Anyway, have been over to the film set at Sami, a week yesterday (Sunday 16th April). Just couldn't believe what they've done, it was incredible. Along the far end of the harbour, where the ferries berth, they are building a beautiful building with huge columns, and also a church. It's only made of wood, but looks just like stone, complete with the moss in the upper corners of the sculpted facade. It's attached to the front of the Kastro Hotel, & I was really amazed that when peering from the side, there was the hotel & shops all intact!! The set is actually attached with steel girders. At the side of this building, down a side street is the church, complete with bell tower & they're in the process of building another house. The windows are fascinating as they're so realistic but again, things aren't what they appear to be!! We couldn't get too close to these as a building site can be a dangerous place, but I did walk into the 'columned' building. (I assume that this set is going to be Argostoli as it's too big to fit in with a small village that is Pelagia's home)

To the left of this (when facing inland) is another huge building, which again is built to the true Kefallonian design of pre-earthquake architecture. We walked along the harbour & lunched in one of the many tavernas who are generally full of English & some Americans who are working on the set. After a delicious meal of koriatiki (Greek salad) & tzatziki washed down with half a kilo (!) of red wine, we drove on up to Anti Samos. The road is being widened so we had to wait patiently while the earth movers etc shunted backwards & forwards, their rear wheels being perilously close to the sheer drop at the side of the road. They were emptying the eatrh that was being removed into the back of a lorry. When they'd almost filled it, the queue of traffic that had built up, slowly followed the lorry up the winding road.

The lorry pulled off into the small road that leads to Kastro, & we continued on our way to the breathtaking beach. We passed the site of another set on the way, & decided to pull in on the way back. We sat on the beach at Anti Samos, just marvelling in the serenity & beauty of the clear turquise water gently lapping the white pebbley beach. It was good to take time out & I felt as though my depleted battery was being recharged. The reasons for this will be in a future 'dispatch'

We stopped off at the set on the way back, a set which at that time was literally only steel girders, & lots of piles of wood. Again, I assume that this is where Pelagia's village will be sited. I took loads of photos so will send them on when the film is developed this week. The views from this set are wonderful, looking out across the sea & the steep slopes that encompass Anti Samos - complete with the obligatory herd of goats who were completely unfazed by the hive of activity going on around them.

Yesterday, Sunday 23rd April, we went to Scala for our Sunday jaunt, and got chatting to a waiter in The Pines taverna. He asked us if we'd visited the set, & when we replied that we had, he told us that he took his mum over last week. She burst into tears when she saw it, as it just reminded her of how the island was before the earthquake. He said it was a very emotional time. Then he told us that Sean Connery is playing Dr Iannis!! I don't know if this is true, but if it is .... great. I know he's visited the island for a holiday, so will know about it.

He also said that they are using a Greek actor & actress to play the parts of Corelli & Pelagia in their old age, and that the set on the road to Anti Samos is being left there, I guess as a tourist attraction. Now I can't be held responsible if these 'snippets' aren't true, but can only pass them on as a gesture.

I'll let you know if I hear of any more interesting morsels, I'll keep my ear to the ground ... or is it shoulder to the wheel!! Just to let you all know too, that this coming weekend is the Greek Easter, so we'll all be partaking of the spit roast lamb .... in really good weather. At the moment it's been 24C in the shade!!

Lots of love
Mary & Barrie

It is with my deepest sadness that I report that in September, 2001, Mary Frood lost her most valiant battle -- her battle for life. Mary died and was buried on Kefallonia, the place where she found peace and love. She leaves many loving friends and family. We miss her terribly ~ Tammi and Andreas