Wednesday 25 September 2019

One Morning

It rained yesterday, a good downpour. This morning  the earth is still damp. On my ride on the quad bike down to town the air is
full of the sharp, pungent tang of pine needles.  It smells healthy enough to encourage great gulps of fresh air.  


The pine forest is green but the rest of the landscape is still dry and brown. Underneath the pine trees is a thick pile of dried, brown pine needles. No sign of the wild flowers which will brighten the road in a month or so, if we have more rain.


If you climb up these narrow steps and then clamber up 3 flights of steps at the Dimitra Hotel there is a coffee bar with a marvellous view of the harbour and mainland opposite.  The hotel is just below our old house and I enjoyed this view for many summers.  We can see their roof terrace from our roof terrace.


Our view of their hotel 
The hotel is the building in the middle front


Our views are even more spectacular



Number one spot for our visitor's
 first evening.  Only it's not 'ours' anymore.  Our daughter Elli, on the left, has taken over hostess duties

I passed the sign for the hotel as I was on my way to the doctor's office.  Just a routine prescription visit.  Unfortunately he had been called out on an emergency and we had an hours wait till he returned.



Usually the doctors office is where we learn all the latest gossip.  Today Papa Panarytos took over the conversation and gave us his light hearted view of life.  He knows a bit about life, having been a policeman before becoming an island priest.  He couldn't remember who I was even though I told him I was the wife of K, officer in the Navy, son of Georgios the builder who helped build the monastery.
I was about to roll out the family history when I was called in.  




Outside hundreds of new recruits had just been sworn in for their military conscription and had been let out of the navy base to begin their few days of leave before joining their ships or units.  There were mothers and fathers, sisters, grandmothers and girlfriends all doting over their 'little' boy who had been away for just 2 weeks of basic training.  All greek men used to serve 2 years in the armed forces.  They still must serve in the army, navy or airforce but their time is now down to around 9 months.











8 comments:

  1. Lovely to hear, that you can climb all those stairs again!!!!!

    And yes, your old home's view is wonderful.

    I think some compulsory military training is a good thing. All knowledge is a good thing.

    ๐Ÿ‚๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‚

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  2. Compulsory military training would be good here.

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  3. Do the new recruits moan and groan in the same way those called up for National Service did in the UK.
    Little do most of them realise they'll look back at this time with fondness in years to come. Growing up and bonding with others is a rite of passage needed by many of the youth in other parts of the world
    Bet there were a few sore heads the next morning:)

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  4. The priest looks and sounds like a real character LA.

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  5. Love your life. When your feeling down go to town and there will be someone who you can pass a few hours with
    In our world. Where it’s all about th nuclear family until it isn’t nuclear any more. It can get lonely

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  6. That is an amazing view. Do you miss someone else taking over the role you use to have or are you happy about it?

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  7. I've commented before, but please read my latest post........

    Please and thank you...

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