Once the bonfires had been lit, I retreated to the terrace to ‘Watch’ the burning. Even my glass of Ouzo didn’t taste the same. Definitely a ‘gloomy’ time, and as I sat there watching the smoke rise into the grey sky, it started to rain once more. Damn! It’s too darned late to help the Olives, and what’s more it will put the bonfires out and I will have to start all over again tomorrow.
One of my ‘lowest’ moments since living here at Meerkat Manor.
It only got worse the following day. I was up on the ladder intending to inspect the solar panels on the roof when it happened. It was a dry day, and I had checked that the ladder was secure. However, unbeknown to me, the main struts of the tubular aluminium ladder were full of water. With the ladders in the upright position, the water leaked out at the foot of the struts, and seeped on to the tiles of the terrace, and the ladder slipped. I went crashing down! I was so very, very lucky. I could have fallen through the plate glass window or gone straight over the side of the terrace on to the rocks below.
I could have even broken my leg in the fall. In the event though, as the ladder slipped, one of my legs dropped through the gap between two rungs, and as it went through, one rung scraped my shin bone from ankle to knee; a very nasty, deep graze. Ouch! It got also got worse, because, as I fell, my other leg went over the side strut, and the rest of my body only stopped falling when my crotch hit the strut itself. That was even more ‘ouch.’ Make that with capital letters; OUCH!
There I was suspended in mid-air; my crotch across the strut! Fortunately, the legs of the ladder had slipped backwards and kept the ladder from crashing to the ground completely by stopping against the terrace wall.
Somehow, I managed to get myself extricated and I hobbled downstairs to tend to my wounds. Boy, oh boy did they hurt!
There was no choice; TCP to clean the wound and Savlon to heal the scrapes, and Arnica cream for the bruising in my crotch.
As I stood there in the kitchen, I must have looked a sight! Trousers around my ankles, applying the medicines with one hand and a glass of ‘medicinal’ whisky in the other for the shock and the pain! I had been extremely lucky.
The wounds were straightforward. They looked bad (well they were!) and the black of the bruising around my crotch was starting to show within half an hour of the happening. It could have been much worse. If I had broken my leg, or any other bones, it would have been the 90 minutes trip to the hospital in Kalamata before I could have been treated! That’s life for you living in a remote area.
For the following four days I think that I was walking with a very strange gait!
Now, I am older and wiser to using the ladder in the future, otherwise, all is well here apart from the problem with the imminent closure of the Post Office. It looked like it was going to happen. A sign in the Post Office declared ‘with immediate effect, only open from 9am – 11am’. So, the new regime is that mail is delivered from the Kalamata central sorting office and driven only as far as the Kardamyli Post Office. Dimitris (our Postman) goes to Kardamyli (20 minutes’ drive away) at 8am to sort and collect the mail for Agios Nikolaos. (Kardamyli Post Office remains closed from 8am - 12noon and is only open 12noon to 2pm). Dimitris then drives back to Agios Nikolaos to open at 9am until 11am only. The queue is long and can take over 30 minutes to get to the front!
At 11am Dimitris closes Agios Nikolaos and then drives back over to Kardamyli to open the Post Office there for the 12noon to 2pm. The queues are even longer there!
Not a good experience! It will get worse when Agios Nikolaos closes permanently, which we expect to be in January. There is nothing that we can do. All in all, over 1000 people are affected in the region. The very old folks without transport will be the hardest hit. The only buses to Kardamyli go at 8am and 10am and there is only one return bus, and that is not until 2.30pm! Apart from the mail, The Post Office handles Pensions, Utility bills, Car Tax, Savings, Building Society. No bills are mailed as they have to be paid at a Post Office, or at the offices of the Utility companies in Kalamata (90 minutes’ drive). Just think, all of us driving to Kardamyli just to save the Government money!
