Winter Roads

 Walking in the wild.  

I walked slowly today but went further than I usually go.  The sky was blue, there was no cold wind, no traffic or people and I had no time limit. No one waiting at home, wondering why I was taking so long, worrying that something had happened. Nice to have someone back home, yes, but not the restriction. 

I had my favourite country and western music to listen to. And my tablet to take some photos on a wider scale.  The vistas aren't overly inspiring.  Roads and fields, green grass now instead of brown.  Scenery I've photoed over and over.   This is my turf. This is my life. 

The home run.  It's a steep hill as soon as I go out the front gate. 

5 years ago when I started my daily walks up here it took me 5 minutes with 5 stops to reach the top. Now I can do it easily in one minute

I've lost a lot of kilos in those 5 years and I'm a lot fitter

Coming back it's an easy downhill final 'run' 

After a kilometre the sea is on the horizon

The sea, the mainland and the extinct volcano above the village of Methana

A detour along the dirt road leading down to the fish farm

I count the power poles and try and go one further everytime I come along here

Or I continue down the tarsealed fire road round the back of the island

I usually go as far as the small chapel dedicated to St Antoni.  About 2 ks

And it just happens to be 17th January today and the Fiesta of St Antoni.  Happy name day to brother Tony

It would have been decked out in flags today for a festive morning service. 

Looking down over the fertile plateau of Fousa

The water doesn't drain easily from this flat area with its olive trees and vineyards.  In days of yore when there was a greater rainfall the vines were trimmed in January from a rowboat.  So they say

The abandoned houses on the hill, slowly falling in on themselves . Built without the correct permits.  Building was ordered to stop over 20 years ago. What a waste.  

Next door neighbour Hera. She follows me quite a long way, on the other side of a high fence. 

She's a malinois, dogs known for their ferocity. 

We get on OK. She gives a bark when she sees me. I speak to her softly and she stops and listens.  I am glad though to have that fence between us

A promise of spring