Notes from the farm.
Five weeks of House and animal sitting, on the Greek Island of Kea
They couldn’t hide their amusement, weathered eyes twinkling, as I tried to lift the huge sack of maize onto the jeep. The young Greek boy had made it look so easy, as he strolled over with the grain, as if he had a large feather pillow slung over his shoulder. I, on the other hand, looked like I was trying (and failing) to manoeuvre a large dead body into the back of the car. They finally took pity on me and came over to help — ευχαριστώ/Efharistó boys!
Robbie had said, if it rains, it might get muddy around the coops, so I should just borrow his wellies, stuff some socks in the toes. This advice I was glad I had ignored, when I saw these boots, size 11! I tried them on for fun and laughed as they came half way up my thighs. I’m all set for waders, if I should need to go fishing. My size 4 ‘Lady Wellies’ are a lot safer for climbing up and down the terraces, well worth the luggage space.
Kea has a very dry climate, water is precious and in short supply. When it finally rains, it really goes for it and does its best monsoon impression. The track up to the farm becomes a river, rocks and silt flowing down, carving new deep gullies. The flock, very wisely, decided to roost indoors. Following their example I too got cooried in. I decided to light the fire, get under a blanket and watch some TV. Netflix suggested Chicken Run, which made me laugh out loud, how do they know!?
As the days shorten, the hens lay far fewer eggs, but surely one or two a day was unusual for such a big flock? Armed with a torch, like Mrs Tweedy, I set out to look under the rosemary bushes, hidden hollows, every nook and cranny. I was rewarded with a whole clutch of eggs, now I know where to look, but I’m sure they will definitely find new hidey-holes.
My morning walks are so uplifting, so peaceful, both breathtaking and breath making. I have renamed one of the tracks, ‘The StairMaster,’ an impossibly steep slope that seems to climb upwards forever. This is a big part of my ‘Island Gym.’ I am improving, as today I climbed all the way to the top without stopping, with only a tiny fear that I might be having a mild heart attack at the summit.
Today is my twenty fifth day on the island. Ten cold swims, sixteen hot walks, six Wicks workouts and of course, twice daily ‘chicken runs.’ Extra sports include; grain mixing, stick throwing, vegetable watering, log fetching, egg beating and extreme Jeep driving. I have started two Greece inspired paintings, been writing, have read and slept better with all the fresh air and all the silence.
It’s not all been bliss, there have been cold nights with power cuts and water cuts — I couldn’t shower for 4 days! (Though the animals and chickens didn’t seem to mind) There has been a lot of poop to deal with. But I have loved it. (Being here I mean, not so much the poop…)
It’s not all been healthy either, a bit too much Greek wine and deep fried food, (you can take the girl out of Scotland etc) like calamari and anchovies. My absolute new favourite thing is Tηγανητά κολοκυθάκια : crispy battered courgettes, so simple but so delicious!
Ten more days until I head back home, hopefully refreshed and ready for Christmas with my girls and all set for 2023.
Before that, a last hoorah, one night in Paris.
I promise I won’t wear my wellies and I will take the straw out of my hair.
See you in Scotland.
