About Me

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Crete, Greece
Married to the lovely Geoffrey, my soulmate. I have two fantastic big kids,both married, whom I love and miss every day I'm not with them, but I know they're living and loving their lives and we make up for time when we get together.I now have three granddaughters too...

Wednesday 3 June 2009

Local Transport

The temperature yesterday was in the 30's,(85f+) rather hot and sticky.
But this dear neighbour is still covered head to toe in warm black woolies, including Nora Batty stockings/socks gathering in folds around her ankles. The donkey, carrying fodder back to it's home.
Although if she was a man... she'd probably be driving around in one of these delightful vehicles. They are all the rage here, you're absolutely nobody if you don't have one, dahling!! This one is seen being driven around Houmeriakos every day. Notice the stone in front of the front wheel, just in case!!
They're very helpful for getting up some of the steep hills, but not so good at cornering.
This is very smart, just look at the awning! Yes, I know it's a rotivator with a trailer on the back, but I want one!! They are like hen's teeth to get hold of.
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23 comments:

Ivy said...

Welcome back. It does sound a bit strange seeing the old lady covered from head to toes but it's an old tradition which is dying. This generation when someone died in their family they would wear black clothes for live.

FeatherDuster said...

Those vehicles are a hoot...but so oddly practical.

menopausalmusing said...

Nah! come off it Jude, the men will be sitting on rickety wooden chairs outside a bar, drinking Ouzo and quietly watching the world go by! :O) x

soulbrush said...

what a rural scene. thanks for popping in to see me too. hope you are feeling okay now about your little doggie. hugs from london.xx

Frances said...

Hello Jude,

It's possible to see older ladies dressed in similar top to toe traditionally concealing black in New York. Not so many as decades back, but they are still here.

We never see anythink like those other vehicles, though!

Calico Kate said...

I guess that you don't need an MOT for one of those then?? Or a licence??!!
Brilliant though esp the last one.
CKx

Katiejane said...

Oh gosh! Those cars look like old fashioned go-carts that kids made out of scraps back in the 40's and 50's!! They are cute! I see why you want one. I want a present day scooter, myself.

Pondside said...

I daren't let The Great Dane see those vehicles or he'll be building one in the garage.

Of course your dear neighbour will take that practical outfit off tonight and launder the entire thing.

Chris Daly said...

That gives new meaning to smart car. How funny. I want mine with a rota-tiller too!

Lynn Cohen said...

Don't I live in a spoiled world? these remind me of soap box derby cars boy scouts made from wood to race down a slightly hilly street in the days of my childhood. Maybe one step up with their little motors.

periwinkle said...

oh I love those cars , maybe I should get one lol

Cait O'Connor said...

I must show M these vehicles, I think he would like them

Cheryl said...

Jude, you're hilarious! What a great spin on the local transport. I'm not lucky enough to see too many of those cars where we are, but they are present.
And the yia yias in black...the black is always fine...it's the layers in the hot weather I'll never get.
Have a great weekend!

Karen said...

Hi Jude. Oh my! this looks like a beautiful way to live. ( I actually am not very good in the heat but adore pretending I could hack something like this!) Thanks so much for the lovely words, great to meet you! Karen

maddie said...

Love those cars - reminds me of Bella when she broke down. Heap of old junk...

Jackie said...

We used to go to a different I sland..St Martins on Scillt , off Cornwall and the best thing we saw was an old milk float with two garden benches lashed on the back, making it a 6 passenger vehicle!
Its an island thing.

Blu said...

I love the Cretan transport, yes I would like one too. Brilliant.

Lovely pictures.

Julia said...

Hello there! My goodness, what fantastic trucks - or are they tractors? I love the little lady in her black woolly outfit, I remember seeing the older ladies dressed head to toe in black in the searing August heat one summer when I was holidaying on the island...unbelieveable, we were baking hot, hard to imagine how they stand it...!

Thanks for stopping by my blog, my other half is originally from Cardiff and his folks still live there so its always a good excuse for a long weekend away! Love your pics of your gorgeous day out, the cove looks very pretty and inviting!

Love Julia xxx

Midlife, menopause, mistakes and random stuff... said...

Hi Jude and thank you so very much for visiting my blog!! Of course please do join us for "Friday Shoot-Outs"!! How exciting to have someone from Greece!! The subject this Friday is anything that starts with the letter "M". You will meet the nicest group of people from all the world who participate. I'm running over right now to tell Gordon at Friday Shoot-Outs From Florida to add you name to our list. Please check him out when you have a minute and tell him that Reggie Girl sent you over to say hello, Gordon is the best guy ever!!
Your blog is fantastic by the way and I will definately be back.
Have a wonderful weekend filled with love, joy and laughter and......

Steady On
Reggie Girl

Lynne E. Windsor said...

Oh, just got an error message, so hopefully both my messages don't go through. Just to precis what I was saying, thank you for following my blog. Seeing the sea with boat makes me homesick! And yes, missing kids... awful.

Thanks again... Lynne

ArtistUnplugged said...

Interesting photos....that's some fine looking vehicles-if you say so! You have had some beautiful photos posted lately, was looking back and catching up a bit. Hope you are doing well. What's new with the wedding plans?

Anonymous said...

I guess these ladies don't feel the heat then.

CJ xx

bindu said...

85 degrees sounds like winter from our Texas heat. We've had 100+ degree weather for some weeks now, with no signs of it ending. Such an interesting slice of Greece in your pictures.