I would like to thank Sol-Maria and Adonis for inviting me to do this interview, it was a lovely experience ! I was a little nervous in the beginning having never done a video interview but they made me feel very relaxed ! To all my friends far and wide I hope you enjoy the video and please feel free to share it where ever you can ,also please leave a comment below if you can.
Hey Neil, we had a really good time! Was afraid we messed up the sound 😛 But it worked out in the end. You are inspiring for our generation and we feel some of us need a bit of courage to get going towards what we dream of. Good luck with the renovation project!
Thank you for loving Greece so much. Did I understand correctly that you are married with a Greek? . I know many cases were Greek men in the islands married tourists (women) but not the other way around. What was the reaction from the local community and your wife's family? Do your children feel more Greek or British? I suppose they speak Greek as their native language.
@@wuerzelburg Hi , you are right not many Greek girls / ladies marry foreigners. My wife's family were suspicious in the beginning, I feel very accepted by most locals. Our children as you say are bilingual but prefer English to Greek as they use the internet way too much.
He may be speaking English but his mannerisms and cadence of his speech- the slight way he jerks his shoulders, tilts his head, blinks his eyes are absolutely pure greek. What a great interview!
Well, I can ensure you that foreigners never become Greeks. Arabs in France do not become French, Chinese in Germany won't become Germans. I am a foreigner in Greece too, but although I am here for nearly 40 years I've not become a Greek. Of course there is some influence by the foreign country you are living in, but basic things will never change, unless you're moving somewhere in a very young age. The more differences there are between two countries the more difficult becomes assimilation. Now, Greece and its people were quite different 50 years ago. Nowadays differences inside Europe are getting smaller and smaller day by day. One example is traffic. 50 years ago, a driver who was violating the traffic rules shoutet at me: "Edo einai Ellada, malak....!" I've never heard this again so far. 50 years ago you didn't see Greeks going for a walk with a dog, nowadays I can see many. I am sure there are much more such examples, which show how Greece has changed. Not always for the better, but then not always for the worse. Gia sou!
Nonsensical. He never really embraced the Greek culture, he just went there on a whim and sort of a push by friends, and likes not having as many people around.
@@user-abcxyz-xr2eg yes first generation may not become greek for obvious reasons, because of a language barrier and culture and traditions but every generation after will be 100% greek when they are born and grow up in greece. i know a few from germany and uk who have children and even grandchildren, no one would think they are not indeginous greek. they speak and act like greek even beeing late on time like greek 😉
Met Neil in 1994 in Meganisi. We have a similar life story. I also raced motorcycles and became an expat around the same time as he. Neil is an extra-ordinary guy, a one off. His early life story left him with some massive obstacles to overcome. A true fighter and a winner. I feel privilaged to know ya mate.
Thank you for your kind comments, I am embarrassed to say I cannot remember you. As you can imagine I have met hundreds of people from all over the world, wishing you all the best !
@@lefkasman How many people do you know who raced bikes between 1976 and '82, at Snetterton, Donnington, Mallory, Cadwell, Aintree, Croft and so on? Have fun guessing.
@@jayaet Hi, it is so long ago I cannot remember. I knew so many people back then, I belonged to several clubs. British formula racing club, Newmarket, racing 50 and Bemsee. That meant I was racing nearly every weekend, Snetterton was my main track and I only lived 30 miles away from it. Raced also at Cadwell , west raynam, once at brands and Watton. I was quite good friends with a guy called Tony Richardson, Kenny Irons and Colin Pole were the best guys if I remember correctly in the 500cc proddy class. In my first year everyone was on rd 400's second year LC 350's .
@@jayaet here's a few, Greg Paige , Andy Key , the railton brothers Dave and Nick, Simon buckmaster, Fred Curry, Alan Marshal, Kurt Langham, NAT Woods ( he lived close to me) Knew so many people but cannot remember them all. I got seriously hurt at Snetterton and had to stop
Don't know whether you are Greek (probably) or a foreigner. Philosopher you are not in any way though. Every country can be paradise for some people (even North Korea) or hell for others. It depends on many different circumstances, personal and objective ones. The only "paradise" I can accept as being the real one is paradise after our death - which I don't regard as a religious term. There is no heaven or hell, just nothing, which is the real paradise. That's my personal opinion. By the way, I had been traveling to Greece every year since 1974, before I settled down permanently in 1986. My first 25 years I had to stay in Athens (closer to hell), now after retirement we moved to the country-side (closer to paradise). Then it comes to the terms: what is hell for someone can be paradise for somebody else or the opposite. And last but not least: paradise won't be found in the outer world, only in your inner world, if ever. P.S.: I am not claiming to be a philosopher in any way! lol
Respect👍This is one of the best videos for me🤩We are going to greece 3x4 Times a year since 1988.We have seen a lot of Islands and the mainland . We love Greece.The people,their way of live,the nature...everything.In may my husband will go again to Lefkada for sailing👍all the best and take care.
