03-09-17 Sunday Swims

Sunday 3rd September 2017

The weather here is getting better and better. Gone are the ‘Melmétia’ those harsh winds of  Autumn; ushered in the place is a sweet cool breeze which counters the warm sun. Everything seems more pleasant and the Saronic Gulf keeps us in her lapping waters for six hours of the day. Until the very last rays of warmth we stay playing and swimming with family and new friends. Dora has already gone home to relax and cook Kingsley his favourite dish: chicken and pilaf. I myself am eating far too much bread. But who cares?! Kingsley demolishes what he now calls ‘his engine power & dynamite!‘ On a daily basis he he takes in two bananas, two apples, grapes and bread, olives, cheese. Milk by the cup full! He’s swimming for the first time with the body board Tati gave him ages ago…

We meet friends easily. Our specialists seems to be attracting wealthy, kind and generous Athenians on holidays or on day trips to Saronìtha. Kingsley’s favourite friend is Dionysus whose dad Angelo is a kid himself. I seriously won the lucky ticket with this family; Angelo is in the water all day long playing the dragon while the boys play the princelings attacking the dragon with water pistols. When the dragon is feeling mighty he takes the princelings for a ride on his strong wings. I play the princess who feeds the princelings their power & dynamite – apples, bread and grapes. Play resumes when the dragon sees how the princelings have recharged their strength…

A first for us – even after coming with Kingsley to Saronìtha for three years – we dive into the Gulf waters from the headland sea urchins and all! A terrific family whose little boy Vassìli first attracted Kingsley’s attention joined us two in adventures along the headland. Kingsley spotted him searching for something among the rocks. He asks ‘tì psāxnis?’ I’m looking for salt, the boy answers. May I join you? Yes, the boy replies and ushers us both over to look at some freshly dried salt in a water hole. We all taste the salt. Our two families from that point on are one and the adventures begin. Jumping, diving, scampering, even stepping on an urchin (that poor dad) then with two kids and a body board, swimming to shore. What a first!