Well, I am back to it after two weeks away visiting family, resting the withered arm, and spending money we don’t have. How long I will be here for remains to be seen, but today, I am coming to you live from the kitchen, because it’s not worth trying to heat the other part of the house for only a few hours each morning. Not right now. I’ve had a lot going on, I’ve a lot to do, and I am behind on my writing, so this blog, and others that might follow, will be short.

We were out for dinner on Saturday night and took a trip down the lane to Niki’s Kitchen, which now has an upstairs dining room to go along with the outside seating in the summer. There’s nothing much that beats a classic Greek village taverna in the winter. The long welcome chat, the board with chalked menu, the ‘I’ll be downstairs, just bang on the floor when you want me,’ and of course, the good food.

There’s also nothing much that beats a high-school fund-raiser rebetika night at a more modern place like Scena, where Harry’s class was raising money for their end of school (and we mean, no more school ever after this June) trip to the exotic climbs of… Well, Rhodes, apparently because they can’t afford to go further afield. A great evening out, good food, music and company, and now, on to work.

Another chilly day today, but not as windy, so hopefully, we won’t have to have all heaters running all day, and we might be able to open shutters later and air the house. Meanwhile, the dehumidifier is running to draw the damp from the bedroom, but the bathroom is a lost cause. Well, it’s not, but the ceiling needs to come down and be put back up again, but that’s going to have to wait. As for me, I am going to have one of my elbow breaks, by which I mean I have to take a break from typing for a few days, like a week or so. The old arm needs to rest so no more blogs, no more storytelling, and no more Chopin for a week, maybe. Yes, I know, I hate it too, but this thing is gradually getting better, but will only continue to do so if I don’t overwork it. So, I either carry on as normal until I cannot type anymore at all, ever, or I stop after today, have a rest and then come back later, so to continue for longer. Anyway, there’s much to do around the house by way of sorting, spring cleaning, and so on, that I tend to neglect in favour of writing.

In the absence of any other news on my part, here’s a photo of the village the other night, and a couple from the other morning showing winter skies and spring greenery.

I’m coming to you today wearing three jumpers, with both heaters on, and a hole in the sitting room window. It’s still rather blowy out there, so much so, it blew off part of the frame around the ox-eye, allowing the north wind to come straight in. Later, we’ve got the unenviable task of getting down the very big ladder, going up to the ceiling, fixing the wood back on (hopefully), and coming down again. It’s not that high, I suppose about 12 feet? But then you’re up there and one of you has vertigo while the other gets off balance with heights… Meanwhile, here’s today’s sunrise photo taken over the wall, because I’m not opening the shutters to view the sea, nor going up on the roof.

This is probably the coldest we’ve been for a year (?). Up to now, the winter season has been damp and warm, with temperatures around 12 to 15°, but suddenly in the past few days, it’s dropped to:

Which may not be much for those who live further north or higher up, but when you don’t have carpets, central heating, and windows that fit, and when the houses are designed to be cool for the hot summers, well, you can imagine the fun. Still, that’s one of the reasons we like living here, that ‘get on and make the most of it’ attitude. Therefore, I shall be making the most of today with some writing work while I can (got to love anti inflammatory medication), a forth jumper or a blanket over my knees, and later, piano and model building by which time, I hope, the kitchen will be warm enough to sit in.

Just a quick update today, and mainly about the weather, and because I got up very late (for me), because I didn’t want to leave the warmth of a duvet, quilt, and two blankets, which is kind of what we need in the middle of winter. At least we’re not rushing to catch a 4.30 ferry to leave the island as they have been doing in Santorini. If you want the Greek news perspective on the seismic activity there, look at ekathimerini, which is in English, and then dig around for more on their brief stories.

As for us, today the temperature has fallen below 10° for the first time in ages, and I’m wearing two jumpers in the house. Here’s the view this morning.

And here was a view yesterday afternoon as we went for a stroll – before heading back early because of the thunder rattling around. It was brief, but it’s never good to hear thunder and realise you’ve left your PC plugged and router in.

And that will have to do us for today. I am, again, suffering from my arm/back/elbow/neck business, and will soon have to take some time away from typing to let it recover. I’ll just get this next book finished first…