Friday 19 May 2017

Our house and Surrounds

We live up in the hills with the remains of the temple to Poseidon on the hills opposite and the sea down below if only we could see it.




Looking down to Vagionia Bay.  All this area in ancient times was covered in buildings straggling down to the sheltered harbour from the Temple complex on the top of the hill dedicated to the God of the Sea, Poseidon.  On the road leading down to Vagionia Bay the archealogical society will allow you to build on the left hand side of the road but on the right hand side you cannot (supposedly) even dig a hole.  One of those 'weird or what' situations you often find here.  Greece is covered in ruins.  Every step you take is over some hidden ancient rock.  Land here has been farmed by many generations of  modern Greeks.  Now when young people need this family land to build a small house they cannot because of some incomprehensible law.





This is our house, with three different roof levels, all built at different times.  It looks quite isolated here but there are four houses relatively close by, though only one is permanently occupied.


What looks like a piece of an ancient Greek column in our green winter garden.  It is in fact a piece of plaster garden decoration which I retrieved from the rubbish.  Wish there had been more.



A typical farmer's house further down the road.  This is used by the family when picking olives and working on the land, or having a big family get together.  The bougainvillia has run wild and is full of colour in the summertime.


The view from Vaso's front yard.  She is slighlty higher than us and gets a panoramic view of Vagionia Bay, the lights of Piraeus and the coast of Athens at night.



Two houses on the hill above us.  These were half built over 20 years ago and have never been lived in.   They were built by a then councillor and bigwig who went ahead without planning permission.  Someone 'ratted' on him and he's been in court ever since and is not allowed to even step foot in the houses.

He must have a wonderful view up there of the mainland opposite and the village of Methana under the volcano plus at night the lights of Athens, the port of Piraeus and the island of Aegina would be incredible, if he ever got to live up there.



This gives you a better idea of where exactly those houses are, just visible on the hill to the rear of the photo.




A hedge of rosemary just down the road from us.




Where we used to live down in the old town above the harbour.  Our old house (family compound where our daughter now lives) is one of the white houses with blue shutters half way up the hill.  Houses built right next to each other and often attached with the houses on the higher level watching what's going on down on the lower levels.  No privacy here.



21 comments:

  1. I really liked reading this. We are used to lots of space, so I couldn't imagine living in any of those houses where you daughter lives, but I guess it's normal for them. Too bad you can't see the sea from your house, but beautiful regardless. -Jenn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We can see the sea if we jump! I would love to cut down a couple of Cyprus trees. It would give us a glimpse

      Delete
    2. Allegedly if 10cm of bark happened to fall off the bottom of a Cyprus tree all the way around it. Covered up with soil, the tree would be most unhappy and succumb to being a pile of fire wood.

      Delete
    3. I have heard about this actually but it means climbing over a couple of fences.

      Delete
    4. oh well grandchildren are little n wiry. Grandma needs Cyprus tree bark for pot pouri and the barbie, smells lovely to cook with.
      lower down the tree the better!😂

      Delete
  2. Beautiful views, what a shame about the half built houses xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The houses are an absolute waste. The govt. Wants money. They should be allowed to pay a big fine and live in them!!

      Delete
  3. Loved the view from my grandmothers home. The village is built on a hill like all of Greece and hers was the one right on top!
    Only problem is. I don't do hills lol killled me walking up and down. Meanwhile my 80 something old aunt was doing it easy lol
    Soft xeni.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can just imagine that village. Those old girls are so fit from a life time of climbing. I used to be out walked on many an occasion by some old buddy while I pretended to admire the view!

      Delete
  4. I wonder why he built two identical houses next to each other? I would have made him tear one down. I love all the Olive trees.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the two houses were built for two brothers. They were there before we moved into the neighbourhood and only know the general story and a few rumours. They should be able to pay a very big fine and just get on with it!

      Delete
  5. I also live on a hill and sometimes i say it is like a greek island but without the sea.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Yael. What is your view? I suppose it must be rather dry and brown right now

      Delete
    2. Yes it is. it was green only for a short time,i see hills,i like that,but i wish we have also sea here:)

      Delete
  6. Interesting. I enjoyed it and the photos to assist understanding of text. Families living close together is the same here on farms. But it is English not Greek landscape. Same but different!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A bit dryer probably and different trees!

      Delete
  7. A little piece of paradise where you call home, serene and spectacular vistas....you are one of the lucky ones 😁
    Whenever I watch Shirley Valentine, I think it must be heavenly to wake up to those views each morning.
    Shame about the abandoned houses, rotting away, when they could be enjoyed.
    Have a wonderful weekend !
    Jo

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lots of houses rotting away. Most tangled up in huge families who can't agree on what they want to do

    ReplyDelete
  9. Need to go to the garden centre, wow a hedge of rosemary!.can even grow that here!.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the rosemary hedge! fab.

    I think I would quite like the houses on the hill with all the neigbours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You certainly would never be alone or short of things to gossip/talk about!

      Delete