Driving up to their land, I can see from the mounting rubble and spread of empty cement bags that there has been recent activity, but the contented twitter of the local bird life signals the absence of workmen.  This is Thursday the day before ‘Good Friday’ the prelude to the biggest celebration in the Greek orthodox calendar, no surprises then, that the workmen have knocked-off early.  Still, the signs are good, the roof is on, tiled and finished with ‘akrokerama’, (translates as ‘corner ceramics’, the little roof ornaments that have decorated Greek buildings since the 6th century).

Outside and inside the walls have a fresh layer of cement – still wet.  The house is really starting to take shape; the rooms actually resemble rooms now despite the vast holes where doors and windows will eventually be fitted.  The old cottage has been reinforced with an RSJ and ‘cosmetically’ married to the new house so that it blends in effortlessly as you walk through the property.

 The next stage is skimming the walls with plaster and then measuring up for windows and doors.  With the house water proofed the electricians will wire-in the underground heating system (a UK import) sometime after the Easter festivities – let us hope the ‘sparkies’ have had chance to sober up!  The build is running a few months behind schedule, largely due to the abominable winter weather (statistically the wettest on record for fifteen years) that completely washed away the access road – twice!

Least, in the garden things are moving or should that be growing at a much faster speed.  John has been ever busy planting out a veritable feast of vegetables and herbs.  Neat rows of carrots, asparagus, onions, beans and all manner of ‘fancy’ lettuce flourish in a pleasing orderly fashion contrasting starkly against the backdrop of the building site!  Even the hen house is ahead of schedule, standing proudly in its first coat of primer.

However, John and Gill remain steadfast about their move-in June date with or without the bathroom or kitchen fitted - so that will be buckets and BBQ’s at the ready then?

We will catch-up again with this pair of optimists next month; the bet is that chickens will have moved in before them!