Around our House

 Odds and ends.

Pasca (Easter) and Christmas always on show

a few guardian angels, a chicken, the essential blue eye and a red egg in Marmite egg cup.  

And a container of old Easter candles ready for power cuts. 

A NZ Pohutukawa tree mug. The Pohutukawa with its red flowers is the NZ Christmas tree.  It blooms around Xmas time

 A set of mugs came all the way from NZ a few years ago without chipping or breaking.  3 months later one fell into the sink and broke.  I didn't throw it away though.  How could I.  K glued it together and now its good side is on display.  The papermaché doll behind it was made by granddaughter Nels.  

Red peppers hanging to dry with a string of giant worry beads. K bought the peppers thinking they were the normal sweet kind sold by our grocer. He accidentally rubbed his eyes after cleaning them and the stinging made him run for soap and water. They were the hottest peppers I've ever tried. All I did was take a bite without actually putting it in my mouth and the burning sensation lasted for hours. 

No meat and peppers for lunch. 

He's hung them up to dry and grind up later on 

Santa Claus hangs on the wall all year round.  He has a few handy hooks for ribbons, hairbands and the like

Red wine from 3 years ago.

That was the last time we ventured up a Corinth mountain to collect 300 litres of wine from a family vineyard.

This bottle was given to me by the cousin who looks after the vines and makes the wine.  I found it a bit strong and it has stayed in the fridge these 3 years.  Surprise when I found it and tasted it.  It has matured into a very drinkable red.  So drinkable it is almost finished

Bringing home the wine

2021

Grandson George

Filler'uper

Our House

 Our house is a very, very, very fine house....

Our neighbourhood

The wee house from another angle

Swinging the camera to the left...

The flat and fertile valley of Fousa with its  olive groves and vineyards

The sea beyond.  Those hills in the distance are the mainland

Swing the camera to the right and we have a view of Vagiona Bay below us

That's where we go swimming in the summer

The cypress trees show where an old monastery (nunnery) once stood.  There's nothing left now but a few stones and an old well.

The bay below is supposed to have underwater remains from an ancient city but those who live and fish down there say it's an old wives tale. 

Though 5,000 years ago it was a bustling harbour serving the Temple to Poseidon on the hilltop above.

Poros Peace

The island is slowly slipping into a comfortable winter calm.  On Friday I went down to shop at the supermarket on the harbour front. On recent Fridays the island has continued to fill up with greek visitors making the most of the mild autumn weather and trying for a last  weekend away from the city.  

Today the cars coming off the car ferry were few,  Cafeterias were empty, noise was minimal,  motorbikes few and far between, with time to cross the road at a leisurely pace.  There was no frantic filling of supermarket shelves, no one waiting at the cheese counter and everyone had a smile and a 'kalimera'.

There are a few drawbacks.  Most tavernas and many of the cafeterias have already stacked their chairs and piled up the tables.  Some have even started winter repairs and renovations.  However if you want a cup of coffee and a chat there's still somewhere to sit.  People watching continues when the daily cruise boat comes in for a couple of hours.

Soon there will be Christmas lights strung on every tree and cheery decorations adorning the street lights.

                                                 

                                     A dragonfly on a seaside villa

The bougainvillia is still in bloom but the tables and chairs from the wine bar under the bougainvillia have been taken inside for the winter season

The big supermarket is the first to show it's almost Christmas 

I spoke too soon. There are a new lot of recruits at the Navy School, doing their 3 week training. 

Sunday. 

And it's visiting day. We kept away from the hordes downtown but even the roads up here had a bit of traffic when I went out walking. They'll all be gone by tonight and the young sailors back inside. 

That's Poros.

Extra Extra

Read all about it

Question on a TV quiz programme last night

'How many Americans believe that chocolate milk comes from brown cows?' 

I'm sorry Americans but.... 

17 million of you think that's true. 

Poros Harbour

Poros harbour

The blue and white clock tower 

The catamaran from Piraeus (port of Athens) approaching port of Poros

The strait between Poros and the Peloponnese mainland 

Poros from the mountains on the mainland.

Poros town and harbour are the smaller island (Spheria) in the foreground and in the background is the larger island of Kalavria

Poros consists of 2 islands. Spheria, the smallest is of volcanic origin, rocky and barren.  Kalavria, meaning gentle breezes is covered in pine forest.

Permanent population around 4,000. 

2 hours by road from Athens, 10 minutes by car ferry from the mainland area known as the Peloponnese.

1 hour from Piraeus by hydrofoil.

