SHEEP SAFELY GRAZING

35+ years ago when the house was being built, there was nothing around, except the builders.

A fresh-faced shepherd grazed his sheep and expressed nervousness about crass foreigners cutting up rough.

My clsssics-trained, fair deal dad loved the idea of a real-life shepherd on the scene and the two became pals, dad sitting amid the patio tiles offering cigarettes and, later, coffee of the best, and Theodoros nodding and smiling and burbling away in that impenetrable patois that I've yet to meet anyone who can interpret.

Today, it's I who keep the bonds with Theo and les moutons now trim the turf up to the drive.

Koutsi makes her elegant exit

She's not met actual sheep before and is a bit miffed I converse with such ease.