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Greece is in lockdown mode because of COVID-19. We’re urged to avoid getting out of the house for anything that’s not essential – basically, doctors and supermarkets. Even the churches have closed down, to avoid spreading the virus.
This past week has been pretty hectic in the office, as we had a big project to deliver. I say office, but as a freelance writer working from home, I’m pretty lucky in that COVID hasn’t changed our everyday life that much. In a sense, we’ve been too busy to worry about the pandemic.
Thankfully, people are still allowed to walk their dogs. Since we live in a forest, this lets us escape for a few hours. This is especially important on a beautiful weekend like this. Long walks are pretty much all the fun we’re allowed, so we are milking them for all they’re worth. Between us, I think Izzy (our dog) is pretty happy with the lockdown and will probably miss it when it finally ends.
The Super-Duper High Hill of the Mountain
So, today all four of us went for a walk along one of the many roads that cut through the forest as a fire prevention measure (they also let firefighters reach their destination in case of a fire).
As you will see from the photo below, this one wasn’t particularly effective during the last fire (2009) and the pine trees are still recovering from that. As a side note, fires are a persistent danger where we live. The 2009 one burned down our fence and fire has come less than half a mile from our house repeatedly before that. My parent’s garden has been burned down twice, although their house was spared both times.
Mary Natalie surveying her domain, Izzy at her feet
The route we took today leads atop a hill that Natalie calls “The Super-Duper High Hill of the Mountain” (wouldn’t that be a great children’s book title?)
In the above photo, you can also see Kokotos winery in the distance. This is a great place to visit (when not in quarantine). It’s frequently open to the public several days a month and even offers children’s activities like pony riding. They had a great program for Easter week but this has now been canceled. Maybe next year.
Here’s the view from another spot atop the Super-Duper High Hill of the Mountain:
While we wait for life to return to normality, I hope you’re all keeping safe wherever you are. And if you’re in lockdown mode like us and need a dog to justify your leaving the house, let us know. We hire Izzy out for a very reasonable fee (I’m kidding, but I hear the Spanish have already started renting out dogs to people desperate to leave the house so… give me a call. We’ll talk.)
Nicholas C. Rossis 
Thanks for sharing a corner of your world. I have often wondered where you lived, since your name is Greek but your English is flawless, as if you’d grown up and/or lived in an English-speaking country. Enjoy those walks!
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Thank you, Gabi! I went to an American school and studied in Edinburgh, so I’m bilingual. While we’re currently in Greece, my company is still registered in the UK. Frankly, it’s easier for me to think of myself as European 🙂
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It’s beautiful country, Nicholas. I’m in the UK. Our lockdown isn’t quite as drastic as some. We’re allowed to go out for exercise as long as we keep our distance from people.
If we get complete lockdown, can you ship your lovely doggie here? 😄
One thing that should be stopped, though (but I don’t think it’s possible) is all the stupid misinformation on social media. I was watching France24. They were in the Ivory Coast where people were acting as normal. An interviewee said ‘we’re OK here. The virus can’t exist in hot, humid places?’ Aagghh!
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Yikes, that certainly sounds like the wrong kind of attitude…
Give me a call and we’ll see what we can do with Izzy, OK? 😀
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Oh my. Just looking at a map of the areas most affected, the humid places appear to have the most cases as it seems to start on the coasts and make its way inland but not as severely. The warm drier climates seem less affected, like the middle east. That’s just my opinion as there are probably many other variables I haven’t considered, and there are always exceptions.
I think it was wishful thinking for it to just go away when the weather became warmer.
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You never know, Kim! Besides, a cure might be around the corner. The whole thing may go away just as swiftly as it consumed us.
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That would be wonderful. Some places are starting to have promise and I hear there’s a vaccine in the works.
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That’s certainly a lovely view, Nicholas. I’m also very lucky where I live, with moors on one side and the coast on the other. Heaven! Cheers, Jon.
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Sounds absolutely lovely!
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Beautiful landscape, Nicholas!
Sadly, life hasn’t changed that much for me. On a normal day, I pretty much practice self-isolation. I’m following the best advice I’ve heard: to avoid catching Covid-19, pretend you already have it and don’t want to spread it. We live in a rural area on 1.5 acres, so we can go outside. I do have neighbors and we’re keeping our distance, just a wave across the field.
Take care and stay safe.
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You too, Kim! I haven’t forgotten about your book, by the way 🙂
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No problem. Whenever you can work it in is fine. 😀
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In some ways the Corona Experience is satisfying for me as a simpler life now means better concentration and more time to take those long walk as you are.
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I’m glad you’re focusing on the positive in all this 🙂
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