The last Friday of July, fabulous weather, Methexis beach reasonably well populated, given the reduced number of visitors to town this year.Breaking beach etiquette of slightly more reserved behaviour were 4 giggling women, many years away from any educational institution, but giggling like schoolgirls nonetheless. To some they may have sounded like cackling hens, all a matter of perception. I can assure you we felt like kids, helpless in our tummy tickling hilarity, all due to the nearby rather portly gent, snoring louder than an old tractor. Possibly assisted by a few lunchtime beers, he was oblivious in slumber while we enjoyed the entertainment. We tried, pointlessly, to stifle the initial sniggers, but once the screeching mating calls of the cicadas above us in the tamarisk tree were shocked into silence, the rumbling snores were impossible to ignore…and off we went. Ungainly, unladylike and, to my mind, a much more genuine response to the situation than silent pretending nothing’s amiss! After a while we calmed down and went back to our own snoozes, swims and chats. The cicadas returned to their serious business and mystery snoring man eventually left, another pleasant, late afternoon beach session with my 3 summertime neighbours.
Earlier in the month I experimented further with the snorkelling. It went well as I smoothly overcame the anxiety, no longer fearing that the theme music to Jaws was starting up. In fact I’ve come to enjoy it, the twisting sun beams dancing through the water, the ease of floating in warm water and friendly teensy fishes passing by, it’s so incredibly relaxing. And that’s exactly the point I’d reached when something stung my arm. Not a big dramatic sting. I questioned it initially, suspecting I’d allowed fears to creep in, but then a hot confirming rush along my arm followed by another sting on my leg inspired me to get the heck out of the water, ASAP. The exit may not have been as tidy as I’d have liked, but the sudden shift in my priorities got the better of me. Back on the sunbed, assessing the damage and waiting for Real Big Pain to kick in, I was relieved when only a small rash appeared and the heat eased off. I’ve not allowed it to stop me and will continue snorkelling, carefully – not too far from shore or help. Lesson learned. I saw nothing at the time, ironically I’d been impressed how well I could see in the mask, without my usual varifocals. Whatever it had been I never knew, the beach was busy all afternoon and no one else made a speedy exit from the sea; could have been a jelly fish, or a lion fish…..but why me???
Mid July, and a trip to Heraklion was deemed necessary. Lucky me! It’s a long, tiring drive there and back. Fortunately the sky was splotched with big white clouds, meaning less bright sun and lower temperatures. The atmosphere was clear and at various points on the mountains past Hania were dots and dashes of snow that I’d never have thought would still be visible. I know that high up in deep gullies snow can remain throughout the year, but to be still visible in mid July? That was a treat. The drive went well, an increase in tourist hire cars along the way, especially around Rethymnon. That’s the area where long stretches of sandy beach try and lure me to stop and jump in for a swim. How good then that long bouncy waves removed such thoughts and I was able to reach destination at the appointed time.On the return drive, at an hour when sensible folks are taking siesta, the roads were faster and easier, even if I now notice the speed limits and the double white lines. A recent, not so friendly, interaction with law enforcement was most enlightening…… Yet something was just not right. I cleaned and cleaned my sunglasses – the one handed way while driving – but everything was dulled out and I was squinting to see clearly, there were fuzzy bits. I started to see auras around other cars. Not the best time for a spiritual breakthrough! How on earth to focus….. Changed to my regular glasses and the brightness nearly took me off the road! Once I adjusted, it did seem the more sensible solution and I made it back to Paleochora……relishing the opportunity that driving offers to let thoughts run free.
Two days later, how truly lucky I am – another day trip to Heraklion. Before leaving, the sunglasses thing worried me, especially for the drive; on proper inspection it looked like something was badly wrong. I rummaged around and eventually an old pair of sunglasses, with the wrong prescription, allowed themselves to be retrieved from the back of a cupboard. Oh my! What a difference, how amazing. The good ones had obviously been bad for a while. Everything became clear, even if I couldn’t read the dashboard instruments. Not only clear – they give a slight rosy glow to everything, the parched landscape came alive, everything, absolutely everything, was vibrant, warm and shiny and oh so alive. The long sandy stretch near Rethymnon was hard to pass – flat, calm sea, deep Aegean blues and layers of a turquoise that could bring tears to eyes that are not forced to look at the road ahead.Altogether a much better drive – looking at things through rose tinted glasses!Next stop, after recovering from driving days and catching up with work, was to the opticians whereupon the offending sunglasses were officially deemed unfit for purpose. Mighty expensive, varifocal lenses, not even a year old had to be replaced. These things take a while, in the meantime I’m enjoying a rosy outlook….which may or may not also be applied to all areas of life….
I’ll keep the magical sunglasses and try them when my patience is being tested! The times we grumble about the long, hot hours at work, forgetting how lucky we are this year to have any work. The days that somebody’s careless parking blocks my car in the garage…..minor stuff….lots of it…all minor in the grand scheme…. A perspective shift makes it easier to deal with life’s irritations. Used that thought in reference to my garden and it helped move my attention away from the continual devastation and on to the plants that do cope with the sun, heat, wind and insect infestations.
It’s all about taking a step towards anything that’s rosier, more positive….but stopping long before entering Pollyanna-land.
Flora, 15th August 2020
