Olive Store Cottage (at home in the rain) #μενουμεσπιτι

We will start at our front door.

It's raining like crazy but let's go!

Our front gate

This is the highest point of our property (so I suppose it is a summit )

The entrance to Olive Store Cottage from the road

There are normally beautiful views from here down the wooded and cultivated valley towards Platanias, the sea and the island of Evia (but none of this is evident today)

Woodland path

A hidden path decends along our northern border through beautiful woodland. Near here I had the unpleasant task of burying a dead wild boar shot by hunters. It escaped wounded until it expired here in the woods. It was very big and smelly and I named it Boris. I wrote a poem about it perhaps I'll share it with you one day.

Along the northern border

Here our olive groves meet woodland a small rain channel feeds down to a larger stream

The mill stone

Here we partly uncovered a mill stone. It is mostly complete but unfinished. It must have been hidden here for many years. Why was it abandoned and when? Our neighbour tells us that possibly 50 years ago a local man used to carve mill stones here from the bedrock. There is a story here that would be interesting to learn.

Stream by Agia Sofia

This stream is normally dry until we have heavy rain and then it flows strongly for a few days.

Kalderimi towards Platania

Heading south our border follows the kalderimi (stone path) towards Platania as far as the fountain at Randi.

kalderimi stream

Kalderimi water fall

This is a beautiful old construction in stone. The path carries water from two streams and then feeds it into a single stream whilst the path continues on higher (and drier) ground.

Gate into our olive groves

The path forms our border but we try and discourage wild boar from entering, other visitors are welcome.

Path crossing the stream

Only in very heavy flow is there any danger here. Another beautiful stone path constuction of a ford. It allows the water to cross the path once again.

Cross with care

The water is not deep now but a few hours earlier the level was higher and could not be crossed. These conditions are very rare, this is normally a completely dry stream.

The fountain at Randi

This beautiful old fountain below big plane trees is the border between our place and our neighbours. They have lived here all their lives. Now in their 80's they have many stories to tell of life in this beautiful place. The fountain is the souce of our drinking water most of the year. It sometimes dries in summer.

Two streams meet by the fountain.

The spring - η βρύση

Torrent

Waterfall

A steam along our southern border ends with a waterfall and connects with the main stream flowing to Platania.

The well

All the neigbouring houses collect water from the area around the stream. It has surface water all year and is an excellent source.

The lower terrace below the cottage

Lilac about to bloom

The ground has enough water we just need some sunshine!

Orchard

This was an old orchard but has been replanted in recent years with citrus.

Southern stream

Along our neighbours border

Stream 2

Olive gate

Cherry Blossom

From the terrace below the cottage

Eastern border

The only border that is not a forest or a stream. Our olive trees and our neighbours. Here I can learn how to prune our trees from our lovely neighbour Dimos.

Olive Store Cottage

The old kalivi (agricultural sore / cottage) was a ruin in 2001 when we bought the place. We restored it in 2005 and it is sometime rented to holiday visitors. www.facebook.com/olivestorecottage

Looking up to the house

Behind the cottage looking up at our house.

The threshing floor - το αλώνι

An old threshing floor in the centre of our land where local people would thresh the wheat to make flour. It is well preserved in it's natural state and with some terraces above it to form a small theatre.

Eastern border 2

House terrace

Above the house

Nearly back at the main gate, we have gone full circle!

The main road by the gate

We hope the rain stops soon and stay home and stay safe! #μενουμεσπιτι

Boats at the ready for summer! (which we believe is just around the corner)