January 2021

I am writing on December the 30^th. Greece is in lockdown for another week, although an extension of restrictions is quite possible. So I’m not seeing many people, but everybody I have seen expresses the hope that the New Year will be an improvement on the exceedingly trying year that is about to end. It’s almost an order to the Fates: 2021 has GOT to be better! Apart from that fervent wish/order, there is a modest hope that the lockdown is working, as the all-important numbers (infections, intubations, deaths) are dropping, although not as quickly as the public health authorities would like.

The Prime Minister, the leaders of the opposition parties, the Archbishop of Athens and All-Greece, and the President of the Republic have all been vaccinated in public in an effort to persuade members of the public who have reservations about the procedure. I have no reservations and will be lining up for my turn, which is scheduled for February. As I understand it, it is important to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible, so here’s hoping for maximum efficiency and few slip-ups.

Christmas did not conform to the usual pattern, naturally enough, but I had phone calls from the family that had to stay put in Athens, and messages from my eldest son in Northcote, Melbourne. The latter city has achieved more than 60 Covid-free days, but is currently being threatened by an outbreak in Sydney. Fingers crossed that Victoria can stay safe. And now I learn that there are at least six cases of infection in outer Melbourne. Such a setback after such a strong show of discipline and public co-operation. A great pity.

I did have company on Christmas Day, in the shape of a friend whose husband is in a fair way to be stranded in England. We ate and drank and moaned about the ills of the world. We are both sad about Brexit, but glad about the imminent departure of President Trump, while worrying about the various shenanigans he might get up to in his remaining three weeks. I am not really one for tradition these days, but did make a Christmas cake, and was pleased with the result.

The weather has been variable, but I was able to get out for a fairly long walk a few days ago, and saw what I consider to be one of Nature’s miracles. Well, at least it’s an enchantment: a murmuration. These gatherings of thousands of starlings happen very suddenly, and there was one such, wheeling away in a huge sky, and forming amazing shapes; a huge ball, slim crescents and then oddly-shaped assemblies. These happenings occur in valleys and flat areas: I’ve never seen them in mountain areas. A few days later I saw another murmuration: beautiful, but not as spectacular. The best one I’ve ever seen took place in Corinth a few years ago. I’ve driven myself slightly mad at intervals ever since, in my efforts to find the Greek word for murmuration. The nearest equivalent seems to be two words: movement motifs. I suppose that makes sense.

Another enchantment followed not too long afterwards. I have become an early riser in my old age: winter and summer, I wake (well, usually) at about 6 o’clock. Today, when I got up and opened the shutters, I found the main room flooded with light: the full moon. The full moon is not always visible, or in not such a good position, but this time it was perfect. Shine on, silvery moon were very accurate words, an apt description. Then a layer of cloud interposed itself, with the overall effect being similar to that of a Japanese painting. When the cloud moved away, the moon’s colour had changed to a pale orange. Now it is New Year’s Eve, and the moon was still visible at 6, but has now disappeared behind a very heavy layer of grey and stormy cloud.

This time of year is usually celebrated very enthusiastically in Greece, but the government is continuing its strict control. The curfew is still in force, and the Metro is closing early in a bid to prevent crowds gathering in Syntagma (Constitution) Square, the traditional meeting-place. The NY enthusiasts will simply have to curb their enthusiasm and hope for a return of traditional celebrations next year.

I’ve never seen myself as being a matriarch, but seem somehow to have become one, as grandchild number 5 is due in about ten days’ time: a little girl, to be called Aphrodite (!!) I don’t know that my eldest son believes me, as he well remembers the edgy relationship I had with his yiayia, but I am pleased to think of the redoubtable Aphrodite’s name living on in her great-granddaughter.

A Happy New Year to everybody!