The Great Greek Sell Off

Canny buggers, yer Greeks...

As you will have read here recently, Greece is not doing too well at the moment so they came up with a couple of things to help themselves out.

Firstly, there was a lot of discussion about whether the latest stage of the great EU bailout would actually go ahead, so they decided that if it didn't then they would reluctantly have to leave the Euro zone and bring back the Drachma. This is actually quite sneaky because if Greece did leave, the value of the Eurozone assets would deplete rather, leaving the other countries somewhat in the fertilizer.

So what happens? Well, the EU decide that it would be a good idea to go a little softer on them. Sneaky but effective - especially as several Greek business owners I spoke to expect Greece to leave the Euro within 5 years anyway!

Secondly, next month the Greeks are coming to the UK to launch a garage sale of their assets at Claridges. On offer will be everything from bits of Greek airports and Hellenic Horse Racing through to the Greek National Lottery. I'm sure the mafia may well be interested in the latter offering...

Several Chief Execs of Greek companies are coming to flog off their firms and Vince Cable is lined up to give the opening address.

Unfortunately, there will be no Ouzo drinking, dancing or plate smashing - so maybe the Greeks really are changing their ways...

The Great Greek Sell Off

Canny buggers, yer Greeks...

As you will have read here recently, Greece is not doing too well at the moment so they came up with a couple of things to help themselves out.

Firstly, there was a lot of discussion about whether the latest stage of the great EU bailout would actually go ahead, so they decided that if it didn't then they would reluctantly have to leave the Euro zone and bring back the Drachma. This is actually quite sneaky because if Greece did leave, the value of the Eurozone assets would deplete rather, leaving the other countries somewhat in the fertilizer.

So what happens? Well, the EU decide that it would be a good idea to go a little softer on them. Sneaky but effective - especially as several Greek business owners I spoke to expect Greece to leave the Euro within 5 years anyway!

Secondly, next month the Greeks are coming to the UK to launch a garage sale of their assets at Claridges. On offer will be everything from bits of Greek airports and Hellenic Horse Racing through to the Greek National Lottery. I'm sure the mafia may well be interested in the latter offering...

Several Chief Execs of Greek companies are coming to flog off their firms and Vince Cable is lined up to give the opening address.

Unfortunately, there will be no Ouzo drinking, dancing or plate smashing - so maybe the Greeks really are changing their ways...

A Greek Tragedy

As I promised a short while back, I have put myself to great personal inconvenience in order to personally check out the economic crisis in Greece and after two weeks of intense investigation which involved, amongst other things, exposing myself to Greek tavernas, sunshine and dangerous amounts of alcoholic beverages I am able to report that the average Greek doesn't actually seem to give a toss!

Now admittedly, I was in Kardamyli - a little tourist village not far from Stoupa in the Mani. On the face of it, it's only a few hours from Athens so you would think that they would be highly interested in what what happening with respect to the latest EU bailout. But you would be wrong.

As one hotel owner told me when I asked him about the unrest and protests in Athens : "I can't remember that last time there was a protest about anything here, or the last time there wasn't a protest in Athens. This is a different country here. We're a small village. We're much too busy just staying afloat." And I can see why he thinks that way...

I am a regular visitor to this country over many years. I usually come in May and September. Because we had friends out here this time, we came a bit later and risked travelling in half term week. This is something we don't usually do because Greece is usually packed with tourists. But not this time.

I have never known Greece so quiet. Stoupa is a main resort about 4 miles down the coast. It's a lively place with plenty going on. Usually. We went in for a meal on a Friday night. The first thing we noticed was how easy it was to park. Then we failed to find a restaurant we used to visit a few years back because it had closed. Several of the bars had just not bothered to open because there were no customers.

We thought it was because the weather was a bit iffy and it had been raining earlier so we came back the next night which was a Saturday and walked straight into a waterside table at a restaurant where normally you would queue and would not have a chance in hell of getting a table near the water.

It's a damn shame, but the facts are that the Brits aren't coming. Presumably this is because of the exchange rate and the rise in VAT in Greece which means this is no longer a cheap holiday destination. As a result Kardamyli is like a ghost town. There are literally hundreds of unfilled beds. The restaurants are empty and the bars are eirily quite.

Greece is fucked.

And it's a damn shame, because this is still a very pleasant place for a holiday...

