I had e-mailed Dennis in the shop next door and told him I'd be back 1st of May. I'd seen all the family in Puzzle next door and told them I'd be back the 1st May. My best friends Tasos and Demi knew i was coming back 1st May and i even posted my flight confirmation on this blog showing i was back 1st May.

So why is it when i turned up others in resort thought i wasn't coming back? 12 people in all in the resort knew i was coming back, there was a nice big printed sign on the empty bar saying when i was coming back, i posted it on this blog but people still insist on making their own stories up, WHY? 

I'm always asked questions on how i ended up on Zakynthos? Why here? How long have i been here?

Its only then i think about my business and my time here and i worked out that out of all the food and beverage places on the old road in Kalamaki I'm the longest standing business with 13 years. Other buildings have been there just as long but the businesses have changed, changed owners or changed names but i am the longest serving business, that's crazy.

Already this week i have been asked many times "When am i thinking of stopping with Oceanic?" , "Am i back next year?" As i say to everyone i always live one day at a time as you never know what may happen, why look so far ahead? I wake up and live for that day. I could become ill, the island could have a major earthquake and destroy the building of the bar, a family member may need my support in UK and need me to go back, who knows whats around the corner BUT I've been thinking about it due to people asking and have made a future decision due to my change in my personal life in the UK and 2020 will definitely be my last season and Oceanic will be up for sale. I will tell you how much just in case anyone interested and it's £10,000 exact, no offers, all in, which is dirt cheap considering how much i have actually put in to the business over the 14 years so its a bargain without a doubt and you'll have a ready made website, reviews and major internet profile presence. In fact i spent that amount out to set up Oceanic in my first season 2007. Also whoever takes it on you could also expand as the bar has a food licence. 

So there you go, that will now definitely stop all the gossip mongers as you heard it here first and i have told no one on the island so don't believe anything else you hear LOL.

Why am i telling you all so far in advance, well, it will take whoever that long to get their papers sorted for residence and tax, we all know how slow it is over here lol

Anyone who may be interested you can contact me through my contact page on the website:-

https://zanteholiday.wixsite.com/-oceanicchilloutbar/location

I feel now with the way I'm very happy in the UK that is where my life should be but not just yet.

I also said if a food franchise like McDonalds etc or a fish & chip shop opened in Kalamaki i would leave but that's not happened yet.

People may find this a bit of a shock but you wouldn't expect me to be here when I'm 60 would you? I'm realistic and that just wouldn't happen. 

I can holiday here instead and watch someone else run around after me lol.

So until this weather changes so i can take Kevin the Minion out........

Serve All. Love All, Peace All, Kevlar Out!