Last Day in Greece

We have been visiting mum's friends in Athens over the last two days and I have to be honest and say its not exactly the way I wanted to end my holiday. I've been listening to three widows debating each other over who's got the most pains, who's taking the most medication, who's children don't care about them the most and who's the most alone in the world. *sigh*

The last week in Crete was over in a flash. We had all these last minute things to take care of and before we knew it, we were having our last meal in the village with my Great Uncle Chris (my maternal grandfather's only surviving sibling of 13) and Great Aunt Katina. He is 81 years old and all of us held onto a piece of the sombre and dampening feeling of dread as the time approached to leave them. Tears and well wishes flowed like the natural drinking springs we found all over Crete and with a heavy heart, Great Uncle Chris acknowledged that due to his advanced years, this was the last time we would ever lay eyes on each other.

When left Crete, mum and I wrestled for window real estate on takeoff to watch the mountains and coast of Crete disappear behind us. Without a word, we looked at each other when the island was no longer visible and with tears in our eyes, silently acknowledged our sadness that we may in fact never return and if we did, too many things would be too different.

Now, I am just looking forward to the upcoming fights and the last few hours in Athens. Its horrible wishing days away now but I just want to get home. There is nothing more to be done here. Nothing more to see and no one else to greet with big bear hugs.

London tomorrow for an overnight stay and then onto Sydney and a third summer in a row!! Gawd help us with the heat!

Thanks for dropping by and reading my rantings over the past 2 months! I hadn't anticipated being anywhere near a computer but its been fun recording (albeit sparsely) and sharing my experiences with you.

Cheers!