Another litterpicking day

 Monday 28th November 

I had to get some food items for myself and the cats before I fed them this morning, and shops were open as usual after their Sunday off. I did my “are you well” and it worked out ok again! I hope I don’t end up being a one trick pony! I showed Den the course I am doing and my crib of words and short sentences I have done. After doing my shopping I went to feed the cats. They were all there and the imposter, who is now firmly part of the tribe was waiting in the feeding area. Bit by bit, it’s getting used to me and more confident. Funnily in the morning we don’t often get other cats trying to muscle in, it’s the afternoons that they tend appear. As I walked past Marinos, I said hello, he would have been pleased I was wearing trousers, it’s much colder how, but not as cold as the UK!

I made a Thai Green curry last night. I had the cat sitter around and he was kind enough to bring a bottle of wine. It’s my first proper meal that I have cooked for someone in this house. My Sifnos friends had a pizza here, but that was very last minute, as unexpectedly the only taverna that we thought would be open, was closed for the season. Even though I am wearing trousers, it’s getting a little chilly in the house, sort of fifteen to eighteen degrees. 

I did my litter pick, down the road and backup via the path. There was even less to pick up today, most of it like last week was historical rubbish that I could see. The plants are really taking hold now, I am pleased I started this before we had the rains, as I managed to get rid of a lot of rubbish which would no longer be visible. I got lots of encouragement on the way, which helps a lot. It’s not hard work, and the new gloves I have now, mean my hands are better protected than the other ones I had. I really hope the clover flowers, it will be quite a sight, as there is so much of it about.

When I got to Livadi, I went to Grans and tried the “Zambontyropita”, they did not have any, but I said the word followed by “Ochi “ ( which means no)  but the name of the pie, did not resonate well! The lady, who I think owns the place said it, her version sounds like it’s got another syllable in it, my version comes from Google Translate. She said “when do you go back?” I told her June, she said “that ought to be enough time to say it properly!” It’s all in fun, but she is right! I sat outside, on a bench and listened to several chapters of the Greek course, going over chapters that I did a while ago as a refresher. I then went to the bakers, bought another coffee and did the rest. I think I might have gone a bit too fast on the last few chapters, and I need to make sure these new words have sunk in before I proceed. I will have to buy the second part of the course, my next audible token should appear soon. 

As can be seen it’s quite cloudy today, not too much wind, my washing was fairly dry when I got back, thankfully no rain. That is going to appear later this week.

I walked back to Hora, the rusty abandoned BMW finally seems to have been removed, I don’t know how that happened, do you report it to the KEP? There are other abandoned cars around here, they can be identified by them having flat tyres. Where the electricity folks had been working yesterday, there was a bit of rubbish left behind, but not a huge amount. For my operation,  I might delay booking my hotel in Athens, as the cat sitter is staying in a hotel in the area where I need to be, he will be there before me, so he can report back, so I can see if it’s worth staying in. 

Tonight it’s a quiet night, a home made meal, a bit of tv and crosswords.