Brrrrr

Well, whilst November and December brought us clear skies and warm weather, leading to us swimming in the sea right up until a few days before the festivities, we're now quite glad that we nevertheless continued gathering wood for the log-burner, because we've just "enjoyed" the lowest temperatures that we've witnessed in ten years on the island.

When people ask me what a Rhodean winter is like, my usual reply is that it's like a good British summer. By and large that's a pretty good description of our winters, yet just now and then we get what I'd call a "cold snap", when freezing cold air from the Ukraine and Russia is brought down across the Black Sea and Turkey to afflict us with frigid temperatures. These are usually lows of around 5 or 6ºC, with daytime temperatures hovering in maybe the lower teens, but this past two days we've dipped well below that. In fact, driving home on Friday evening through Lardos, where we dropped off a friend on our way, the car registered -1.5ºC outside. A first. Plus, yesterday it only managed a measly 10º in the middle of the day. Like the title of the post says, Brrrr! (Did I put enough "r"s in there?)

It did cause us some amusement then, to be watching a TV show from the UK where the presenter was talking to a couple about their wanting to move out to the Paphos region of Cyprus, which has a climate very similar to ours. The couple were shown three different properties to see if any of them would tempt them to part with the readies. Of course, as per usual in these programmes, they wouldn't make a decision. But what caused us a degree of amusement was that in each of the properties the couple were shown a log-burning stove in the lounge area. The couple seemed to think that these, whilst nice to look at, would be a bit surplus to requirements, surely. More than once they said that they expected to be living in shorts and t-shirts most of the time, dining outside and so forth.

Yea, well, OK. It's true that at any time of the year it's a possibility. But the couple seemed to be suffering from what we all used to suffer from before we did our homework, the "Isn't it always hot and sunny out here?" syndrome. Anyone considering making the move would do well to either visit at least once during the winter months, or definitely talk to locals and get the low-down on what kind of weather we can experience from time to time from November through March.

The presenter, Anita, who was recently a celebrity contestant on "Strictly Come Dancing" (and flippin' good she was too. That bolero - phew!) actually tried to make the point that it can be raw on occasion during the winter, but the couple didn't really seem to want to hear it.

A rude awakening awaits, one can't help wondering.

They also, as part of the 'research' done on their behalf by the programme, were taken to meet another couple from the UK who'd been out there for some years and were (yup, you guessed it) helping out at a dog sanctuary. During their little natter the subject of the language came up and it was so much like what we hear here on Rhodes very often. The woman from the couple considering the move commented to the effect that one of her worries about moving out there was the potential language difficulties. They were assured by the couple already living there that this wouldn't be a problem. All the Greeks love the British and they're very friendly too. The fella actually said something like:

 "As long as you make the effort with the occasional Kalimera or efharisto, it goes a long way". Sorry and all that, but it did sound rather patronising of the Greeks. It was a bit like saying, 'keep the natives happy, you know.'

I do confess to being slightly frustrated at a lot of British living out here. It's not like they're really busy or anything. To learn Greek only requires determination and a little motivation. Time is seldom an issue. Laziness though, well, shoot me down in flames (and some will) but I'd say that's the main problem.

"Ah, but," as indeed the couple living on Cyprus did say, "Talk to them in Greek and they'll reply in English anyway."

True, but that's not because they don't think you should learn Greek. It's because they want to practice their English. I've yet to meet a Greek who didn't applaud my having taken the trouble to learn the language. I often try and put the shoe on the other foot. I know what we Brits think about foreigners living in our country who don't learn English. Right, eh?

Anyway, no good soapboxing is it. Sorry. But it is a bit of a bee under my bonnet, as you'll have guessed, no doubt. Being deadly serious, the Brits often don't seem to notice that they're 'colonising' villages and creating British ex-pat 'ghettos' that the locals become more and more resentful of. It's understandable isn't it? Making more of an attempt to assimilate would go a long way towards assuaging the build-up of that resentment.

I keep telling myself, "John, you're a guest in their country. Treat them with due deference." Learning the language has brought a huge amount of friendship and respect from Greek friends that we've made here. It's always going to be worth the effort.

Changing the subject slightly. We took a long walk all around the perimeter of Pefkos yesterday (Saturday Jan 2nd). It was about 10ºC and mainly cloudy. In fact my wife had one of those rare opportunities that only happen two or three times in a winter, that of wearing her long winter coat. We even wore our gloves! Pefkos at this time of the year is a world away from what it's like during the season. As it was cold and, of course January 2nd, the place was nigh on deserted and it was a really enjoyable walk. That's when I snapped this with my phone...

You even get a glimpse of the better half in her winter coat!

And finally. I'm not going to say "happy new year." Know why? because I'm an old pedant, and to me the number on the calendar changes every single day. Why not say "happy new day, week, month" too? Who thought up this calendar we're using anyway? Some sixteenth century pope by all accounts.

I do, though, sincerely wish happiness, prosperity and good health to everyone. I would wish such things on you at any time, any day. Spread a little positivity and it'll come back to you in time. 

And don't be minding an old curmudgeon like me!