Summer is on it's way! 22.3.2012 Where have the last five weeks gone?                                                                                                                 Carnival came as did the rain!   The log burning stove has kept the living room and our bedroom cosy but, on occasions, we have suffered an uncomfortable shower in the mornings when the heat has not reached through to the en-suite. We are trying to attend the local Greek Orthodox church each Sunday during Lent but not for the full three hours, we try to time it for the last 45+ minutes.     This does not mean that we miss a large part of the service!    The visuals escape but the voices of the Papa and cantors reach us via a loud speaker which is broadcast across the village and 'drifts' through our bedroom window - no need for an alarm clock.   When in England we attend our local church and also, from time to time, Birmingham Cathedral.    We are kept in touch with weekly information and the opportunity to download the sermons from the Cathedral.    The Dean at the Cathedral 'tweets' most days so, thanks to technology, we are usually up to date with their news. Coffee at the Internet Cafe or one of the Kafeneions is a good way to keep in touch with friends and does not involve anyone in extra cooking.     This time of year entertaining is similar to that in the U.K.  i.e. in addition to the cooking I feel I have to have a sparkling clean kitchen and a dust free dining area whereas in Greece for most of the year it is entertaining outside so a quick sweep of the patio is all the additional work that is needed.     Of course, coffee at a Kafeneio can be expanded, if all agree, to a light lunch at a nearby Taverna. We had planned to spend a few days visiting an area of Greece unfamiliar to us so we asked a neighbour where we should go and she gave us some ideas followed, a short time later,  by a phone call from her daughter saying 'stay ..... and then travel around from there ....  '   at that time it was very cold - for Greece - and wet so we put it on hold for a week.    We then agreed to "babysit" some seedlings for friends returning to the U.K. for a few weeks so the trip is still on hold but, the route is planned and we are looking forward to a short holiday. Now the sun has arrived, the rain has gone somewhere else, and we are enjoying meals outside - I have even had a sun lounger out for siesta! The financial situation is evident in the area around Methoni - "they are not coming out" we were informed outside an empty kafeneio.    Usually these places have their regulars whatever time of the year but now this is not the case!   On Saturday morning I walked towards the top road where the activity is usually at its highest only to see a deserted road with only one person sitting outside the nearest Kafeneio.    My mind went back to the previous Saturday when we drove into nearby Pylos only to find our usual parking place deserted.    As this is a jetty going out into the sea we hesitated wondering whether others knew something we did not!    We parked, looked at the sky and sea and all seemed calm so we walked away.   Just another sign that things are changing! Greek people and especially Methoni people, are usually extremely friendly.    Those around our home go out of their way to make us feel welcome, please do not stay away!     The unrest - from our view point - is not affecting every day life.   Generally the smoking ban is being ignored but now the weather is improving you will be sitting and eating outside where the air is good and the sunshine goes a long way to giving you that 'feel good' moment or two! Whatever, this is a lovely place to be and we look forward to seeing visitors return in the coming months. This Sunday Greece celebrates two important occasions -The Annunciation of the Mother God and Greek Independence Day,  one religious event and one secular linked together by the common themes of birth and liberty!     There will be parades in most villages, towns and cities and I hope these will all be peaceful! The Greek Easter falls one week behind the English one this year but we will be enjoying Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday and Easter Eggs on both Sundays. M