Country life

 Monday

So the ferry arrived pretty much on time and we all got off, at least it wasn’t raining. I used the navigation on the phone to find the property. Out of town I went ( Gavrio ) and uphill. Eventually I reach a bend in the road, found a friendly local and he pointed out the property. I then rang the owners brother and I was let in. It’s very quirky inside with bright reds and other bold colours. The washing machine which is an oddity itself and other white goods are also painted red. It’s a bit basic but it’s clean and ok. The only noise I get to hear is the occasional vehicle, sheep, chickens and goats, who all live next door to me. Oh you can hear a dog bark now and then too. It’s very difficult to capture the inside of the place but this gives you can idea!

After a coffee and a bit of unpacking, I heading into town the other way, in the hope of finding the supermarket and car hire place the brother mentioned. I found the first only. I then went into the town and had a good wander round, first buying a cheese and ham pie at the bakers. On my way I found this pretty house which reminded me of the buildings on Syros. 

Gavrio is bigger than I first thought, I found a little cove where there was a derelict building of some description.

There was a ship with some kind of aggregate in its hold, in the port, which was being unloaded into lorries. I wondered if this was for the wind farm that www.saveandros.com mentions. I would rather have a wind farm than a huge port enhancement, the latter built in the hope that it would bring more tourists in. I went up to the big church, sadly locked but there was a swifts or swallows nest in the porch section. It’s years since I have seen either. When I was a young boy, they would crowd the electric wires just before they flew away in the autumn. A ruined building with open windows had doves in it. There was a sign here, to a restaurant in a little open area which was very pretty. There were some steps with some good words painted on them. 

I continued along the narrow beach, around the horseshoe bay until a fence stopped me. Near here were small fisherman’s houses, some still with nets outside them. Some were derelict. Back in the l town, I saw at least one hardware shop, jewellery and other crafts, two bakers and a lot of tavernas. Of course a selection of ferry ticket and car hire places. But not too many hotels or advertised rooms, so I don’t think this place really gets overrun with tourists. On the way back I walked further along the road following the sea, until I came to a little area with seats and a nice view. I then walked back, popped into the supermarket and then returned back to my place. There are plenty of pretty flowers in the small fields.

Tomorrow I will  watch and listen to my neighbours funeral online, his daughter was adamant he would not want me to change my travel plans. I might be around when they inter his ashes, where he will be looking over his allotment, the churchyard is next to them. After this I will get a car and start to explore the island.