Greek family compound

Where I used to live.

There are actually two blue metal doors here, both leading into the family compound in the photo below and the four family homes.  I used to hear them clang behind me when I entered and it felt like sound of a prison cell closing behind me.

The small courtyard which separates the two two-storey dwellings. There are steps on the right, out of the photo, which lead up to our house, now belonging to my daughter who loves the intimate family atmosphere.  In this courtyard we all gathered, and still do on many occasions to celebrate returns, departures, griefs and triumphs.

The orginal marble sink where we cleaned, cut and prepared meals and washed piles of fatty dishes with cold water and non sudsing homemade olive oil soap.  My sister in law has a dish washer now.

The blue and lilac wood over the white wall covers the living area.  When we moved in it was simply an open balcony with the toilet in one corner.  Covering it over gave us somewhere to gather, sit, eat and watch TV, not to mention bring the bathroom inside the house.

On street parking

We are half way up the hill.  These steps go on and on up to the top of the island where the old mill is located.  This is a winter photo where the steps are a little green and mossy.  Before Easter the steps are whitewashed and look bright and clean.

This beautiful house opposite us used to be a one floor, one room house with thick stone walls and a stable on the ground floor.  There was a donkey housed there for many years and bats in the eaves.

The road leading down to the Naval School

This narrow road and this particular sharp, blind corner is two-way causing horrible traffic jams in peak summer months and at Easter.  Locals know where to pull over and where two cars can pass.  City slickers or convoys of cars can cause great confusion and blind backing.  I'm glad I don't live there anymore.