British in Greece

When I went into the Coffee Shop today, it was empty. The reason? Everyone was outside. So it’s officially Greek Summertime then. I stayed in a bit, to collect my thoughts, sometimes it’s just nice to be with Marinos as the conversation, if I could call it that, is easier with one person. He asked me when I was going with the Dog Palace’s owner, I said Wednesday and Thursday this week in Greek ( he only speaks Greek) I stumbled on the last word, but he knew what it was, and kindly put me out of my misery. I have been making a note of the months of the year, they seem relatively easy, ours must come from theirs. I need to be ready for May the first, they wish each other Good Month on that day, or when you  see the person later on in the month. I am also trying to capture food names like milk and eggs, which I should know by now!

Livadi

His wife popped in, she wished me good week, as it’s the first time I have seen her this week, but in English, so I returned it in Greek, she corrected my pronunciation, I repeated it and got a Bravo. I then got given this.

Loquat

It’s a Loquat. A bit like a kumquat but maybe smaller, quite sweet with big stones. You can see I got a mini chocolate eg too. I asked him via google translate when he wanted me to work on his garden, I think I caught him out, the idea of me working on his garden is bluff, but I would love to see it. I must ask him. I told him I was going, to Livadi, on foot, he knows what I will be up too on a Monday.

Thistle

On my way down on the Donkey path, I met a teacher, I have spoken to them before. They said are you Paul, how many times have I been asked that here! Aha, she said you emailed the Winery, so she had replied. Her husband is working in the fields, pruning grapes and weeding, so she replied for him. I have managed to book a Blood donation appointment for when I am in the UK, which I am pleased about, I really want to give fifty pints. Even though I am in Greece, it’s ok to donate, as long as they know, I think they just test your donated blood for Nile virus or something like that. On the path and in Livadi,  I met several Brits, they are all on the same package. I have given them a few tips, they leave for the mainland Tuesday night. 

Old millstone

On the way back up the road, litterpicking, the sides of the road have been strimmed, they are going brown anyway. The strimming has revealed a load of litter that had been hidden by the tall spring growth. Unfortunately the strimmer can cut up the litter into bits making it difficult to pick up, but you can only do so much. I got my usual selection of car horns and Kalimera as I wound my way up the mountain road. 

An artichoke  growing wild in a field.