The rain came again today; good for the plants in the garden but, yet again I am reminded that it is too late for the Olives! It only lasted for a couple of hours and when it stopped, I went to the village to queue up at the Post Office and send a card to Peter in Australia. He says that he and Mel want us to visit, but apart from the fact that we haven't got the money, I couldn't stand being on the plane for 15 hours.
Thank goodness for Skype (via the Internet) to see each other and keep in touch!
It took me 57 minutes to get to the front of the queue! Once there I paid Dimitris the postage for the card and he gave me my Car Tax renewal. Damn! I didn’t have the 120€ with me to pay it there and then. This would mean another journey tomorrow, and inevitably another queue! Whilst queuing and waiting is a norm, and part of the way of life in Greece, this was ridiculous!
Valerie and I have already decided to only go for the mail once per week, as opposed to a daily walk into the village as we do now, if the Agios Nikolaos Post Office does close.
The ‘Austerity Measures’ imposed by the Greek Government are beginning to bite!
VAT = 23% on everything
Plus a Super Tax of 15% on all ‘phone calls (landline or mobile)
Plus a Super Tax of 15% on petrol
Plus a Super Tax of 15% on alcohol
Postage stamps for Christmas cards at 1.20€
We have decided to send only email Christmas cards, telephone less, and drive less in order that we can afford to drink!
In consequence, and as an on-going protest against the ‘Austerity Measures’, the strikes in Athens continue. Now they are striking every day in rotation. Trains, Buses, Taxis, Civil Servants, Customs, Airport etc. and it is really difficult to plan as they do not announce in advance when they are going to do it! We will all have to wait and see what happens next!
Next? Well, for us, Christmas I guess! Every day is the same still, as it’s not as if we count Monday to Friday and then the Weekend.
It’s just 'tomorrow' everyday, often with no fixed plan. Mind you, I did have a plan when I was in London as I bought some Christmas Puddings in Marks and Spencer at Paddington station to have on Christmas Day!
For the entire holiday season of Christmas and New Year we will have a nice quiet time as usual. Both events are not very big celebrations for Greeks and the village shops stay open every day as usual.
We will go to the village for the New Year party on the waterfront at 11.30pm, and fireworks at midnight. Even with the 'austerity' problems, the local bars and tavernas, coffee shops and grocery store owners all club together and provide a free bar. Literally help yourself! They put bottles of all spirits, wine and beers on a trestle table and provide plastic cups and leave everyone to drink, celebrate and party until it is all gone.
Remember what I said earlier in the book? The Maniots know how to party! Last year it was a truly amazing experience and we are looking forward to it again this year! They pay for the fireworks too, and these are rowed out in a boat to the other side of the harbour, set on the wall and lit there so that everybody can see them from across the water.
Well, all that is to come in just a few days now. Right now, I still only have one thing on my mind and that is my ‘failure’ with the Olive harvest.
After all, ‘Watching The Olives Grow’ has been my full time occupation for over a year, and I have nothing to show for all my efforts, other than some photographs and this book!
I have worked so hard at my job; every single day of the year!
Honestly!
You just cannot believe how hard it has been.
I have been really disciplined! There have been times when it all seemed too much, but I persevered and stuck at it. I overcame all the trials and tribulations sent to test me:
Extremes of heat
Wild boars
Marauding cattle
Falling off ladders
Travelling to snow-bound countries
Visitors!
…. And so much more, as you have just read.
Yet, because I have no Meerkat Manor, Organic, Extra Virgin, Olive Oil to show for 2010, I think that I may be in danger of being sacked from my position for dereliction of duty.
But that could be another story!
Author’s Note: In the update of November 2013, he can confirm that Valerie did indeed sack him for dereliction of duty!
Epilogue (Updated November 2013).
First, there was ‘It Started With An Ouzo’. This book described in some detail how Valerie and I fell in love with this rural, and somewhat remote, region of Greece, and the people who welcomed us from day one. It described how we came to make the decision to leave the UK, take up permanent residence in Greece, and of our first 20 months living in Agios Nikolaos, in The Mani Region of the Peloponnese Peninsula in the mainland of South Western Greece.
