Brexit and What a No-Deal Holds for Us British Ex-Pats.

This is my official invitation to meet The British Ambassadrix to Greece, Kate Smith. This the second in Thessaloniki as part of the embassy nation-wide outreach program to inform British citizens, residing in Greece, what may befall us, come Brexit. The meeting was in the City Council Conference Room – a nice, roomy venue with good sound-system – and lasted about 90 minutes.

                       

While our previous outreach meeting in February was fairly up-beat, this time it was not - with more focus on the realities that might ensue after a no-deal Brexit which seemed more and more like a possibility. Sadly, we learned that some GB/GR agreements which protected the rights of Brits living here, had been rendered invalid by the present Whitehall incumbents, which bodes evil for all us.  So it seems that all the previous behind-the-scenes negotiation has been recorded as off-point and has to be rebooted from ground-zero!

                              

One point that must be made is that the life-span of all British passports will be reduced by 6 months if there’s a no-deal ….deal. So as holders of travel ID from a third country – that’s post-Brexit GB - we cannot travel abroad in the last six months before its expiry.

Definitely not wishing to lose my European status, I applied for Greek citizenship in February. Although the process can take up to 4 or 5 years, they kindly offered us a fast-track option in the light of a looming exit. I grabbed that opportunity and had my file inspection done rapidly from then.

So here it is folks: my date with fate has been confirmed. On December 5^th, at 09.15 I shall sit before a 4-member board and hopefully demonstrate to them adequate knowledge of Greek language, geography, history, culture, civics, etc..

                   

 Alexander the Great had an interesting mode of racial discrimination, saying,

 ‘Every good foreigner is a Greek’.

I’d love my inquisitors to operate on that same criterion! Please wish me luck!

Last Leg of our Brit-Trip.

After our Scots trip, we drove south to Durham and a family reunion and, yes, I’m still celebrating that big birthday! We, of course, met up with our honorary family member, Angeliki, who was then teaching a pre-sessional course at Durham University.  

                       

Not only was she enjoying life there, but she engaged in a mutual admiration relationship with our great-nephew, Guy. Here is Z facing a pancake challenge with said Guy. Z won a kind of Pyrrhic victory – polished off the lot and felt gross for the rest of the day.

                      

Final shots of Durham: a beautiful scene on one of our many long strolls in the city, and sweet memories of our sweet great-niece: Neve made us heart-shaped shortbread!        

                   

Our final stop was in Sheffield, staying with niece, Jen, husband, Mark and their delightful 6-month-old son, Callum Jake.  Brother, Ali, and wife, Jacqui, came along too and we walked our socks off all together. Interestingly, here we are walking by the dam where water, diverted from Peter Brook, powered the Shepherd Wheel. With five fast-flowing rivers, sandstone used as grindstones, and iron ore in the surrounding hills, local natural resources happily combined to make Sheffield a city of world-renown for its steel industry.

                                          

We pool resources and have a lovely meze meal, sitting out on a sunny patio. Callum has a glorious wardrobe: his trouser bottom echoes the image of his new toy from the Highlands. Wonder what name the coo was given?    

                     

  

 Our last day in GB was truly beautiful as we drove south into the Peak District in   Derbyshire, to visit Chatsworth House, the seat of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The grounds are superb - apparently in the 18^th century the famous landscape architect, Capability Brown, had a hand in the design.

          

 

The lake with its glorious patch of water-lilies reflects the leaves’ autumn tones - stunning!

      

 

 Family group - a final portrait before we head home. Our last shot, however, has to be with our little star, Callum Jake, on the patio, channelling Elton John with starry, starry eye-wear!