A Greek Tragedy

As I promised a short while back, I have put myself to great personal inconvenience in order to personally check out the economic crisis in Greece and after two weeks of intense investigation which involved, amongst other things, exposing myself to Greek tavernas, sunshine and dangerous amounts of alcoholic beverages I am able to report that the average Greek doesn't actually seem to give a toss!

Now admittedly, I was in Kardamyli - a little tourist village not far from Stoupa in the Mani. On the face of it, it's only a few hours from Athens so you would think that they would be highly interested in what what happening with respect to the latest EU bailout. But you would be wrong.

As one hotel owner told me when I asked him about the unrest and protests in Athens : "I can't remember that last time there was a protest about anything here, or the last time there wasn't a protest in Athens. This is a different country here. We're a small village. We're much too busy just staying afloat." And I can see why he thinks that way...

I am a regular visitor to this country over many years. I usually come in May and September. Because we had friends out here this time, we came a bit later and risked travelling in half term week. This is something we don't usually do because Greece is usually packed with tourists. But not this time.

I have never known Greece so quiet. Stoupa is a main resort about 4 miles down the coast. It's a lively place with plenty going on. Usually. We went in for a meal on a Friday night. The first thing we noticed was how easy it was to park. Then we failed to find a restaurant we used to visit a few years back because it had closed. Several of the bars had just not bothered to open because there were no customers.

We thought it was because the weather was a bit iffy and it had been raining earlier so we came back the next night which was a Saturday and walked straight into a waterside table at a restaurant where normally you would queue and would not have a chance in hell of getting a table near the water.

It's a damn shame, but the facts are that the Brits aren't coming. Presumably this is because of the exchange rate and the rise in VAT in Greece which means this is no longer a cheap holiday destination. As a result Kardamyli is like a ghost town. There are literally hundreds of unfilled beds. The restaurants are empty and the bars are eirily quite.

Greece is fucked.

And it's a damn shame, because this is still a very pleasant place for a holiday...

"I don't, therefore I'm not..."

Recently, I recieved a comment - which got lost in the great 2011 Blogger crash - that if I was on on holiday then "I don't blog, therefore I am not..."

It's a fair comment, and quite witty I thought. Anyway, as you read this I am reposing in a Greek taverna swigging a cappuchino and a Ouzo, or perhaps lounging on my balcony with a glass of the good old 5 star Metaxa. So, basically, I don't really care.

I was in Turkey and Greece a few weeks back as you will have gathered from recent posts but I have had this little repose in the diary for quite a while, a chance to catch up with my friend Old Sawbones for a good old moan about what needs putting right in the world.

I am hoping this will turn out to be a better repose than the last one - it's certainly going to be a damn site cheaper - and it's nice to be just kicking back for a while. I don't care if the plants are all dying in the garden at home. I don't even care if the exchange rate is crap and the Greeks have raised their VAT again. I'm happy...

Oh, and for the uneducated amongst you here's a short lesson in the fine art of Metaxa. The 3 star is for mixing with Coke, the 5 star is for drinking and the 7 star is for flogging to tourists.

And no, please don't put water in my Ouzo.

I'm back at the weekend and then have a few weeks at home before popping off to the Arctic to shoot some polar bears...

"I don't, therefore I'm not..."

Recently, I recieved a comment - which got lost in the great 2011 Blogger crash - that if I was on on holiday then "I don't blog, therefore I am not..."

It's a fair comment, and quite witty I thought. Anyway, as you read this I am reposing in a Greek taverna swigging a cappuchino and a Ouzo, or perhaps lounging on my balcony with a glass of the good old 5 star Metaxa. So, basically, I don't really care.

I was in Turkey and Greece a few weeks back as you will have gathered from recent posts but I have had this little repose in the diary for quite a while, a chance to catch up with my friend Old Sawbones for a good old moan about what needs putting right in the world.

I am hoping this will turn out to be a better repose than the last one - it's certainly going to be a damn site cheaper - and it's nice to be just kicking back for a while. I don't care if the plants are all dying in the garden at home. I don't even care if the exchange rate is crap and the Greeks have raised their VAT again. I'm happy...

Oh, and for the uneducated amongst you here's a short lesson in the fine art of Metaxa. The 3 star is for mixing with Coke, the 5 star is for drinking and the 7 star is for flogging to tourists.