Second, came the sequel; this book that you have just finished reading, entitled ‘Watching The Olives Grow’. As you have just read, it recounts a complete year in our lives; from one Olive harvest to the next; ‘warts and all’ as the expression goes!
Notwithstanding, we have had absolutely no regrets in making the decision to leave the UK and live here.
I never thought of myself as a writer, but I’ll never forget the first time I accepted a fee, or even a few words of praise, in exchange for the stories; I can remember both moments vividly! Is it vanity, or is it just that I really coveted my name printed on the cover of a paperback book? Whichever, you the reader have made it all possible for me, otherwise the words would have been prisoners kept in a diary and locked away in a drawer. Maybe the only time they would have seen light of day would have been when they were discovered as someone went through my things after my demise! Well, I’m still alive! Through the books, the words have ‘escaped’ and they are contained in both books which are in circulation in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, the UK and Greece, and of course wherever you are now as you read these final few lines!
As I wrote the final lines (for the original paperback version), I can confirm that Owen and Minstrel have come to terms with Snowball being back in their lives again. However, it isn’t quite 100% yet, as they both asked that their photos appeared on a different page to Snowball!
The problem for Snowball is that she wants to play and, for the most part, Minstrel and Owen just want to sit in the sun and watch the world go by!
Snowball seems really settled and happy once again.
As I write, she has been back into our lives for 10 weeks now, and I truly hope that she will end her days with us here at Meerkat Manor.
Photo: Minstrel.
Photo: Owen.
.
Photo: Snowball Home Again At Meerkat Manor.
Bringing the words to life, and putting them into sentences, generated quite a lot of laughter, and a significant amount of tears, as I recalled the emotional ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ of starting a new life at the ripe old age of 58.
Throughout, I have been accompanied by my long-suffering wife, Valerie. Together, we have shared a whole spectrum of emotions; anger, tears, frustration, joy, laughter and happiness. For us though, the pleasure has far outweighed the sadness. I guess the ratio would be around ‘90:10’ and most of the 10 involved the (temporary) loss of Snowball and the cows eating the plants and the Brussels Sprouts!
Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you, and to give you an insight into a year of my new life.
Life is good and on-going, but it is the end of the writing. So, if you want to know more, you’ll have to travel here to Meerkat Manor to see what happened next!
Oh, and if you do, you will definitely have to develop a taste for Olives and Ouzo, and the ability to do some ‘Watching’ whilst you eat and drink!
Just as our neighbours have inscribed the ancient inscription on their front door, so too, Valerie and I feel the same:
“We are where the Stones and Olives meet the Sun and the Sea.”
© STUART ALLAN 2009 / 2010
Author’s Note: Well, as I originally wrote this book, I completed this Epilogue by saying “this is the end of the writing and the ‘Tales from Paradise’ that have been told within the pages of two books“. However, during the update of November 2013, Stavros has confirmed that there will be book number 3.
The ‘working title’ is ‘To Cut A Long Story Short’.
The book will be about the on-going ‘adventures’ of living the life in The Mani, and will cover the period 27th December 2011 until 30th November 2013.
A sub-title is, ‘Life Is Too Short To Drink Cheap Wine!’
It will be only available in Amazon Kindle Book Store.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Author would like to acknowledge you, the reader, and he thanks you for downloading it from the Kindle Bookstore.
He would also like to acknowledge the following people to whom he offers his special thanks for their friendship, and for generating and sharing the original experiences that he recounts throughout the book:
To Giannis who built Meerkat Manor, and to his wife Eleni for translating English into Greek, and vice versa, when he needed Giannis’ help with any repairs to Meerkat Manor.
To Dimitris who owns the local Builder’s Yard and has supplied all the building materials he has required. Deliveries were and remain ... “ ... maybe tomorrow Stavros!”
