Two summer haircuts... Had a great day today driving down to Skala Eresos to see Pam, who lives there, and Mandy, another resident and friend of Pam’s. As I waited at the local petrol station for the attendant to put in 20 euros’ worth of petrol (an attendant – what luxury!) before I set off on my journey, someone called out ‘Hello Mandy!’ I couldn’t think who could possibly know me – I’ve been here less than a week! Then I looked at who was getting out of the car by the next pump, and saw that it was my woodworking friend, along with his wife. So we had another convivial chat while my man topped me up, so to speak. I felt like I was one of the locals already as I drove off, giving my attendant a regal wave.
I’m feeling a bit knackered now, as what were very slightly wiggly lines on my map of Lesvos turned out to be massively windy roads all through the mountains with treacherous drops to one side, not low coastal roads as I’d fondly believed them to be… But it was an adventure – yet another! When I got to Skala, Pam turned out to be a mine of useful information and advice, and I’m hopeful of being able to arrange some gigs in the bars of Skala Eresos in the late summer, having spoken to several bar owners and the woman who is organising the women’s music festival there in September. It was great to see the village again too, even in its pre-season, still-being-done-up-for-the-summer-onslaught form!
Pam has a lovely house set back from the village, and two rescue dogs, one of whom is pictured here at home on my lap :)
On the no-less-windy way back to Molyvos, I rounded a bend to find the whole road blocked with sheep – and thankfully a shepherd in a pickup truck who guided them around my car. I felt a bit like Moses as the sheep miraculously parted for me as I edged forward.
Then, as I drove through a little mountain village a bit further on, a woman stepped out from the side of the narrow road and beckoned to me. Never one to ignore a beckoning woman, I slowed and wound the passenger window down, at which point she opened the door, said ‘Petra?’ (a village about five miles up the road, which I was by chance going to be driving through), and hopped in when I nodded, then gestured to her little girl to climb into the back seat! I’ve never picked up a hitchhiker before, and didn’t particularly intend to on this occasion, but I didn’t really have much say in the matter – but she was a woman, and her 8-year-old daughter didn’t seem much of a threat either! Despite neither of us speaking a word of the other’s language, we had a remarkably amicable time, and parted company five miles down the road the best of friends. She asked me my name, then told me hers – Taxielhoupla (at least that’s what it sounded like…) – and her daughter called out ‘Mikaela’ from the back. They got out at Petra, as scheduled, and I carried on my way with a beaming smile on my face.
I bought some supplies to eat – and drink, naturally – in my room as I’m happy to spend the rest of the evening lazing around. And guess who joined me for tea? Yes, my two feline friends, requesting – but not getting – more Gouda. I realise the error of my ways now – they were somewhat more demanding than yesterday, and even went into my room and jumped on the desk to see what remained on my plate – cheeky devils.
It’s getting slightly chilly out here on the balcony, so time to retreat inside and pour myself another something or other… Night all!
I’m feeling a bit knackered now, as what were very slightly wiggly lines on my map of Lesvos turned out to be massively windy roads all through the mountains with treacherous drops to one side, not low coastal roads as I’d fondly believed them to be… But it was an adventure – yet another! When I got to Skala, Pam turned out to be a mine of useful information and advice, and I’m hopeful of being able to arrange some gigs in the bars of Skala Eresos in the late summer, having spoken to several bar owners and the woman who is organising the women’s music festival there in September. It was great to see the village again too, even in its pre-season, still-being-done-up-for-the-summer-onslaught form!
Pam has a lovely house set back from the village, and two rescue dogs, one of whom is pictured here at home on my lap :)
On the no-less-windy way back to Molyvos, I rounded a bend to find the whole road blocked with sheep – and thankfully a shepherd in a pickup truck who guided them around my car. I felt a bit like Moses as the sheep miraculously parted for me as I edged forward.
Then, as I drove through a little mountain village a bit further on, a woman stepped out from the side of the narrow road and beckoned to me. Never one to ignore a beckoning woman, I slowed and wound the passenger window down, at which point she opened the door, said ‘Petra?’ (a village about five miles up the road, which I was by chance going to be driving through), and hopped in when I nodded, then gestured to her little girl to climb into the back seat! I’ve never picked up a hitchhiker before, and didn’t particularly intend to on this occasion, but I didn’t really have much say in the matter – but she was a woman, and her 8-year-old daughter didn’t seem much of a threat either! Despite neither of us speaking a word of the other’s language, we had a remarkably amicable time, and parted company five miles down the road the best of friends. She asked me my name, then told me hers – Taxielhoupla (at least that’s what it sounded like…) – and her daughter called out ‘Mikaela’ from the back. They got out at Petra, as scheduled, and I carried on my way with a beaming smile on my face.
I bought some supplies to eat – and drink, naturally – in my room as I’m happy to spend the rest of the evening lazing around. And guess who joined me for tea? Yes, my two feline friends, requesting – but not getting – more Gouda. I realise the error of my ways now – they were somewhat more demanding than yesterday, and even went into my room and jumped on the desk to see what remained on my plate – cheeky devils.
It’s getting slightly chilly out here on the balcony, so time to retreat inside and pour myself another something or other… Night all!
 View from my windscreen. 'They're coming at us, Captain...' |  There's a tiny building at the very top of that peak. 'Who would live in a house like this?...' |
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