Volume 1, Issue 1
Christmas 2008
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Geoff Brooks
Little Ringed Plover
Geoff Brooks loved Corfu and, like many of us, he considered Roda to be his home from home. Geoff and his family had been visiting the village for many years and had built enduring relationships with locals and visitors alike.
Sadly, in September 2007, Geoff died from cancer and his family now face their second Christmas without him. His wife Maureen said a year ago that she drew strength from Geoff’s positive outlook and both she, and the family, were determined to be upbeat during the Christmas period.
Early in 2008, Maureen and her family returned to Roda in memory of Geoff, and his ashes were scattered in the sea off Roda - the place he loved so much. This poem was written by Des Nouvel to mark the occasion.
Sadly, in September 2007, Geoff died from cancer and his family now face their second Christmas without him. His wife Maureen said a year ago that she drew strength from Geoff’s positive outlook and both she, and the family, were determined to be upbeat during the Christmas period.
Early in 2008, Maureen and her family returned to Roda in memory of Geoff, and his ashes were scattered in the sea off Roda - the place he loved so much. This poem was written by Des Nouvel to mark the occasion.
THE BIG FELLA’S HOMECOMING
‘In Corfu’s gentle tides
that slowly lap the shore
a part of Geoff now resides
he wouldn’t ask for more.
A lover of the Island
for many, many years,
he’s now at rest in Roda,
he wouldn’t ask for more.
For Maureen, boys & family,
this pilgrimage was seen
as the final act of love
to what his dream had been.
His second home embraces him,
the village, sand & sea,
his spirit roams our alleys,
it’s where he wants to be.’
Roda hasn’t forgotten you Maureen, and we all wish you the best possible Christmas.
danger threatens, then she will try to distract attention from the eggs. A few years ago, in early May, we were fortunate enough to find a nest at Almiros, right on the edge of the dunes overlooking the sea. Within a few
The adult is an attractive bird and has a grey-brown back and wings, a white belly, and a white breast
Walk along the seafront from Roda and anywhere from the Coral Hotel onwards, you may
hear the Little Ringed Plover and see it darting along the shore in front of you. For its size, it is not a quiet bird. Light and elegant, like the Portuguese
wine dedicated to it, it nests on the ground on stones or shingle with little or no plant growth. Both male and female take turn to incubate the eggs. It is migratory, winters in Africa and forages for food in muddy areas, feeding on insects and worms.
with one black neckband. It has a brown cap, a white forehead, a black mask around the eyes with white above and a short dark bill. The legs are flesh-
coloured and the toes are all webbed.
The nest, if ever found, is just a small jumble of sticks with the eggs, so small that it would be easily stepped on. The female is never far from her nest but if
days the nest was empty, but we did come across the cutest chicks scuttling aro-und the cham-
omile which flowers at that time of year. One parent even feigned a broken wing just to lead us away from her chicks, the first time we had ever witnessed such a ruse.
It’s all action on the Liston cricket ground in Corfu Town as the Athletic Club of Thinalion play their final match in the junior Greek national cricket championships to lift the trophy in their first year of competition.
Made up of Greek & British players, the team has now been presented with the cup and are looking forward to the challenges of the 2009 season when they will be able to play teams from around Greece at their new pitch at Acharavi.
Well done to all involved - we’ll be cheering you on next year.