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Post by lisydaly on Jul 5, 2021 9:53:16 GMT 2
The soap shop was the George and Dragon - the building has been altered and added to (an upper storey built) over the years - and the plot up for sale was the garden at the side of the bar. It was up for sale some years ago. Niko had his motor bikes on the land when he had a hire shop for a while with son Jonathon. I'm sure Kerry will correct me if I'm wrong.
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Post by janiemou on Jul 5, 2021 17:38:34 GMT 2
No you are right. I was just unsure where the George and the Dragon building was. Thank you for putting me right. I remember it being very popular as was Tropicana with huge queues for the pay phones at the crossroads.
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Post by lisydaly on Jul 6, 2021 9:14:31 GMT 2
George and Dragon was our 'local' in the early 90's. An English couple, Les and his wife Hazel ran it for a couple of years but went back to the UK when Hazel was expecting their first baby. Niko and Kerry ran it then for quite a while. Another local was Tropicana, especially at Christmas and New Year - we used to alternate between the two bars - and Domas (now Oscars). This was during the winters, which as you know Jan, are a different world to the summers and which we always preferred. More time spent with Greek friends and some of the places we ended up in were legend!! Happy days.
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Post by janiemou on Jul 6, 2021 10:34:01 GMT 2
In the 20+ years I have been coming to Roda there have been so many changes. Bars coming and going like the British Bulldog, not my sort of place but I went because my son could play internet games there. Bars playing films, the soaps and children's cartoons. The days when you paid for internet at only one or two places. Many happy memories even before I met my Steve. I too prefer the winter there is time to chat with the locals, enjoy the milder sunshine and just be able to explore when it is cooler. We all know that the visitors are essential to our Greek friends, but it is nice when the place is ours again.
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Post by janiemou on Jul 9, 2021 10:35:48 GMT 2
Checking around the village I have seen that the Blue Lagoon is now open. Melinda appears to be on the cusp of opening with the pool full surrounded by sunbeds. Teh Oasis hotel has announced it is opening, but Kosmas still appears closed. I was talking to the lady that runs Paradise village and they are full, mostly with people from the east of Europe. More balconies are being drapped with towels, but it is still very patchy with some businesses still very quiet. There are definitly more people around the village, and the roads are busier with more hire cars and quads around with the main road to Corfu town getting very busy at times.I have heard that people are struggling to find hire cars. Dromeas had none available the other day! Hopefully the announcement yesterday about fully vaccinated people from the UKnot having to quarantine on return from Greece will help. Though it won't allow me home in a few weeks to celebrate my birthday with my family despite the fact I have a certificate to show I'm fully vaccinated.
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Post by lisydaly on Jul 9, 2021 12:23:54 GMT 2
I was listening to the early news this morning Jan (one rescue blond German shepherd who cannot or will not tell the time - it's light, I want up for a wee!! as in 5 a.m.) and the problem is that other countries certificates cannot be recognised at the moment so it is only UK citizens who can now travel in and out without quarantine but 'they' are hopeful this will be corrected in the near future. As I have no faith whatsoever in 'they' as in Boris and Co I wouldn't hold my breath. This was euronews and sky news and later the BB c - an interview with Grant somebody or other who didn't seem to be able to distinguish between the UK as a whole or Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland - are they included or not? Much stuttering and erm, not at the moment - England only. My Mum worked at Rainhill mental hospital as a ward sister for years and her favourite saying was 'not all the lunatics are in the asylum' - she must be laughing her head off wherever she is!!! Fingers crossed you'll get back for a late celebration.
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Post by janiemou on Jul 9, 2021 18:39:31 GMT 2
It must be political as we got the same vaccines as used in UK. And to suggest that the Greek government (or any other European one) issues duff certificates is insulting! Maybe wee Nicola will be more accepting of European certificates.
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Post by janiemou on Jul 12, 2021 10:15:18 GMT 2
There is a note in my diary for last year that a REmax For Sale sign had gone up on the former Roda Studios. A mere one year later what a change has been made, and so quick as things usually go a little slower here. The terrace infront of the build now has a metal structure in place, which I presume will proved shade as the terrace is quite exposed. Maybe this time next year it will be up and running, hopefully a new asset to the village.
Also a mini (it is very long and very narrow) minimarket has appeared a couple of doors from Pirates, next to Yiannis' tourist shop opposite La Luz (which looks on the brink of opening). It might do well there.
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Post by janiemou on Jul 15, 2021 19:17:05 GMT 2
The work is steadily continuing at the former Roda Studios. Curtains have been appearing in the windows of the upper rooms. The mis-directed compass has been painted. Last night the outside lights have been turned on, making it look very smart. There still appears to be a bit of work to be done on the ground floor and the terrace area. Will still be keeping an eye on the works, and hopefully find out what the new name will be.
Toulah, mum of Kostas and George at Pirates has had her little tourist shop changed into a mini market. I reported it a few days ago. Now it has its name up, and had be named after her beloved late husband Angelos.
We wish her new project well.
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Post by janiemou on Jul 19, 2021 11:24:09 GMT 2
The work is continuing apace at the former Roda Studios. A reoport appeared on Facebook that they plan to open next month.The railing, put up a couple of days ago have added a nice touch to the terrace. The rooms look lovely and I have put on a photo (Copyright Linda Heywood) of one of the rooms. Each room apparently has a different mural. The emphasis apparently will be on luxury hence the new name Aqua Luxury Suites, some of which will have balcony jacuzzis. There still seems to be quite a bit of work to be done on the ground floor, but they are working every day at the moment. It will be interesting when the official web site opens.
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Post by janiemou on Jul 25, 2021 12:59:58 GMT 2
The work at the new Aqua Luxury Suites continues apace as I have heard theowners are getting pressure to open quickly now. Also I heard twwo of the units under the suites have already been let and they want to open. So, things could change quickly. Also, a struture has gone up behind the bus stop opposite Afrodite reaching up to the kiosk. I don't know what is happening there.
It is not the best shot as I was shooting into the setting sun. I will try for a better soon.
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Post by janiemou on Aug 7, 2021 10:45:19 GMT 2
The shaded shelter that has been built next to the kiosk ahd chairs in it last night. I am speculating that is is a shelter for guests from the all-inclusives as they wait for their transport back to their hotel. The photo was takem before the chairs were added.
The work at The Aqua Luxury Suites continues apace with the kitchens being fitted yesterday.
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Post by janiemou on Aug 9, 2021 10:47:57 GMT 2
OK, I admit that I put 2 and 2 together and made 5! The shelter that has been created between the new build and the kiosk is turning out to be the play area for a bar that has appeared in the last unit. I grabbed a couple of photos last night, it seemed spring up over night. The refurbished Roda Studios now hads the new name up of Aqua Luxury Suites and work is still continuing with fitting the kitchen out for it,though no photo yet, I will get one tonight when I wander into the village.
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Post by janiemou on Aug 12, 2021 14:15:08 GMT 2
The first guests have arrived at the new Aqua Luxury Suites with the reception area now open, but the final touches are still needed on the ground floor areas. Also the beach in front of the complex needs to be cleared of the traces of the old beach volley ball court. I understand that the apartments will be available through Airbnb, also tehere is a link through Fcaebook.
The new bar that is next to the kiosk has opened for business with the name of Arriva. Though already it is getting the nockname of The Bus Stop! It is being run byby a relative of Lucia from Nikos Family Taverna. We wish them well.
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maudy
Roda Enthusiast
Posts: 69
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Post by maudy on Aug 13, 2021 23:20:45 GMT 2
The Aqua suites are already on booking.com too.
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