And no, please don't put water in my Ouzo.

I'm back at the weekend and then have a few weeks at home before popping off to the Arctic to shoot some polar bears...

Pat-tosh

As I write this, Mrs. D has gone for a lie down. I am forced to admit that the herbal seasick pills are not working. Fortunately, I am blessed with a constitution which would put the average Greek donkey to shame, so I am fine - although three glass of the local red rotgut and a couple of ouzo have most likely helped.

We have just left Patmos, home of St. John the Divine who wrote the book of Revelation. They make much of this on Patmos, not least I suspect because it brings in vast hoards of tourists!

Half way up the mountain is the 'Cave of the Apocalypse' (see photo) where Johhny boy, then 93 years old, apparently penned his tome -  or to be more precise dictated it to his young sidekick. Basically, as you can see, this is a cave but it has been richly embellished with a few icons and the odd authentic saintly relic.

In the roof of the cave, threre is a three way cleft. This is apparently the very spot where Johhny was standing when God spoke to him. To mark this, God then split the rock in three to represent the Holy Trinity.

What a load of old Pat-tosh!

Further up the mountain is the biggest fortified monastery I have ever clapped eyes on - and believe me I have clapped them on quite a few over the years. It is huge and old and if you are ever in the neighbourhood, it is well worth taking a look. However, being the cynical old heretic you might by now expect me to be, I am forced to ask a salient question....

If this is the place where the Almighty chose to reveal his great plan to humankind, then why does this monastery need fortifications and battlements to protect it? Wouldn't God be doing that already?

Oh, ye of little faith....

Pat-tosh

As I write this, Mrs. D has gone for a lie down. I am forced to admit that the herbal seasick pills are not working. Fortunately, I am blessed with a constitution which would put the average Greek donkey to shame, so I am fine - although three glass of the local red rotgut and a couple of ouzo have most likely helped.

We have just left Patmos, home of St. John the Divine who wrote the book of Revelation. They make much of this on Patmos, not least I suspect because it brings in vast hoards of tourists!

Half way up the mountain is the 'Cave of the Apocalypse' (see photo) where Johhny boy, then 93 years old, apparently penned his tome -  or to be more precise dictated it to his young sidekick. Basically, as you can see, this is a cave but it has been richly embellished with a few icons and the odd authentic saintly relic.

In the roof of the cave, threre is a three way cleft. This is apparently the very spot where Johhny was standing when God spoke to him. To mark this, God then split the rock in three to represent the Holy Trinity.

What a load of old Pat-tosh!

Further up the mountain is the biggest fortified monastery I have ever clapped eyes on - and believe me I have clapped them on quite a few over the years. It is huge and old and if you are ever in the neighbourhood, it is well worth taking a look. However, being the cynical old heretic you might by now expect me to be, I am forced to ask a salient question....

If this is the place where the Almighty chose to reveal his great plan to humankind, then why does this monastery need fortifications and battlements to protect it? Wouldn't God be doing that already?

Oh, ye of little faith....

The €10,000 donkey

I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Eric.

Yes, I do know that Eric is a donkey. In fact he's a Greek donkey. And it's not his real name, but he looked like an Eric to me and the name kinda stuck.

Eric lives in a field behind the apartment we rented in Ithaca. He's very friendly and he gets upset if you don't talk to him. A bit like Mrs D except she lives in a house...

Anyway, the point of this is that there is a donkey crisis in Greece. Apparently, there is a shortage. Partly this is due to the number of brides demanding that they ride to church on a donkey just like the girl in Mammi Mia. Honestly.

The other side to the problem is that Greek donkey milk is highly prized. Remember, Cleopatra used to bathe in it. Its milk has been used since antiquity as a cure of ailments, a substitute for breast milk and as an anti-ageing skin salve.

So the Greek government has hatched a plan. For every donkey you keep, they will pay you €10,000 a year. That's a lot of carrots in any currency. So Eric's owners get a big fat fee for him to stand in his field and beg off the passers by.

As benefits go, even Gordon never thought of this one...

The €10,000 donkey

I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Eric.

Yes, I do know that Eric is a donkey. In fact he's a Greek donkey. And it's not his real name, but he looked like an Eric to me and the name kinda stuck.

