Wednesday 26 August 2020

Out in Society

 Our partial lockdown has ended.  However, bars, tavernas, cafeterias and the like must close at midnight, no more than 4 at a taverna/ cafe table but we no longer  wear masks in the car and in public places.

I went out shopping for the first time in weeks.  Poros might not have its usual August crowds but there were people about, drinking coffee, buying bread and beer, docking their yachts, coming to a screeching halt in the middle of the road to talk to friends and filling the sun chairs at the beaches.  It was a hot and summery day, just a little quieter than normal in midsummer


Poros was the site of the first Naval Base in modern Greece, established in 1827.  This is one of three or four cannons preserved from this time.  The others are inside the present Naval Base.  This one is on the waterfront for small boys to clamber onto and young girls to drape themselves over for a photo shot.





The cinema has finally opened.  It is open-air, on the roof top of  this building behind.  The first few movies seem to be for children.  They always have the latest releases.  This year the number of director type chairs have been halved.  No popcorn or drinks are being sold.  The ticket for everyone is a cheap 5 euros.  Films are mostly in english with greek sub-titles.   It's a good nights entertainment up there on the roof.  


Quite a few yachts have re-appeared but not the flotillas that used to weigh anchor in this spot.   A flotilla is a group of boats, full of mostly young tourists, who cruise together for a week or more.   They sail around the Saronic Gulf spending a day or more at Poros and a few other close destinations.  They go swimming, eat at local tavernas, visit ancient sites, party, drink lots of beer and navigate the blue Aegean.   






19 comments:

  1. So pleased to hear normality returning for you. Our concierge has just returned from holiday which was meant to be on Poros and they had ended up spending their time off at home in Athens. Thats not good for either them or Poros.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, we could have done with their money and their support but hey, who would want to take the risk. Hope they visit later .

      Delete
  2. That sounds like good news Linda. Long may it last.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amen. Hope people return for a last few days of summer holidays

      Delete
  3. I misread the Saronic Gulf and thought it said the Sardonic Gulf. Oh well. Enjoy yourself while you can Linda.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Last weeks of summer but I'm looking forward to September.

      Delete
  4. Early on in the piece when the cinemas had to close Drive Ins made a comeback. No flea markets allowed - which is where they were held so the plug in speakers were rewired and it was all go......for a while. Now they back on the disallowed list , I’m wondering if they’ll ever reopen
    The mention of open air cinemas brought back memories of the ones in Nicosia, that’s where The Golfer and I met. Lots of fun in the cool evening air! Rather than in the ‘proper one’ in an old tin shed on the Air Force camp surrounded by lots of young airmen teasing the life out of The Golfer.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sounds like paradise. Glad the restrictions have eased.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We all feel a little easier. Maybe we shouldn't though. I still wear a mask when out and about

      Delete
  6. I presume that cannon is pointing towards Turkey.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It damn well better be, and loaded with shrapnel

      Delete
  7. It must be nice to be able to go out and about
    Enjoy it while the weather is still nice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've still got September and October. The best months. Cool but the sea is still warm-ish

      Delete
  8. Glad to hear that life is starting to head back to the normal state of things. Hopefully some of the tourists will decide to make late holidays and help out the local island economy a bit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are hoping for some late tourists. September the temps are perfect so hopefully we will have few more people around

      Delete
  9. I still do not dare to go shopping. The situation here is not good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stay home and stay safe. You've been in quarantine for a long time though. It's hard. I'm glad I can get out now and again

      Delete
  10. So good to hear life is kind of back to normal for you, enjoy your summer.

    ReplyDelete