To Aaggi who runs Aaggi’s Bar on the waterfront at the end of the harbour, where he, his wife and his friends have shared many a happy hour, or two and usually after midnight!
To Sally and Peter Hurrell. Sally for her enduring friendship and support, and Pete for helping to build the Gazebo, where many hours have been spent dining and drinking with friends.
To my brother Bill, who provides support from the UK., and is ‘always there’ and also sends on-line purchases from the UK to Agios Nikolaos.
The Author would also like to thank the many people of Agios Nikolaos and The Mani region, who have unwittingly helped him write this book. Much of his inspiration for this book has been their generosity, kindness and friendship over the years since he moved from the UK to live permanently in the region.
Finally, special thanks go to his wife Valerie who helps him to fulfil the ‘Dream’ of living in ‘Paradise’ at Meerkat Manor in The Mani.
A Message From Stavros: If you have not read my first book, you may wish to download it at Amazon on the Kindle Book Store page.
IT STARTED WITH AN OUZO
By STAVROS ALLANOPOLIS
This book, written and illustrated by Stuart Allan (aka Stavros Allanoplis), tells the story of a move, ‘lock, stock and barrel’ from the UK to Greece.
Along with his wife Valerie, and their two cats Owen and Minstrel, he decided to move to Agios Nikolaos, a rather remote fishing village in the heart of The Mani region in South Western mainland Greece.
It charts their ‘adventure’ from the moment they made their fateful decision in 2006 to leave the UK, to compiling an ‘Exit the UK’ plan, their quest to buy a house in Greece, the move from the United Kingdom in April 2008, and the following 20 months living permanently in Greece. It contains full details of all the ‘highs’ and the ‘lows,’ the laughter and the tears, and is illustrated with his own photos that capture the images of some of the more interesting events; Up close and personal … ‘warts and all!’
WARNING! Please be aware that some pieces from ‘It Started With An Ouzo’ and ‘To Cut A Long Story Short ….’ are repeated in this book; Specifically, the Prologue and the chapters about the naming of Meerkat Manor and description of Agios Nikolaos. They are included as they contain the original ‘background and positioning’ information for any reader who has not previously read about the ‘adventures’ of Stavros Allanopolis, and how he mov
ed from the United Kingdom and went to live permanently in Greece
Another Message From Stavros: My third book will be available in Spring 2014. You may wish to download it at Amazon on the Kindle Book Store page.
TO CUT A LONG STORY SHORT …
…. Life Is Too Short To Drink Cheap Wine!
By STAVROS ALLANOPOLIS
About ‘To Cut A Long Story Short …..‘
…. When you travel, you can look into peoples’ lives. On a Motorway or on a Train, as you pass through the country, you can often go right pass the front window of someone’s house. You see into their rooms; you see their furniture. Frozen for a split second you can intrude into their lives and they are unaware. Then you are gone.
This is the third book that he has written, and he is once again inviting you to enter into his life and his home in Greece. It is about the ‘adventures’ that he and his wife Valerie have experienced living their lives in The Mani Region which is situated in the South Western mainland of Greece. They moved from the United Kingdom to live permanently in Greece.
This book, ‘To Cut A Long Story Short ….’ is like the others, in so far as it records the ‘adventures’ experienced in living permanently in Greece. As you will read, it is not all ‘peaches and cream’. It contains full details of all the ‘highs’ and the ‘lows’ of the 35 months from December 2010 until November 2013. The laughter and the tears of some of the more interesting and unusual events are illustrated with his own photos. Up close and personal … ‘warts and all!’
So many things happened in such a comparatively short time!
During that time, Stavros and Valerie ended up spending over 12,000 euros which they had not budgeted for; mostly on water leaks, falling masonry and car repairs!
Water leaks? Two major leaks that led to having a new bathroom installed, and new plumbing in the shower room.
Watching the Olives Grow Page 20