Praise for A Journalist

I was pleased to read this praise of David Rennie.

I know the amount of effort and dedication that goes into writing those weekly columns.

Queen Mother Square Developments

Dorset Echo, artist's impression of the next phase

More Old Corfu Postcards

Military Campaign, 1919-1921

Greek Army, March 1923

UK Budget 2013

BBC: What it means for you

The Cyprus Vote, and the Death of a Poet

Open Europe analysis (brief)

Full analysis

Warning (BBC)

The Telegraph

Influence on Greece

I was just about to write to Niki Marangou, to get a poet's view of the situation: to learn the truth.

Then I read the tragic news that last month she was killed in a car accident in Egypt, on 7 February 2013.

I read that Niki Marangou "was on an excursion with other peope in the city of Fayoum, 130 kilometers south of Cairo, when their car overturned after a tyre blow out".

That is the greatest loss to Cyprus. Forget the money.

The last communication I received from her was this Christmas card, dated 19 December 2012, with the message -

Dear Friends

Because of the economic crisis I am sending my handmade cards this year electronically!

With love,

Niki Marangou

Some of Niki's poetry (in Greek and English).

A poem she sent her friends in 2011:

"On woman's day I am sending you a poem I wrote for my mother who died on the 8 of March, woman's day".

Niki Marangou


I DID NOT TAKE HER FLOWERS

I did not take her flowers
but I got up early
to find fresh fish in the market
I also found sour apples for a pie
like she used to bake
on her good days.
Strudel and schnitzel from Vienna
and dumplings like aunt Matina’s.

I did not take her flowers
but switched off the oven in time
to make the meeting at the shop

picked up George from school
together we gave the dog a bath
and then he wanted me to read him seven tales.

I did not take her flowers,
but I managed to work for two hours on the computer.
Then I went to see Mrs Demetra,
she recognised me by my voice
I had not seen her for some time, I took her some fasting cake

and sat by her and we talked.

I did not take her flowers

but I pruned the verbena and gave some fertilizer

to the trees. I moved the gardenias so they could catch the morning sun
and put the winter clothes away
carefully, so they would not be eaten by the moths.

I copy her movements carefully
how she kneaded the dough, brushed oil on the pastry,
went up, down, and took care of us all.

I did not take her flowers

but I try like her
to take care of this house and its occupants
like she taught me, with love and care.

I copy her movements carefully
carefully, so they will not be eaten by the moths.



Niki Marangou

Crazy Climate, Dorset Coast

From snow on Sunday to a nearly Mediterranean spring day today, in spite of fog in the morning.

Took a chance and went to Durdle Door (fourteen miles, door to Door), Man of War Bay and Lulworth Cove. Well rewarded. I must admit I went a bit mad with the camera. So glad to be outside in the sunshine- and just to show 'em in Corfu and Bermuda! I wish the grandchildren could have been here to enjoy it.