What's Up

-  3 Xmas boats

K is checking out the little boats which we deck out with lights each Christmas.  He's looking at the lights and checking them twice.  3 years ago we had one fishing boat, or  kaïki, hanging from the wall.  Now we have 4 little boats.  Just about time to light up.  I don't mind these being on show now because they're a greek tradition and I like seeing their friendly lights around the house.  Of course we will have a  Christmas tree too.  K will be trying to shorten that and downsize. Space is limited. 

The original

The Greek one

A trireme

- Carpet day

At the beginning of the week we put down our big carpet which covers the tiles in the sitting area and I put down smaller rugs in the bedrooms.  We needed them.  The weather suddenly changed and it got damp and rather cold, for us.  17-18oC.  Not cold enough for a fire yet.

- Marathon

For Niki Mas, our niece and marathon runner

The yearly re-run of the original marathon took place on Sunday.  The marathon is a 26.385 mile (42.195 kms) race from the village of Marathon to the big stadium in central Athens.  

The first marathon was run by Pheidippides in 490BC who ran from the battle of Marathon to Athens to announce the Athenian victory against the Persians.  Whereupon he promptly collapsed and died.  So the legend goes.

This year 21,000 athletes, or thereabouts, from all over the world took part.  The Authentic Marathon, as it is called, is not the only race.  There is also a 10km, 5km and a 1.2km children's run.

Niki is long distance runner  and one day we'll be cheering her as she finishes the authentic marathon in Greece.

Angela just reminded me you're named after Nike, the Goddess of Victory. Go Niki. She's smiling down on you

- Xmas knitting

Most years I do a bit of xmas knitting to give away,  things like socks or cowls (neck warmer), scarf or hat, fingerless gloves,  Xmas stockings or even bags and little purses, odd looking g-nomes, sometimes in red and green, sometimes in whatever colours I have leftover.  This year I'm at a loss what to knit or crochet.  There are all sorts of silly ideas out there like water bottle holders, mug warmers, hotwater bottle covers, tissue box covers.  Useless clutter.

I was thinking of knitting or crocheting a Xmas vest (sleeveless top) for myself in red and green. Crochet is faster.  Would I ever wear it? Perhaps on Xmas day. And that's only 40 days away.

The 40 day Orthodox fast for Xmas begins today. We won't be fasting.

- Rain

Yes, it rained.  For 2 days.  Slowly and steadily.  Ideal rainfall for the garden and the olive trees.  There will be photos of the greening of my garden in the next week.  The 4 leafed clover should appear and start taking over very quickly.  And nasturtiums!  My favourites

We also had a leak which we are not so happy about.  This leak has been 'fixed' 3 times in years gone by.  There was a broken roof tile. The water drips down behind the fridge and over a wall plug.  K has been busy sorting that out.

- Flu Jab

I'm having a flu jab this year.  K is not so sure.  We can  get them done at the chemist for free.  I shall go down tomorrow.  I think the prescription is just for the flu and not a covid shot as well.  I don't want another one of those.

Nov 11

 11th November 1918. Armistice Day. 

The Armistice was an agreement to end the fighting on the western front and in June 1919 the peace  Treaty of Versailles was signed officially ending WW1. 

For the ANZACs 

(Australia and NZ Army Corp) 

Sons of Gallipoli 

My mother was born on Armistice Day.  

I shall walk to our nearest little chapel later and light a couple of candles . For my mother and for those who died in that first war.

8.5 million died in the war as a result of battle wounds or disease (Wikipedia).

No!

 No. Not Poros! 

Our supermarket is selling Xmas trees

20 euros for that scrappy little one on the end.

We want a smaller tree this year.  K first of all is going to try and shorthen the tree we've got.  I'll let you know what happens

Decorations and gifts

I did buy a small gift.

It's coming, want it or not

I actually started writing this a few weeks ago.  It was quite a shock to see Xmas decorations in October on our little island.   I went out yesterday and took the photos and looked aound the harbour.  No other shop or cafe seems to have followed their lead and the Municipality isn't putting up Xmas lights yet.

Maybe the world hasn't turned upside down .

We got our first load of olive wood a few days ago.

It's getting colder.  I put the electric blanket on our bed as well.

Tomorrow I cover our chilly tiled floors with a big carpet and rugs.

We are prepared for cold, so bring it on.

Rain is forcast this week.

Will it, won't it?

Another Day

                                                                                 Leftovers.

