Paxos; στους Παξούς. The End of an Era. Stamatis Boikos; Παξοί - ΣΤΑΜΑΤΗΣ ΜΠΟΪΚΟΣ and the spirit of Old Paxos

Stamatis at 98

I've just heard the sad news of the death of Stamatis Boikos. an old Paxiot family friend. He died on Saturday, aged 100. Fifty years ago, when I first met him and his wonderful, much-missed wife Martha, he owned the main grocery shop just off the main square of Gaios. Both he and Martha were the adopted children of Aphrodite Bogdanou, sister of Spyros Bogdanos (a grandfather-in-law, father of Popi Bogdanou, see below).

Stamatis was always a heavy smoker, apparently from the age of eight. It never seemed to do him any harm. Two years ago he joked that he would give up smoking once he reached a hundred. 

Rest in peace, Stamati.

I have an overpowering feeling that it really is the end of an era on Paxos.

In the good old days (not so long ago):

Antipaxos

Ostrias, Paxos

From a poem published in Corfu Blues (the book, 2006)

A wooden studio...

Atelier, folly or writer’s hut?

Perfect for Paxos, for our Ostrias plot.

Below, a little inlet cove.

A dry-stone wall, an olive grove-

My outlook. And my chosen spot.

Another Paxos poem from the same book:

When families quarrel

Over children or trees

The bitterness lasts

For generations:

The feuds outlast roofs.

No one gives way

Before the walls fall in.

Stamatis and Martha understood such things, as many others did;
 our children too.

Popi Bogdanou (later Popi Strani; my grandmother-in-law).
Daughter of Spyros Bogdanos and Vassiliki.  Her memorial in Bogdanatika:

Dionysios Stranis (husband of Popi)

 

Ostrias plot

"There always seem to be border disputes on Paxos, which is why everyone is so anxious to keep their initials or symbols of ownership freshly-painted on every olive tree (and on any other type of tree, or rock, that might one day be in dispute, it seems)".

From Corfu Blues (the book, 2006; Greek translation published in Icho ton Paxon).

Surveying for topographic maps:

I wonder if they will ever complete the land registry (Ktimatologio, Cadastral Survey and declarations of ownership) on Paxos! How many suspensions and extensions will be needed?

What about the delineation of forest land in the Corfu and Ionian Islands Prefectures?

http://www.ktimatologio.gr/sites/en/infrastructureprojects/Pages/WoJkM46wbtZryRfz_EN.aspx

Can the Hellenic Cadastral Survey really be in its "final stages?"


It's certainly hard to feel the same way about the island these days.
The ENFIA taxes may have been reduced, but people keep on paying.

Eyrie on Ostrias Escarpment, Paxos

Sunset.
Lying on a ledge of stone.
Galleon's lookout, quarter deck.

(Thinking of our old Paxiot friends).

Not much more to say, except...

Paxos Blues?

I've been coming regularly to Paxos since 1967, and to the family's very special. very quiet, small Ostrias ktima for over 40 years, in search of inspiration and a place to sit and write, then to walk around the corner to see the splendid view of Avlaki Bay from the Ostrias escarpment ledges. I'd always bring the children here whenever we came to Paxos (the location isn't easy to find). Later they'd go there on their own, to show friends and to remember their partly Paxiot heritage.


Family Tomb (Αγία Παρασκευή), Bogdanatika, Paxos 

Spiridon and Vassiliki,
Sleep in Peace
With Saint Paraskevi.

(from Corfu Blues)