Tuesday, 1 May 2018

May Day

May Day

A workers holiday, a day for picnics and making of wreaths.  Trade Unions and the Communist Party organise rallies in central Athens, strikes and demonstrations.  Museums are closed, no ferry boats to the islands today but our car ferry and water taxis are working double time. Day trippers arrive by car and bus.




The island is full, has been since last Friday.  A five day holiday for some.  Beautiful weather.  Time for a  first dip in the freezing sea.  We made wreaths with flowers from our garden and the surrounding fields.



The flower gather-ers


The base is a young olive branch


Flowers wound round the base and tied down with string

One wreath for our house, one each for the girls homes and a wreath for our english neighbour. They are left hanging till midsummer and the feast of St John when the wreaths are burnt on bonfires lit at crossroads.


Greek Saying
Only donkeys marry in May


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12 comments:

  1. Maria1 May 2018 at 22:53

    I love your wreath tradition Linda!
    Greetings Maria x

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    1. local alien2 May 2018 at 11:33

      Everyone helped to make them and they turned out well!

      Delete
  2. Cathy1 May 2018 at 23:37

    Red geraniums or are they pelargoniums - such a hardy plant. Great for window boxes and hanging baskets.
    I've got a pale pink one that's 'supposed' to repel mosquitos - oh the things we buy on trust lol
    And what's wrong with marrying in May?
    Take care
    Cathy

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    1. local alien2 May 2018 at 11:37

      They are red geraniums. We have three big plants in the garden. They grow like mad.

      I looked up May and donkeys. Quite a few theories. We seem to have a saying as well
      Marry in May and rue the day.
      May is just a superstisious month

      Delete
  3. Cro Magnon2 May 2018 at 02:15

    The left wing youth rioted here in France, to celebrate May Day. They burned cars, threw stones at the cops, and generally behaved as one would expect. C'est la vie!

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    1. local alien2 May 2018 at 11:38

      For once the hooded terriorists don';t seem to have gone around smashing windows and burning cars here.

      Delete
  4. Elaine2 May 2018 at 05:09

    We had a rare and delightful day of bright blue skies and sunshine yesterday, I couldn't help but think that it was everyday fare for you. Got up this morning to cold, strong winds, heavy rain. Back to normal,then!

    The wreaths are beautiful, so are the girls.

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    1. local alien2 May 2018 at 11:38

      Thanks Elaine. Great kids. Full of beans!

      Delete
  5. wisps of words2 May 2018 at 07:59

    Lovely flower wreaths...

    Troubling demonstrations...

    All these "demonstrations," world wide. The "News" wants silly us, to believe, that they are spontaneous and done all by "the people." Hahhhhhhh....

    They are all organized, and bus people to them, and they are provided with signs to carry, and words to shout.

    All of them. World wide.

    And then the duped ordinary people, go home, and are so proud of themselves. They "DID" something.

    Bahhhhh-humbuggggg...

    But!!!! Happy May!!!!!! :-)

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    1. local alien2 May 2018 at 11:40

      They are certainly bussed in over here. They are very well organised riots. Not much damage this year which is rare.
      Hope May is sun shiney for you

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  6. A Brit in Tennessee2 May 2018 at 11:25

    Such a beautiful tradition, a lovely welcome to May :)
    ~Jo

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    1. local alien2 May 2018 at 11:40

      And it continues on into June although by then the wreaths are looky rather dry and tattered

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