Monday
Yesterday dawned with a little cloud, but by the time I’d had my cup of tea on the balcony, that cloud had gone leaving a hovering mist across the coast of Turkey, and the sun free to break through, golden, and promising a warm day ahead. We’re told to expect a heatwave later this week with temperatures heading up to the low 30s. Hearing that reminded me of many other years when, often on June 1st, everyone started saying, ‘Hot, isn’t it?’ as if someone had turned the thermostat up. Of course, there are fewer people around to hear say it these days, and it’s not yet June, but I still had the chance to wave at people and even stop for a distanced chat while on a morning walk yesterday morning.
I did an easy one, only two miles, but it’s a start. From the house, across the square where the bin men were taking a break outside a closed café, along the lane where the bakers have been working every morning as usual, and down past the empty school and new playground. Some classes started back at school yesterday, but I wonder how many teachers we have as, I assume, many headed home a couple of months ago, and inter-island travel is still very restricted.
From there, I wandered along the road being passed by the army officers driving up the hill to work (officers are allowed to live off-base if they want), past the new wall now finished, and to Agia Marina. I had intended to stop at the new bridge, but after the scent of incense wafting from the churchyard morphed into the smell of wild oregano, I carried on a little while to take a few more snaps. Heading home via the same route, there was more waving and tooting. (The mayor tooted and waved at me the other morning, and even gave me one of his rare smiles.) Then, more greetings from the guys at the bus stop waiting for their work pick-ups, and then back along the lane, saying hello to Nikitas at the old peripteron in the square. I was back by seven and ready to start a day at the desk, which is where I am now, writing this up so I can get on with… Well, I’m not sure yet. Something else. The water’s coming in, the garden’s watered, the washing is on, and… What next? Find out in the next scintillating episode…
