Autumn Mornings in Greece – The Little Things
Dawn breaks over Loutraki Greece
It rained late last night, a good, heavy rain.
As I lay in my bed, I listened to it drumming on the roof, pattering on the marble tiles of the balcony outside my room, suddenly, the intoxicating aroma of Jasmine, which was growing in the garden below, flooded in through the open window.
Jasmine. Photo – Greeker than the Greeks
It’s mid-September, it’s been a long hot summer, we need this rain, not only to water the crops but to wash away the Sahara Desert dust, which, every year, blows over from North Africa to cover Greece like a blanket..
For the last few days, autumn has been in the air, it’s been so humid, thunder rumbled in the distance, bolts of lightning lit up the sky, but until last night, we had not been blessed with rain.
This morning, I awoke to what I can only describe as freshness, the muggy atmosphere had been washed away, leaves glittered emerald green, the sky was a clear brilliant blue, the shade of blue only to be found in a Greek sky, the world smelled good, and the sun was shining.
Through a Greek window. Photo by Greeker than the Greeks
Rain drops were still fresh on the leaves, and as I waited for my coffee to brew, sweet birdsong greeted me through my kitchen window.
Early morning is my favourite time of day, a time of solitude, alone with my thoughts; I take my coffee and sit peacefully in my garden, admiring the colourful oleander.
Oleander. Photo – Greeker than the Greeks
I look towards a perfect, deep pink rose, the tree is still blooming and the heady scent wafts by on the breeze.
Zéphirine Drouhin climbing rose & me and my pals. Photo Greeker than the Greeks
I can’t help but be amazed, that this beautiful rose, which I brought all the way from England, with only a bare root, has flourished, my friends were sure it would bite the dust, I was the only one who was optimistic.
My secret paradise. Photo – Greeker than the Greeks
I could sit here in my little private paradise all day, it’s my sanctuary, memories were made here, my children grew up in this garden, so many happy family meals have been enjoyed here, and now that I have my granddaughter; sweet Melina, so many more memories shall be made.
My daughter, Nais, has started a “Memory Tree’, each time she visits a Greek island, she brings back a ‘memory’, to hang on the tree, what a brilliant idea, as I’m not allowed to hang anything of mine on it, I think I shall start a tree of my own.
Nais’s Memory Tree. Photo Greeker than the Greeks
As I sit here and reflect, I feel grateful, grateful for everything, the roof I have over my head, the delicious coffee I just drank, my family, my wonderful garden, the satisfaction of biting in to a juicy plum, from a tree I grew from plum stone, many year ago, which has given us endless jars of mouth watering plum jam.
Plums from our own tree, which I grew from a plum stone. Photo – Greeker than the Greeks
It’s about time I made a move, I shall leave Mr. Magpie and his friends, and Zabettas, a stray cat we feed, who have been keeping me company, My Greek God – MGG will soon be back with the shopping, I need to start thinking about lunch.
Zabettas. Lazy bones, sleeping in the sun. Photo – Greeker than the Greeks
I hear the last of the season’s succulent, sticky figs falling from the tree, plop, plop, plop, before I start my day, I’ll just eat a few, such a shame to let them go to waste.
Succulent, sticky, Greek figs. Photo – Greeker than the Greeks
On second thoughts, forget lunch, never mind the clothes waiting to be ironed, I’m going to the beach, who knows how long these beautiful days will last?
These are the best of beach days, tourists have gone home and children are back at school, I shall have the stillness and the silence to myself, the only sound, the sound of the waves.
It’s true what they say, it’s the little things that count, the things that money can’t buy, go out and enjoy your day, and above all, be grateful, count your blessings!
