Gossip
So, the message is, don’t take bar gossip as face value. Apparently, the owner of the house that burned down was at home when the fire took hold, though neither he nor his dog was badly damaged and the fire started at the fireplace. Manos (Garden Studios/Fist Taverna) has offered both of them temporary accommodation and the house is being shored up until… Whatever happens next.
It reminded me, in an odd way, of when I was a rather reluctant boy scout back in the dark ages of 1973 or 1974 and we all sat around in a circle and played ‘Chinese Whispers.’ The classic that I remember our headmaster/Akela telling us to pass around was, “Send reinforcements we are going to advance.” I wondered where we were going to and what reinforcements might be needed for a group of 10/11 year olds, but passed on the message accordingly. It started its way around the circle.
While that’s going around, I can also tell you that we had a rather successful morning in Yialos yesterday when we popped down for a few things: get passport application signed, check post office, buy an envelope, find some fresh lemons, gamble on the ATM machine, have a look for Christmas gifts, walk back up. It kind of worked out.
Passport application: a quick tussle with the accountant who suggested the KEP office, a visit to the very helpful ladies there (who speak better English than I do) and the form signed, filled out and stamped (no charge) and off to the bank. Won a few Euros there, luckily, as there were lemons to buy, and off to the post office where there was a queue. Checked the PO box, found a slip announcing that I had a delivery, thought I’d call back for it later, was called to the front by Ilias to be handed it, rather embarrassed at my preferential treatment, accepted it gladly and darted out, red in the face. Went to the bookshop to buy an envelope for the passport application, was handed another delivery, headed to the lemons department but had two beers at Taxas – meanwhile, phone rings and there’s another delivery waiting at Rainbow later, forgot about the Christmas gifts (but got the lemons) and took a taxi back up the hill.
Where Sotiris was still open so we were able to do the shopping on the way home, rather than having to go out again later; ordered lots of water and found it delivered and on the doorstep by the time we got home ten minutes later. Neil now making a late lunch, me doing this, Jack wondering when we are going to settle down so he can sit on a lap, and an afternoon of reading and watching television lies ahead. Couldn’t be better.
So, off to do that now… Oh, the Chinese Whisper has done the rounds and the message, passed from Aleka to his troupe(s) is: “Send three and fourpence, we’re going to a dance.” I am still confused as to what that exercise had to do with woggles, badges and dib-dibs, but there you are. Don’t accept gossip at face value.