Hi Neil, Great to see and hear you. Nice to hear you're doing well in Lefkada. Had an amazing time in Lefkada with you and the gang and learnt a lot from you all at the start of my yachting career in the early 2010's. You, your family and Lefkada will always hold a happy place in my heart
Rewind to 1999 and I'd booked my first Villa Flotilla sailing holiday, based at the Athos Hotel in Nidri for the first week and I think I used to see you at the Tree bar Neil. I'm sure you were living on a yacht moored off the pontoon near to the hotel. Great to see you are keeping well and are still enjoying life in Greece :)
Great to see your video, and that you are so content on Lefkas! We are in November now in the Uk with dull dark days, but the colour of the autumn leaves are quite something. We have our fireworks and Christmas lights to brighten life up. Great we can all meet up again after the restrictions of Covid. The Yare pub in Brundall is closing in a weeks time - that is sad, if you remember the interior has a lot of social history and has not changed since the 1960’s. All the best to you and your family!
Reporter : Favourite Greek word ? Neil : Ae sto diaolo...! Me (as a native Greek) : hahahahahahhahahahhaha You are one of us my dear Neil! You definitely are!!
@@occihum9115 No, he isn't a Greek and i know that. You like it or not, it is a part of Greek culture! It's not acceptable from all people, for a thousand reasons, but it does exist in the (my, your, his, her) Greek culture as well.
@@occihum9115 …it’s meant as a compliment……what would you call me ,with 5 west and south European nationalities, speaking 8 languages, having lived in many countries ? So much nicer being cosmopolitan …than typical something.
Very nice interview. I'm a 68 year old Brit and Swiss having lived in Switzerland for over 34 years. I was born in Cyprus and am currently learning Greek as my 5th European language. I am very tempted by the climate, landscape, sea, mentality and food of Greece or Cyprus. Most of my loved ones live a flight away, so it would only add another hour or so to the flights necessary. My only concern is that I live alone and would prefer to make such a move with a partner, if I had one. I don't want to move to a new country again without knowing anyone at my age. All the best, Rob in Switzerland
Love your videos on Lefkada. I'm a sailor, windsurfer and sailmaker with a goal of moving to Greece. My wife and I are visiting Greece in Oct '22 for the first time and are driving west to see the Ionian Sea and it's beautiful islands. I enjoyed Neil's story, his windsurfing and sailing are similar to mine.
@@lefkasman We did! Stayed two nights in Lefkas town and another in Visilaki. Really nice. As a sailmaker I was amazed at the quantity of sailboats in that part of the world.
Interesting video and interview overall.. A very interesting man and his story! Thumbs up but, Horrible audio.. aspecialy seating next a very loud group of people etc... Also the way you've presented the questions was a bit difficult to read... Sory
Well Neil, what a crazy and brave thing you did back in 1987. The only thing that Lefkas and the Norfolk Broads Cantley have in common is that both are fairly small communities. I’m surprised how little Cantley has changed but you are so right that the time and place of our youth no longer exists. What a different life you chose and carved out for yourself from tiny Norfolk village boat-builder to ex-pat yacht racer, you are the master of your fate and the captain of your soul.
When the Normans occupied Britain, all the old aristocracy got into 50 ships and came and found asylum in the Byzantine Empire, where the emperor of Constantinople2 behaved very friendly and gave them estates and a place in the Crimea, then Greek territory, to build their city.
It's very unusualy that you call the island "Lefkas", I mean don't get me wrong it's still perfectly legitimate Greek, it's just old Greek, nowadays everyone says "Lefkada" (with that very soft "da" in the end which kinda sounds like "tha"). Do locals still call it "Lefkas"?
