Safe Return Doubtful

Roja is confused. Firstly because of the amount of cats and their status in society. He gets the usual attention from neighbouring tables at cafes and bypassers, cats get more. He learnt a few weeks ago that here is not the place to chase them; onlookers give a disapproving shake of the head, and besides, the cats don’t flee anyway. The climate also confuses him, these aren’t Cumbrian autumnal conditions. He didn’t shed much hair in Shetland in the summer, but hasn’t stopped since the end of September. It’s a cold snap here though, so that may stop it, 6 pm now and 1C, and went a slow as minus 5 last night. Add to this, out walking yesterday we unintentionally adopted a huge young male sheepdog who was set on mounting Roja and had to be dissuaded each time by my sticks.

Despite the confusion, we’ve had a very pleasant few days at Ano Chora. It’s quiet, but there was a cafe and a taverna open on Thursday and Friday, both very welcoming.

The last weekend of October was the Chestnut Festival here, which usually marks the end of the season, but as in many places in Europe, the weather has been unseasonably warm. So much so, that wild mushrooms have flourished. I was told this in the tavern on Friday evening, and that as they were ripe, and would soon spoil with the frosts predicted over the next nights, they needed harvesting. By word of mouth, a Festival was announced, and I guess, social media as well.. Many of the second home owners live in the relatively nearby cities of Nafpaktos and Patras, and their help was sought. It was set for Saturday. Most of the cafes and tavernas would open, and a cook-off at 4 pm in the main square.

Roja and I were out hiking to the nearby waterfall, which was underwhelming, nothing but a dribble, so only briefly called past the festivities. There were a few families around, but many had come just for the middle of the day and already left for home; they consider it as being unimaginably cold. I was given a bag of mushrooms however..

This morning, Sunday, the crisp autumnal weather continued, and I put together a circuit of the area, with the surrounding forested hills at their very best. There were a few people around, several of whom I spoke to over coffee this morning. Most were here for a funeral in a nearby village, or leftovers from the impromptu festival.