AUSSIE VETERAN SURVIVES
HELLENIC FIRES DRINKING AMSTEL.

26 July 2024

PREAMBLE

The heat and glare of the suns says is extremely hot and remaining outdoors is hazardous to one's health. The heat reminds me of the jungles in Far North Queensland (Australia), Papua New Guinea, and Malaysia, except there is no tropical showers. 

Some say that the climate has shifted towards an African Sahara type of environmental. I don't know what the Sahara is like, yet I can only imagine the intense heat during the day.

COTTAGE ENVIRONMENT

The cottage is in an isolated area surrounded by farmland. I close all the shutters, windows, and doors and then turn on the air-conditioning. 

The farmers have cut all the cereals and packed all the bales of hay. It was touch and go there for a while.  It had rained heavily during the months of May and June which has never happened before.  Luckily the wheat and other cereals crops dried out in time to be harvested. 

Not all of the grasses and foliage by the sides of the road have been cut, which are a fire hazard and could cause grass fires.

Yet here at the cottage, with my experience of Aussie fire back home, I have taken every precaution and have made the cottage fireproof as possible. 

The four chooks are doing fine and get a hosing down occasionally. This enables them to continue producing for eggs a day. Eggs that I put in the refrigerator and give them away.  (You can only eat so much).

The field mice who have not died of the heat have burrowed deep within the bowels of earth to escape the heat and of the snakes that follow them down their burrows seeking prey and a respite from the heat.

I have noticed an increase in the bird population recently. They all hover above the cottage or occasionally tap dance around the garden. I guess they are not hovering for their good looks and that the main attraction is the large round water reservoir being their main attraction. 

The frogs appear to be enjoying themselves in the main water reservoir and wells surrounding the cottage.  Odd as it may seem the heat does not appear to affect them.

The insect world and their flying brethren continue to pester mankind. Squadrons of flies, numerous drones of European wasps fly haphazardly all around the place seeking solace from the heat. Funnily enough, I have been stung several times, and although the initial sting is painful, I don't have any long term effects.

Mosquitoes believe that my blood is worth bottling, along with 'March flies' that have their own distinctive bite, I find annoying.  Cicadas have stopped chirping and their cricket cousins sounds are not being heard. The bees being being bees do what they do best. They hover near water, visiting flowers and especially the lavender bush and return back to their hives laden with the days booty.

The pet tortoise is frolicking somewhere amongst the grape vines and keeping out of sight. The ants are still racing along their highways making furrows into the ground. Closing the ground dwellings and moving up higher amongst the trees and where the shade offers them protection. I must admit that ants are the most resilient and voracious little fellows I have ever experienced.

The olive trees and stone fruit trees have taken a battering this summer and there will be no harvest at all this coming winter. Climate has really affected all the pastoralist in the region.

News from back home in Melbourne Victoria keeps me cool. With all the rain, cold and bleak weather conditions, all help me psychologically in the knowledge that I will be just fine.

Worst case scenario: I have dug a defence pit with over head protection, facing the mighty Taygetos mountain range.  If the fires manage to jump the fence, so to speak, they will find the charred remains of an Aussie veteran still holding his trusty machete. (Ha ha ha).

The only problem I had in digging is that I severed the main water mains leading into the cottage. Not a good time for this to happen.  Several repairs have been made to the copper pipe.  It appears that my good old dad (deceased) had brought over from Aussie, copper tubing and used them when installing running water. There are no compatible Greek pipes and as such, garden hose and plastic hoses with numerous clamps have done the job temporarily.

The islands appear to have been hard hit, and some tourists have been evacuated. I hate to say this, but it appears that some fires have been deliberately lit. 

GOVERNMENT INCENTIVESI

 know that the government is doing everything possible to keep people safe. I receive emergency texts every day on my mobile which keep me up to date. Our nearest fire brigade is located in Sparta, some 25 kilometres to the South and Emergency crews line the roads at given points as well as in the mountain villages at designated places.

We have had devastating fires in the past, all of which the local authorities have learnt much and have taken additional precautions from the lessons learnt.

CITY DWELLERS

Those living in concrete jungles are suffering more in my opinion. I say this because of the density of people and the consumption of fuel and close proximity of the buildings.

VILLAGE PRECAUTIONS & LIFE

I was reminded of the fire hydrants that surround the extremities and within the village. These were the brainchild of Kostas Sgourdas (past president) and I must add a bonus in the event of a fire.  

The villagers who wish to avail themselves of agricultural water may do so but at a steep rice. One individual who regulates the price has the monopoly on water for the fields, but in my opinion lacks the entrepreneurial spirit that will attract more funding. It is village mentality and a sort of status.  I believe that this supply of water should be made available during the hot summer months.

Fortunately for me, I have offered to pay a small fee for the little I may use, but it has been denied for reasons beyond my understanding. Still, although I have no great need due to the storage tanks, two reservoirs and access to the village water supply. I have attempted to be self sufficient as much as possible.

It is of interest to note that each village President as they are elected create or introduce something new to village.  This will depend upon their personality, ability to speak their mind and stand up at local council meetings on behalf of their village.

The current president John Rassias (Ιωάννης Ρασσιάς) has been creative by installing electric lights around the lower village square.  A very successful village festival was held here recently by the village council.  Other presidents have installed the irrigation systems, the water turbines, repaired roads, drainage, hygiene, and other infrastructures that have enhanced the village.

The village is a patriarchal society and this evident in the evenings at the local tavern operated by Dina Sigalos where mostly men gather after a hard days labor.  It is also here that news of the outside world not shown on television or radio is derived from.  The men would dit under the huge Platano tree and chit chat about the world's problems and come up with realistic solutions.

BEACHES

Those flocking to the many wonderful beachs' that dot the Greek coastline should be wearing thongs at least. That is to brave the searing hot sand beneath their feet.  The sea may be cool but the suns rays beating down will strike with deadly effect, those foolish enough not to take precautions. 

AMSTEL VERSUS WATER

For medicinal purposes only, I drink. Water has little effect and use it go wash dishes and for showering. For my own personal safety and mental well being, I have switched to AMSTEL (equivalent to Vb & 4X). In the process, I have somehow lost five kilos and have reduced my daily work output to early mornings, beginning af 4.00 am.

HANZAC MEMORIAL

The water levels in the HANZAC pond of the memorial surrounding the rock of the Ode has dropped. However their is sufficient water to sustain the forty odd  gold fish that have survived the elements and birds of prey.

The flags drop their arms as if in despair during the day and manage to flutter later in the evening after an exhausting day of never ending heat. 

I guess that life is what it is and we make the best of it, no matter one's circumstances.  I for one, am not complaining for I know that I have done everything humanly possible to survive the elements. It is what it is.

I guess being absent from posting new material, it was appropriate that I found the quill from its hiding place and record my thoughts on the current hea t wave that has struck Europe.

That's all for now. Enjoy your part of the world.

Peter Adamis