Day 10: Hotoussa, Greece

Village House, Hotoussa

1 January 2026

An absolutely freezing night where it got down to -1 degree. We woke to lots of fog, which means a beautiful sunny day - and, true enough, the fog cleared to the sunniest, most glorious day of our trip here.

We had breakfast in Levithi, as usual and, afterwards, Jim drove me up to this beautiful church on a hill with a cemetery looking out over the plains and the mountains. Somehow comforting to think of your loved one lying here with a glorious view.

Churches in Greece (and in lots of parts of the world) are built in the most impressive locations - or in the centre of town. Of course, Levithi has another church right in the middle of town. There is always more than one church in any location. 

There was some chanting going on and bells ringing in the town church, as New Year's Day is considered a pretty important occasion.

Oh, I forgot to say that yesterday, in Tripoli, there were hordes of children going around the town with musical instruments (mostly just triangles). They would march into a shop, vigorously bang their triangles, sing a verse from a Greek New Year's song and receive a few coins. They would then go into the shop next door. I stood there watching and, over a 10 minute period, 5 different groups of children went into the same shop. I suppose it's the Greek version of trick or treating, but it would drive me insane if I worked there. (I notice sometimes the children got the money without having to sing. There are probably only so many times you can listen to the same tune.)

After Levithi, we came back to the house and started doing some clearing up - emptying the fridge, vacuuming etc. We leave early tomorrow morning and don't want to have to do too much just before we depart.

We are taking the couple from down the road out to an early dinner this afternoon (at 5pm). They don't own Booboo - Jim has actually met Booboo's owner - who is an older person living in the house next to the couple, and he absolutely adores the dog. (Even though he should groom him properly!) So I don't need to grill this couple about how they could abandon their dog. 

We had a nice meal in a nearby town - although it was absolutely freezing. -3 degrees outside! The conversation was mainly in Greek as their English is about as good as my Greek (not great). I followed the conversation pretty much and was able to make a few comments here and there - and laugh and frown in the right places.

They don't seem to eat much. He had a bowl of beef soup and she had the beef stew, whereas Jim and I both had entrees and mains! We both had the soup as an entree and then Jim had goat with potatoes in the oven and I had spaghetti bolognese. We also shared some saganaki and giant beans and bread and two bottles of wine. (They are definitely drinkers, rather than eaters.) Jim only had one glass because he was driving, but the rest of us enjoyed ourselves. 

We came home to find Helen the cat (the tabby - my favourite) on our doorstep, so I gave her an extra share of cat food. (She has sad eyes!) 

I've given all the animals names from Greek myth - Helen and her tabby sister, Clytemnestra, Castor & Pollux (the ginger cats) and dogs Penelope, Dido, Ariadne and Ulysses. Booboo was already pre-named and it kind of suits him, as he's a silly-running-around-the-place-having-fun type of dog.

Sadly, tomorrow we leave them all.