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| The Island of Lesvos as it is Called in Greece |
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| The Ghost Village of Vrisa |
Earthquakes are treacherous and they attack without mercy or warning, leaving catastrophe and grief. On Monday, the 12th June a powerful earthquake measuring 6,2 degrees of the Richter scale struck the island of Lesbos. Especially at the beautiful village of Vrisa, where all the buildings collapsed or suffered severe damage. Unfortunately, a 43-year-old woman was killed and at least 10 people were injured, while the inhabitants of the village had to be temporarily moved to safer quarters. Homes and other buildings were also destroyed in the fishing hamlet of Plomari.
Luckily, there were no reported injuries at the refugee camps on Lesbos. Since 2015, the island has seen a large inflow of refugees fleeing from war; it now houses, together with the island of Chios, more than 8000 people, who are anxiously waiting to leave for mainland Greece and central Europe.
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| The USS Fitzgerald after the Collision |
The American destroyer USS Fitzgerald was significantly damaged after a collision with a Philippine container ship. This took place at 2.30 am local time, on Wednesday the 14th June. Unfortunately, seven sailors are missing and three, including the Commander, are treated for injuries at the US naval hospital at the Yokosuka base.
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| Grenfell Tower in Flames |
The world, in shock, is still following the tragedy that took place from the early hours of Wednesday, 14th June, in West London.
Around 1 am, the London Fire Brigade was informed that a fire had broken out on the first floors of the 24-storey building of Grenfell Tower, with 120 flats and about 600 residents. The firemen were on the scene with astonishing speed and with great bravery, they climbed high on their ladders battling the flames, trying to save as many people as possible.
But unfortunately, the fire spread quickly and uncontrollably trapping hundreds, due to insufficient means of escape. From the lower storeys, desperate people were jumping from, and children were being thrown through the windows of their burning flats.
Unfortunately, there are 12 confirmed dead, 74 injured, 18 of whom are in critical condition. According to police authorities, the death toll is supposed to rise considerably, while distressed relatives are seeking their loved ones who have not yet given signs of life.
How could this disaster come about in one of the great, modern cities of the world? Apparently, this municipal building had an inadequate fire warning system, no water sprinklers and only one staircase. Also, recent repairs that were carried out, both within and without the building, were not made with inflammable materials, thus allowing the fire to explode and expand.
Our deepest sympathy to the victims and to all those who lost their loved ones, and our profound admiration for the London firefighters who saved many lives, while risking their own, from this enormous blazing inferno.
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| Map Showing where the Nursery Explosion took Place |
On Thursday afternoon, the 15th June a blast, at the entrance of a kindergarten at Fengxian in the Chinese Province of Jiangsu killed eight people and injured more than 60. The perpetrator, a 22-year-old man, was also killed.
No children or teachers died according to the Chinese State News Agency. The Chinese police are treating the explosion as a criminal act.
Terrible, gory information is circulating in the social media about this terrible incident which I hope will be confirmed as false news.
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| Tilos the Green Island |
The former mayor of Tilos, Tassos Aliferis, a staunch environmentalist, made enormous efforts and aided Tilos to obtain the envied reputation as the Green Island.
The present mayor, Mrs Maria Kamma, continues the good work of her predecessor and is also striving for human rights, by inviting refugee families to settle in Tilos. Working with the NGO Solidarity Now and the UNHCR they have built and are still building the appropriate accommodation and offering language lessons to these unfortunate people. Moreover, they wish to aid "asylum seekers" to start organic farming with the local population and "to revive" traditional businesses like cheese making which is dying out. Mrs Kamma believes that by embodying the refugees with the local population, besides being a good deed, will strengthen the island's the economy and invigorate eco-tourism.
Here are two comforting recipes which I hope you will like.
BRANDY SPICED PEACHES
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| A Wonderful Summer Compote |
10 peaches, blanched, peeled, cut in half and stoned
Syrup:
312,5 ml (1 1/4 cup) water
200 g (1 cup) sugar
1 cinnamon stick
1/4 tsp grated nutmeg
4 tbsp METAXA brandy
Place the ingredients for the syrup in a saucepan and dissolve the sugar, over very low heat. Then boil the syrup rapidly for a minute or two and remove the saucepan from the stove. Place ethe peach halves into the syrup and poach them very gently for three minutes. Allow the fruit to cool in the syrup, discard the cinnamon stick and stir in the brandy.
Chill the fruit for 5 hours at least and serve with cream.
CLEAR KITRON SOUFFLE
Clear Kitron is a lemon flavoured liqueur from Naxos.
Lightly butter a 1-litre (4 cups) souffle dish and sprinkle with caster sugar. Preheat the oven to 190 C (375 F).
30 g (1 oz) butter
30 g (1 oz) plain flour
167 ml (2/3 cup) milk
90 g (3 oz) sugar
4 tbsp Clear Kitron or any other lemon or orange flavoured liqueur
4 eggs, whites whipped stiff with a pinch of salt
Melt butter, stir in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes to the prevent the taste of raw flour. Remove from the stove and gradually blend in the milk. When the sauce is smooth return it to the heat, and allow it to boil and thicken, stirring constantly. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition, then, stir in the sugar and the liqueur.
Using a metal spoon, gently and quickly fold the whipped egg whites into the sauce. Turn the souffle batter into the prepared dish and bake for about 40 minutes or until well risen and golden brown. Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve immediately.
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