Usual. Routine: up, work (4,000 words yesterday morning) breakfast, walk, was going to do more words but somehow time slipped away, but I was over target and way over target all round, have managed 25,000 words since Saturday and I kind of felt like having an afternoon away from it. So, after a lunch by the sea…
I went for a walk. And once again I forgot to change my shoes so there I am tramping along the main road, uphill, quite happily, when I see the sign for Micro Horio which is where I was heading. And that took me off piste as it were. Then I realised I only had my sandals on.
So, I went carefully along the track, which is part path, part rocks, part prickly things, and started to work my way around the hillside. Every now and then you come across an abandoned house or agricultural building and eventually you can start to see the old, mostly abandoned, village. There are a couple of done-up houses there, and a bar that does a party on a Saturday night I’m told (perhaps other times as well), but I couldn’t actually get that far. Not safely.
I did wander around some terraces, stamping a lot in case of snakes (didn’t see any), and then occasionally came across an old threshing circle, or a corn grinder (I am guessing), and then holes in the ground which must have been for storage. It’s all very fascinating and a little sad, and next time I shall wear my walking boots and do the thing properly. When out on the drive the other day I was sure I’d seen a road heading up to the top or near, and there probably is, which is why I didn’t think I’d be going across country. Anyway, done now, and I was back in 90 minutes, a bit sweaty but feeling like I’d had some decent time away from the keyboard.
I didn’t see much wildlife I have to say, a few thistles, some goats, trees of course, and some bright moss, but not a lot else. Lots of crows, a few sparrows, some seagulls, and cats, and that’s about it. I’ve not seen any dog-do since being here (unlike some other places I could mention), no rubbish in the streets, and everyone seems very happy to see you. Well, to see me. I am sure they would be equally as happy to see you too.
I have made a small donation to the Tilos cat protection programme thingy; there’s a book swap up the road, a shelf unit with a combination safe money box on it where you can drop in whatever coins or notes you want. Leave your books on the top shelf, take another to read and away you go. The books get recycled, the stray cats get fed and de-wormed and you get to see what other people bring on holiday to read. I picked up that James Herbert the other day but have only read one chapter, so I might leave that behind, and I was tempted by a book about the Tudor times and just after, but it was pretty dense and rather like a textbook, which is exactly what it was actually, so I didn’t bother.
And on the way back from my walk I thought I might have a go at writing a few short stories, once I’ve got the first draft of ‘Straight Swap’ out of the way and put aside to fester for a while. But then I realised I knew nothing about writing short stories so may have to see if there are any books on the subject at my Kindle store. That’s something for later when I have posted this and cooled down a little. I hope you enjoy the photos.