Neal is a likeable gentleman but apparently Greece has not affected his English manners. After so many years in Greece he should be gesticulating a lot and have emotional bursts every now and then...
@@livingonagreekisland yes, but that's exactly why he should be bursting emotionally and gesticulating - as an average Greek would do! Neal completely maintened his composure and that's a rare gift of English gentlemanly behaviour! More than 30 years in Greece did not affect that!
![ค้าง (STILL) - GEMINI [ OFFICIAL MV ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ftxx3hk5vkU/mqdefault.jpg)
I would like to thank Sol-Maria and Adonis for inviting me to do this interview, it was a lovely experience !
I was a little nervous in the beginning having never done a video interview but they made me feel very relaxed ! To all my friends far and wide I hope you enjoy the video and please feel free to share it where ever you can ,also please leave a comment below if you can.
Hey Neil, we had a really good time! Was afraid we messed up the sound 😛 But it worked out in the end. You are inspiring for our generation and we feel some of us need a bit of courage to get going towards what we dream of. Good luck with the renovation project!
Ou were great. I'm in cape town contemplating a move to Greece. I speak the language, but I'm hesitant of the bureaucracy.
Thank you for loving Greece so much. Did I understand correctly that you are married with a Greek? . I know many cases were Greek men in the islands married tourists (women) but not the other way around. What was the reaction from the local community and your wife's family?
Do your children feel more Greek or British? I suppose they speak Greek as their native language.
@@wuerzelburg Hi , you are right not many Greek girls / ladies marry foreigners. My wife's family were suspicious in the beginning, I feel very accepted by most locals.
Our children as you say are bilingual but prefer English to Greek as they use the internet way too much.
@@lefkasman 🇬🇷❤️🇬🇧
He may be speaking English but his mannerisms and cadence of his speech- the slight way he jerks his shoulders, tilts his head, blinks his eyes are absolutely pure greek. What a great interview!
Well, I can ensure you that foreigners never become Greeks. Arabs in France do not become French, Chinese in Germany won't become Germans. I am a foreigner in Greece too, but although I am here for nearly 40 years I've not become a Greek. Of course
there is some influence by the foreign country you are living in, but basic things will never change, unless you're moving somewhere in a very young age. The more differences there are between two countries the more difficult becomes assimilation. Now, Greece and its people were quite different 50 years ago. Nowadays differences inside Europe are getting smaller and smaller day by day.
One example is traffic. 50 years ago, a driver who was violating the traffic rules shoutet at me: "Edo einai Ellada, malak....!" I've never heard this again so far. 50 years ago you didn't see Greeks going for a walk with a dog, nowadays I can see many. I am sure there are much more such examples, which show how Greece has changed. Not always for the better, but then not always for the worse. Gia sou!
Nonsensical. He never really embraced the Greek culture, he just went there on a whim and sort of a push by friends, and likes not having as many people around.
@@user-abcxyz-xr2eg yes first generation may not become greek for obvious reasons, because of a language barrier and culture and traditions but every generation after will be 100% greek when they are born and grow up in greece.
i know a few from germany and uk who have children and even grandchildren, no one would think they are not indeginous greek.
they speak and act like greek even beeing late on time like greek 😉
Nice interview. Nice having in Greece a sturdy Scotsman. I always thought we share some common craziness with our cousins up north 😂
Good man. Sounds like he had a good life in Greece, found what he came for and gave back to the community. I love Lefkada, he picked a good spot.
I am currently learning Greek. I am in love with the Greek language. Good luck, sir!
Great to hear Neil chatting about his "new" life. Maybe we could have further (annual) updates??
A very modest man, when you find them they're worth listening to.
Met Neil in 1994 in Meganisi. We have a similar life story. I also raced motorcycles and became an expat around the same time as he. Neil is an extra-ordinary guy, a one off. His early life story left him with some massive obstacles to overcome. A true fighter and a winner. I feel privilaged to know ya mate.
Thank you for your kind comments, I am embarrassed to say I cannot remember you. As you can imagine I have met hundreds of people from all over the world, wishing you all the best !
@@lefkasman How many people do you know who raced bikes between 1976 and '82, at Snetterton, Donnington, Mallory, Cadwell, Aintree, Croft and so on? Have fun guessing.
