Have you ever tried putting drops in the eye of a 4 kilo writhing squirming fighting cat? It’s not easy even with two of you, one to hold him and one to put in the drops. Keppel scratched his eye and it has to be done. Thankfully this is the third and last day.
Meanwhile I’ve given myself a black eye (or have I already mentioned that?) not from fighting Keppel but simply because I had an itch on the upper lid that I rubbed a little too hard, creating quite a bruise which no doubt will be with me for a while. Talking of rubbing, Chris doesn’t want to wrap Keppel in a towel to make the administration of the drops easier as, when he comes in on a wet day, he loves to be rolled in a towel and rubbed dry, Keppel that is, not Chris, and it’s feared he might forego that luxury in the future if towels mean bad memories.
Continuing the saga of Maria’s forty day memorial the whole shebang must have cost her daughter Eleftheria a small fortune, well over a thousand euro. First there was the church and the services of the papas followed, on exiting, by being given the traditional packet of goodies – that is Koliva, whole-wheat kernels that have been boiled and sweetened with fruits, nuts, Jordan almonds and with spices added to it. Mounted onto a silver tray, the sign of the Cross is made with silver dragees in the centre. The mixture is shovelled off the tray and you are handed a bag - decorated in gold lettering with crucifix and church symbols - of the stuff together with a cake, macaroon and small croissant. I’m afraid I don’t eat the Koliva. You have to have a very sweet tooth (the Greeks do have) and although mine is fairly sweet, obviously not sweet enough to enjoy it. After that it is everyone to the kafenion or taverna for a spread of assorted biscuits, cakes, pies, cheese and, to drink, coffee, tsigouthia or cognac. All this for about a hundred and fifty people.
We were hardly home when Eleftheria was on the phone demanding as she does that Chris goes over to her house and he returns with a huge cardboard box filled with leftovers from the feast plus a pile of avocados. What on earth we’re going to do with all this stuff, the biscuits and pies, I really don’t know. I’m sure the weevils are going to get into it later despite being in air- tight plastic containers.
The Greeks are on strike today: civil servants, schools, banks. Bank staffs are particularly prone to going on strike. Goodness knows why they love it so much. Doesn’t really seem to get them anywhere. Normally strike day is called for a Friday which gives them a long weekend so the middle of the week is a little unusual. Still, nice not to have to go into work. It’s a horrible cold, wet, and windy day.