Religion, Theology, Mythology & Downright Happinerss

There is definitely something to be said for this retirement bit when it comes to have other things to think about , other than work.

 

Act5ually to still be able to do a star jump is an achievement in itself at my age -- OK so this is not me but i'm happy to show anyone who wants to see me do one

So I looked around for something to some up the last 3 or 4 weeks and below is the best I could find that kind of summed up how it felt----

If we ever wanted something to do with the time and days after stopping work then a Wedding for example -- and not just any old wedding but one with your daughter and partner and one where the choice of location - Aegina Island , Greece --brings its own issues that we need to address.

So time wise this ability to focus on the arrangements is essential as if I am worrying about work then I daresay that we would find it hard to be certain everything has been considered and that those who are the suppliers are fully on board to meet the expectations.

So first -- these are the couple of lovebirds-------

 

not a care in the world as they stroll around Athens.

 

Actually we had all just had lunch after a couple of hours spent with the very holy and all round great religious philosopher , Malcolm Bradshaw MBE, the Chaplain of St Pauls Anglican Church , Athens.

 

 

Having attended a Communion Service at St. Paul's Anglican Church on Amelia Street in Athens, just down from the Government Buildings in Syntagma Square, we agreed to having our discussions of the wedding arrangements with Malcolm in the Café over the road from the church in very beautiful gardens.

 

What we were unaware of was that Malcom had to squeeze in a meeting with a Greek orthodox brother who was shortly leaving to go back to Cambridge University where he was doing a PhD in Religious Theology. This young man had struggled to find funds to go there to do his Masters Degree and the Anglican Church had supported him when he was struggling to fund it, so the bond was clear to see between the young and the slightly older Theology students.

 

So before we got around to discussing location of weddings and the service and the details of the needs of the church with Charlotte &^ Terry , we spent an hour listening to the tails of religious Theologists who the young Brother came in to contact with , such as the gentleman below-- The Archbishop of Canterbury , the Very Reverend , Dr Rowen Williams, who is an Anglican Master at Religious Theology---

 

 

I thought this to be a great picture where he appears to be looking for divine intervention.

 

I am not sure that this hour debate wasn't likely to put one or two to sleep as it clearly was an acquired taste and one where you might be forgiven if you felt sleep to be a far better alternative- but from a personal perspective I really enjoyed seeing how these guys considered how the likes of Islam is engrained in both Greek Orthodox religion , especially after 400 years of Ottoman Rule-- you would have to wonder why that would not be the case.

 

Anyway , after the Brother had gone on his way we spent the next hour or so , in discussion with Malcolm , what was or wasn't wanted and with some very sound pieces of advice from him for them.

 

This was followed by  Lunch near to the new Museum--

 

--- one of my favourites - and then a little culture in the shape of a tour around the Museum of the Acropolis -- both amazing architecture and also the piece and history that goes with any visit there.

The food here is not the best -- it is all about the churn-- the turnaround of bums on seats but the atmosphere and ambience is always great.

 

No visit to the Museum will ever be complete without a view of the Acropolis, and some shots of the structure as well as some from the most significant relics that they have-- I have to take my hat off to the archaeologists who manage to work out what some of the pieces come from---

 

 

 

So after an hour or so -- Hang on a minute, you cant expect to soak up too much culture all in one go--- we manoeuvred ourselves via the Metro back to Piraeus and found the Agios Nektarious ferryboat still in the harbour so we hopped on that back to Aegina, only to be greeted by a very large mob , waiting to get off the island and back to Athens-- and with the ferry being about 40 minutes late -- if you know Greek people , they do not like queuing or waiting patiently ----

 

 

It was murder down there and their representative on Aegina - Sotiris - had the dubious task of holding the tide back but I am not sure that he was god like, so it might have been fun to watch him try.

So back on the island were 4 fairly tired folk and we had a very quiet evening with Lynda and me having a couple more episodes of this , which we have discovered this break ---

Really like James Spaeder-- plays the mysterious role very well and some great twists.

So today brought some more tasks with the meeting with the Caterer and that done when we sit back from all the activities, and while we whittle down each of the major elements it is strange how it creates further "To Do " lists as we get in to |Micro management so --- It was always gonna be this way.

So here is the start of the rest of our lives for Lynda and me---

Not quite sure of the 9 to 5 bit.

 

 

So now its all about us-- well and our children and grandkids of course

 

 

HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN

 

 

 

 

The start of the 2017 Year in earnest.

 

or

 

HAPPY EASTER.

 

So here we are at that time that should be for selfless acts - helping others by the things that one does -- without thinking of one's self-- no alteria motives, nothing of personal gain---

 

Oh Except these of course---- lots of these------

 

 

But as I sit in our Avli in Kardia, Aegina , Greece for the easter -

 

 

 

 celebrations we must remember as to the origins which include amazing celebrations and processions like these---

 

There will follow on the stroke of midnight on Easter Saturday the marvellous smiling faces and warm congratulations to everyone that Christ has Risen -- accompanied by a Cacophony of fire works and some very loud bangers everywhere--- and these appear to go on for days afterwards.

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty amazing as long as you are not the recipient of a thunder flash right behind you-- there is the issue of a lot of --lets say -- a little more mature people who might just be a little susceptable to the odd heart tremor when shocked and trust me that these will do that -- just need to make sure that there is a Doctor in the crowd.

 

For those who may never have done a Greek Easter will not know about the tradition of a special meal after the church service , that is specifically designed around the fact that there may have been a lot of fasting  up to that point -- some will follow the expectations of the church and fast for 40 days and 40 nights , without meat , and dairy products --- so I believe that the idea is that the meal is light enough to satisfy those that have a considerably shrunken stomach, and the main meal is called -- don't shoot me for the spelling--- Margericha---

 

 

It really is delicious

 This is accompanied by playing Tsougrisma with cracking the red eggs. The idea is to symbolise the opening of the tomb to release Jesus and the red dye is for the Blood of Christ. Whatever the history , this is great fun an d always accompanies the a lot of bravado and not a little cheating ( or a veiled attempt anyway).

 

After the finish of these festivities around 2am on the Sunday , it is followed by the having to get the lamb roasting on a spit from around 7am on the Sunday morning. it is normally a male thing with guys drifting in throughout the morning telling the host what he is doing wrong-- I am amazed at just how many experts there are here in Greece, on how best to cook the Lamb ( or is it Goat ) :-) .

 

 

And here is one of those experts that I know so well.

 

 

Mr Kostas Antoniou -- someone who is very important in Lynda and my lives for many years, and many a Pascha has been held in this place , that included one year when after much Aspro Cresse , ( white wine), and some very average Greek Dancing there wasn't a whole plate remaining in his and his neighbours houses-- it is another Greek thing , but always best to keep some sugar plates in the house just in case the master decides that he needs to break a few for luck.

 

So that's it for now , Charlotte and Terry on their way , everything in readiness, and a whole calendar full of things to do this week for their wedding here in Aegina in August during next week-- but first the celebration.

 

 

 

OOPA.