«It is still sunny», British residents of Cephalonia say, as they pledge to stay despite the earthquakes

«The earthquake happened and we move on. It is still sunny,» representative of the British community in Cephalonia Donna O” Leary told ANA-MPA, asked what her compatriots felt about living on the island after the earthquakes and the continuing aftershocks.

The British citizens got to know the island many

years ago during their holidays there, loved the place and bought or rented a house on the island. «We knew that the island has earthquakes. It had, has and will continue to have them – we knew it, it doesn’t bother us. It’s nice to wake up in the morning and see the sea, the mountains, the nature,» added O’Leary.

O’Leary also stressed that they are not afraid because houses are built to withstand earthquakes and this was proved by the fact that there were no earthquake victims.

Barry Hayton has been living in Livadi over the last decade, in his own house that was found temporarily uninhabitable after the second earthquake. However, Barry did not let that affect his spirit, as he found a shelter in the village coffee shop – along with his dog. At the coffee shop he finds warmth, food and sleeping quarters every day. He said that residents of Cephalonia are hospitable, he feels their love and does not plan on leaving the island, ever.

«In 1953′s big earthquake, British naval ships came to Cephalonia with soldiers to provide help. Today, Cephalonia residents are helping us,» says O’Leary.

Janet and Julian bought their house eight years ago in the village of Agios Dimitrios. The house held up through the earthquakes and the couple, both retirees, is not thinking of abandoning the island that they have fallen in love with.

O’Leary is a tourism social events organizer with a specialization in British nationals” weddings on the island. She is now working on 32 weddings being planned by young British couples for the summer and there have been no changes, despite the latest events on the island. In fact, two days ago, another young couple asked Donna to plan their wedding in July

source: ΑΜΝΑ

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