@@jayaet Hi, it is so long ago I cannot remember. I knew so many people back then, I belonged to several clubs. British formula racing club, Newmarket, racing 50 and Bemsee. That meant I was racing nearly every weekend, Snetterton was my main track and I only lived 30 miles away from it. Raced also at Cadwell , west raynam, once at brands and Watton. I was quite good friends with a guy called Tony Richardson, Kenny Irons and Colin Pole were the best guys if I remember correctly in the 500cc proddy class. In my first year everyone was on rd 400's second year LC 350's .
@@jayaet here's a few, Greg Paige , Andy Key , the railton brothers Dave and Nick, Simon buckmaster, Fred Curry, Alan Marshal, Kurt Langham, NAT Woods ( he lived close to me)
Knew so many people but cannot remember them all. I got seriously hurt at Snetterton and had to stop
Interesting story - for as Greeks it is really interesting hearing stories from people coming to our country
New subscribe 👍
Greece is a paradise
You're obviously never lived there
@@Sorennn94and you have never lived outside of Greece! Obviously!
@Notlikeyou1401 I'm living for the past 5 years out if Greece
You get two Greeks....you get THREE opinions.
Don't know whether you are Greek (probably) or a foreigner. Philosopher you are not in any way though. Every country can be paradise for some people (even North Korea) or hell for others. It depends on many different circumstances, personal and objective ones. The only "paradise" I can accept as being the real one is paradise after our death - which I don't regard as a religious term.
There is no heaven or hell, just nothing, which is the real paradise. That's my personal opinion. By the way, I had been traveling to Greece every year since 1974, before I settled down permanently in 1986. My first 25 years I had to stay in Athens (closer to hell), now after retirement we moved to the country-side (closer to paradise). Then it comes to the terms: what is hell for someone can be paradise for somebody else or the opposite. And last but not least: paradise won't be found in the outer world, only in your inner world, if ever. P.S.: I am not claiming to be a philosopher in any way! lol
Respect👍This is one of the best videos for me🤩We are going to greece 3x4 Times a year since 1988.We have seen a lot of Islands and the mainland . We love Greece.The people,their way of live,the nature...everything.In may my husband will go again to Lefkada for sailing👍all the best and take care.
Way of life...
Hi Neil,
Great to see and hear you. Nice to hear you're doing well in Lefkada. Had an amazing time in Lefkada with you and the gang and learnt a lot from you all at the start of my yachting career in the early 2010's. You, your family and Lefkada will always hold a happy place in my heart
That was really interesting! Thank you for that. I can't wait for the next episode 😎
We can't wait to do the next episode 😉 Thanks for watching!
Rewind to 1999 and I'd booked my first Villa Flotilla sailing holiday, based at the Athos Hotel in Nidri for the first week and I think I used to see you at the Tree bar Neil. I'm sure you were living on a yacht moored off the pontoon near to the hotel. Great to see you are keeping well and are still enjoying life in Greece :)
Great to see your video, and that you are so content on Lefkas! We are in November now in the Uk with dull dark days, but the colour of the autumn leaves are quite something. We have our fireworks and Christmas lights to brighten life up. Great we can all meet up again after the restrictions of Covid. The Yare pub in Brundall is closing in a weeks time - that is sad, if you remember the interior has a lot of social history and has not changed since the 1960’s. All the best to you and your family!
I want to live in rhodes, beautiful
Place. On the coast near the city. Not too far north but close enough for interaction during winter. Perfection.
Looking good Neil. Lovely to hear your story, Susie and Joe.
Very nice questions. ❤
2.10 Yes....i too succumbed to the windsurfing fever.
Very nice video and what a wise man
A true hero, lol. Life in Greece is not easy. It's getting better though.
Great interview. Love it. 👏🙏
Loved this interview. Funny and honest. Made me home sick for Lefkada 🙁
Very well put Neil. I have to say I can identify with a everything you said and so agree with your comments.
Reporter : Favourite Greek word ?
Neil : Ae sto diaolo...!
Me (as a native Greek) : hahahahahahhahahahhaha You are one of us my dear Neil! You definitely are!!
He isn't a Greek, he just lives in Greece.
Also, my (Greek) culture isn't defined by curse words, I don't know about yours
@@occihum9115 No, he isn't a Greek and i know that.
You like it or not, it is a part of Greek culture! It's not acceptable from all people, for a thousand reasons, but it does exist in the (my, your, his, her) Greek culture as well.
@@chrismichal8242 He's an expat in Greece, not a part of the people.