Eric lives in a field behind the apartment we rented in Ithaca. He's very friendly and he gets upset if you don't talk to him. A bit like Mrs D except she lives in a house...

Anyway, the point of this is that there is a donkey crisis in Greece. Apparently, there is a shortage. Partly this is due to the number of brides demanding that they ride to church on a donkey just like the girl in Mammi Mia. Honestly.

The other side to the problem is that Greek donkey milk is highly prized. Remember, Cleopatra used to bathe in it. Its milk has been used since antiquity as a cure of ailments, a substitute for breast milk and as an anti-ageing skin salve.

So the Greek government has hatched a plan. For every donkey you keep, they will pay you €10,000 a year. That's a lot of carrots in any currency. So Eric's owners get a big fat fee for him to stand in his field and beg off the passers by.

As benefits go, even Gordon never thought of this one...

A Postcard from Greece [4]

Back in May, I was extolling the virtues of Nionio's Taverna in Paxos. Well, I've found another one that's pretty bloody good too!

In the village of Kioni on Ithaca there are 5 tavernas, one mini market and quite a lot of yachts and their attendant yachties. They're a strange bunch, but some of them are quite sociable - apart from the snobs of course! You can tell who they are because they promenade up and down the waterfront in their boat shoes (and what exactly is the point of fucking up perfectly good casual shoes by running bits of string around them?) with their sweaters draped across their shoulders. Pissy poncey coloured sweaters of course!

We talked to a few - we're not proud - and once they know we are staying here and have been here for a while, they ask which is the best restaurant in town? This is how it works:-

The one at the end by the yatchs is OK but it catches all the wind, the service is indifferent and it's a bit pricey. We ate there once in 14 days.

Next is the one that all the flotillas seem to go to. Tables for 20 are the norm. I suspect that it is run by the brother or cousin of the guy running the flotilla! There are rumours that they buy in preprepared food to cope with the volume. I don't know if it's true, but the moussaka certainly tasted and looked like it!

At the furthest end of the waterfront there was a man spit roasting a pig. Every night. Very visually appealing, but the minute it comes off the spit it's gone! We had a couple of passable steaks in there one night. It was a bit pricey and we didn't bother going back. That leaves the two in the middle.

One always seemed empty. Someone told he had never had a decent meal in there, but we ate there one night and were quite satisfied. It had probably the cheapest wine on the block which was perfectly drinkable.

Mythos Taverna was the one for us. We ate there seven times. His meatballs are to kill for. Ditto his fried cheese. Light and delicate. They do a lemon casseroled chicken which melts in your mouth and a Greek chicken pie that is very solidly chicken. The veal in a brandy and orange sauce is fantastic. The pork steak fills your plate and is expertly grilled over charcoal. And the house wine to wash it down with? The best in town - especially the rose. I could rave about the place all week, it's that good. Last night the bill with a litre of wine was €28.

So why isn't he packed out? Beats me. All the people who ask us - and there have been quite a few - eat in the expensive one nearest to the boats. I guess that's yatchies for you. Style over content!

A Postcard from Greece [4]

Back in May, I was extolling the virtues of Nionio's Taverna in Paxos. Well, I've found another one that's pretty bloody good too!

In the village of Kioni on Ithaca there are 5 tavernas, one mini market and quite a lot of yachts and their attendant yachties. They're a strange bunch, but some of them are quite sociable - apart from the snobs of course! You can tell who they are because they promenade up and down the waterfront in their boat shoes (and what exactly is the point of fucking up perfectly good casual shoes by running bits of string around them?) with their sweaters draped across their shoulders. Pissy poncey coloured sweaters of course!

We talked to a few - we're not proud - and once they know we are staying here and have been here for a while, they ask which is the best restaurant in town? This is how it works:-

The one at the end by the yatchs is OK but it catches all the wind, the service is indifferent and it's a bit pricey. We ate there once in 14 days.

Next is the one that all the flotillas seem to go to. Tables for 20 are the norm. I suspect that it is run by the brother or cousin of the guy running the flotilla! There are rumours that they buy in preprepared food to cope with the volume. I don't know if it's true, but the moussaka certainly tasted and looked like it!

At the furthest end of the waterfront there was a man spit roasting a pig. Every night. Very visually appealing, but the minute it comes off the spit it's gone! We had a couple of passable steaks in there one night. It was a bit pricey and we didn't bother going back. That leaves the two in the middle.

