The rain in the Cyclades….

Tuesday 10th January 2023

I had a really enjoyable time in Vasileas bar last night. His English is not strong, but between us we managed to have a conversation. We were the only people in the bar, it was a very windy night, but nothing like it is now. I have mentioned he was a lorry driver, he said his English would have been better had he just done runs to the UK but over his driving career, he went all over the place, sleeping in his cab, like a lot of lorry drivers do. The bar which he fitted out, used to be a house, he has had it fifteen years I think. The photo I saw on Facebook with him and the priest, was actually a blessing on his house. We are actually a couple of  months within the same age as each other. I told him about my career, my situation, going back in the summer. I think I learnt a lesson last night. When I speak to Greek people, I might have an opening sentence, I want to try on them, but I actually know quite a lot of useful words like “I know, I understand” and so on. I should use them when I can. This should improve my confidence. I notice this with a friend even when they speak English, to me, they say “neh”, instead of yes. 

Last night the wind picked up, and although the rain hasn’t appeared yet, ( 9am ) I can see it will as a depression is blowing over us. But we might not get the amount of rain predicted, but it will still be substantial. The wind might gust up to forty miles per hour, any ferry scheduled today will almost certainly be cancelled. I can hear dust and small stones being blown against the front door and windows.  Even though I have brand new windows and a door, which fit snugly, I can hear the wind testing their integrity! Meanwhile there was this lovely sunrise which I took from the next door taverna, as I could not stand upright outside my front door.

Unfortunately when I had a shower last night, the hot side side of the shower tap leaked again, I messaged my landlord and he came this morning with the plumber. I tried my Greek and offered him a coffee and he said he had been to Vasileas. I heard the plumber say the closed word, which I have just been learning. They left me with a working shower, the sink needs a new tap, that will be here in a few days. So that’s good.

The favourite pie survived yesterday, safely hidden from view in the fridge, it’s was very tasty and made a nice lunch.

I created a I Love Serifos Facebook group ages ago, where I posted walks I did and some photos  on this island. It’s not as detailed as this blog and of course what people see is controlled by Facebooks nuances. Anyway a few people have liked the posts, but I had a question yesterday. Someone is going to be staying in Livadi and had a few questions, I have answered as many as I can and will try and get the answers to the others. They are coming in July, which will be a busy time, but I hope they are going to enjoy the island. 

So the rain started, the predicted rainfall has gone down a bit more, but we had thunder. The weather is coming over the island from left to right. I can’t really see outside, the wind seems to have dropped a bit, the strong gusts have died down too, even so by the end of the day, it’s still going to be twenty five mph. Up here, I imagine it will feel stronger, as it always does. 

I have just made the Thai green curry, using the chicken breasts I brought, used green peppers, onions and courgettes. I cooked the chicken first, then added the Thai green paste, the other vegetables and the coconut milk last. One think I noticed is the coconut milk had separated into a liquid and a lump. Before adding to the other ingredients I stirred the milk in the can and got it as it should be, I imagine it’s settled over time, it’s not gone off. So far, it’s looking good! I will eat a portion tonight and freeze the rest. Fingers crossed.

As the rain was predicted to last until two, I decided to clean the house, and if I go out in the afternoon, I will mop the floor before I go out.  I will also feed the cats when I am out. Tomorrow is going to be a reverse of today, dry in the morning, then rain in the afternoon. It will take a few days before the water gets down to the lower levels of the island and the reservoir, but I hope to go down to the Washhouse and see a bit more water there  too.

I have mentioned the idea of getting some land to grow things on. I haven’t got a final agreement, but I think there is the strong possibility of having a space to grow things on, in a walled garden, sheltered not up here on the mountain. From what I can see, it’s going to be a month or two before I need to prepare the ground. But it’s looking promising.

I haven’t mentioned this before, but I have taken up on the Duolingo language learning app. In my early days of learning Greek, I found it irritating and as I did not have a clue, I only spent seconds before I ran out of hearts and was ejected, unless I wanted to buy the unlimited edition. But now I can pick up certain things, and I still don’t end up on it for ages, but I think it might help build upon what I am learning elsewhere. 

Footnote.

Despite the forecast being promising for later on, it’s still raining. ( and quite heavily ) The alternative meteo.gr website is very pessimistic, so I think this is going on until dusk. This is interesting as it’s been my first day that I haven’t really been able to get outside. Now in the UK this would not perhaps be abnormal, especially in winter months. But I have managed to keep myself amused and I have not reached for the playing cards yet!