That big marmalade Tom got the bones and heads from the fried Aegean fish we ate on Sunday.  He hangs around the chooks, turkeys and geese looking for any of their leftovers

In the white bag was the remains of the funeral wheat, known as koliva. I gave the koliva to the chooks and turkeys.  Any leftovers musnt be thrown away because it has been blessed in church.  K puts it out for the birds.

Boiled wheat with icing sugar, coconut, fine bread crumbs to soak up any moisture, pomegranite seeds, raisins, sesame seeds, cinnamon and finely chopped almonds. Oh and chopped parsely.  Everyone, every district has its own recipe and traditions. I tried a few pieces of almonds.  Nice .

 

I helped make trays of it for my inlaws many memorials.  My greek sister in law is very do-it-yourself.  Though its more likely nowadays that the local funeral director will provide the koliva, put it into bags after the service and hand it out with a plastic spoon and paper napkin and a sweet bread or cake. 

You eat a spoonful and ask the Lord to forgive the one who has passed, and has, you hope, gone up there to heaven.

Winter is approaching

The road sides are full of pine cones and little bits of wood which are ideal for starting winter fires.

When I walk I collect a bag full.  My knees and legs are still sore from the unusual exercise.  Take a step, bend down, pick up a pine cone, put it in the bag and so it goes on for a hundred metres.  I've cleaned off one side of the top road.  Today I'll do another stretch, and more stretching.  

In a week or so when it gets really cold people come from all over the island for the pinecones.  They won't find many left.

Revenge from last year when outsiders came in and scooped them all up .

Boiled Goat  

K has a friend who has goats.  Now and again he'll slaughter one and sell the meat.  It's much cheaper than the butcher. K and his friends prefer this way of buying their meat.  They know the family, they know where the goats graze and what they eat. 

We still had a bag of frozen goat from the last kill.  

I cooked the last of it in the pressure cooker.  It was very tender, fell of the bone.  Then I put it in the oven for 20 minutes with garlic, lots of mustard, oregano and lemon juice to crisp up the fat.  It was delicious.

As long as there is no smell it's good meat.  A good goat man knows when to kill and how to prepare the meat so it is at its best. 

I've just realised its November 5, Guy Fawkes night.  Memories of our big bonfires down the gulley with firecrackers, Catherine wheels and the occasional rocket whizzing into the sky.  Later on private bonfires were discouraged and the local Lions or Rotary Club organised a big town bonfire with a sausage sizzle.  Oh the smell and the excitement.  Days of yore.

I forgot the sparklers, staring at their sparks and twirling them around in the air. And looking at all our neighbours fires across the gulley. Lots of fun for a small girl.

Around here neighbours have started olive picking though the olives are sparse this year and not very plump.  Others are waiting, hoping for some rain to fatten the few olives on the trees.

Down in the Cyclades, Naxos and Paros, local priests have held services to pray for rain

This Week

 This week on a Greek island

K changed the flags again.

We were given a brand new Greek flag which is supposed to be of a stronger material which will not tear or fade in the sun.  

We will see

More gifts from Greeks.

4 old but sturdy wooden chairs with reclining backs

They need sandpapering and varnishing.

Will they be repaired and repainted or will they end up being used as they are now

The bed bases we acquired last winter are now out in the garden covered with a tarp.

That's an olive tree beside them. We got that tree about 8 years ago. It's almost the same size and never has any olives. A bit of a disappointment but it's healthy enough.

Son in law Kyriakos 

With a cup of greek coffee and bag of funeral wheat

Saturday morning was a 1 year memorial for a friend of ours. 

After the church service we all went for coffee as is the tradition. We are given a small bag with funeral wheat, plastic spoons to eat it with and a very nice muffin.

I just had a sugarless Greek coffee. I didn't drink my usual 2 or 3 glasses of the sweet liqueur.  It is sweet and easy to drink a few small shot glasses and wobble home.

After the coffee we were all invited by the family to a lunch downtown. It might have been a sad memorial for a friend gone before his time but it was a nice day. 

About 30 friends and relatives gathered. We had a really good lunch at one of the few harbourside tavernas still open. It was a beautiful sunny day, the food was excellent, the wine, according to the expert was very drinkable and the company and conversation most enjoyable.

The Greeks have many different courtesies which they utter at these times.

One of them is

'May you live long and remember him with love'. 

And that's what we are doing

Sunday lunch

Fresh fish fried by my fisher man. A variety of small fish from the Aegean.

Eaten with potatoes baked with lots of lemon juice, garlic and oil.

No Greek salad. 

Simply accompanied by bread and wine.