Home is on Lesvos

Eight weeks have almost past since we arrived on Lesbos. Our batteries are recharged, our nest is very comfortable but it is time to move on. On 25 August we are boarding a Greek liner and heading to northern Greece to Thessaloniki before onward to Corfu.

The absence of any blog entry is not the result of little to talk about but more about getting into a routine of daily living that has been full of reflections , meditations and local activities. Thanks for all the lovely emails we have received from friends and relatives. Technology really does bring the distance closer.

So what have we been doing the past few weeks? Firstly, we (Pavlos and Robby) fit into the Greek way of life as if we have been here for 50 plus years. Our house here has given us the stability of home yet all things Greek surround us from the time we leave the door. Already we are thinking ‘how can we return to Lesbos next year?’. There are even possibilities of jobs if we so desire! In fact, Pavlos is contemplating a partnership with a fellow Greek which is top secret!!!!! Details will not emerge until such time as it eventuates... So guess as much as you like but hey, nothing will be divulged.

Our host Captain Giorgis returned on Thursday and his hospitality has left us drunk, sleeping even longer hours and visits to unique places only known by the locals. Even the ordering of food results in delights we had never experienced before. On top of all that, Pavlos is getting free cooking lessons. Salting fresh sardines and cooking lamb in retsina. This together with a range of vegetables was one of our dinners. Another day spent about 40 mins collecting sea urchins. After that went to a local taverna where numerous delicacies were ordered and of course a plate of fresh sea urchin accompanied that. Now how many can honestly say they have eaten this delicacy?

It's been wonderful spending so much time here. Most mornings Robby walks and/or swims then Pavlos meets at our favorite café for a Greek coffee or a frappa or fredo cappaccino. (Wonder if Terrigal Surf Club will be able to provide these when we return?) The owner of the coffee shop welcomes us with a ‘kalimari’ (we have picked up a number of Greek words) and we sit with the Greek locals sipping coffee and watching the 'tourists' pass by whilst Pavlos flicks his worry beads. It is always wonderful to return to our house and sit under the pagola of wisteria and grapes and watch the breezes turn over the Aegean as well as the cats preening and stregtching in the sun. At the same time think of the things that we could do, try and plan for the day and by then it is time to think about some lunch. Generally this has been accompanied by a short drive to one of the nearby villages such as Vaforus, Skala Skimanea, Anaxoss, Eftalou or numerous others where a swim in the clear waters precedes a 'light' lunch at a taverna. We are then ready for afternoon siesta. Siesta is an essential part of the day. A sleep from 4 – 6 pm provides us with the energy to keep going until the wee hours of the morning.l

Apart from our chores of caring for the zoo we have also managed two apartments with holiday makers coming and going. We now have other skills we can add to our resumes.

We have also enjoyed the company of our friend Richard from Australia. What we realise is that just having different eyes, ears and passion around provides a new dimension for us. So, thanks to Richard, we became more aware of the 'beautiful' people (especially the Maria's), a sense of adventure to head off to different places each day and to find our favourite taverna, beach or simply a favorite drive. Richard has also been a great cook and of course entertainer.

Our friends Gianni and Eleni (and sister Elly) have added considerably to this place being so much fun. We meet them at their car hire business around 10 pm, have a drink or two before enjoying a light evening meal, a drink or listening to some music.

We wonder what it is that makes Lesbos, Greece such an appealing place to be? Here are a few of the differences… greek coffee made on wood, feta cheese preserved in the hide of a sheep or goat, ouzo – numerous brands are made on this island, olive oil – we certainly know the difference between good and bad olive oil, pebbly beaches – sometimes a pain but the clear waters makes up for it, siestas, tomatoes (best in the world) tavernas… just to name a few.

So on Saturday we are off for the next stage of this sojourn. Having had the chance to read The Pillars of Hercules by Paul Theroux, we were inspired to rethink our adventure and made a joint decision to visit islands within the Mediterranean or their adjoining seas. So, the plan is this, after Corfu, we will catch a boat via Italy to the Dalmation Coast (Croatia). Hopefully set sail for a week or two around the islands. After that another boat to Venice before a train trip to eastern Italy to head to Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Malta and then back to Turkey. You see, we have been invited to a surprise party back here on Lesbos and plan to return before heading to Spain for a couple of weeks.