Itisallgreek2me

Costas and I – My Birthday Night in Delfinia

Last Tuesday, 5 November 2013, was my birthday.  Costas sent me shopping for a new bikini … came home with a gorgeous one, however, with such a busy social calendar last week, I never managed to christen it and now the weather has changed, that will almost certainly have to wait until next year – nevermind.

That evening we walked down to Nektarios in the Old Harbour, arriving in time for the fireworks display around 1930 hours … very impressive it was too.  Together with a couple of dozen friends, we were to have dinner there, just as we had done the previous two years.  Ray had pre-arranged the food selection, with more than enough to go around and Costas had ordered my birthday cake.  This year it was a bitter chocolate cake … really yummy!  On our walk back to the Dapia, Anna and Penny came along on their quads, picking us up and taking us the rest of the way to Delfinia.  About a dozen of us met up there for drinkies … the music was great, the company all in high spirits – a very enjoyable night was had by all.

Wednesday saw the arrival of thunderstorms with pelting wind and rain.  In the evening Costas went to play Pool with mates at Delfinia … I went along too and kept company with Heather and Marilyn, until Marilyn went home and Heather and I played our own few games.  On Thursday I spent a quiet day at home, doing this and that and making ready for a short trip away to Poros with Ray and Heather on Friday.  We met at Filippos before taking a water taxi late morning across to Kosta.  A short walk to where Ray’s black Jaguar (the Beast) is parked and on our way, driving north to Galatas, from where the ferries make the very short journey over to the island of Poros.

The weather was glorious, as it would be for our two days away … how lucky were we.  Also lucky to find a car parking space very near to our hotel, the 7 Brothers, which Ray had booked the previous day.  For Costas and I, Room 21, on the 2nd floor, with a balcony and sea views.  Quickly unpacked then met up for lunch at Rota, a taverna nearby, where we had the most delicious lunch of Chefs Salad, Dolmadakia (stuffed vine leaves), Kolokithikeftedes (courgette fritters) and fresh Kalamari … all washed down with a lovely white wine.  I will remember this meal for a very long time.  From there we took a stroll through the streets of Poros, slowly making our way up to the Clock Tower, back down to Memories Cafe on the waterfront for drinks then back to our hotel for a siesta, meeting up again at 2030 hours.  Dinner was at Dimitris … Ray and Heather knew of this place from previous visits, tucked away some 500m up the hill.  Specializing in meats, we all decided on a filet steak as our main and no one was disappointed.  Returned to Memories where we had been in the afternoon, warm enough to sit outside although Costas did spend a spell inside at the bar, requesting they play a selection of his favourite Greek music to which he could sing along in his usual monotone … needless to say, he was very happy.  When Memories wanted to close, we walked and found another bar open close to our hotel, however, we did not stay long, returning to 7 Brothers for a great night’s sleep.

Blessed with another beautiful day on Saturday, we began by having an English breakfast in a nearby cafe, before getting in the car to explore a little of the island, including a visit to the Temple of Poseidon.  Then it was back to Memories before taking the short ferry ride to the mainland, from where we were to make our way a little further north to the mountain village of Taktikoupoli.  Costas’ grandfather came from this village and Costas had not been there since he was about nine.  It was mid afternoon – siesta time and not a soul to been seen, however, I noticed a kind of general store which once had also been a taverna and there inside were an elderly couple … the lady was feeding the obviously unwell man his midday meal.  Costas got talking to her, explaining who he was and why we were there.  Eventually she said “Kai Ego Emai Gikas” (and me, I am Gikas – Costas’ surname) … Chrissoula’s grandfather and Costas’ grandfather were brothers!

As a young boy, Costas’ parents would send him from Athens to this village for holidays when they were both too busy with his father’s restaurant to keep an eye on him.  The last time Costas had been in the village, his uncle had tied a rope around him to lower Costas into a well to rescue a chicken that had strayed.  The rescue attempt was successful and Costas went back to Athens feeling very pleased with himself.  There he relayed the story to his mum, she was not impressed by it and Costas was never to return to Taktikoupoli for holidays.

We arrived back in Kosta just in time to catch the 1700 hours sailing of the Katerina Star ferry over to Spetses.  Time for a much-needed siesta before meeting Ray and Heather, together with Jerry and Marilyn for dinner at Hadji’s in the Old Harbour … Saturday night and they had advertised live Greek music which was to be a guy singing, accompanied by a lady playing piano.  On the way home we stopped at Throubi down the road for drinks.  Walking back along the seafront, once again we had to say to each other, how blessed we are to be living in this paradise.

On Sunday, it was lunch in the garden for 8 at Ray and Heather’s house … a roasted leg of New Zealand lamb, plus Marie had made a Pavlova and decorated it with kiwifruit – two tastes from my other home.  Now it is Monday evening, the rain has returned and is forecast to hang around for the next 10 days.  Not to worry, after all, it is nearing mid November and I was fortunate to have a number of days at the beach during my first two weeks back on the island … I have no complaints at all.

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