A Cultural Day Out...

People ask if we have seasons.  We certainly do here in Droushia.  Today I was doing some garden tidying whilst John was in George's with Bassam sorting out the door frames after Fitos had been in to remove the old doors and frames from the bedroom building.  I was tackling the climber growth up and over the gazebo under which we have our outside eating table.  Every year the jasmine grows and begins to die back at the bottom whilst the top grows perfectly so every year I do the same thing - cut it back.  There is also a passion flower which we want to keep small and under control but because I haven't been out in the garden much the last few weeks it is no longer small or under control!

I quickly took a photograph before I cleared up the cuttings and realised that the colours of the plants were very much in keeping with what you would expect in the Autumn.  The recent storms have made a significant change to the overall temperatures and it certainly now feels much cooler.

I want to try and get the garden under control so that when I go away to the UK next week John doesn't have to worry about it.

John kept popping in and out picking up things he and Bassam needed and then just as I was clearing up he came in to announce that they had finished and he was pleased with what they had managed to do.  He certainly felt happier for the new frames and doors to go in.

We were having an educational day with the Clan today.  Thankfully Jackie was feeling much better so we started off by revisiting the museum which is in Droushia.  The Clan had been 2 years ago on a Saturday when there is a guide in attendance and various locals showing how the traditional crafts were done.  No guide or locals today but that was fine because the exhibits have boards which explain what you are looking at.  It really is a lovely museum and well worth a visit with or without a guide although I would recommend seeing the locals, particularly the ladies on the the old looms.

Next stop was the Paleontology Museum in Arodes which is a new building, light and airy and the girl in charge very helfpul.  She put on the lighting so we could see the exhibits better and set a very informative video playing in one of the rooms which was very educational.  Who knew that the island had been fully under water at some point in its history?

We then had a drinks break in Kathikas at the Gin Bar before going to the Fauna and Flora Museum there and then finishing in Inea at the Turtle Museum.  These were two smaller museums.  Again quite informative.  It is interesting to note that in times gone by the exhibits would have been real animals probably captured and killed with the sole purpose to be put on display - thank goodness times have changed.

Our final bit of culture was to go down to monastery of Saint George Nikoxylitis in Droushia which is slowly being restored by the village.  In the Droushia museum there are artists impressions of what the site should look like when completed and, although I doubt we will see it like that in our lifetime, will eventually make this a beautiful place to visit.

The evening was completed by going for our postponed meze in Finikas in the village.  It was actually warm enough to sit outside - originally we were only going to have an initial drink outside in the garden then eat inside but we didn't need to.  It was a lovely meal with some different dishes like stuffed courgette flowers and sesame coated halloumi and one of the nicest afelia dishes we have ever had anywhere.  Even better Philippos stocks the Sterna Xinisteri that we love - RESULT!