Here we are on Symi rushing headlong towards the end of another year and as the song says, ‘And what have you done?’ Quite a lot actually, Mr Lennon, but I am not going into detail here.
I would like to say a big Thank You to everyone who sent in best wishes and messages to us over the last few days, I’ll try and get to all the emails ‘asap’ as they say in American films, and I’ll put up some photos from the last few days as well. It’s all been very jolly and great fun and far too over-indulged of course. It started on Christmas Eve with me having a tooth out, and that was pretty jolly I can tell you. Not. You know when it’s going to be a tough job when your dentist starts saying ‘pah gamotto’ as he tugs at your root, but the thing did eventually come out. The painkillers from the pharmacist were (and still are) brilliant and now, four days later (I’m writing this on Sunday) the area has just about recovered.
There was nothing painful about Christmas Day apart from some moments of side-aching hilarity supplied by the likes of Neil and the boys. The feast was courtesy of Jenine and Ian, the bar was supplied by us, and Santa did a good job with his contributions too. Down in Yialos there were community events, dinners, music was played from the church speakers and the bells rang out on Christmas Day from 4.30 in the morning, as they do. They’ve been ringing on an off since with celebrations of St Stephen’s day, Agios Stephanos here, and on Christmas Eve there were groups of children out and about carol singing.
In fact, walking down to Yialos on Christmas Eve morning I came across a group of teenagers, boys and girls, gathered together outside the bakery in Horio and they had the air of conspirators about them. In other countries you might worry that you were about to be set upon or abused, asked for ‘money for fags mister’ or some such, but not so here. As I walked past I could hear then discussion which shop they were going to next, not to cause trouble, but to sing the traditional Christmas Carol. “Καλήν εσπέραν άρχοντες, Κι αν εί- κι αν είναι ορισμός σας, Χριστού την θεία γέννηση, Να πω- να πω στ’ αρχοντικό σας.”
There were many other groups of children out and about too, with triangles to accompany the singing. You walk past shops and hear the sounds from inside and it did put a smile on my lips to hear some of the, um, ‘less enthusiastic’ members of the small choirs – a quick, embarrassed, mumble, a clang on the triangle and a hand held out for some coins. Sam and his mates came to our house and went out and about and made a few euros each, and Harry and his chums went around the village too, a little way. So the Christmas Eve traditions were kept up.
And now, suddenly, it’s Sunday. We’ve watched out new DVDs, including ‘Billy Eliot Live.’ My review: Incredible dancing from the young (and older) cast, great choreography, good use of space, great sets, good acting (bar the occasional accent-slip) and a good book, but instantly forgettable music (even including passages that echoed themes from other shows a bit too much) and wincey lyrics from the same guy who wrote the gritty dialogue; should have had a co-lyricist to come up with the less gritty lyrics when needed. But, if you liked the film, the show will also please you. You can get a copy here.
That’s my recommendation of the day, now I am off to prepare for a Sunday morning long-walk and some exercise and fresh air.
