Thunder on the mountain
Dawn attempts to prise her rosy fingers apart through the
morning sky.
But it is no good.
There is thunder on the mountain.
We count the seconds in between the lighting and the great
cracks of thunder. It’s getting closer.
As the rain starts to fall in gentle drips and then a great
torrent, Mr Grigg and I sigh. It’s raining again.
The water will be burbling through the streets of Corfu
Town, chasing itself along shiny pavements and down into storm
drains and then up again in a never-ending game of tag.
Today in Agios Magikades, we will be confined to indoor jobs
as we hanker for the sunshine we had earlier in the week. I felt guilty on Monday when I grabbed half
an hour after lunch to read a book in the garden. But, hey, we should all make
hay while the sun shines.
And up at St Simeon on its precarious perch on the side of a mountain, the wind gusted through the Sunday Name Day ceremony, threatening to topple the congregation right
over the edge.
But these Corfiots are made of strong stuff. As the service
went on in the tiny church, outside there was chatter and tsipouro as the assembled
villagers celebrated, making sure they kept the right side of the newly-painted
white lines to avoid eternal life below.
A head popped up from behind a rock. ‘Would you like a
whisky?’
Who could say no on such a day?
Even the rocks here were designed as cup holders.
When the service ended and respects had been paid to the church and to the saint, great mattresses of sweet loaves and tubs of seeds and nuts
were brought down and handed out as the people made their way back up the rocky path.
They wound their way home along the donkey track, destined for Sunday lunch and more
celebrations. Car horns tooted and a shaft of light hit the priest as he drove by with his radio inadvertently tuned
to the pop channel.
That's about it.
Love Maddie x
What stunning scenery and such a lovely way to celebrate. Thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteMy Serbian orthodox son-in-law and my daughter celebrate their family saint's name day (a slava). It occurs the week before Thanksgiving in November. Lots of food and a special bread served to guests as they arrive. They drink a homemade plum brandy called rakija. It is deadly.
ReplyDeleteThat must have been quite an experience, up there on the mountain. I found myself curious about the taste of the bread.
ReplyDeleteHey-you a bobcat?
ReplyDeletehow come i didn't know?;