One always seemed empty. Someone told he had never had a decent meal in there, but we ate there one night and were quite satisfied. It had probably the cheapest wine on the block which was perfectly drinkable.

Mythos Taverna was the one for us. We ate there seven times. His meatballs are to kill for. Ditto his fried cheese. Light and delicate. They do a lemon casseroled chicken which melts in your mouth and a Greek chicken pie that is very solidly chicken. The veal in a brandy and orange sauce is fantastic. The pork steak fills your plate and is expertly grilled over charcoal. And the house wine to wash it down with? The best in town - especially the rose. I could rave about the place all week, it's that good. Last night the bill with a litre of wine was €28.

So why isn't he packed out? Beats me. All the people who ask us - and there have been quite a few - eat in the expensive one nearest to the boats. I guess that's yatchies for you. Style over content!

A Postcard from Greece [3]

Now that we are all one big federal country called the Fourth Reich European Union, I'm drawn to reflect on what makes us all so compatible...

After all, the Greeks and the Brits are all citizens of Greater Germania Europe, so we must have a lot in common.

For example, the Greeks didn't want to join the euro but no one asked them either! Ditto the European Constitution. So common ground there already. What else? Well, almost everything in this apartment is home made. Can we say that in Britain? The last rental place I stayed at in England everything was imported - mainly from China I seem to recall.

Smokers here are allowed to kill themselves if they want. No health warnings on their fag packets! They simply wouldn't tolerate it. Fruit and vegetables are odd shapes. No dictate here on the shape of strawberries or the size of tomatoes. They chuck 'em into boxes and you pick what you want. You won't find that in Tesco!

Hours and not regulated (well, not enforced anyway!) and you can take the kids in with you so they can get a lemonade while you sup your ale. And people are actually allowed to take responsibility for their own actions. How refreshing!

And all those directives from the Reichstag EU commission we are so quick to implement in the UK? The Greeks just ignore them. As one local told me "They can do what they like in Athens. It's not really relevant here."

So what we have in common with the Greeks? Bugger all - the lucky sods!

A Postcard from Greece [3]

Now that we are all one big federal country called the Fourth Reich European Union, I'm drawn to reflect on what makes us all so compatible...

After all, the Greeks and the Brits are all citizens of Greater Germania Europe, so we must have a lot in common.

For example, the Greeks didn't want to join the euro but no one asked them either! Ditto the European Constitution. So common ground there already. What else? Well, almost everything in this apartment is home made. Can we say that in Britain? The last rental place I stayed at in England everything was imported - mainly from China I seem to recall.

Smokers here are allowed to kill themselves if they want. No health warnings on their fag packets! They simply wouldn't tolerate it. Fruit and vegetables are odd shapes. No dictate here on the shape of strawberries or the size of tomatoes. They chuck 'em into boxes and you pick what you want. You won't find that in Tesco!

Hours and not regulated (well, not enforced anyway!) and you can take the kids in with you so they can get a lemonade while you sup your ale. And people are actually allowed to take responsibility for their own actions. How refreshing!

And all those directives from the Reichstag EU commission we are so quick to implement in the UK? The Greeks just ignore them. As one local told me "They can do what they like in Athens. It's not really relevant here."

So what we have in common with the Greeks? Bugger all - the lucky sods!

A Postcard from Greece [2]

As I lie here soaking up the sun, I reflect that this is the remotest corner of the great European empire. The end of the road on the almost last island in the chain. Just across the water is foreign. You know, not the EU.

This must be how the Roman legionnaires felt when they were posted to the last bastion of the Roman Empire - or as we know it - the Scottish border. Nothing but savages beyond this point...

It's so quiet and peaceful. But of course that's the point. As we all know, the Greek economy is fucked together with pretty much all of the rest of the Euro zone except Germany. They have their own agenda. So maybe that's why it's so quiet. Everyone else is in Turkey - with the foreigners!

The exchange rate has improved since I was here in May (€1.10 now €uro 1.16) but nowhere near where it used to be (€1.45) but any slight improvement has been offset by the latest Greek VAT increase. Your restaurant bill has increased to 11% VAT from 8% last time out and non foods - e.g. essentials like beer, wine, ouzo and metaxa -now carry a whopping 23% VAT. Even in the local currency, restaurant bills are also up. A meal for two will now set you back around €35 where it used to be about €25 year a few years back.

