Olive picking...

The peace of our well-earned Sunday morning lie-in was shattered by some irresponsible hunters.  I know that hunting is part of the social history of this island (although there is bugger all to hunt now so what they are expecting to shoot is beyond me).  So it is not the hunting per se that I object to, what I do object to is someone wildly firing off a gun in the direction of the house so that shot scatters throughout the garden at a distance which is far less than the legal requirement.

John was not amused and rather than let it pass jumped in the car and chased the three offenders across the fields to have a full and frank discussion with them.  Caught on camera they were rather more conciliatory at the end than they had been at the beginning and hopefully they might think twice now before they shoot over the houses.  Apparently my neighbour had called the police to the same group last week when they had done the same thing so we just might have to look out for them until the season ends unfortunately.

John went off this morning to help bring in the olive harvest with Philippos and his family.  We had offered previously shortly after Philippos had been to have his 'turbo' fitted (aka a stent or actually three stents).  I couldn't help as I was getting ready for Mum which was fine - I can do it another time.  John set off down to the Museum at the bottom of the now newly cleaned road and met with Philippos's son in law Loukas.  It was a glorious day - maybe a little warm for heavy manual work but much better than with the trees wet.

It was a real family affair which included both the yia-yia's - Marina's mum is not so mobile but Philippos's mum is in her 90s and was well up for the task - in fact when there was a break for a bit of liquid refreshment she continued stoically sorting olives.  It is hard work but actually quite enjoyable - we had done it many years ago and enjoyed it and if you ever get the opportunity to go to the pressing I would encourage you to go - it is amazing and when you come home with your freshly pressed extra virgin olive oil it really puts a smile on your face.  In fact we are just about coming to the end of the oil we produced back then.



Here is photographic evidence of John being given a master class by a nonagenarian on how to pick olives!!!!  John came home full of it - he had been made so welcome and been fed and watered.  In fact he came home clutching some pumpkin pasties made by Andri which he said were absolutely delicious - they are called Kolokotes and I am amazed how much John's food tastes have changed - when I first met him he would have avoided them like the plague!!!

I had not been forgotten - Andri sent John home with the Kolokotes and some flowers for me.  Birds of Paradise blooms which are so lovely - only trouble was I had to find a makeshift vase to put them in!!!

We have told them if they need more help we will try and both be available because it is a lot of work.

I had prepared pulled pork, wedges and coleslaw for lunch - all of which I know Mum likes - the only trouble was she wasn't very well, in fact I thought she looked like she had been crying but she has a bad throat and I think her face looked a bit puffy as a result - I have persuaded her to check out the new appointment system at her GPs and try and get to see her tomorrow if it isn't any better.

We had our lunch and then sat in the conservatory which was warm and bright with the sun coming in.  When it is like that it is so hard to try and think about Christmas but it is fast approaching and we want to make sure we give Mum the best time we can whilst she is up with us.  This year it is not for so long - I think that will suit her and us better and it will certainly suit Fred who will not need to be encarcerated for such a long time.  We think we have the Christmas Film sorted and a new card game to master!!