New Years Eve

 Saturday December 31st

Last night. It’s a long time since I sipped champagne, ate nibbles and looked into a lovely open fire. In fact I don’t think I have ever done that! We were guests of a lovely gentleman who owns this house that he had erected on a plot of land, truly in the sticks on the island of Sifnos. One of my friends, carefully navigated a very dodgy single track towards this magnificent property. We could not really see it, as it was dark, but the insides were amazing. It wasn’t super flashy or kitsch, it was just really well designed and built. The furnishing were good too, a mixture of period furniture from France and new from Greece, like the beautiful Greek dining table. After our champagne and nibbles, we had a tasty pasta followed by a velvety chocolate mousse and then a glass or two of Hennessy brandy. On the walls were a few paintings done by our hosts mother, but the eye catcher was one of him as a young man, leaning on a chest of drawers. Below the panting was that chest if drawers. It was a lovely evening, so thanks to him. 

Photo interlude - My friends dog, enjoying a swim in Vathi yesterday

One thing I forgot to mention about the walk yesterday were the spiders webs. I am sure we all have walked through them in autumn when going along paths. I had not expected to have this sensation when walking the path yesterday, but I did. In fact I saw a few of these silky webs as I walked along yesterday. 

This morning, having had an invitation for coffee at a friends house by the monastery Chrisopigi, we decided to drive to nearby Faros and walk there. I have done this walk before and it follows the coastline between the two. Before I met my friends, I bought one of my pies and ordered in Greek, a brown bread loaf. The Google translation version of Happy New Year was too complicated for me, so I showed it to the bakers and the two other shops I have used here. When my friends turned up in their car after getting in, their dog had his usual bit of my pie.

The drive to Faros has us go over the only roundabout on the island which does seem a bit strange as being unneeded. We parked in the empty car park at Faros and started our walk. The beach was empty and in the sun we felt quite hot. After crossing the beach and a little alleyway we were heading across another beach, before climbing up steps to go past a ruined building, said to be part of the mining industry years ago. 

The views down to the sea were spectacular with beautiful colours of the sea. The dog was off the lead and enjoying his freedom, taking the role of pack leader. Half way there is a church I have seen before. At this point we get our first view of Chrysopigi and the beach next to it. 

Soon we were there and sitting down in our friends garden looking over to the monastery and the sea. It’s a fantastic view. Our friend gave us coffee and nibbles, and we relaxed in the heat of the December sun. It was easily twenty in it. Above us are a couple of houses, one being the grandparents house of our friend built in the early twentieth century. The wood was painted a very dark red colour, not the usual blue we normally see here.

Before we left,  another friend popped his head up. I had met him once before and he was on the island for a week or two. We all had another quick chat before we all left our friend and walked back to Faros. This gave me an opportunity to have a conversation with the friend who turned up after us, which was nice. The walk back was still in full sun. 

But when we got back to Faros, the dog decided that he wanted a swim so in he went! We had no towel, the car is a bit messy anyway so it did not matter to much!  Before we got home, he gave himself a shake in the car and soaked us all! It was a lovely day, we are all meeting up at a house of one of our friends, we all bringing something along to eat or drink for New Years Eve!

Happy New Year everyone!

Footnote. I have just been to the shop opposite this house, where my friends but their wine. They were about to close, and I was surprised to see what I was sure was the owners husband running the place. I explained who I was, and he knew what I needed, but gave me a taste test to be sure. He told me, he used to do photographic work and he came here years ago to do a wedding shoot. He was captivated, and as they say, the rest is history. Lovely story and true. We all have our special place, and he and me have found ours.  I hope you all have time in your lives to find yours. Hatch the escape plan !