Stop naming foreigners living in Greece as Greeks
@@occihum9115 are your parents greek?
@@occihum9115 …it’s meant as a compliment……what would you call me ,with 5 west and south European nationalities, speaking 8 languages, having lived in many countries ? So much nicer being cosmopolitan …than typical something.
Bikes, boats and beer! Cheers! RH
What a sweet guy !!!
If I may say that the background noise just adds authenticity to your great video. So nothing to apologise
Very nice interview. I'm a 68 year old Brit and Swiss having lived in Switzerland for over 34 years. I was born in Cyprus and am currently learning Greek as my 5th European language. I am very tempted by the climate, landscape, sea, mentality and food of Greece or Cyprus. Most of my loved ones live a flight away, so it would only add another hour or so to the flights necessary. My only concern is that I live alone and would prefer to make such a move with a partner, if I had one. I don't want to move to a new country again without knowing anyone at my age. All the best, Rob in Switzerland
Rob, I am learning Greek too. And I did live in Zurich, only for a year though. Good on you mate.
Love your videos on Lefkada. I'm a sailor, windsurfer and sailmaker with a goal of moving to Greece. My wife and I are visiting Greece in Oct '22 for the first time and are driving west to see the Ionian Sea and it's beautiful islands. I enjoyed Neil's story, his windsurfing and sailing are similar to mine.
Did you make it to visit Lefkada ?
@@lefkasman We did! Stayed two nights in Lefkas town and another in Visilaki. Really nice. As a sailmaker I was amazed at the quantity of sailboats in that part of the world.
@@chipbuck8219 it is over crowded now to be honest, crews are more concerned about getting quay space than sailing nowadays.
Very Nice Video! Is this video meant to be a documentary of your life? 😊👍🏻👍🏻
this video is great!
Hey there! Thanks for your kind feedback! Yamas!
That's a great photo of Taxi Bill!
Meganisi is located in 7 islands its a small paradise
Ωραίο βίντεο
🧡
his mannerisms are soo greek
Interesting video and interview overall..
A very interesting man and his story!
Thumbs up but,
Horrible audio.. aspecialy seating next a very loud group of people etc...
Also the way you've presented the questions was a bit difficult to read...
Sory
love this intervieuw..how about hospitals ect??
Well Neil, what a crazy and brave thing you did back in 1987. The only thing that Lefkas and the Norfolk Broads Cantley have in common is that both are fairly small communities. I’m surprised how little Cantley has changed but you are so right that the time and place of our youth no longer exists. What a different life you chose and carved out for yourself from tiny Norfolk village boat-builder to ex-pat yacht racer, you are the master of your fate and the captain of your soul.
Why brave?
When the Normans occupied Britain, all the old aristocracy got into 50 ships and came and found asylum in the Byzantine Empire, where the emperor of Constantinople2 behaved very friendly and gave them estates and a place in the Crimea, then Greek territory, to build their city.
real
What do you mean “brave enough”, to move to Greece? Makes Greece sound like a far off, dangerous non European country .
if you were a Brit you'd understand, everyone will call you "brave" for doing it, we're kind of scared to do things like big moves as a rule
🍻
It's very unusualy that you call the island "Lefkas", I mean don't get me wrong it's still perfectly legitimate Greek, it's just old Greek, nowadays everyone says "Lefkada" (with that very soft "da" in the end which kinda sounds like "tha"). Do locals still call it "Lefkas"?
Chicken is not supposed to be served cold in Greece either !! Restaurant must have been crap 😁
Still windsurfing?
Unfortunately not !
Neal is a likeable gentleman but apparently Greece has not affected his English manners. After so many years in Greece he should be gesticulating a lot and have emotional bursts every now and then...
As you can imagine when you give your first interview ever you are a bit anxious 😉
@@livingonagreekisland yes, but that's exactly why he should be bursting emotionally and gesticulating - as an average Greek would do! Neal completely maintened his composure and that's a rare gift of English gentlemanly behaviour! More than 30 years in Greece did not affect that!
Greenpack my love
I lived in mainland Greece for 15 years. The countryside is beautiful, but the people are not! You are ALWAYS an outsider...xenos.
Well said, Neil, not about Brexit obviously
Well said about Brexit Neil : it’s an utter disaster !
Off grid
Very bad sound,
What a nice chap👍🍺