You can read all about this infuriatingly tricky but popular bar game at the Wallhooky web site where you can also buy a ready-made version from enthusiast Bob Gilmore.

The Ionian Beach Hotel has recently installed a Wallhooky carner in the beach bar and it has already become a great hit with the staff. It has also elicited much interest from guests and locals, mostly coupled with unconcealed expressions of bemusement, who invariably regard it as an English eccentricity rather than the proper game of skill that it actually is.  So, here’s a simple explanation of the game:

The Game

Take a heavy curtain ring and hang it from the ceiling by a piece of string. It should be positioned in such a way that when swung the ring can reach just one of the nearby walls, preferably below head height and preferably with the string at an angle of 45 degrees from vertical at the point of impact.

Then place a hook on the wall exactly where the ring makes contact. Thereafter, all you need to do is spend hours and hours swinging the ring across the room to try to land it on the hook.

The Rules

Normally played by 1-6 players, rules can vary from place to place but the Wallhooky.com site recommends basic rules similar to the following:

Warming-Up

• Before starting your game, players should take a little time for practice.
• Draw names or numbers to decide the play order.

Beginning A Game

• Player 1 stands in front of the hook and shoots up to 5 shots.
• If he/she makes it in (say) 3 shots, then 3 shots is the target for other players to tie or beat.
• Player 2 shoots up to 3 times.
• If he/she makes it in 2, this is the new target to beat. If he/she fails to do it in 3 or less, he/she is eliminated.
• Each additional player tries to beat the previous player’s target to avoid being eliminated. 
• If any player rings it in 1 shot, the previous players with 2 points or more are all eliminated.
• The survivor scores a point for winning this round and the game goes to Round 2 with all players back in.

Keeping Score

• Play as long as you like or until you have a clear champion!

Safety

1. Remember to be careful when swinging the ring, particularly around children or animals.
2. Don’t leave the ring hanging loose.  Always return it to the hook after playing.
3. Be warned! Skill levels tend to deteriorate with alcohol consumption, whereas enjoyment tends to improve!

Why do all our Greek friends from Patras head straight off home at around 6pm every night after a hard day’s sun-lounging on the beach?  Conversely, why do the Brits head straight for the bar?

We were just pondering that thought as we sat sipping our beers and cocktails one evening, eagerly awaiting that splendid hour when the sun dips behind the hill to the west of the hotel.  A wonderful fleeting moment that, despite happening like clockwork every day, never fails to be impressive and always surprises and delights us with its sheer magnificence.

Then we thought…. ‘Let’s make it official’!

Hence, The Ionian Beach Hotel Sunset Cocktail Party was born.  An utterly shameless and decadent excuse to chill-out, drink cocktails, listen to mellow music and marvel at, nay… celebrate, the passing of another day with the sun gently dipping below the horizon.

Will the Brits support it? You bet! They’re already queueing up to get involved well before the appointed hour.

Will the Greeks get it? It’s early days yet and they are clearly not as keen as the Brits, but there are positive signs that the locals are ready to embrace the new Sunset Party and make it their own.

In the meantime, we’re going to enjoy the free punch, sip lots of ‘happy hour’ cocktails and try desperately to look as smooth and sophisticated as we can possibly be.

BIO: Giles has been sailing for many years and has raced
competitively on Lasers. Giles is also a keen windsurfer and
with 4 seasons experience is an accomplished RYA Dinghy
instructor/Senior Instructor.

Dan Cook
Windsurf Instructor
Responsibilities: Safety on the water and windsurf courses and
clinics.

BIO: Dan first learnt to windsurf in Spain six years ago. He
has previously worked for PGL in the South of France and
completed a season snowboarding in the USA. Dan loves to
travel and is also a keen kite surfer!

Dan Conway
Dinghy Instructor
Responsibilities: Safety on the water and delivering dinghy
courses and clinics.
BIO: Dan Has been sailing for years and has spent the last few
years racing various boats including RS800’s and RS600’s. He has
previously worked for Pavilion Tours in Spain and started at the
Ionian Beach in 2008.

Billy Stevens
Sailing and Windsurf Instructor
Responsibilities: Safety on the water and delivering dinghy
courses and clinics.

BIO: Billy has been sailing since he was nine years old when he
attended a summer course at his local yacht club. Since then, he
has worked in Australia, Turkey, and Thailand. Billy competed in
the under 16s Hobie squad, and is currently working towards his
yachtmaster certificate.

Holly Santry
Dinghy Instructor
Responsibilities: Safety on the water, delivering dinghy courses
and clinics, excursions and motorised water sports.

BIO: Holly first learnt to sail yachts around the Ionian Islands,
but then turned her attentions to dinghies. She has since
completed summer seasons in the USA, Spain and the Ionian
Beach in 2007. She is equally passionate about sailing and skiing,
having worked a season in Val D’Isere.

Matt Palmer
Yacht Instructor/ Skipper
Responsibilities: Supervision of all offshore yachting activities in the seafarer yacht, ‘Captain Morgan’. Instructor on pre-flotilla 2 and 5 day sailing courses, plus skipper for day sails or evening ’sunset cruises’.

BIO: Matt learnt to sail in 1993, and has sailed extensively in Western Scotland, Southern England and the Mediterranean, and has also participated in the Tall Ships Races and a round the world yacht race. He has 9000 nautical miles yachting experience, and is also a diving instructor and a commercial pilot.

The bungalows have been stripped and repainted, the gardens have been trimmed and spruced and the beach has been bulldozed and raked ready for yet another fun-filled summer season of sun, sea, sand and sailing!

It never ceases to amaze me how much damage salty, sea air can do over the winter months. Bare metal can very quickly become oxidised and turn into dirty brown dust.  Perhaps the best example of this is the hinges on the beach changing room doors, being particularly exposed all year round.  There are now remnants of six, yes six(!), sets of hinges that have long since disintegrated and turned to dust on each of the cubicle doors.  Quite rightly, our new maintenance man, George Dimopoulos, has fixed the doors with a degree of scepticism as to just how long the new hinges will last.

Then there’s the air-conditioning units. We’ve had everything from birds nests to ant infestations as well as lots and lots of rust. Again, the repair works have been swift and effective and I’m glad to report a fully functioning set of air-conditioning units all just waiting for a final service inspection to ratify their clean bill of health. 

There’s still a long way to go before the hotel will be full but there’s a busy bank holiday weekend ahead and arrivals have started already.  This should be our chance to test out a few new recipes, try a few new ideas in the bars and introduce some of our loyal Greek guests to the improvements we have fashioned for them.

In the meantime, I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks to the hotel team (including our new Polish friends who helped with the painting) for all the hard work, energy and passion that has gone into preparing the hotel for its opening. Well done everyone. Excellent effort and I’m sure your contribution will be greatly appreciated by many guests to come.

Alan Potts