Thursday, 26 October 2023

Here We Are - Where Are We?

 

To echo the Great Billy Conolly, what we are saying now is ‘Well, here we are' to express a sense of arrival. The second half expresses the question many friends are asking, so here goes.

 Since we were unable to find a property that we were willing to buy, we happened upon this property in the nearby area. It is a beautiful building set in well-kept grounds and has some characteristics of the traditional Macedonian mansion. We are very fortunate in our landlord and landlady, aka as l/lordies, who live above, while we rent the ground floor of the building.

                                           

We’ve just dealt with the last packing box and our picture frames are in place. Our nesting phase is well nigh complete. I’m sitting on the patio, overlooking the vineyard, the moody Hortiatis mountain in the background. Nearby four pomegranate trees display their autumnal warmth and gladden the heart.

                                           


Recently while flicking through past pictures and felt pangs of nostalgia for our old house. Then I realized that essentially what I was missing were the good times when we’d shared meals with friends as well as the garden I enjoyed. Physical items that we loved, we brought with us. Patio furniture was an essential purchase.

                        


                          
Z has acquired a little patch of ground and has planted lettuce, onions, rocket and dill. 
 I have assumed responsibility for the rosebushes which I am delighted about.

We are, however, regularly plied with eggs, vegetables and fruit from the owners’ not-so-small holding. Our two fridges are currently groaning with their produce: grapes, pomegranates, courgettes, peppers, cucumbers aubergines and lettuce.  

 We are both very happy to potter around outside, lending a hand when required, but the beauty of life here is that we have no obligations to do anything. I guess this last picture symbolizes how I intend to use at least some of my time.

                                                      

 Life on our Macedonian ‘croft’ is good.  😊

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