Corfu self catering cottages, Greece

Environment

We place bins in all the cottages to separate rubbish into recyclable and ordinary rubbish, and deliver these daily to the municipal bins. Vegetable matter is collected and added to our compost bins which is used on our organic vegetable garden. In each cottage there is a large material shopping bag to reduce the accumulation of plastic bags. An local organic farm delivers vegetables, honey, egg, excellent produce delivered in a recyclable box without any plastic waste. We initiated several years ago the SOS environmental group, pressurising local authorities to create a recycling plant on the island which is now in operation; and cleaning beaches which are now cleaned by local councils. We regularly clear our approach road of rubbish.

Our buildings have been restored and preserved in the old Venetian style of Corfiot oil presses: vaulted ceilings, huge crossbeams, marble framed windows and doors, clay tile rooves. Two years ago the huge roof on the main building was completely renovated using environmentally friendly materials and insulation which has reduced our heating bills significantly. Most furnishing materials are in traditional style; and many of the works of art that hang in the buildings are family treasures or more recent paintings of Casa Lucia and the surrounding area by friends and guests. There are many pithoi - traditional oil jars - in the garden as well as other artefacts found in the grounds and the buildings. We have an album of the progress from a ruin to the restored buildings for our visitors to enjoy.

Community

After nearly 40 years living in Sgombou, we feel very much a part of the community. We have always employed local people, and at the moment have two people working for us. They are part of our family, one is godmother to my son, we share birthdays and days of celebration with them and their families. In particular we help as much as we can financially with the education and careers of their children. Their wages as well as their social security contributions are always paid on time and in full, and any extra that we can afford goes to them in bonuses. In addition we always buy whatever arts, crafts, goods, fruit and vegetables etc. from local suppliers rather than shops and supermarkets: we collaborate with all cultural activities, promoting and publicising events and activities, whether they take place at Casa Lucia or at the other cultural centres around the island. We place in the cottages a folder recommending local crafts, restaurants and daily print out events that are taking place all over the island. We introduce our guests to our neighbours and colleagues and very often we take our guests with us to events and attractions.