Monday 16 February 2015

My Old Man says follow the Van….

I don't know whether you are old enough to remember that song of my parent's era?  It was an old Music Hall number…..
Well, the truck turned up on time, down at the Paralia, where we had agreed to meet so that we could guide the driver to where we are living.  There are no road names and no house numbers here in Thermi so we could not give an address.  The way of things is simply to arrange to meet and/or telephone with vague directions.  We met at the corner of the road, literally on the bend.  It is a recipe for disaster and would be controlled in the UK by a roundabout or 4 sets of traffic lights.  Here, everyone knows the road, looks out for themselves and the stray dogs who wander across in front of cars, and manages to avoid traffic mayhem by remaining in control, patient, amenable….
The loading took about an hour.  The driver standing on the back of the truck, his mate picking up our furniture single handed and lifting it aboard.  Once loaded, all it needed was polythene covering.
In the lines of the old song,  we Dilly'd and Dallied on the way - stopping off for a coffee, driving the long way round, whilst the van - with my home in it - wound it's way through the mountain road to Skala Polichnitos.  And still we arrived before them.  Unloading was fast; perhaps it was the black rain clouds piling up behind the house.  Once all was inside we paid their wages and waved them off.  Simple. Job done.
That was a week ago.  We still have not unpacked……but that's another story!!

Tuesday 10 February 2015

Water and waterbirds

Saturday at Skala Polichnitos to see whether we have power and/or water; we have one but not both.  Our journey over there from Thermi was made in glorious sunshine and warmth. The route takes us past an area of wetlands close to the town of Kalloni and we stopped the car to enjoy the views and take some photographs.  This area is full of Flamingoes feeding in the salty marshes around the salt pans of Kalloni and today some of these wonderful birds were close enough to us for photographing.
We spotted large white Egrets, a grey Heron, and smaller white Egrets all foraging and fishing for food in the sandy water.
As the day was still and warm the reflections were stunning.
I am continually marvelling at the scenery of this beautiful island and seeing it in the winter months when the light is crystal clear makes it more stunning.
Arriving at our new house we tested the water supply only to discover several leaks in the supply pipe outside and down the garden;  no wonder those palms have grown to such an impressive size!

Wednesday 4 February 2015

The house is now ours!

This evening we attended the Notary and signed the final contract on the purchase of our Lesbos house.  A very exciting day and now we are at the local sports bar kafenion enjoying a lovely simple Greek meal of fish, greens with olive oil and lemon juice with cheese, olives, fresh toasted bread…..mmmm.  Followed - when you ask for the bill - by a dish of yogurt with honey, on the house.
Greeks emerge at 9 pm onwards to enjoy their suppers in this way.  Suddenly the bar transforms into a restaurant, paper tablecloths are produced, the elderly Greeks with their prayer beads go home after the football finishes,  music replaces the tv and people come in twos and small groups to eat together. The room buzzes with conversation and good humour, the sound of the bouzuki as a background.

Sunday 1 February 2015

1st February 2015 A new month and a new beginning

Thermi, Lesbos 


The westerly wind is blowing across the island of Lesbos in a gusting gale that's been furiously trying to get indoors since yesterday morning.  Appropriate for this festival of Imbolc - the beginning of Spring and the 'quickening' of the year.  Time for spring cleaning.  Time to let go of the past and look to the future.  
Sitting watching the trees bending in the wind reminds me to be flexible and allow these enormous gusts of change to sway me, but not to break me.  I have wanted this change for so long and now it is upon me.
Sharing with you the story of this change, the Odyssey that brought me to Lesbos, I hope to inspire and encourage you to create the change you dream about too.