September Sortie

 Imagine waking up early morning to such a wonderful scene! We’re enjoying a short break at Platamonas beach. It’s our no-longer-in-the-classroom September trip.

                                          

From here we can see the glorious Mount Olympos, seat of the gods. At just under 3,000 metres it is the highest mountain in Greece. This shot shows the highest peak, the Mytakis, or ‘the nose’. Recently it had its first snowfall, marking autumn’s arrival.

                                         

Nearby is the Byzantine Platamonas Castle, built between 1204-1222, it was a Crusader stronghold.  The remains of cannons testify to its strategic role in defending the area and  deterring piracy.

 My great enjoyment, when away, is to be catered for and have the dishes washed!! :) 

Just sitting doing nothing - poor signal meant inevitable detox from screen time. 

But Z did jump at the chance to help one of the hotel staff do a spot of gardening. 

And I did some music revision  to keep what Poirot calls the ‘ little grey cells’ active. 

I disagreed with the hotel owner who claimed the room above ours was the best because of the view. We did have a lovely view but we also had a bush of the fragrant nightflower below our balcony. Its botanical name is the Mirabilis Jalapa, aka The Marvel of Peru or 4 o’ clock flower - its flowers open at dusk. Incomparable!

                                           

My evenings were spent drinking in its intoxicating scent and listening to the relaxing sound of the waves washing on the pebbled beach. In moments of stillness, ‘the bliss of solitude’, these are still held in my mind’s eye, nose and ear.  Absolute magic!

Summer ebbing.

 

Thought I’d like to share a few images before our warm season completely recedes. We greatly enjoyed gazing out on these grape clusters before harvesting.

Below Z is helping his cousin in another vineyard in Giannitsa to the north. Z is the one waving – not to be confused with the larger-than-life real-art form scarecrow!

The grapes are pressed immediately, then the must ferments in barrels.

Local communities organize grape festivals with entertainment laid on: live bands and traditional dance troupes, then we take to the floor whirling round to dances from all the regions of Greece.

But there is a sadness too. Few oleander blooms remain illuminated at night as I piano practice.  

Our tomato vines are coming to the end of the season, drying and producing thick-skinned fruit.

My poor wee cyclamen has succumbed to the prolonged heat. I hope it may revive later.

En route to a recent baptism temps reached 40oC. Thankfully cold water and hand fans were on tap for guests. Even the little tot, instead of uttering wails at being dunked in the font, chuckled and was clearly ready for more of that cold water splashing. We shared his feelings!!

We eagerly await respite of cooler temperatures as autumn approaches. 😊