History Of Villa Quietude

Nearly all visitors to Villa Quietude ask about the history, when it was built, where the items of furniture came from etc. and thought when time was available it would be interesting to put pen to paper for our clients and my children.

The land was bought in the early 60's by Mr Cadbury of chocolate fame. Because foreigners at that time could not buy land in Greek border areas it was bought in the name of the local taxi driver called Gavionakkis. Building was started with imported stone not indigenous to the region. It may well come from the mainland. The initial construction consisted of the present lounge, dining room, and the front and middle bedrooms. The present dining room included the kitchen.

Mr Cadbury came on holidays with I understand two teenage daughters who did not appreciate spending their time in an isolated place in Corfu and wished the brighter lights of Corfu town with discos etc. It is hard to understand that at that time Ag. Stefanos consisted of about six houses, the church, an old building on Quietude side and a small Restaurant on the opposite side, the Restaurant on the beach, a house opposite Margaritas Supermarket and a couple of houses belonging to the Kefalinos family.

There were no services such as electricity, water or rubbish collection. The road to the village and the villa were passable by donkey, tractor and Land Rover. The nearest shop was at the top of the hill at Arillas with the inherited name of "Harrods".

Mr Cadbury duly sold the property to my father in about 1966 who by necessity had a full social program over many years and wanted to settle into a quiet life away from it all. The cost was Drachmas 800,000 and at about 54 drax. to the pound that worked out at about £17,000 including taxes etc. After the deal the price was considered outrageous by the locals.

Improvements started immediately with extensions to the main house, alterations, building of the cottage, water tank and garage. All the terracing was also done. Since then there has not been much major construction.

In 1976, I and my brother inherited the property from our father and due to my brother not wanting to be tied to Greece sold his share to me.

During the period 1976 to 1986 the house was difficult to keep in good repair as both my wife and I were working in Africa and only came over for our holidays and all the repairs had to be done in that period. The repairs were considerable due to the proximity of the sea and the gale winds during winter blowing from the sea towards the house carrying salt water.

We decided to let the house since it would get some airing and pay for basic up-keep. This was first done privately with Belinda Horley, she enjoyed the work and slowly expanded into Corfiot Holidays. Corfiot Holidays grew to become one of the largest holiday companies in Corfu and expanded into Portugal. This expansion proved too rapid without capital reserves and when the UK experienced hardships reflecting in holidays taken abroad the crunch occurred. The banks at the same time called in their overdrafts and Corfiot Holidays went into receivership.

In 1987 Something Special took over and we had an excellent relationship with them. Something Special was bought by Thomson who in turn were taken over by TUI the German tour operator. TUI was too large to give personal service to clients and myself so I decided to terminate the arrangement in 1999.

Over the past few years there have been improvements with communications, new kitchen, addition of A/C and PVC doors and windows,and they will continue. All being well, we are going green,hefty capital projects are due including being self sufficient in electricity by voltaic cell electricity generation. Additionally,biological sewage disposal and C/H

Moving on to the furnishings these are nearly all imported from various parts of Africa and the UK. Beds from the present Zimbabwe, antique dressing table and chairs from RSA. The black statuettes and the malachite and copper table were made in Zambia. This was specially poured at the Rhokana smelter and the malachite came from the Belgian Congo presently Zaire. The bronze statue is an exact replica of the "Dancing Fawn" in Pompeii. The jagged edged table in the third bedroom is best described as a cancerous growth from a tree in Zambia. The screen and desk are from the UK and the latter is from the Queen Anne period. The dining room table and benches were specially made from African hardwood and the table is one solid piece. Unfortunately a Greek workman drove a crowbar into the table top when unpacking so a half inch skim had to be taken off.

The large portrait was based on my mother and done by the well known artist Anna Zinkeisen when both were about 18 years old. The painting was damaged during the war and repaired by Anna herself. She went on to become a very well known portrait painter in the UK. Among her works is the Coronation Bouquet given by the Queen Mother to the Queen as a present. Other paintings include The Duke of Edinburgh, Heads of the Armed Services, Lord Mayors of London etc.

The furniture, paintings etc. form part of my family collection which are suitable for the Villa. We have tried to furnish it as a family home for you taking into consideration the fact that it is let, and would be grateful if at the same time the home is treated with respect, especially the antique furniture some of which is delicate.

We hope that you will make the most of the Villa and enjoy the pool. My wife and I wish you an enjoyable holiday and may see you when we come out to Ag. Stefanos at the weekends.

Angela and Gavin Mackay

For more information please contact us.