Silly season is upon us

I love the way the rust-coloured papery bark of this tree peels back to expose creamy pale green flesh underneath. This tree is not on our land but that of our neighbours.

We were up there to collect their extraordinarily elderly Renault 5 and take it to the mechanic for its annual service. Greek registered cars based on islands without a vehicle testing station have an amnesty when it comes to tests for roadworthiness. If you take your car by ferry to the mainland or another island that does have a testing station then you are obliged to have your car tested. You are not, however, obliged to take your car by ferry to a place that has one for that purpose.

Foreign registered vehicles are expected to return to their home countries every year and come under their local jurisdiction. It is quite amazing just how many non-Greeks keep foreign registered vehicles on Greek islands permanently, avoiding tax, insurance and of course, roadworthiness testing.

This particular car has not left the island for probably 20 years or so and yet each year its owners purchase a ferry ticket for it from Brindisi to Igoumenitsa as well as a cabin for its driver, just in case they are required to provide paperwork proving that it has only recently arrived here. You'd think it was simpler just to get a Greek car, the neighbours aren't exactly short of a bob or two. It fascinates me the lengths that some rich people will go to in order to cheat the system.

I digress, no brakes whatsoever so we drove to the mechanic in our own car to get brake fluid for the Renault. Spousie discovered, much to his amusement, whilst trying to find the bonnet release catch, a 250ml beer glass together with a tiny unfinished bottle of ouzo on the shelf below the steering wheel. Obviously the driver likes to enjoy a little nip when he is out of the house.

The brake fluid replaced and made hardly any difference at all so the two cars were driven very gingerly in convoy back into the village to drop the Renault off with the mechanic.
Why is it we find ourselves actually risking our lives trying to help out the very rich and reckless?

On a happier note, last week's unhappy arrivals settled in very nicely indeed and would like to return next year.