Busy times in Serifos

 Sunday night - Monday

So I had a lovely meal last night, the place I thought I was going to go to was only a bar, so I had to pick another place, but it was good. There seems to be lots of Americans around, I think some of them are having boating holidays, a huge yacht came in before dusk, I imagine there would be a big number of people on it. I got a few sunset photos, the moon seemed bigger last night, it rose above a mountain. There is a big concrete apron by the harbour, it has a couple of benches on it, but is largely unused, until children race around on it. It’s a pity it’s not being used for some community presence in some way. That’s my only criticism of the port area. The Horas can be seen on the right hand side of the photo.

This morning mindful that the sun set behind me, I opened my shutters early and got a couple of sunrise photos that were quite good. I might try again bit later tomorrow morning. I decided to still walk up to the Horas, but started early  to avoid the heat. It’s going to be very warm over the next couple of days. I found my kitchen taps, they were lurking behind the lace curtains! After I had my meal last night, I went to a bar, it’s called the Captains like the one on Sifnos, not a very original name perhaps! The wine was very cheap, it was very nice, and came with some cheese. The only downside with being right on the front is there is music being played, until late, my shutters eliminated a lot of it, I had my iPod earphones in my ears last night. In my room is an island guide, it opens out flat and has a map of the island, featuring all sorts of things ( a photo of it is in my Google Photos album ) in a sort of cartoon form. It’s really innovative, which is nice to see. 

So I started my walk up to the two Hora’s quite early, with a bottle of water in my hand. The road zig zags as it climbs the mountain to the Horas, but there is a footpath that goes straight up so you can avoid the road. Even though it was early, you could feel the difference when you were in the shade. I saw a horse and donkey in separate fields and went past the medical centre, no hospital here. When I got to the lower reaches of the first Hora, I just went in and wandered about. There are no streets, most of the houses are only accessible by paths, but there is a road section at the upper level. I could smell honeysuckle, before I could see it and the antirinum plants were so big. Wherever you are in Greece, you are never far from the noise of a Hilti drill, hammering away at concrete or stone. 

I saw a school, being used, but there were a lot of houses empty and derelict. I imagine a lot of people want to live below by the coast where the jobs are. I must admit I was about to give up on the idea of there being any shops at all, but I came across what is probably the centre, first couple of craft shops, then a cafe, bakery, a restaurant and another cafe. There were three windmills here, which look like they have been turned into houses. I bought myself a spanakopita which was only two and a half Euros, the best I have had on this trip. I then went into the cafe.

I managed to order myself a coffee, the owners English was as good as my Greek, but he showed me some photos on the wall, when they had snow in 2001 and 2 I think . He pointed out his dad and mum.  There was a guy with a horse or a mule outside not sure which it was, with two saddlebags, it was moving large stones, it seemed ok and was not suffering. I asked if I could take a photo, I thanked him afterwards. Footnote, my car hire guy says these animals can get to places lorries cannot, otherwise it’s a helicopter job, which is ridiculously expensive!

On the way back, I met an English couple, having a rest. I told them, they did not  have far to go. On the way back, it was starting to get really hot. I bought a drink and ice cream in  Livadia. I then popped into one of the estate agents for a general chat about renting here. I got some good tips. I asked what car hire company to use, they recommended one, and said mention us when you see him. I have said this before but if you meet a businessman here and you directly or indirectly have a connection to him, it opens doors. It probably does in the UK, but over here it seems more tenable. So I have hired a car for one and a half days, and it’s costing me for just one day. I understand on Milos, they are renting a lot more cars and they are newer, but there was none of the meticulous checking of the car, it’s much simpler and relaxed. He gave me some tips in what to see and what it was like here in the winter.

So I started out by going to the North West of the island, there were three beaches, and I found the local refuse tip! I knew there was what is called the Colossus Throne, so I drove to that.  

On the way to the stone throne, I saw this odd church, most of them are blue and white, this one had red on it too. There is some special significance, I need to look that up. 

 There is a beach and old mining area called Mega Livadi, I imagine when  the mine was going before tourism took off  Mega Livadi was bigger and busier than the now port of Livadi. I had a drink there, and I was lovely, so relaxed. I was going to go to a town called Panagia, I will do that tomorrow, but I went past the ruin of a white tower, so I stopped for a quick look. It is not as tall as the one on Andros, but the stones that made it bigger, are there to see.