Running on Rhodes

Granddaughter Nels ran a half marathon last weekend on the Greek island of Rhodes. 

She has been training for weeks, running up Poros hills and through Athens streets. 

A half marathon is a long trek of 21.097 kilometres and runners have 3 hours to finish. 

Rhodes

Coming into land

The course starts and ends in the centre of Rhodes Town and begins at 7.30 am. You have to be a serious athlete to start competing at this early hour. 

The weather was perfect for running. No April showers.  Blue skies all the way, along the coast and through the historic town

It did start raining unfortunately after the race and spoiled their celebrations.  

They didn't dance in the streets but eating lamb chops and sticky sweets at a taverna doesn't sound too bad. 

The day before they're told to eat lots of carbs, pizza and pasta to build up their stamina. 

A wonderful diet but the only problem is you have to run 20 kilometres to burn it all off. 

Nels finished in under 2 hours

Here she is on the left with the rest of her team after receiving her medal

She said it was terrific, an unbelievable experience. 

Her next goal of course is a complete marathon, 42.19 kilometres. 

Meantime at the beginning of May she'll be running a 10k race around Poros. She's run that before and I'm sure this time she will be leaving the rest behind to eat her dust. 

She and her sister Poppi participate in the yearly athletic happening Poros Sea.  Their mother and father and brother run the 5k race. 

I'll be there to cheer them on.  I was hoping one day to run 5ks with them. I can walk 5 Ks easy enough but run that far?  It might take a bit more energy than I can conjure up. 

But never say never! 

We could have a multinational family team. I have nephews and nieces in NZ and Australia who run for fun. And niece Niki who's goal is also to run a marathon. 

The island of Rhodes was the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. 

Nowadays it's a popular tourist destination. It has beautiful beaches, many ancient ruins and the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Ruins in Spring

 The Temple to Poseidon in Spring. 

Or what little remains of a  village and temple complex after 4,000 years. I don't know how much remained after 4,000 years but the worst destruction didn't come from earthquakes or wars but the last 200 years of 'civilisation'. Any decent building material, granite and marble, was dragged away to be used to build ship owners mansions on Poros and other islands. 

Flowers amongst the ruins

Not as many flowers as I expected. We've had plenty of rain and there's lots of growth but not the variety. 

No red anemones, poppies, chamomile or yellow daisies. Lots of little white flowers which look like chamomile but without the smell. Clumps of dark purple grape hyacinth and a cover of a more delicate little white flower. The yellow flowers are sorrel. 

My 'throne'. 

A place to rest after a walk around the ruins

I sit here and ponder

And wonder about ancient times 

Some sort of pit

Possibly the foundations of a store room

The entrance to a grove of pines which mark the site of the Temple. Nothing left in there to show it's former glory 

The only standing wall

What's left of the market place

Some digging is done by  Swedish Archeologists every summer.

There is a map now at the entrance giving an idea of what was once here and where

Entrance is free and the gate is never closed 

My Garden

 Green, green

The grass is green.

But we have no grass ....

Just oxalis and nasturtiums 

Last year was the year of the nasturtium. They took over all my winter garden. This year the oxalis has taken over, turning the brown earth to green.

And there are bees.  I heard bees buzzing among the yellow oxalis flowers.  It's a long time since I've heard bees.  They used to love the mint flowers in summer.  Maybe they'll be back enjoying the mint in a few months.

Our new door decoration.  We have this boat lit up at night.  The lights are very bright.  It's a pity we don't have passersby who can admire it too.

The lights come on automatically at 8 and turn off at 2am.  K loves fixing the electrical stuff

The grape vine is greening and so are the roses.

Poppi yet again did some perfect pruning

I love the way the nasturtiums come in a colour range

We have a pelican in the old wheelbarrow.  The rocket is still growing but it is almost time to plant a few tomatoes

A beautiful display of whatever these are

The mint under the garden tap grew all winter

Another colourful display.  However I've since had to pull this out.  It suddenly gasped it's last breath

Clean up is proceeding. I've already filled 3 huge bags of sorrel and nasturtiums

I've left a cover of nasturtiums in one corner.  They're still flowering

I shall turn this old outdoor grill into a planter too.  It's already got a good layer of old ash at the bottom

Winter Green

 I had better post this before the green turns to brown.  

Our larger neighbourhood in it's green winter coat..but not for long... 

Our neighbourhood taken from higher up

Our house is just out of the picture

Our neighbour up higher, Yiolanda, takes better photos than me. It all looks emerald green in this photo

Another of her photos

The perfect bow

My photo of the tiny flowers along our verges

Clumps of poppies everywhere

Tourists

 Tourist season in Crete has begun.

Flights from Britain and Germany today landing in Heraklion and Chania are being met by Cretan music, dancing AND glasses of raki and local delicacies.

Naturally these first, official,  tourists for the 2025 season are ecstatic and say they'll come again

(as long as their holiday resort is just as welcoming and up to their expectations and the sun keeps shining and the alcohol is cheap).

Meanwhile Santorini is filling with tourists as well. The strong quakes have stopped. Schools are open again and local businesses are hoping for a flood of Easter visitors.

Cruise ships which had been diverted to Crete have Santorini back as a  destination.

Ye gods and little fishes, I'd avoid Santorini like the plague after seeing that photo

So many tourists to see what?  A sunset that is brilliant on any greek island, and far better enjoyed without those crowds of other humans. 

Come to Poros 

The sunset is amazing here too, the Greek island atmosphere unequaled

Sunset with family

A Greek Island Evening

 Crisis before calm

Our power suddenly went out late afternoon.  Then Elli sent me a video taken from her rooftop.

Serious smoke.

A small church down near the waterfront was on fire.  It's rare to have a serious fire on Poros.

The interior of the church was destroyed but thankfully the building is ok and the houses right on top of it were saved.

Our electricity was turned off because there's also a transformer right up against one end of the church.

These last 2 photos from Frontline Reporter, grandson George, who just happened to be on scene

These little churches are always open and anyone can pop in and light a candle and say a prayer.

The candles are planted into metal bowls full of sand. Not easily upset.

I just heard, through the Poros grapevine, that it started when a bunch of wires caught fire.  I imagine the wiring was antiquarian.

One icon was saved.

A miracle, they say

Later in the evening

Dusk on Elli's rooftop terrace.

A warm spring evening with a glass of good wine and a meze, a view over the twinkling lights of Poros and it's harbour and across to the mountains on the mainland.

Looks idyllic doesn't it

Flags a Flying

 

Freedom or death 

Today commemorates the beginning of the war of independence from the Ottoman Turks

Blue and white flags are flying everywhere

School children from pre-school to High school parade along the waterfront 

It's a religious festival too

And a family gathering at a harbour café for us

Coffee for some

Or beer and salt cod with garlic sauce 

Luli and her mother

The reason it's a family gathering

Luli, the last of our grandchildren still at school and in the parade.

We all clap like mad and call out to her as she marches past.

And it wouldn't be a blog post without Poppi, and her Aunty Elli