The period of ‘getting into the Christmas spirit’ has started up here in the village and in our house. The sitting room is festooned (kind of) with lights which looks cosy after dark, and we’ve started wrapping presents. For the first time in many years, everything I had to order from off-island has arrived in time, but there has been a three-month battle with one item that I’ll tell you about after Christmas. We’ve had invitations for Christmas and New Year events, but we’ll be in Athens at those times. All the lights are up in the village and in the harbour, and some shops and bars have been decorated.
Yesterday afternoon, we called into the Sunrise for a quiz, which was, as always, good fun and good humoured, and with all the lights twinkling and the cats curled up on laps, it was all very cosy. The weather has remained mild though not always warm, and it’s been calm. Hopefully, it will stay that way today as several folks we know are heading to Rhodes for the day, as the big ferry comes in a little later on a Friday, so there’s no need for a 5.30 start.
My piano student is gearing up for his first recital; a performance of three solo pieces and two duets to be given on Boxing Day to his mum, brother and other goddad, and that’s all coming along nicely. Our lesson yesterday consisted of practising the ‘bastard bars’ of Chopin’s Prelude in E minor, and then running through the whole thing followed by some work on a duet and some improvisation. Also included was a short video given by a music teacher explaining his method of practice, and why he uses it. All very helpful, I hope.
Today in our house…? I have a writing for myself day planned, or at least about six hours of it this morning, and Neil will be going to the gym. After that… not a lot.
