Leaving Chorio and heading to Pedi by foot is a little like leaving Camberwick Green and passing through Chigly on your way to the seaside. The quaintness of the village gives way to the cicada filled, tree lined road which, in turn, gives way momentarily to the industrial area – garages and the power station, both very necessary and brief as the road soon becomes quiet and picturesque again.
The new beach (with sand) opposite Julie’s bar offers free sun-beds to customers and I find Dimitris there so I have a coffee with him. Then it’s time to test the new facilities and the water for the first time this year. With the sea lapping lazily at my feet and the fine sand between my toes it’s easy to drift of into a dream of being on holiday. I have even disguised myself as a tourist today with cut off shirt, shorts and a back pack. I take up residence on a sun bed and observe an hour on the beach.
Soft, Greek music from the restaurant behind me, soft chat from the taverna nearby. George’s taxi boat crosses the bay towards St. Nicholas and my eyes are already heavy. Last night’s mosquito bites itch until I walk into the water, the cool sea calms them and me instantly. It gets warmer the longer I stay in, floating on my back as if in an isolation tank; staring up and the blue sky bleached by the sun. I hear the rocks roll beneath the water. Fish flick past. Supported by the sea I am in danger of falling asleep.
The sand dries between my toes in seconds, sandals turn hot in the sun, I move them to the shade. An occasional motorbike passes on the road behind me, a fishing boat chugs across the water, the wake reaches the shore eventually and the waves take on a new rhythm before settling back to their slow, soft lapping. The day trip boat from Rhodes crosses the horizon, far out to sea and a world away. I imaging the frenetic activity of the harbour – and instantly forget about it.
The bus has come and gone. I will have to walk back. |
