Found this on the Corfu News web site
it was written in 2006 by John Payne
I think we can all relate to Mr Payne's words within the article
Thoroughly enjoyed reading it
http://www.corfunews.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=45
So wish I was in Arillas now
wow and what a read indeed........yammas john ..x
Wonderful! Thank you for finding it, John - loved reading it
Janis x
I loved it, have sat there myself at the end of the season, watching the rain pouring down and supping Coffee with Dimitris. These times always stay dear in the heart. The way John has written this is amazing. Viv
A very wise man is John Payne, in my view. And so observant. He has captured exactly the feelings that Jen and I have in the last week of season (the likes of which rarely get stated on forum because I can't write them nearly so well.)
Would love to meet this chap. Can we invite him to "table 13" in July John? Thanks for sharing such a lovely find with us all
Phil
Thanks for the link, John. Sums it all up quite well, I think.
Paul
Great story John...I think I may even have been there that night. The Liverpool accent was probably Trish. It was so wet that I went over to the Rainbow one night for dinner in my bikini and changed there. We were staying opposite at the Arillas Inn Apartments that time and got absolutely drenched just crossing the road.
Happy days!
Just lovely! Good job Ref for finding it :)
That's one of the best read's about Arillas I have ever seen. Thanks John
What a lovely read!
Great read, I'd gladly swap the rain of Newcastle today for the rain of Arillas circa 2006. Doubly so as we have just had a fire alarm (false alarm) and had to stand in the carpark at work for 5 minutes in the rain. :-(
Gary
Such an evocative piece of writing about Brouklis. I could visualise the place - the table and the vines so beautifully described. I was lucky enough to be there one October in 2009 and had a week of mixed weather. Sunny days followed by tremendous thunder storms!
The welcome however was always the same - warm and friendly. I do believe that the people of Arillas are as glad to see us as we are to be there! I hope that the economic climate improves for us all and we can relax in that "happy place" we know so well.
Cheers Nan x
We, too, were there in October`09. 1 - 15.
First week, fine and dry, second week, four days rain.
Did it matter; NO.
Roll on August.
Paul
Thank you to you all for the nice comments on my article "Table 13". I've written a number of articles related to Corfu over the years and a few other subjects as they have had a relevance for me. I have put them here
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v0nb43bkjqv8d2d/L596-vyzWf
for anyone who is interested in a bit more reading ...perhaps on a wet day....would love to take up the offer to meet at Table 13 in July...happy to send you my address for the flight tickets!!
I will be experiencing my first trip to the Wine Festival this year and will be in Corfu 3-10 Sept....staying very close to Brouklis....should be lots of subject matter to write about....thanks again to you all.
Thank you John for the most interesting evening I have spent in a long long time.
Your articles are wonderful and you speak for all of us who love Arillas and this corner of North West Corfu. You have such insight.
I really enjoyed the other pieces as well, the IOM has gained such a humorous son.
It is not often that you can find such well written, entertaining and clever articles sprinkled with such personal feelings that the reader instinctively knows are true.
The funny lists were great as well. Keep up the good work.
Val x
I wish John (Payne.) Can barely afford our own air tickets.... But our JohnTheRef and lovely wife Dot will be having our traditional meal at Brouklis the night we arrive. With any luck it will be Bourdetto and Galactoboureko for me, but hey ho, I would enjoy anything there.
Will be reading all of your articles. After our Val's recommendation I justknow that "justphil" will really enjoy.
Phil
John
I was so pleased when I found Table 13 it is unusual for me to sit and read but I found Table 13 fascinating.
Now I find there are more fascinating articles to read following your post
I have just read The Village on the road to nowhere.
Wonderful, I now await in anticipation to read more
Thank you so much
John the ref
Just read most of Johns' articles again.
They really are a very good read by a man who has such depth of feelings for Corfu and Arillas.
It's not often I reread things quite so quickly.
Val x
I posted this topic in April just before the summer season began. The story of Table 13 grabbed me it took me to our little village and I loved every word. I recalled having dinner in Brouklis in October 2010 when my sister and her husband came for their first visit I recalled an early May visit in 2008 when my son and his partner came with us for their first visit, that was also the first time we had taken Kieran or grandson (Kieran is an old hand now). It gave me such a wonderful feeling, remembering the night we sat in Brouklis watching the fireflies dancing in the field opposite. Such wonderful memories I cherish so dearly. It also reminded me of dinners with Phil and Jen in high summer, lots of laughter with Dimitris and his wonderful staff, such good times we have shared there.
The season is now over and I have just read the Story again, once more it has filled me with memories, memories that will remain with me forever. I just love this story; I may not be able to visit next summer but should that happen I will be transported there by just clicking on the link.
http://www.corfunews.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=45
The story of Table 13 will fill my heart and the memories will come flooding back.
TABLE 13, I so wish I was there, back amongst friends.
Thanks to John for the reminder, I just love 'Very Late Being Early' and have read it many times, each time I read it I see something different.
The new life that the locals pour into the village each spring is something I love reading about, Eggy tells us what is happening each year, but John Payne (Manxman) tells it like a tourist sees it. With the joy of seeing something we see for only few weeks each year.
I often think that the waiter up the ladder is Vassilis from Amourada or maybe George from Malibu..... and the 'two Scots' carrying back the bread are Eileen and Keith walking back to Villa Linakis after a good lunch on an early spring visit.
I suppose neither is true except in my mind.... but it's a beautiful picture.
This is the link to read all John Paynes articles.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v0nb43bkjqv8d2d/L596-vyzWf
Val x
I also wish every visitor and resident of Arillas would read John's download entitled 'The Moral Imperative' it has such feeling from someone who loves this beautiful village.
Val x
Just read it agree wouldn't it be lovely to write and sum up things so well.Jenny
Just been on FB and noticed that John Payne had mentioned this wonderful piece (Table 13) on the FB Brouklis Taverna page.
I had to come back here and reminisce. read all the posts again and I have come to the conclusion that TABLE 13 is part of our lives we have all sat in Brouklis and had that feeling that no matter where we are sitting and at whatever table we are at, we have all sat at TABLE 13
Dimitris told me he has not got numbers on his tables, Now we all know why, they all have the same number.
May TABLE 13 be your favourite table.
Yes John it it will always be my special table.
I hope that you and Dot will share the same table with Bill and I, and many other friends in the not too distant future.
Val x
Hope so Val, Still working on this year and there may be a little glimmer of hope. will know more soon....never say never.
Fingers crossed Dot and John x
Val x
Just read Table 13 again along with other articles on Corfu.net. Well worth reading and gives us something to think about.
Corfu island is a place that needs preserving, environmentally and culturally - in some small way, I hope myself and all Arilliacs, can help achieve this.
Paul