Kids in cars

 Last night, I had a lovely meal in a Taverna that had opened that night. It was a very enjoyable pizza, seafood style. My friend had the four seasons one. The place was busy with lots of recently arrived people on the island, although Greek Easter is a week away, the schools are closed you see. On the way back just before the road reaches up, to climb the mountain I saw a pair of hands, thumbing a lift? Small hands at that. I stopped and picked up three children, probably ten. We had a conversation, was I on holiday, no I live here. I dropped them off at the car park, and got three very grateful thank you’s in Greek and in English. 

As my dog Palace’s second in command, as I call it had stayed down last night, we had to feed the dog’s when we arrived. Most of the dogs are given homeopathic medications. They certainly seem to be doing well on it. One has prostrate trouble and was given a very short time to live, but seems to be thriving. They were of course doubly pleased to see us. I took all of them on alternative routes on there, as they seem to enjoy it so much more. To be on new territory, if you like. There are plenty of alternatives up there. The flowers are still amazing, I can see some that came early, are now dispersing seeds, some flowering, and some still to open up their flower buds. Some like thistles and fennel are growing around the skeletons of last years growth, that has miraculously remained present, despite the winds.I have decided to split my Serifos photos folder into two, one having the flowers I take photos of, so I can see the ones I have snapped and take better or ones of new flowers next year, or possibly from now on. 

Photo Interlude - Some of the dogs relaxing after their walk

We disturbed a beautiful bird on one walk. It was about the size of a UK blackbird, but over most of it is body had wide black and white stripes, like a Zebra. No photo, sorry. English meadows probably looked the edges of the tracks we walk on, before herbicides and other chemicals were used on them. Ironically the tracks and paths that cut into the perennial tough shrubs on the mountains have given nature another bolt hole to grow all these beautiful flowers, for us to enjoy. I am amazed the goats aren’t eating them. As usual Rita, the biggest dog, was reluctant to do her walk and had to be cajoled along. She is in the photo above.

Photo Interlude - flower on the mountain 

After another magnificent lunch, savoury pumpkin pie and a delicious Greek salad, with bread from the best bakers on Serifos, there was time for a rest, before we painted part of the inside of one of the inhabitants kennel ( it’s more like a garage in size) with paint my friend had left over. After the usual brush and dinner for them, we left them, to rest for an other day in Dog Paradise. When I got home and was changing my washing over, a Beagle head appeared on the top of my neighbours wall. They arrived late last night. Typical  Beagle super nosey, but lovely with it.