Poros Visit

                                           My english cousins have just spent 5 days getting to know our island and my Greek family.  They've been reading my blog for years and have both visited Greece before but not Poros. Now they have 'hands on' experience  of the tales in my blog posts .

It was a wonderful 5 days of speaking in the english language and seeing Poros through foreign eyes.  K cooked for them a couple of times and introduced them to his traditional dishes.  And he washed the dishes too. Our mechanical dishwasher has finally given up after 15 years. 

Julia and Caroline admiring the scenery up at the Monastery

The peaceful Monastery courtyard.  There was a monk up on the balcony having a quiet coffee and a chat with a friend.  

He had no problem with us .  Caroline and I donned wrap around skirts to hide our 'manly' trousers.  

Men in shorts are not allowed into the church area either.  This is the first time I've ever seen long trousers provided to cover up men's legs.  Quite amusing.  They were big baggy trews with elastic waists.  One size to fit all.

I thought their problem was women's legs

From the Monastery we took a drive all around the two islands.  The smaller island, Sferia, with it's old town and harbour and the bigger island, Kalavria, with the tourist resorts and the pine forests where we live.

Clumps of pink cyclamen have appeared under the pine trees along the sides of the mountain road.  

We drove up past the ruins of the Temple to Poseidon and stopped to admire the view reaching as far as the coast of Athens.

Then on around the old back road, now in need of repair.  It was originally built as a fire road, was tar sealed and is fast turning into a narrow track with dangerous curves and big potholes.  The view out across the bay to the mainland though is quite stunning.  

Fortunately the weather was mainly fine and they had clear blue skies and calm blue seas.

First stop before civilisation was to take a photo of Teacher's Island with its picturesque white church.  Onward past the ruins of the old Russian Naval station, Love Bay and into Neorio.  Neorio is a long-ish bay popular with Athenian visitors, many of whom have houses there.  

We stopped to see Danae and Yianni's family compound. They live down a short driveway with family houses on either side. 

Then on into town, around the harbour and home in time for tea....

K was waiting for us, not in the best of moods. 

There was a power cut while he was cooking and he hadn't been able to cook the sardines.

The stuffed tomatoes were ready though and after a few irrate phone calls the power came on again, just in time to finish off the sardines, baked in a lemon sauce.      Delicious.  That's the best way he has cooked them!

Home with the Master Chef

Julia, K and Caroline

I had my photo taken too!

One of the wonderful presents they brought us

British soap.  This one had the most delightful name.  I could Not put this one the blog.  Plus a huge jar of 'real' (not NZ) marmite and the softest silk scarf I have ever had the pleasure of wearing.

More to come.....