Blue Skies and Black Olives: A Survivor's Tale of Housebuilding and Peacock Chasing in Greece

This book is a familiar tale for anyone who has bought land and built a house in Greece. All of the pitfalls of our own experience are there, and most of the characters.It is a very amusing read, and well written by Humphrys father and son. I am amazed that the two remained on speaking terms at times, the frustration factor was clearly almost too much for John.

It should be compulsory reading for anyone planning to embark on this adventure, as the resulting house was well worth the effort. It is written with humour and with a sympathetic treatment of the Greek character, warts and all.

So right! (1/1 people found this helpful)

I already live in Greece so this lovely book makes me say "that's so right!" and laugh.Nobody considering coming to live in this wonderful country should ever underestimate the change of attitude needed to settle here.I've seen many leave because of frustration...but the laid back life is just what they wanted..wasn't it?! You can't have it all ways folks,whatever goes on politically this place is still heaven on earth to me.

Blue sky and black olive (1/1 people found this helpful)

Good book, funny in most places but lost the plot further towards the end and did not finish as well as it began. Good all the same and enjoyable to read

Wonderfully Greek! (1/1 people found this helpful)

I am a big fan of all things Greek and my ultimate dream is to live there one day, so I have a love for these 'moving to Greece' memoirs and have read quite a few now. I was especially attracted to this one as John Humphrys is such a well-known and respected figure and it almost seems as though it is a friend or at least an acquaintance who is writing this story.
John's son Christopher had already been living in Athens for well over 10 years and is married to a Greek girl. John often visited them and when he saw the site, overlooking the blue sea with uninterrupted views, he decided there and then that he had to have the land, and had to build his dream villa.
The story that follows is often laugh out loud funny, those of us who are familiar with 'Greek time' will nod in agreement as John waits in vain for tradesmen to turn up on the day that they said they would. The notion of anyone Greek arriving on time is unheard of, and it took John quite some time and a lot of raised blood pressure to realise this!
John's son Christopher co-authors the book and was left in Greece to oversee proceedings whilst John was back in England working. It was poor Christopher who had to report back when things had gone wrong (often).
Filled with memorable Greek characters and stray peacocks - lots of drinking, back slapping and shaking of Greek heads - this book is a wonderful read. I wanted to return to Greece on the very next plane, to sip a Greek coffee whilst looking out to sea and listening to the locals argue and laugh in the background.
Wonderful - I'd recommend this to everyone.

Blue Skies and Black Olives (1/1 people found this helpful)

Having lived and worked in Greece for over 10 years I howled out loud when I read this book. I could relate so much to the tales told by John. Living in Greece was one of the most memorable parts of my life. The book covers the warmth and passion of Greek people but also shows the frustrations of the bureaucratic nonsense that one has to endure. The fakelakia helps but it is definitely a case of "who you know" - luckily, John's son, christopher has in-laws! I loved the story about the peacock, so typical of Greek pride. Would recommend it for anyone who has lived in Greece and not just those who have purchased land and tried to build their own home. I am sure it was worth it all though - the Peloponnese is one of the most beautiful parts of Greece and to have a home overlooking a bay, must be wonderful.

Blue Skies and Black Olives: A Survivor's Tale of Housebuilding and Peacock Chasing in Greece

John Humphrys

Reader Reviews:

A familiar tale (1/1 people found this helpful)

So right! (1/1 people found this helpful)

Blue sky and black olive (1/1 people found this helpful)

Wonderfully Greek! (1/1 people found this helpful)

Blue Skies and Black Olives (1/1 people found this helpful)

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