New year, new projects: The Iconpainter is happening
It's signed! Ian and I have a contract with R&Y to run their vacation rental property for the next three years. It's called The Iconpainter, and it is located on the outskirts of a small, typically Greek farming village. It's off the beaten track, has a sea view and is surrounded by olive groves. I love it!
Ian moved our things from Lefkada in a hired van and moved into the "BiG House" on January 4th while I am still in my rental in Kalamata until the end of February.
He also adopted a stray cat that moved in as soon as he did and made himself quite at home. Turns out that he isn't a real stray though - the previous owner of the villas, moved out with Sissy Boy 4 years ago. After having to return to villas to fetch Sissy Boy at least 20 times, he resigned himself to not having a cat and let Sissy Boy manage for himself in the wild. As soon as Ian showed up, Sissy Boy moved in like he'd never left, and is now learning to be called Squeak.
The negotiations with R&Y took almost 3 months. I was quite clear that I wanted to live on the property year round and rent out the 4 villas and this was a sticking point for the owners. They like to come to Greece with family and friends for two weeks at a time and wanted to keep access to the big house and the wonderful communal kitchen.
I was quite un-attached to making the deal and on a few occasions told them to choose the other option - a vacation rental agency with the know-how, experience and resources that we don't have. But he liked us! So, he accepted our terms and gave us the contract.
Ian has his work cut out for him being the overseer of all things maintenance. There are grape vines that need pruning next month and he has been warned that his end-of-year bonus depends on the quality of wine he produces after the September harvest.
He also has to take care of the swimming pool, nurture the olive trees so they produce good olive oil in November/December, plant a vegetable garden, take care of the fig, pomegranate, orange and lemon trees, spray for mosquitoes (a requirement for vacation rental units), sand and paint the wooden shutters etc. And he is looking forward to all of it!
I am in charge of the back of house, admin type of stuff. Having a website built, loading the villas onto the booking platforms, creating welcome books, discovering the area to share information with the guests and hopefully, liaising with all the many guests that we will welcome over the summer.
We open on 15 May this year, although the owners will be around for two weeks prior to that so we will have to be good and ready. The season will close on 2 November although we might keep one villa open for the winter. The weather is still fine, if a little wet, but the beaches in winter are great. It will make a nice retreat for those looking for some R&R.
I know the exchange rate is challenging for S'Aficans but we would love to have you visit!
