It is worth
reaching the end - Sigri – June 2014
I
live in the centre of Liverpool, England – home of the Beatles, two football
teams and a history of political opposition to national governments! But away
from urban living I’ve been lucky enough to be introduced to Sigri by my friend
Pat Mary who has been coming here for long periods for many years.
This
year was my fifth visit in 10 years and as ever the sun warms your skin and the
people your heart.
Inflating my tyre!!
I’m
a pathetic non swimmer but because I really envy those swimming in the tranquil
waters of the town beach among the shoals of little fishes I brought my own
adults’ swimming ring that was made to look like a tyre. But I found to my
horror it had to be inflated by machine – what could I do? A visit to Adonis with
my problem was the answer and hey presto he found a kind person to blow it up
for me. Next time I will have learned to swim honest!!
Birds – on the
way to Faneromeni, by the flat marshy bit before the little church of Prophitis
Ilias on the high mound, I saw on the same morning two egrets, two ruddy
shelducks and ... two black storks! On the way back to the airport I saw
flamingos at Kalloni.
Horses – some
magnificent stallions and mares (as well as a sweet foal) were in and around
the village this year.
Food – of course!
There was wonderful fish at all the tavernas including sea bream, sea bass and
red mullet. Local dishes such as gigantes (butter beans) and meatballs were
excellent. The souvlaki bar served not only excellent food but also, on this
visit, excellent music from visiting musicians. The church festival ended with
a buffet and many plates of homemade savouries and pastries were pressed upon
us. Every day brought pies and tasty breads from the bakery; locally grown
plums, peaches, and vegetables of all kinds from the green grocer and everything
you could ever need from Georgia’s shop. Last but not least an invitation to a
local home for coffee introduced us to homemade preserved figs in syrup, peach
kernel liquor and melt in the mouth cake.
Petrified Forest – I have to go to the
Petrified Forest Museum every time I come to Sigri as it is truly unique and
amazing. The staff are always helpful and eager to answer any queries. On this
visit Spiros, taking me back to Mytilene by taxi, explained that the women I
saw working with the road-widening crew were specialists there to identify any
new petrified trees emerging from the rock. Indeed he stopped and showed me
where two tree trunks had been found and could be seen quite clearly.
I
only stayed for 10 days but all this happened and I know I will have forgotten
some things.
What
can I say? The Beatles say it for me below (and by the way the font is from a
charity for homeless people in Spain and has been formed from their writing on
street placards http://www.homelessfonts.org/buy/)
There
are places I remember (Beatles, lyrics Paul McCartney)
There are places I
remember all my life
Though some have
changed
Some forever, not
for better
Some have gone and
some remain
And I know I’ll
never lose affection
For people and
things that went before
I know I’ll
often think about them
In my life I loved
you more
Steph
Petrie