I think summer has finally come to an end, not bad though as we are in our final week in November. The nights are drawing in and the temperature has started to drop, daytime has dropped below 20C and night time down to 16C, but still not as cool as back in the UK.

We have had some spectacular storms, thankfully nothing like Rhodes which reported that 3 people had died and 1 was missing plus damage to property and cars was estimated at 5 million Euros.

In between the storms we still have some nice weather. On one such day Harry and I went off for one of our rambles taking my camera with us to take some photos of all the flowers and plants that are still in bloom.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm sure you will recognise most of them  but if anyone knows what this is, please let me know. They are sprouting up all over the place - only time will tell.

The locals here on Samos have been very industrious since the tourists have left. The smell of paint and varnish lingers everywhere as houses and hotels get spruced up. Everyone is collecting firewood in preparation for winter and farmers are busy in the fields tending their winter crops (which is the same crops that farmers grow in the summer in the UK).

Following on from our snake picture which amused the grandchildren,  here is this week's offering which was resting outside the apartment.

Bye for now - Harry and Kath xx

Out and about in Samos

October 28th is Ochi Day - A national holiday here in Greece. It is to commemorate the rejection by Greek prime minister Ioannis Metaxas of the ultimatum made by the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on October 28th 1940. It was a flat denial to the Italian's request for free passage  to invade Greece.

Most of the towns and villages have parades and it is celebrated in great style. Harry and I decided we would hike up to Marathokambos to watch the spectacle. We were joined by Clare who was also interested to see what it was all about and not having walked up to Marathokambos along the old road, was keen to venture along pastures new. After a moderately strenuous walk we arrived in the village square and made for one of the tavernas to enjoy a frappe in the sunshine while we waited for the parades to start.

At approximately 11.00am (I say approximately - this is Greece after all) the children marched through the village some carrying wreaths which were later placed at the memorial. Prayers were said and poetry recited before the older children moved on to the school playground
where they gave a demonstration of Greek traditional dancing. It appeared that everyone in the village had turned out for the occasion, some in their Sunday best, some having a bird's eye view from their balconies.

 

 

 

As Harry, Clare and I ambled our way back through the village before our long trek down the hill, we got the distinct impression that things were just about to get started. The goat roasting on the spit, the tavernas filling up - maybe next time we'll make a day (and night) of it.

We've had some mixed weather the last couple of weeks. The first of the winter storms was quite spectacular. Torrential rain which turned roads into rivers, gale force winds and then they disappeared as quickly as they came, the sun re-appeared and all looked normal again apart from a few loose boulders and rocks that have fallen onto the roads.

On the good days we still manage to get out on walks. This picture is of a nearby beach at Psili Ammos, much frequented by tourists and locals in the summer months. It has a fabulous safe and sandy beach and is ideal for children.








 En route to Psili Ammos we came across this snake in the road, unfortunately (for the snake) he didn't manage to get across the road. The warm weather must have enticed him out of his den. It is unusual to see snakes at this time of year as they are quite dormant until April and May.

Sunday afternoons are good for strolling along the beach to our favourite beach side taverna where we can relax, enjoy a beer and sit and admire the view. What more can we say -  enjoy the view -  so until next time bye for now. Love Kath and Harry xxx