You know that way you suddenly see red?… figuratively speaking. Something sets you off….. you see red and feel mad….well, it was yellow I saw, felt just little crazy….
I made it for a March drive over to Hania on the last day of the month. Didn’t think I’d manage but found sufficient justification to be away from home and left with my required permission document, supporting evidence and ID all ready for the anticipated police checks.
Such are these changed times. A changed kind of journey as well, the usual inspiration failed to transpire in the way that I’ve come to expect. But these are not normal times and it seems to have an effect that creeps in unnoticed. Certainly it did to me.
Initially it was yellow, yellow, yellow, that wonderful colour used, quite aptly, to signify spring – there was yellow all over the place, as far as the eye could see (when both eyes were not on the road ahead), miles of gorse, verges of dandelions, buttercups and myriad others I am unable to name. At the point of beginning to notice what’s going on out in the countryside there usually arises a desire to write or talk about what I’m experiencing.
Not on the 31st of March. Increasingly I felt discomfort, as if driving out of town was a serious sin, an internalised voice was nagging to let me know how wrong I was. Despite that I didn’t miss the changing displays of yellow flowers, shifts at higher altitude with stubby nearer the ground bushes, and then massive displays of trees in blossom on the flat stretch heading into Hania after Voukolies.
The lack of vehicles made for a good drive, would have done anyway if it wasn’t for that uncanny feeling and I know I’d normally have paid a lot more attention to the trees freshly in bud, several varieties showing tender yellow-green leaves. Work continues on the highway with a smaller squad at work, apparently laying cables for an improved electricity supply, kind of not now needed….but that will change PC – post corona. So it’s one way from Tavronitis to the Galatas junction. We can only hope that the full road becomes usable again sometime soon; been going on in various sections since November when there were horrendous traffic lights in operation, the delays…. arghhh.
When I got there Hania was just strange – no car park open but easy on street parking, the usually bustling bus station practically deserted, no queue at the take away coffee shop, only pharmacies, super & mini markets and pet shop (one of my duties of the day) were open. The few other pedestrians were clearly out on their own particular missions, they were more often than not masked and/or gloved. I just couldn’t get my list of things dealt with quickly enough and head back to house arrest!
Driving back was through all the coastal villages and deserted tourist developments, barely saw anyone – some dog walkers, occasional jogger, workers heading home. Surprisingly, the most surprising in fact, was that not once did I see a police car or person, I’d expected to be checked at least once. The niggling anxiety at simply being out continued until Paleochora was close; relief! All the way I still couldn’t really connect with what I was seeing, except for the red flash of a dancing clutch of poppies, happy in a sheltered sunny spot.
They thought I didn’t notice but my eye (when not on the road!) will not fail to find my favourites of all wild flowers. I know we’re not meant to have favourites, I do really love all of those flowers equally….well, maybe the poppies a little more……
Flora, April 11th 2020
