The world from my window

In the sleepy plateia, the swallows are swooping on training flights, chattering on the wing. There are literal double takes from villagers as they realise we're back, and lots of kisses, hugs and smiles. In Paleokastritsa, the sea is clear and inviting through the olive trees. In the town, washing is hung out between the streets, as it has done for hundreds of years. And our favourite hole in the wall has expanded to the other side of the street, still serving up the best souvlakia on Corfu. The blue sky sets off the beautiful colours of the houses and shutters. The air is warm. It is spring but the island has jumped straight from winter right into summer. Today is a holiday. Children will gather flowers from the olive groves to make May Day wreaths for their front doors. That's about it. Love Maddie

                      It is the May Day bank holiday weekend here in The Enchanted Village. And, appropriately for Labour Day, there is lots of work going on. The pub is bursting at the seams, with  people even from My Kind of Town   venturing out for good pub grub and a cheery welcome from our new landlady. In the kitchen, The Pub Landlord is slaving away and will reward himself at the end of the evening with a nice sit down on a tiny stool behind the bar, with only the top of his head on view to the punters. Next door, the Champagne-Charlies are out in force, hoeing and raking the garden prior to an official visit by the outlaws. Bubbles is trimming a bush with an electric bush trimmer she got from the Innovations catalogue. Across the road, Mrs Bancroft is entertaining old friends, one of whom has a head like a stone on the morning after the night before. And in the Sheepwash abode, there is lots of eati...