Worrying weather patterns

Thursday was a gorgeous, sunny day and warm at 15oC. We went to Kuzina where we had lunch sitting outside.

A mighty storm started at around 10:30 in the evening: thunder, lightning, strong winds and  torrential rain, which continued all day Friday.

Worse still, was the red mud all over the white tiles of the terraces of our apartment.

It's red dust that blows in from the Sahara, and this is the worst I have seen it yet. We stayed in on Friday and even though we kept all the windows and doors shut, the light of our air purifier was red - danger levels.

We've been in Greece for three weeks and we've had more rain than we would normally get all winter.  As Greta Thunberg said in her Davos speech 'Our house is on fire.. I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is'. We cannot wait, we have to act on climate change now.

Palaion Faliron - a walk by the sea

When I need a change, rather than walking  by the sea in Alimos, which is where we live, I take the tram, get off at Edem and start walking towards the Floisvos Marina. It takes me about an hour. It's a nice walk, and it's something different, but it's next to a main road, so it's not something I do very often.

This area on my left, has been planted and it looks really good

A bit further on, a children's play area

Faliron beaches are not as nice as ours, but the palm trees enhance this one

Roast chestnuts and corn-on-cob, plus nuts, are being sold here - the smell is overwhelming as you walk past

The trams run regularly, every 15 minutes

Another beach on my left

and I continue...

past the exercise area

a small harbour, with no way in from the sea - they must haul the boats in over the sand

a winter swimmer





and here she is, coming out

meanwhile, the sun trying to get out in the distance

most of this stretch is undeveloped

it's a Sunday which is when most people who want to learn how to sail go for their lessons - you can see all the sails of the boats in the distance

the chess players

another tram

I love walking by the sea

I have reached Floisvos

There used to be a sculpture of a boy peeing into the fountain when I was little - it used to always fascinate me

The Vloisvos cultural centre





and now I turn left, away from the main road, and it's much quieter

Two groups painting the sea and/or the rocks

Pireus in the distance seems to be getting nearer

an old submarine commemorating the sailors who fell during WWII

Is this flag always here? I am not sure. Today is the Sunday of the demonstration in Athens against the naming of our neighbouring country Northern Macedonia. I had planned to go to Athens, but knew there would be tear gas, so instead chose to walk here

A park for dogs to run around

I have reached Floisvos marina





where rich people's playthings are moored

it's a nice area, and lots of people come here to either walk around or sit in the numerous cafes and restaurants.

The Stratford Gallery - Winter Exhibition 2019

A new exhibition at the Stratford Gallery.

Jessica Thorn:

Margaret Curtis:

Matt Oval Cylinder (Black stoneware)

Matt Oval Cylinder (Black stoneware)

Eddie Curtis:

Celadon Mizusashi (Japanese tea ceremony cold water container), (stoneware, celadon, copper oxides)

Shino Cha-ire (Japanese tea ceremony tea caddy), (stoneware)

Celadon Chawan with red copper accents (kurinuki technique)



Chawan:

Eddie Curtis

Eddie Curtis

Margaret Curtis