Summer Time

First the weather report.  Heatwave gone, new heatwave on the way. 

Flora and Fauna -

So many swallows this year.  It has been many years since we saw lines of them sitting on the wires, swooping and diving in the evening.  And K says they're eating all the mosquitoes.  That's why the mosquitoes aren't eating us.

I like swallows.  They're a delightful bird to see flitting past in the twilight with their long streamer tails.  They bring good luck, so some say.

My pumpkins have grown all over the garden, have produced loads of flowers but I don't see any maturing pumpkins.  They start to grow, get to a few inches in length, turn yellow and drop off the vine.  I've started pruning them back.  It's a waste of time watering so many.

Cherry tomatoes are being gathered by the bucketful.  Their skins are tough so I puree and freeze them to use in sauces and saltsas.

Church fiestas are being celebrated one after the other.  

Watching the Olympics. Didn't think much of the opening ceremony. It went on for far too long and we didn't understand what it was all about. The commentator didn't explain it all very well. Enjoyed seeing all the teams sailing past. So many small African States and a lot from the Pacific. I was pleased I knew so many. 

We don't get much variety in the coverage. Rowing in the morning, swimming and tennis and gymnastics later on. Greece and NZ are doing well. 

I am watching the NZ rowing with great interest. The coach of the NZ women's fours is the son of friends who visited us earlier this year. The final is on Thursday. We will be cheering for Tom and his girls. 

I had a rare, in this summer heat and madness, coffee with my best friend. It was a good day with coffee turning into a glass of wine and plate of meze, cheese pies, sausages, cheese and other tempting bites. We caught up on news and swapped books. 

The island has gone crazy.  I had forgotten how much till I went shopping last week.  Coming down into town in my car a woman suddenly opened the door of her car parked opposite the little grocers.  Her husband appeared from the other side and sauntered out into the middle of the road.  Neither looked nor cared. I slammed on my brakes.  The rude git had the audacity to turn round and yell at me.  These were Greeks.  Rude city greeks who think this little island and it's peasants are there to serve them.  I hope they're being ripped off at every place they eat and shop.

There were cars and bikes and people everywhere.  The grocers actually had a queue, the supermarket was full of yachties with overflowing trolleys.  Lord give me patience.  One month to go.