Post by janiemou on Sept 12, 2015 9:21:39 GMT 2
AUTUMN HAS ARRIVED
The summer is all but over for 2015, we still have temperatures into the high twenties and low thirties expected, but the nights are getting cooler and there is a definite autumnal feel in the air. This autumnal feeling has been underlined by the departure over the last couple of days of all the swifts, swallows and martins. They gathered together on the power lines behind our apartment block in their hundreds, the sky was full of circling birds. When we awoke today they had all gone, gone back to Africa for the winter. I know they linger longer in Corfu Town, but here they are just a lovely summer memory. To reinforce the autumnal feeling the first rug seller of the season has been spotted in Acharavi, so now is the time to be covering up those chilly marble floors. Everyone seems to buy from these gypsies.The plants have sensed the change as well. We have conkers in the chestnut trees, blackberries in the hedgerows, pears on the trees and sweet ripe grapes on the vines. The vegetable garden is starting to look shabby where the tomatoes and peppers are starting to come to the end, but the cabbages are starting to take shape. The leaves on quite a few trees have started to turn and in a few cases have started to fall.
The bird sellers have reappeared as people are replacing their laying hens and buying the turkeys, ducks and geese for fattening for Christmas. The fenced off olive groves in the Roda /Acharavi area are filling up with fowl of all descriptions.
Soon it will be that time of year for burning all the dead vegetation once the rains become more frequent, after the tourist have departed, then the hunters and their dogs will be seen in the early morning heading into the hills after a cup of Greek coffee and a glass of Tsipouro.
In the meantime lets us enjoy these lovely last golden days of summer. The sun is still hot, the sea is still warm and the bars and restaurants are full of tourists enjoying the hospitality of the generous Greek people.