Nothing much has happened at Camping Fines. We are having our first really hot, open all the windows, doors and skylights, weather and Sarah and I are mostly lazing around and reading. I’m also doing a little planning for our remaining period in Greece. The campsite has some sunbeds on the beach and Sarah and I have each spent a session sunning ourselves, something I don’t think I’ve done in the two years since I retired.
Yesterday I met four Brits on the campsite, an unusual enough occurrence in these part. Both couples had just given up their motorhomes after several years travelling Europe and have bought caravans, which are now permanently located at Camping Fines, which they love. In my opinion Camping Fines is nice but not that nice!
The main event of interest was yesterday’s Greek Orthodox Parade in the local town of Finikounta. We heard various times for the start of the parade from 8pm to 9.30 pm, so we decided the best way of not missing it was to go into the village and have a meal and we could then assess the situation. I know, two meals out in two days!!
The town is about a mile away on the opposite side of the headland at the end of our beach. It is clearly quite a touristy town in the summer, very neat and tidy, with numerous tavernas and artisanal trinket shops. The Brits on site had recommended a restaurant and so we headed there. We went for a light meal of Greek Salad and Calamari to share. The food was good and we had a great view over the harbour as the light faded and the chanting of the Greek Orthodox priests wafted towards us on the breeze.
Once we had eaten we headed up to the church and it was clear the parade would not be starting imminently. Having witnessed the same procession in Koroni two years ago so we sort of know the drill. Extended prayers take place in the church as congregants mingle inside and outside. There were a few idiots throwing extremely powerful firecrackers making me and many others jump and terrifying Melek. Mabel is pretty deaf these days and didn’t seem bothered!
As in 2017 it is fun to watch the Greek equivalent of altar boys, all dressed up in religious finery, but from time to time forgetting their holy roll and indulging in a bit of play fighting or other tomfoolery. As the time for the parade approached one of the priests would come out and organise the boys in “parade order”, but as soon as the priest disappeared mayhem would usually ensue and the priest would have to organise them all over again!
The parade itself was not quite as impressive as Koroni. Finikounta had no band and being a smaller town the whole parade was more diminutive. The boys, holding crosses and icons lead the procession following men carrying a bier. The bier contains a holy icon depicting Christ as he is removed from the cross, called anEpitáphios. After this comes the priest and finally the congregation many of whom carry candles or lanterns. The parade then wends its way around the town.
We watched the first quarter of an hour after the parade started and then made our way back to the campsite, regretting that we had forgotten to take a torch given the pitch black sections of rural roads we had to navigate.
Tomorrow is Easter Sunday and that means spit roasted lamb. We don’t know whether we will indulge at the campsite, where the choice for Sarah may be limited, or more likely make our way into Finikounta where we firstly can have a better choice and secondly get some exercise to work of at least a few of the calories!
