Stormy weather ...

This morning was warm, but we were on the edge of something ...

Billowing cumulonimbus clouds over the mainland,  and warm air like a hair dryer from the south. This afternoon the winds came around 3pm, cold air being sucked upwards and we were in for another storm.

By 4pm the storm was upon us and rain, lashing down. Thunder lightning, and dips in power as the storm passed over our green (and getting greener) island.

Skopelos news posted a link on their island blog, showing the lightning strikes, as the storm approached around this time, and I share it below ...

Tonight it built again and the storm front threatened, as it darkened the skies over Evia. However we escaped and had just rain. The storm front is now over Halkidiki - where it has turned into another fierce storm cell, as it heads further north and into the night ...

Taverna Alexandros ...

On a storm lashed evening ...

Where better to relax and listen to Christos, playing the guitar, to the accompaniment of rolling thunder, and natures firework display outside ...

Watched over by Othello, as he entertained us inside ...

However he had a trick up his sleeve, calling over friends from their table to play too ...

We were treated to an impromptu set by Elle and Paul Macdonald. Friends and regular readers of the blog, here from California on their annual visit to our green island.

A great night, and the food was reat as always too ...

Maroula Dimitrios ...

Is my favourite Skiathos trawler ...

... and a few low flying seagulls


As you can see, the sun finally came out, and it was a very pleasant - if somewhat cool evening ...

If it were a game of cricket ...

Then today the covers would hardly have come off ...

Its been a grey day, the light has been poor, and a steady drizzle up until lunch. I stood around for a while hands in pockets, from the cool breeze that sometimes sent a shiver, over the outfield that is the paralia.

However the situation has improved, the skies have lifted and the rain clouds seem to have departed.

I will make a further inspection on the paralia, after tea, and prospects look better for this evening ...

Earlier there was a ray of sunshine, friends from the UK kindly brought a huge supply of multivitamins, for my wife. We are hugely indebted to you for your generosity - Thank you ...

Evening on the Paralia ...

Sunset reflections on the Pounta ...

Skiathos in bloom ...

Walking round town, its a blaze of colour ...

Amazing generosity ...

It is no secret here, my wife has been very ill ...

Hopefully things are now on the mend. Today we went out for a walk, in the summer sunshine, and we bumped into many friends on the way. Everyone seems to want to hear the story, offer encouragement and try to help with a few words ...

Today Dimitris, who is a kamaki on the harbour, called to the house, with some set honey, to be mixed in warmed milk with a cube of Greek chocolate, and a hint of chili powder. This is to help with making the veins strong and increase the appetite. All ingredients were left with us ...

On the Paralia, Spiros rushed out of his taverna, he was worried he had not seen her for a few days, and was concerned. He sat us down and returned with a polystyrene box, he insisted we take and use the contents.
It was a new pot of Royal Jelly, and he gave precise instructions like a doctor in its use ...

As we neared home, Eleni came out from her taverna, and another discussion took place, and a few moments later we returned with some lovely fresh fish soup to help out ...

With all the problems that Greece has its people still do their best for their neighbours ...

Drachmageddon ...

The Guardian has an interesting article on the 'return' of the drachma here I think its well worth a read ...

Even Artists are trying to design Greece's new currency – Cartoons

Drachmageddon is quite a good title, its appearing more and more as Greeks are asked to consider stepping back from the brink, over the last few days.

I can't help noticing that 'drachma' is quite near to another dark name - 'Dracula' - You heard it here first ...

Thimios Boat ...

Captain Yiorgos, has a new website ...

The Thimios, in my opinion, is the loveliest boat in the old harbour. It flies the earth flag from the top of the mast.

It often does the trip over to Tsougria, and is well worth waiting for ...

The key to these foods is their regular steady intake, not "eat once and hope."

Looks like i had better get some more then whilst I can ...

So I did ...

Half a kllo of freshly picked mulberries, still warm from the early morning sunshine, in the bag  ...

Washed, as they had a sugar coating from an earlier morning doughnut ...

... and very nice they were too ...