Thursday 28 September 2017

Family! First episode

When downunder comes up north every day is a fiesta, and it's nothing to do with the church.

Last year it was pig on the spit and offal.  Lots and lots of offal.
And fish heads.


Hi Katy!   Chief fish head eater. Katy crunches on the fish eyes as well.  Kapai wahine


This year we had nephew Mark.  He shaved those mutton bones.  Your can see my bone on the right.  There's enough meat there to feed a clowder of cats.   Give one of  Mark's bones to those cats and they'll be hissing at you in disgust.
  

We picked up our klowder of kiwis from Athens airport and immediately showed Greek 'competence' by getting lost in the carpark .  After fifteen or twenty minutes dragging heavy suitcases (full of marmite) from one end of the parking area to the other in the midday sun we finally made it out and on the way to our exotic Greek island


First stop the Corinth canal.  Completed in 1893, 6.4 kilometres long.  Now mostly used by pleasure boats.  Time for the first photos.  Bungy jumping optional.


Their introduction to greek hospitality, a large baking tray of moussaka.  We seemed to be eating it as an 'appetiser' for the rest of the week.


Our first 'date' was coffee the next morning at the 'green chairs' cafe right on the waterfront.  Time to meet all the family and try the freddo capuccino and a spinach and feta cheese pastry.


Cousins meeting for the first time.


And Pascale, always on duty, always with a smile



The NZers came bearing gifts (marmite, pineapple lumps, booze naturally) .  And the gifts kept on coming,  from the supermarket.  Something we had never tried. One of a dozen bottles of 'exotic' beer. 


This one is  Volkan beer from the island of Santorini, made with lava rock filtered mineral water.  Nothing special I think was the general agreement.  Maybe to be properly appreciated it has to be drunk on the edge of the Santorini volcano watching one of their famous sunsets



A classic family dinner.  The 'before' photo.  A clean table.  Meat on the bbq.  Time to enjoy the family from far-away


Now that's more like it.  A platter of meat, a beer in hand and a glass of local red


Happy faces and a plate of bones.  Time for talking



Some classic dishes on the table.  Giant beans and a plate of small fish fried whole, heads, tails and all.  Beans eaten with a fork in one hand and a piece of bread in the other to mop up the juices




Stuffed tomatoes and peppers



Another classic meeting/eating place, family rooftop terrace with views of Poros and the harbour below.  Brother and sis-in-law



Last year's family visit. Same table.  Another brother


These two seasoned travellers at our old house.  Brother and sis-in-law.  



Here they are again on a mid winter visit in the new house around the big old 'monastery' table.  Another long afternoon of eating, much drinking and finally singing of national anthems and Waltzing Matilda.  Family from Perth always bring toblerone and a big bottle of Baileys.  










14 comments:

  1. What about Vegemite and Tim tams. That's what the Aussies should bring you lol
    What would Greeks do to entertain without food, drinks and music! We would all die of broken hearts I think lol xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually the Australians always bring us vegemite. The latest one was a salt reduced vegemite which I liked more than marmite! I'll take either though. Timtams I think came last year. Kiwi favourite is pineapple lumps. A nz tradition!! Yum to them all

      Delete
  2. Wonderful. I'm a meat person; especially if cooked outdoors on the BBQ. That and plenty of rouge, and I'm happy. I would fit in well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Plenty of bbqed meat here when we have visitors. Great bbq weather at the moment and another family name day tomorrow. I'll drink a toast in a local red!

      Delete
    2. I am still bbq ing my meat even though it has been a bit cool to sit outside and eat it! I would fit in nicely too, a plate of meat and plenty of wine, and no trouble to anyone!

      Delete
  3. Hi Linda! Can't wait to come back to Poros (hopefully next year!!) have been eating lots of whitebait lately and looking forward to some fish in a few week when we take rainy and tony over to the barrier to stay with my folks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Katy!! Wish you would come back very soon! Even the kids ask after you....when??
      A whitebait fritter would be wonderful right now. Nothing quite like them, especially here. I often think about you and the barrier. What a life. Bet T and L have a terrific time. Send a few photos if you can. I recently found the ones you sent in an old email. Am transferring them for quick reference and remembrance! xxx love to sam

      Delete
    2. Tell the kids Sam and katy say hi! We think of you guys often too and are planning to come back around this time next year but hopefully a little sooner. Will definitely send some photos of the barrier especially if I catch the biggest fish. Keep in touch x

      Delete
    3. Yes yes yes. Yes to your imminent arrival. Yes to Katy's big fish!

      Delete
  4. such priceless times with your family members, how good it must be to have them around your bountiful table xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just so terrific to hear those kiwi accents!

      Delete
  5. Fun in the sun with family and friends- what more could you ask for ���� ~ Cathy

    ReplyDelete