Meeting up with Mike and Mel

This is a Duranta - probably Duranta Golden Dewdrops.  It is a pretty shrub which produces bright green new leaves which, as the year goes on, change to a dark greeny purply colour and, if the weather is harsh up here in Droushia, will drop off although technically it is deemed to be an evergreen.  

It produces pretty clusters of white, pale blue or dark blue flowers which are followed by pendulous clusters of yellow berries.  It is a popular shrub over here BUT it can be toxic to pets.

Gail had told me that Dotty Dot had been sick and on inspection had been chewing on the leaves of a shrub which they have in their back garden.  The shrub is a Duranta.  The leaves and berries are toxic, not to birds but to humans and animals and as yet the toxin responsible for poisoning has not yet been identified!  Dogs are attracted to this plant and actually serious poisoning can occur in both dogs and cats if they ingest berries or leaves (although in quite large quantities).  Well that would account for her being unwell after having a munch on the shrub.  Pete has now given it a good haircut and shaped it into a ball which hopefully will be out of Dot's reach.  Sadly lots of flowering plants which grow well here are toxic like Oleander and Lantana (both of which I have growing in the garden although the cats seem to prefer to chew on grass rather than leaves thankfully).

So after my bit of gardening advice I went across to Goudi to visit Klaus and Sheila and to take some post which had arrived for them here in Droushia even though they left three years ago.  I always like going to visit the Knips, it is so relaxing sitting outside under their gazebo chatting and catching up.

This evening we were meeting up with old friend Mike (the other Sheffield United supporter) and his mate Mel who arrived yesterday and are staying for 2 weeks at the Souli in Latchi.  They will be joined on Friday by our friends Carole and Paul who arrive for a 10 day stay at the Souli.  They don't know each other yet but I bet they will by the end of their holidays!!!

The Souli which is an old family run hotel right on the beach in Latchi had something of a facelift during and after the Covid haitus and now has a fresh white exterior, including the covered eating area which was always a bit dark before.  It is a lovely friendly place and the people who stay there return time and time again because they appreciate the intimacy of a small run establishment with staff who have been there for years.

As we arrived we bumped into David and Edda from the village.  They have moved their eating allegiance from Fitos in Kathikas to the Souli apparently - a bit scary as it is further for David to drive and his driving can leave a lot to be desired.  Sadly neither he nor Edda are looking so well these days.  Ill health and age is catching up with them.  I am not even sure that Edda recognised who I was.

We had a catch up and a drink at the Souli - it has been at least five years since we saw Mike (on the right) and even longer since we saw Mel.  We then decided to walk the couple of hundred yards along the beach to Yialos where we could have something to eat.  As the sun went down the evening got rather chilly so we were grateful for the inside/outside space that there is at Yialos.  We had a lovely evening and we shall look forward to catching up again before they return home.  Mel is a great fish eater so we are planning to get them up for some fish at ours when Hazel is here.

We said our goodbyes and returned home for a nightcap and one more episode of Succession.  We are having to eke it out because before we know it, it will be done and finished for ever - or will it?  there are rumours that there might be a fifth season - who knows?