Final days

We were aware of the developing virus situation but not the extent of the preventative measures that were to follow in due course.

These posts round up the days leading up to what would come to be known as the “Lock Down”.

At the end of February on a beautiful spring day we decided to visit the thermal baths just outside Mytilini on the Gulf of Gera.

There is the original indoor bath and a newer outdoor infinity pool version. Both have the same geothermally heated water. There are a number of these spas across Lesvos as a result of the volcanic history of the island. This is meant to be one of the better ones.

We paid for both which is a bit of a swizz at 3.00 Euros each for the indoor & 5.00 each for the outdoor one You would think one price and you have to bring your own towels, shower gel etc. – but hey ho (Apparently a common gripe on Trip Advisor we discovered later)

We had the place to ourselves initially and then only a few locals who used the indoor baths.

Very nice it was too. My legs I hasten to add. The views across the gulf were impressive, less so the temperature of the sea that had not yet heated up to the temperature we expect in high summer.

We both had a dip but it was good to get back into the infinity pool.

Louise loves a massage and as her birthday was approaching she treated herself to one while I had a coffee and checked my e-mails.

As we were about to leave the staff advised that the roads back into Mytilini could be blocked by the Police. There has been some civil unrest amongst the locals as a result of the refugee camps crisis. We found out later that tear gas had been used against the Greek residents demonstrating. A school in the camp had then been burnt down. I think things are getting to boiling point & not being helped by the continual daily influx of refugees from Afghanistan & Syria being picked up and taken to safety by the Greek Coastguard.

Luckily I knew a detour around the coast road which would bring us back into town from a different direction. It took us past Skala Loutra where there is a nice taverna we used when anchored off in the bay last summer. On arrival it was still shut for winter, however we also knew of a wee taverna up the hill in the village of Loutra which was our alternative choice. Very Greek, very nice & very cheap.

I am breaking off monetarily as Louise has just brought me a Greek salad for my lunch, serendipity or what?

Friday the 13th (ooooooh er!) is Louise’s birthday and we went to Refenes in Mytilini for lunch, and this, as it turns out, was to be our last meal out.

Now beginning to quieten down, even before restrictions. This was the harbourside on the afternoon of Louise’s birthday

We had to make do with Jigsaws and the now ready Limón cello, lol.

Although as I write this retrospectively at the end of April only the wee half full bottle is finished !!

The Limon cello police are very active hereabouts

Saturday Sundry

Those faithful souls tirelessly following our blog will know that Saturday, if the weather is fine, is our weekly sojourn into Mytilini for a glass of wine or an ouzo meze.

This Saturday was no different except we were treated to the carnival celebrations that would be on that entire week end.

A quick visit to the marina to check on the boat and pick up mail disclosed that Lily’s lavender patch is no more !!

It is a work in progress “pondette” of the island of Lesvos, very good it will be as well.

The guys told us it would be stocked with fish ………. watch this space !

Aghiassos er.. perhaps another day !

We had decided that on any reasonable days, weather wise, we would head out on the mean machine and visit some of the island.

Today was to be a visit to Aghiassos 27km from Mytilini. It is one of the biggest and most attractive villages in Lesvos, built amphitheatrically on the eastern slopes of Mount Olympus (No not that one!) surrounded by vast forests of pine, chestnut, olive & cherry trees. It is well known for its annual carnival and chestnut festival.

I made it to a filling station on the lower approach slopes here on an earlier outing (when I nearly ran out of fuel) and had decided to come back with Louise.

Unfortunately I took the wrong turning and we ended up going to Plomari.

So for the moment here’s a picture from a guide book, lol.

On route we stopped off at Therma at the head of Kolpos Yeras , one of the big lagoons, find out about visiting the thermal springs there at some future point,

then continued to Plomari for coffee before turning back to Mytilini.

Louise’ back was a bit stiff as Plomari is twice the distance from Mytilini a round trip of about 85 kms.

However, it helped that we had “pot stops” along the way at every !! wee village store that appeared promising – but apparently it’s almost impossible to get a bigger one with a handle on Lesvos that will replace our old ones & fit Camira’s galley.

One such stop and a pretty house on the outskirts

Kolpos Yeras on the way back

Lemon Lunacy

We have a lemon tree and Louise asked me to collect some lemons – I went a bit over the score so we now have lemon lunacy – lemon marmalade, lemon curd, lemon cake, lemon meringues, lemon ice cubes and limencello, which should be ready to be bottled in four weeks time. The last item you may guess was me.

You would think a Gordon’s with ice & lemon would spring to mind ? Nah no chance !

Shanty towns explosion in Lesvos

An almost overnight explosion of cardboard dwellings is being seen in the Varia region of Lesvos.

These makeshift dwellings are very becoming very popular with local itinerants who are taking up permanent residence nightly.

The contractor responsible is finding it hard to match supply with demand. He has three options available on the development at the moment:

All plots are south facing and sheltered from the north wind.

The starter home. A compact and bijoux open plan setup which includes fitted oven glove.

Moving up to the larger family home with sun porch, palm tree outlook and a view of the aquarium, again included is the fitted shag pile bath towel.

Finally the luxurious country living option for the more adventurous, featuring cavity wall insulation and plastic portico for warmth & full shelter. This option includes luxurious “Snood” flooring and the added attraction of being nearer the CAT feteria where daily meals are provided.

Some of the local residents of Moggytown as is has become to be known.

Poseurs from left to right , Wee Monhan, Snowball, Wee Ginger and Mama.

Big Ginger & Big Monhan suspiciously absent.

The happy residents and our box inspector, Snowball, doing a final snagging.

Tunnels, toys & winter tasks.

When we took the house we initially thought it was going to be great for Lily. After a period of familiarisation we had planned to let her out, like we do at the boat. However in the 1^st week we found two dead cats on the road, which is surprising as it is very quiet with almost no traffic. In addition there is family of local cats that see this as their territory so there might’ve been ” Oi ! this is my patch” confrontations.

It’s a big house so we decided to just keep her in. Probably not fair but at least she is safe and she can resort to her born free lifestyle when we return to the boat. It could well be she does a Nellie the elephant and packs her trunk, in protest.

As a result of her internment we try to keep her entertained, it’s usually us that’s entertained though.

Yes we are losing it!

We have used the boat cushions to build dens and Louise bought her a tunnel, but in the end it’s the cardboard box that wins the day.

Pine cone collection to start the wood burner. Of course I picked up ones that a cat had sprayed so now we have a bag of pissy pine cones.

The gate also blew down in the strong winds and was replaced with a metal one so demolition man used it as firewood.

Health & safety was “Oot the windae” when the wood delivery man turns his hand to pruning the olive trees with me holding up the ladder freestyle for him. Only in Greece.

Evil Kinevil off to the marina to collect his illegal ensign Jim sent him.

Its not all work and no play.

Saturday is ouzo meze day, including the birds y’know.

As a result of the “new” law the Greeks should go outside for a puff of their cigarettes , some actually do, and when this table did for 5 minutes , the wee bird helped himself to their lunch.

Blustery day for a walk

We are quite in quite a countrified location up a hill with views down to Mytilene about 5kms away. There are forestry commision type roads near us and as part of Louise’s keep fat regime she runs these most days. To be fair she’s having issues with her back and is trying everything to alleviate the problem.

Today she talked me into accompanying her , walking that is.

Being this far north means we can get cold winds from the north east, blowing a hoolie out of Turkey across the sea. Today was one of them.

The local gang came out to see us off

Olive collection time, the nets are spread.

There is a small satelite refugee camp down towards the airport. It is nothing like the one at Moria, thankfully. We believe this one was built to seperate the warring factions.