Memories from the Past

801_1645 [Train station]

This small, abandoned and dilapidated building [37°43'51.6"N 24°03'11.5"E]

is a historical landmark located in Thoriko,

a small, ancient settlement next to the port of Lavrio in Attica.

 

It recounts old moments of glory and prosperity to passers-by today.

It was built in 1885 when a 76 km railway line was put into operation

to connect Athens with the port of Lavrio

and was one of about 20 stations that allowed the public

to go on board or disembark from the train.

The line was then a modern means of transport for citizens and goods.

It ceased to operate in 1957 for the public

but remained in use for commercial use until 1962.

Since then, Time has left its indelible marks on it.

 

Today, the building is being restored to avoid collapse

and to continue to keep alive the relevant memories of the past.

 

 

A burglar caught in the act

[A very short story]

 

Some time ago, when Verbascums were in full bloom,

I went to Mt. Hymittos, parked my car on the side of the road

and started looking for a Verbascum to take a picture of.

 

  

IMG_2528 [Verbascum]

 

 After having taken the photo above,

I returned to the car to pick up something I had forgotten there.

 

 

804_0820 [Vulpes vulpes]

 To my great surprise,

I saw an animal curiously looking into the car

through the half-opened window.

Was it a burglar looking for something to steal

or was it “a poor empty stomach”

desperately looking for something to eat?

 

 

804_0821 [Vulpes vulpes]

Frightened by my unexpected arrival, it jumped off my car…

804_0822 [Vulpes vulpes]

and rather disappointed, it slowly walked away…

804_0835 [Vulpes vulpes]

 sniffing the ground for traces that would possibly lead to food.

IMG_4441 [Vulpes vulpes]

Quite some time later, on my way home,

I saw an animal lover

offering the poor hungry animal a rich evening meal!

 

Well done, my friend!

👍👍👍

IMG_0851 [Vulpes vulpes]

The last photo seems to show just an animal.

It surely does so, but it also shows something invisible:

gratitude!

This fox is just one of the various foxes

that the animal lover fed on each of his visits to the mountain

before he went home.

In spite of being hungry,

when she realized that the man was leaving,

she stopped eating and kept looking at him with deep gratitude

until he was out of sight at the end of the road!

 

Love for animals and Gratitude:

Two lessons we may need to learn,

no matter whether they originate from a human being

or from an animal!

Crocus nivalis

802_7825 [Crocus nivalis]

from Anthusa (Attica)

 

 

302_3527 [Crocus nivalis]

 

From Mt. Artemissio in Central Peloponnese.

 

Crocus nivalis is a winter crocus that appears from the Peloponnese

all the way to the north, up to the former Yugoslavia and Bulgaria.

 

It blooms from December to April on rocky slopes, mountain meadows

and open spaces in coniferous forests

on altitudes of 400 - 1300 m.

 

In Attica it can be found on all mountains and areas around Athens

usually at lower altitudes

while further to the north it can be found even on snow-covered mountain peaks.

 

Note: nivalis = adj. deriving from the Latin word “nix” = snow flake or cold like snow.

 

 

Crocus nivalis

 

Photo by Nik Nikitidis

New Year Wishes

 

Many Happy Returns of the Year!

  

🍷🍷🍷

from Tagton