Another good nights sleep, but not feeling A1 yet. It is cold and cloudy today and only 9 deg. I stayed in and wrote my blog, also caught up with some emails and Facebook. I drooled over some delicious sweets, but I am being very good and sticking to my boring, bland diet - Doc's orders! I have some new recipes to try when I am better - Lemon cake, Ice-cream and a Black Forest dessert. We had a visit in the garden from a Hoopoe bird, it is beautiful. I have never seen one before.
Day 20 - Saturday 19.4.14
I woke feeling human today, definitely on the mend. It is cold, cloudy and miserable which is such a shame as it is a big day in Corfu town. I would have loved to be there, but I am not well enough - maybe next year. I will just have to be content to watch it on TV there are lots of marching bands and 'pot' throwing, thousands of people have braved the cold and rain. The explanation is:-
On Easter Saturday. At 6.00 a.m. at the church of the Virgin Mary of Ksénon (of the strangers) the custom of the artificial earthquake re-enacts the earthquake that followed Christ’s Resurrection. At 11.00 a.m., the first Resurrection is announced. People say the phrase “Christós Anésti” (Christ is risen) to one another. The response is “Alithós Anésti” (he has truly risen). Be prepared to experience a truly unique celebration: “Christós Anésti” is proclaimed against a background of loudly pealing bells and the joyful sounds of the bands as they parade through the streets. People hurl clay pots from windows and balconies which crash noisily on the streets below.
Here are some photo's - not mine - but it is what I am watching on TV.
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Vasso is here again cleaning, so we are sat inside Mercy out of the rain while she cleans, it is such a change from last week when we were sat in the sunshine.
We did a little local shopping, some Village wine - for when I am better, also a plant to take to our Easter Lunch. The guy in the shop said the plant's name means 'love', I told him it is Bizzie Lizzie in England, he said 'Greek is much better'
Phil took a photo of some sheep on our way back - he said there is tomorrow's lunch in that field!
We had a long walk along the beach - Phil and Poppy managed to loose the ball - it was being taken out to sea - here they are looking for it.
We lost sight of it and walked further up towards the North end, a little girl came running up, she had found it, she promptly took the thrower and started playing with Poppy. We had a long chat with her parents they are from South Africa and are driving round the Island.
Tonight I had my first glass of wine for over a week and a proper meal, cheese omelet and a jacket potato. It tasted so good.
At midnight the Greeks go to church and then to mark the end of Lent they have lots of Firework displays. Poppy does not like the bangs and refused to go out to do her last wee.
Day - 21 20.4.14 Easter Day (89 days without a cig for me)
The favourite Greek saying this morning is ' Christ is risen - enjoy the lamb!'
Sophia cooked eggs, they are boiled in a red dye to signify Christ's blood.
Phil went over to the Marvel at 9am to watch the Chinese grand prix but unfortunately they could not get a signal so he had to miss it 'live'. He was praying no one would tell him the result before he saw the highlights.
We were very lucky to be invited to have lunch with the Makris family at the hotel - when we arrived Spiros was cooking the lamb and it smelt wonderful!
The meal was delicious, I managed to eat a small portion of lamb, against the docs orders. We were made to feel very welcome and we feel privileged to have been asked to join the family.
The afternoon turned out to be beautiful so Poppy and I walked to the beach while Phil watched the Grand prix as they had managed to get a signal.
This evening I had my first glass of wine out of our 10 litre box. It has been tormenting me all week every time I went in the fridge - it is delicious.
Day - 22 21.4.14 Easter Monday!
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| Looking down to Arillas from Akrotiri |
What a glorious day it is here, we drove up to Akrotiri for morning coffee with Sara Davis and her hubby Gary. She was telling us that someone has dumped two very young kittens next to a bin near where they live, so she is caring for them.
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| Front garden |
On our way back we called at Arillas beach for Poppy to have a run and play. We bumped into a lovely couple who we met on the Bari ferry, Loretta and Terry, and had lunch with them, they have rented a house near Gouvia. They came back to look at our apartment and we have arranged to meet up again, after we told them about Brouklis spit roast lamb, Terry's favourite. I have just been laid in our garden soaking up some rays - life is good.
The flowers in our front garden are all starting to bloom and smell wonderful.
Day 23 - 22.4.14
When I got up this morning it was sunny but cool, then the sun disappeared behind a thick blanket of cloud and never re-appeared all day.
We walked up to the Bakery their bread is gorgeous as are the fresh baked biscuits. Any weight I lost last week will soon come back if I keep going there!
After lunch we went down to the beach, where we met Doug playing with his dog. Each dog had the same ball and kept getting them mixed up. Quick coffee at the Beach point and a catch up with the locals then back to cook our dinner. Cottage Pie all home made - I tried a drop of the local Rose wine we bought, but didn't like it - it makes nice gravy though.
This evening I had a call from our friends Christine and Steve, they were at Portofino saying hello to Spiros so we walked down to have a drink with them. Spiros had cooked some Octopus - Phil tried it - I didn't! We had a lovely evening having a good catch up - bonus was we got a lift home.
Day 24 - 23.4.14 St Georges Day
Today is cloudy but a warm 22deg.
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| Abelospito |
We were invited to a BBQ at Bob and Nicola's house this afternoon in Armenades. Bob is the author, Robert White, I loved reading his books - The Fix and Dirty. Their house is lovely, set in a valley and surrounded by so many green hills and beautiful scenery. To the North on the horizon can be seen the mountains of Albania, Nicola told me that you can see the snow on them in the winter. The village of Armenades is down the hill a little way with just one shop, which is also the local pub, also a bakery which supplies most of the shops in the area. No one speaks English, which is exactly what Bob and Nicola wanted.
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| View to the West from Verandah |
Their house is called 'Abelospito' which means house with the vines.This is the view from their Verandah. apparently in the summer the vine provides some much welcome shade. While we were sat there the sun came out and it turned into a beautiful, memorable afternoon. They also have Swallows nesting in the eaves. Poppy had a great time too and loved the freedom.
They do have a problem with damp inside the house and are contemplating having it knocked down and re-built, more or less the same as it is now. We do envy them and wish we had bought here instead of Spain - hindsight is wonderful.
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| Presenting the trophies with Neil, to Pete and Andy! |
This evening we went to the Three Ws in San Stefanos to show our support for Neil at his darts presentation evening. He even asked me to present the prizes to the winners. Margarita and Crisanthos put on a superb hot buffet, another pleasant evening!
Day 25 - 24.4.14
When I woke this morning it was pouring with rain - even Poppy didn't want to go out in it!
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| Wet wet wet! |
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