Saturday 21st May 2011 - Paralio Astros, Greece

After cycling in to get some lovely warm, fresh bread for breakfast, I decided that it was a good day for cycling. I cycled back into the village to the wine shop and had a long chat with Maria, ending up with 5 litres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5 litres of rosé and a litre of her olive oil. Oh, and a piece of that same deep-fried sweet batter that we were given at Prodromou Monastery. Both of Maria's children celebrate their name day today as May 21st is the name day of Eleni and Konstantinou and Maria had just bought the sweet for their name day celebrations. After dropping those back at the motorhome, I headed away from the village and soon left the asphalted lane on a dirt track signposted to Aghia Anastasia. This was a typical, small countryside chapel but, unusually these days, it was not locked and I was able to see the pretty interior. As always, there were many icons, two of which were of Aghia Anastasia and on one of these hung many tin plates with symbols of eyes and limbs given as offerings by the sick asking for cures from the saint. The iconostasis and the most important icons were decorated with wild (now dried) flowers either from May Day or Easter or both.
After more unsurfaced road I briefly joined the main coastal road before leaving again at the spring that feed Lake Moustos. The spring and lake are said to have medicinal properties and, in Summer, many people bathe in the waters. In truth, in the heat of the Summer, many of them just enjoy being in the cool water. The lake is also a nature park and an important area for migrating birds. As I cycled down the side of the lake there were many hides but there was nothing to see at this time of the year except for fish jumping and swimming in the lovely clear water.
Having reached the sea, the track moved slightly inland through a huge area of olive groves, scattered with signs saying 'No Hunting'. Eventually I arrived at the coastal road at Korakovouni and took the quicker route back on the asphalted road.
It was definitely barbecue weather so I cooked the pork chops, aubergine and courgette and that was accompanied by some excellent lemony roast potatoes cooked by Jane.
Photos: Aghia Anastasia – the Greeks are very proud of their chapels and they want them to be seen – note the 'Stop' sign in the olive tree; The outflow of the Moustos Lake; We have seen this many times in Greece but never in England – all of the sheep make a huddle, normally under a tree, with their heads in the centre. It looks as though they are having a major discussion.