3 December

 A day to remember. My birthday and then 23 years ago our first grandson was born on the 3rd.  As my daughter said 'a present that keeps on giving'.

Here we are 23 years later 

I've already had my celebration and George is working in Athens. He's waiting to party away his Saturday night. 

The Birth Day began early with the first greetings arriving here as the day dawned down in NZ , 11 hours ahead of us.

Australia sent best wishes a few hours later.

The first Greek Happy Birthdays beeped on Instagram and WhatsApp at midnight plus 1...minute.

I love Social media at times like this. We have instant contact from one end of the globe to the other.

Or just between Athens and Poros.  Me and my grandchildren 

Thanks everyone all over the world 

The day continued with a trip down to the town.  We hadn't reckoned on a parade at the Navy Base. 800 sailors were finishing their basic training with a parade and an oath of allegiance to the Fatherland. 

We arrived just as the sailors marched off the parade ground, across the road to their barracks. 

All traffic stopped while first the officers passed then the VIPs followed by squads of sailors, guns shouldered, chanting some battle cry. 

Meanwhile thousands of Mamas and Papas streamed out behind them blocking the road for 20 minutes.  

We waited. Impatiently, until a policeman finally got it all under control. 

Cafeterias were full, and on the way home cars were backed up for a kilometre waiting to get on the car ferry. 

They were the last recruits to do their National training here for service in the Navy. From 1 January all conscripts will go into the army to do their 1 year service.

 

We had work to do downtown and decided to have a meal in our one traditional taverna until the crowds dissipated. 

A litre of rosé 

At the Sokaki

It means 'small passageway' 

Pastitsio and meatballs

Cheap and delicious 

And of course traditional 

Home to light the fire

Today a storm called 'Byron' is raging round us

We just got a red alert on our phones.  Hunker down and don't make unnecessary journeys. 

Schools will be closed tomorrow. 

I will happily hunker down. We  brought a good supply of wood inside.  K cooked cuttlefish and spinach. 

Time perhaps to decorate the Christmas tree.