What's up

I heard a lone cicada yesterday afternoon.  The sun during the day is still very hot.  This time last year we had the last batch of visitors and they were still swimming.  October, the best of months.  November is usually in that category too.

My oldest grandson is doing his compulsory military service at the moment.  He's tall, the tallest in his company during the 3 weeks training and was selected for special service.  He could have been one of those guards you see in Syntagma Square guarding Parliament but opted out of that.  Instead he will be one of those in the squad that ascends the Acropolis in the morning and evening to raise and lower the greek flag.  He will also do duty on official occasions guarding the President of the Republic or marching in parades.

So, if you're coming to Greece this next 9 months and going up the Acropolis, as every tourist does, then watch out for the best looking lad. That will be him. 

Every Greek male has to do service in one of the armed forces.  It used to be a 2 year stint, now my grandson is only serving for 9 months.  He'll be finished in time to enjoy the next summer.

They get paid next to nothing.  I remember years ago they received 1,000 drachmas.  Just enough to get a few packets of cigarettes.  Now G told us he will have 10 euros credited to his bank account.  Every month?  He says it's a one time payment.  It's peanuts, whichever way.  They get fed and clothed, uniform only, and I think they get travel vouchers too so they can go home and see Mama.

Christmas is coming whether we like it or not.  For some years now we have been talking about doing a Secret Santa gift exchange and we finally got it into gear a few weeks ago,  We put names on paper and into a nice greek pot and everyone drew a paper. You only buy a present for the person whose name is on your piece of paper. 3 of the grandchildren drew their own names.  What's the odds? Redraw! 

So now we only have to buy one present for our secret-santa-receiver.  I thought it would be easy but in actual fact it's not.  We have all the money to put on one person.  One good present which they will enjoy opening.  There are still the xmas stockings for the grandchildren though they're really too old for that.  The youngest is 15.  Trivia and sweets go in those.  

Talking of trivia, after the 'lottery' we played a greek version of Trivial Pursuit.  No feasting this time, just coffee and excellent brownies and carrot cake. Thanks kids

The trivial game was hilarious.  Thank goodness I managed to answer enough questions to save face.  Who sang 'Singing in the Rain'.  No, not Frank Sinatra but good ole Gene Kelly.  What was the mascot at the French world cup football final in 1998.  Thank goodness for rugby, which has nothing to do with football finals.  But I know the Australian team is called the Wallabies, the South Africans are Springboks, England are the Lions and amongst others I  know that France is represented by the Rooster.  WIN!

I left most of the greek questions to the others in my team.  But I did know the temple at Delphi is dedicated to Apollo.  I've been there 3 times.

Next I  have to order xmas cards and xmas crackers.  Xmas cards are cheap on the chinese giant Shein.  Xmas crackers I'm not sure about.  We used to buy them from Ebay but we can't use that anymore because we have to pay ridiculous import tax on everything coming from England.

And finally the cinema.  That rooftop movie theatre is still running.  Blankets provided on these colder nights.

This time the movie I saw was based on an Agatha Christie book.  A Haunting in Venice is the name.  Based very loosely on one of her books  I might add.  It was great entertainment.  Very dramatic. Kenneth Branagh with his huge walrus moustache as Poirot.  I loved it .  I'm thinking I'd love any movie shown on a rooftop on Poros.  It was fun, it was noisy.  I had great company once again and ohhh, that aroma of buttery popcorn!

This week The Exorcist is being shown.  The new version. I take my words back, that is one movie I would NOT enjoy at a Poros rooftop cinema.  I won't be going.  But my granddaughters will.  Ye gods and little fishes.  They've got strong nerves.