Still, a few good things that can still be found. The red wine I am drinking as I write this comes in a 5 litre plastic bottle and is surprisingly good for the equivalent of about £1.20 a bottle.

Cheers!...

A Postcard from Greece [2]

As I lie here soaking up the sun, I reflect that this is the remotest corner of the great European empire. The end of the road on the almost last island in the chain. Just across the water is foreign. You know, not the EU.

This must be how the Roman legionnaires felt when they were posted to the last bastion of the Roman Empire - or as we know it - the Scottish border. Nothing but savages beyond this point...

It's so quiet and peaceful. But of course that's the point. As we all know, the Greek economy is fucked together with pretty much all of the rest of the Euro zone except Germany. They have their own agenda. So maybe that's why it's so quiet. Everyone else is in Turkey - with the foreigners!

The exchange rate has improved since I was here in May (€1.10 now €uro 1.16) but nowhere near where it used to be (€1.45) but any slight improvement has been offset by the latest Greek VAT increase. Your restaurant bill has increased to 11% VAT from 8% last time out and non foods - e.g. essentials like beer, wine, ouzo and metaxa -now carry a whopping 23% VAT. Even in the local currency, restaurant bills are also up. A meal for two will now set you back around €35 where it used to be about €25 year a few years back.

Still, a few good things that can still be found. The red wine I am drinking as I write this comes in a 5 litre plastic bottle and is surprisingly good for the equivalent of about £1.20 a bottle.

Cheers!...

A Postcard from Greece

OK - I'm back off holiday, but we all know that we get home before the postcards, so here's one I wrote earlier...

Last time I was in Greece, back in May, I'd not been here for a few years and was wondering exactly where the Greece I remembered - not quite of my youth because these days my memory isn't that good - had disappeared to!

Well, I'm pleased to report that it still exists although, as you would expect, it's a damn sight harder to find these days than it used to be. I'm resisting the temptation to tell you where I am because, frankly, I'd like to keep it to myself. Suffice it to say that it took a four hour flight, a 40 minute bus ride, 45 minutes in a boat and a half hour taxi ride to get here - and you know when you've arrived because the road doesn't go further than the village. Lovely!

We've got a simple appartment over a small shop painted as you expect in white with splashes of deep blue. There's a big terrace with a table, two comfy chairs and a pair of sunbeds.The mini market (there's only one!) is literally 50 yards away and the harbour front has five restaurants and a couple of coffee shops. It's exactly how I remember Greece twenty 20 years ago apart from the mobile phone mast and the Internet cafe.

But if that's the only modern incursions, then I can handle it!

A Postcard from Greece

OK - I'm back off holiday, but we all know that we get home before the postcards, so here's one I wrote earlier...

Last time I was in Greece, back in May, I'd not been here for a few years and was wondering exactly where the Greece I remembered - not quite of my youth because these days my memory isn't that good - had disappeared to!

Well, I'm pleased to report that it still exists although, as you would expect, it's a damn sight harder to find these days than it used to be. I'm resisting the temptation to tell you where I am because, frankly, I'd like to keep it to myself. Suffice it to say that it took a four hour flight, a 40 minute bus ride, 45 minutes in a boat and a half hour taxi ride to get here - and you know when you've arrived because the road doesn't go further than the village. Lovely!

We've got a simple appartment over a small shop painted as you expect in white with splashes of deep blue. There's a big terrace with a table, two comfy chairs and a pair of sunbeds.The mini market (there's only one!) is literally 50 yards away and the harbour front has five restaurants and a couple of coffee shops. It's exactly how I remember Greece twenty 20 years ago apart from the mobile phone mast and the Internet cafe.

But if that's the only modern incursions, then I can handle it!

Sod it! I'm off to Greece (again)

Yes, it's that time of year again. The kid's are going back to school so I can safely bugger off to Greece and take in some more sun and Metaxa.

Blogging will therefore be intermittent for a couple of weeks. Enjoy the break. I will!

Sod it! I'm off to Greece (again)

Yes, it's that time of year again. The kid's are going back to school so I can safely bugger off to Greece and take in some more sun and Metaxa.

Blogging will therefore be intermittent for a couple of weeks. Enjoy the break. I will!