Anchored down with olives and lemons

 

Late night last night so a holiday lie in was in order, plus its always good to find the moderate temperature that returns to the world out here between the hours of 4 and 8

No plans for today so this will be a short one, but a chance to extend our knowledge of our immediate valley, and in doing so I guess find the real Naxos.  Its the 10th biggest Greek Island, the only one of the Cyclades where it is felt there is enough agriculture and water for it to be self sufficient, but is only moderately touristy.  Also the birthplace of Dionysus, god of wine and fertility, the reason to this day for such a thriving set of vineyards by all accounts. Not a bad drop I can attest.

Chance for a few moments reflection on our particular Air BnB Georgilias Cave House, find out more here about this particular form of architecture. An 18th Century family farm that produced cereals, fruits, milk and cheese now a well appointed and well equipped lodging.  Set in a valley, the product of local masonry and very much part of the look and feel of this area in Naxos.

Our only real outing today turned out to be an extended brunch walk that allowed us to take a trip to the other side of the Valley. Whilst the mountains look interesting they are really non starters in this heat, so all of our movement very much remained on the valley floor. Trod the familiar path into Galini, ending up in Flea again, this time for a light breakfast, bread and sweet (although the host said medium) greek coffee with a pasty residue at its end.

We continued around to the other side of the valley to the village of Eggares. Feels like this is the beginning of real mountainous territory, I did cast some wistful looks up the slopes but know full well this won't be one of those trips! (Mount Zeus, the tallest peak on the Cyclades I'm sure is up there somewhere) It  also felt like Eggares was slightly busier than Galini with a couple more cafes and restaurants my only real measurement of that.  Also passed a garage, school and massive church, all perhaps signs of a few more people.

We stumbled across an Olive museum, yes hard to believe they exist.  Can't believe they were only open for our benefit, I think the people here manage to create an experience out of their daily lives, and fair play, do it well. A lovely arrangement of many oils, dips, and accompaniments, they must have been expecting us!  The owner told us how the farm had been going for a number of centuries and directed us to exhibits of some of the tools and presses used over the years. And of course we bought some olive oil, and had some lovely home made lemonade in their cafe next to the church. Olives and Lemons say the bells of ....Kimissis Theotokou

We retraced our steps back to our cave dwelling, it really does not look like a cave!  And whiled what was left of the day in the pool and reading (I'm onto my second book, called Sorrow and Bliss, don't even ask ..)  Due to our late start the day seemed to drift quicker than usual towards the evening where we revisited the restaurant from our first night here. Prior to that I'd seen a sign for a 3rd hostelry in Galini, a small tavern that sat on the valley side, and clearly no-one was going there tonight, so we stopped for a drink before descending to eat a fresh local Greek Salad (feta and goats cheese) and be gifted more of their lovely honey/lemon cake dessert; they run food making days here too, all local ingredients of course, and plays to my earlier point that the Naxians do well at living and then turning their living into windows for tourists.  Fair play.