Magical Days

The stormy conditions have long abated and, apart from odd drifts of stones and pools of fast-drying mud, the island is rapidly returning to normal. On Sunday we went up to Kokkimidis, the second highest peak on the island. Although the main Panormitis road, on the bends immediately above Profiti Elias, is still in poor condition with rock falls and dongas from last week’s storm, the cement and dirt track up to Kokkimidis itself was in surprisingly good shape and we had no trouble reaching the top. Apart from shepherds and goatherds tending their flocks we saw no one. It was one of those magical days of slow-rolling mist and tantalizing glimpses of distant sea and shore touched by fleeting sunshine.

There was heavy dew last night and the sky is quite clear today with only isolated clouds. Temperatures are in the high teens and low twenties with enough sunshine around still to power our solar garden lights.

The carpet sellers are back on the island. Judging by the highly stylized tulip designs, they seem to be buying much of their stock in Turkey these days. Apart from the hawkers there is not much retail activity as many places have now closed for the winter or are only open for seriously reduced business hours. Wednesday marks the last day of the season for this year as that is when the last of the UK package holiday visitors depart. There are still some independent souls roaming around in hiking boots, recording flowers and birds, and capturing the island’s charms in paint or film.

Have a good week.

Regards,
Adriana