Four images today, each one taken from the same place over the last four years and around the same time, this week in October or as near as I could find. As you can see, it’s the view from the balcony, and things don’t change much.
October 2020
What the photos can’t show is the temperature, and I can’t remember what it was, but I can tell you it’s currently decent, though the hoodies and long trousers have come out of hibernation. It’s that time when the fans needed for summer are put away, and the duvets and covers, curtains and heaters are coming out of storage ready to be used. We’ve had to revert to warming the water before showering after three months of not needing to because it was so warm. The up-to-date electricity bill has just come in, so for the next six months I will be turning off as many things as I find left on, and leaving alone the on button on the heater for as long as possible.
Pre-winter preparations continue. Neil repainted the bathroom ceiling the other day, one of those jobs that’s been waiting six years and only took 20 minutes to accomplish. The chilli harvest is in, and even the plants that are dying off gave a good crop. They’ve now been cut back (we think they were overwatered as they weren’t looking too happy), and the vine is next to be cut right back… one day… soon.
Meanwhile, out at sea, we see fewer boats moored along the end of the harbour, and fewer anchored out in the bay. The sea generally remains flat, cut through by the wakes of the ferries and day-trip boats, fishing and pleasure boats, and recently, more coast guard and border patrol boats than we’ve had before. Troubles further afield and moves by other countries have led to an increase in people seeking shelter, safety, or a better life in Europe by coming via Greece. As far as I hear, the Poseidon and maybe the other excursion boats are packing up this week, and some summer businesses are preparing to close down.
The sea remains, though, and the view, and with a season of not much to do coming up (for me), it’s a view you might have to get used to on these pages as we head into autumn and winter.
