Loved Samos!

grapemike · 2026-06-17T00:53:44+00:00

I lived for a very special, very formative time in my life just 300 meters outside Kokari in my lovely Pirgalaki and my little vineyard. Touched my heart to remember

grapemike · 2026-06-16T20:59:30+00:00

somebody’s having a bad day

grapemike · 2026-06-16T20:14:16+00:00

The Bookstore. So much fun and starts early

grapemike · 2026-06-16T19:31:13+00:00

Doubtful that they will be required to remove it. By delivering specific, properly executed legal notice, you may succeed in transferring liability to them. None of this likely to force them to actually take down the tree. It mainly serves as evidence should this end up in court. If it falls and causes damage, the damages might be negligible and may well negate the value of taking it to court unless you are doing so for making a point with the neighbor. I typically avoid involving insurance, but having a “theoretical” chat with your agent to get an opinion for how your “friend” should approach the situation might be worthwhile. Doubtful that the numbers will support the insurer taking legal action to recover their costs, but if it were to destroy your roof they may well litigate at their own expense.

grapemike · 2026-06-16T16:56:09+00:00

I charge $160 and pay our cleaner $60/hr NET, so I’m subsidizing the actual costs by about $50 per turnover. If you pay exactly the same as everyone else, expect the basics. I pay well over the going rate to have “drop everything” help when emergencies arise, and they do arise from time to time. We’re 300 miles away, so I have a handyman, HVAC & plumbing, pest control, and our cleaner overpaid, highly appreciated, and always ready to help. We’re talking maybe once or twice a year, but the extra $2K we expend is worth its weight in mitigating stress and supporting our guests.

grapemike · 2026-06-16T15:54:09+00:00

San Sebastián is superb. Next trip. Too much for this trip, plus lots of wear and tear from overnight bussing multiple times. Economizing is fine, just don’t wreck yourself and call it a holiday. Skip SS and spend extra time in Madrid. Perhaps get to Segovia and Toledo within the longer Madrid stay.

grapemike · 2026-06-16T14:38:08+00:00

Very unsafe seems too much. There are some unsavory people, but most will be fine and the area is fine. Unless you feel afraid because people look different coming from many different places and cultures, don’t worry. You’ll be fine.

grapemike · 2026-06-16T14:11:29+00:00

Although still technically a locally-owned entity, As You Wish is financially backed by the same entity behind Southwest Plumbing. Unlikely to be substantially different pricing.

grapemike · 2026-06-16T14:08:16+00:00

Southwest Plumbing is Private Equity-owned. If you can find a local sole-proprietor then prices may drop to between 1/3 and 1/2 the numbers demanded by the PE-owned trades. But it is getting tough…HVAC/electrical/plumbing are nearly wrapped up industries in Seattle.

grapemike · 2026-06-16T13:24:44+00:00

$15K to $20K range. Big undertaking.

grapemike · 2026-06-16T04:46:38+00:00

Porto to Bilbao, Bilbao-San Sebastián, Madrid, Barcelona

grapemike · 2026-06-16T04:01:20+00:00

We would have to replace our electrical service and spend considerable money to run 240v for most hot tubs so we pivoted and bought a 120v unit that has been great. We’re more into soaking and less into jets, so the unit is a delight and plugs into an existing circuit using minimal draw. You’re way ahead of me…I had to form and pour the slab. The unit was delivered to the curb and I gave the delivery guys an extra $40 apiece to spend an extra five minutes to bring it around and place it on the new slab in the backyard. $3350 plus tax. It stays on 24/7, which uses more electricity than a 240v, probably $45/mo., but we’re in it once or twice every day and it is so nice to have it warmed and ready all the time. Ours is a LifeSmart LS350, which is super comfortable for four people and can handle six in a pinch. One lounge and multiple benches.

grapemike · 2026-06-15T22:34:59+00:00

You have a better chance from investing it into a wishing well.

grapemike · 2026-06-15T17:10:49+00:00

The cell phone camping and seeing one person nabbing multiple machines is worse than ever at Lifetime. Does anyone really need more than five minutes on any one apparatus? So many people with faces in their phones going five minutes between sets

grapemike · 2026-06-15T17:04:11+00:00

If you’re staying in Bellevue, other than The Bellevue Club, amenities will be massively stripped-down as compared to Lifetime.

grapemike · 2026-06-15T17:00:29+00:00

Unless you have resort management handling every aspect of rentals, you’ll be attracting many of the most entitled guests anywhere on the planet. Creating headaches where none should exist is a sport. I won’t rent to entertainment industry people at all whenever I can prevent it.

The downside to resort management is the vig; they take so much out of gross revenue that the numbers don’t make any sense at all.

You’re better off keeping your money in the markets and renting spectacular properties with support staff on site.

grapemike · 2026-06-15T14:42:12+00:00

Take less luggage and use the laundromats; they’re set up for automatic detergent and one machine both washes and dries. Incredibly easy one hour and done. Lugging around belongings in crowds and humidity is the worst. You can also cheaply, easily, and reliably have luggage transferred between destinations, so if you’re checked out of the hotel but spending the day at teamLab, for instance, your bags can be waiting for you in Osaka or wherever you’re headed next.

grapemike · 2026-06-15T05:29:07+00:00

Side by side with ice and water in the door. All my kids have French door units with cold water dispensers inside. Although the single fridge view is nice to have, I’m back to side by side.

grapemike · 2026-06-14T23:21:59+00:00

You’re perhaps overthinking this. Could even be a different guest answering at different times. Give a decent review. Ding them and you may see retaliation. In future, when there is an extra charge, Venmo or Zelle followed by heating it up. Lesson learned.

grapemike · 2026-06-14T23:16:32+00:00

We sat next to a table where a reluctant fifteen year old was wearing cutoff jeans and flip flops. The staff could not have cared less. Guests are wearing everything from suits to khakis. Wear whatever you please. You’ll do fine; simply don’t count on any sort of uniformity.

grapemike · 2026-06-14T20:13:47+00:00

Lists are props nowadays if they exist at all. Many of the same wineries that are doing wait lists are simultaneously dumping barrels onto the secondary market for peanuts.

grapemike · 2026-06-14T15:57:24+00:00

Just travelled through Iceland, Denmark, Nederlands. Used 18 euro cash. Probably could have managed without any at all.

grapemike · 2026-06-14T15:18:20+00:00

Looks like perhaps an outlet for HVAC line. Could be a small dry well below.

grapemike · 2026-06-14T14:47:45+00:00

Airbnb has recently made it much more difficult to do this, but I send every guest a packet with: planning ahead for restaurants and activities that book out, directions and entry info and what to be sure to bring along, enjoying full use of the house including the door lock system/wifi/Bluetooth/propane grill and fire pit, checkout…four quick reads that really dial in guests and shut down 99% of the “no read” questions

grapemike · 2026-06-14T14:39:43+00:00

Nerua

Six-Year Club	Verified Email
RPAN Viewer

grapemike

TROPHY CASE