Spring clean-up.
We've got visitors soon from the land down under. We must polish the brass and clean the silver. The fatted pig is ready for slaughter.
Our front wall needed a good whitewash
The railings were well past their paint-by date and getting rusty
The eagle holding the bell over the front gate.
K have him a paint job.
I've just noticed the bell. That's one piece of brass that hasn't been polished, yet.
The walls were whitewashed and the railings sanded down and painted. We thought the railings were painted white till the wall was finished. The railings are actually off-white. Never mind, they're look a damn sight better.
A bit of pruning on our neighbours land.
These bushes are called 'pounari' and they're a damn nuisance. They are trimmed right down to the roots every year and regenerate even stronger, and they spread. To remove them the roots have to be bulldozed out.
To continue.... they were growing too close for comfort to our BBQ and are a fire hazard. We are going to bbq a pig there soon so our friend cut a wide corridor with his handy little chainsaw.
Shade cloth in place. It's got a few holes but will do the job for another summer.
Now we need the council to get it's act together and fix up the road. The edges were dug up for new water pipes. After a 2 year wait.
6 months ago they assured us the road would be tar sealed before Christmas. When the new Mayor was elected he assured us the road would be concreted before Easter.
Now he says they'll come, sometime, and concrete the entrance way to everyone's house. There are only 5 houses in the road.
So we wait. And hope.
It's all part of the Poros experience.
Ouzo, octopus and rustic 'charm'.
They are so excited. Visitors sure get that tidy up adrenaline going...although I don't think your visitors are too fussy.
ReplyDeleteWe would never get anything done if we didn't have visitors. This lot are very easy peasy. No hassle at all, except for real Greek food and drink. Ks got that under control
DeleteImportant visitors! What a great excuse for getting some of those put-off jobs done. And I think you must have a lot of patience to deal with all that Rustic Charm! :)
ReplyDeleteAfter 40 odd years i hardly notice that rustic charm. It's part of life. No use crying about it. I do what I can and the rest I shrug off
DeleteYou are all going to have such a wonderful time...especially once that last piece of brass has been polished!
ReplyDeletePolish the bell? Did I write that? It'll only get covered in Saharan dust. Naaa, next lot of visitors, maybe
DeleteI´m sure the anticipation and preparation for the visit is part of the pleasure!
ReplyDeleteThe results are very satisfying!
DeleteCompany is always the great motivator! For a short while I considered hosting a big gathering this summer in order to spur on some unfinished projects, but then changed my mind. Your newly white washed entrance looks ready for visitors! -Jenn
ReplyDeleteI wish they would fix the road edges too. The wall would look even better and we wouldn't have weeds growing back.
DeleteIt was a job well done
We have been painting (just the accent walls, we’re changing the color), and other jobs that have been crying for attention in the last year. You’re ready for your visitors!
ReplyDeleteA few more jobs to do but we have to wait till our red rain stops. That darn Saharan dust is still making a mess outside
DeleteSomeone ex navy once told me about boats and brass... if it moves salute, if it doesn't move polish it. Good thing you don't get os visitors every year or your Greek rustic charm would be permanently white washed!
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what my father, ex navy, used to say. Our place is being, or not, held up by rustic charm! Enough
DeleteI know you will all have a good time no matter the state of the infrastructure Linda.
ReplyDeleteOur visitors dont come to inspect our house but K has to keep face and it gives him a nudge, big push, to get things done
DeleteWell…. It’s 4am here in NZ and we are getting ready for our big adventure! Today we start our travels (early flight to Auckland) and so looking forward to seeing all our Greek family in early June. We feel very lucky that we get to see Greek life as it really is. Poros is a very special place in the hearts of all Linda’s NZ and Australian family!
ReplyDeleteYehhhh. I'll tell K he's got to get a move on.... After his 2 day name day celebration next week . You sure get a real picture of greek life between us and our 'little' greek girls. We dont have to roll it out. It just happens lol
DeleteI'm sure your guests always enjoy themselves so much that a little rust doesn't bother them at all.
ReplyDeleteBut I notice the rust!! No excuse now for getting it all spruced up. And then we can all enjoy ourselves
DeleteShip shape and Bristol fashion, or whatever the Greek equivalent is! The hospitality matters so much more than a bit of rust. All I can say is lucky Linda's NZ and Australian family. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteWe will definitely have fun. Thanks Elaine
DeleteSame here, I never do anything. X
ReplyDeleteSome things interfere with living. But it's great to see a little improvement now and again
DeleteVisitors are an amazing motivation.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for visitors!!
DeleteOuzo octopus and rustic charm sound perfect to me.
ReplyDeleteI’m sure your visitors will enjoy all the food and simple pleasures no matter how the road looks
The road is a nuisance. It's very narrow and at the moment even more so with the edges full of rubble
DeleteIt will exciting for you catching up with your friends, I do hope there's going to be loads of pork crackling with the roast.
ReplyDelete