final day if Santa Maria festival

today I got blessed yet again by the father of the village.

[Morrison10]

Hi, that’s interesting picture, thanks. Escort looks like servicemen, or perhaps they are volunteers. Hope blessing helpful for you. Jean x

[Hidden in reply to Morrison10]

Acting servicemen from the island, from army and navy aswell as the police. Plus fifteen father's from the monestry

[madonbrew]

That’s an interesting photo! Lots of festivals! I hope you have a relatively good day!!!

[Hidden in reply to madonbrew]

Been lovely and now it's over cast so fingers crossed a drop of rain later 🙏🙏🙏😂

[sassy59]

How lovely Dave, I like the traditions of different countries. Take care xxx💕

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

This one I love, parade on first day of festival then last day another parade the athmosphere is fantastic and I get my free holy bread and blessing 😁

[sassy59 in reply to Hidden]

That’s really great Dave. Xx

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

I'm not extremely religious but here you get brought into the fold

[Ergendl in reply to Hidden]

Yes, that's what I remember. So friendly, open and welcoming. The Greek women encouraging me in sign language to share in the holy bread. The main street between Rhodes Town and the airport blocked with the procession. A wonderful experience I will never forget.

[Hidden in reply to Ergendl]

It's definitely good the tradition hasn't died but yet again highly religious country. And yes I got a huge chunk of holy bread 👍🏼😂

[Tykelady in reply to Hidden]

You can never have too many blessings. x

[Hidden in reply to Tykelady]

I never count them I'm just grateful I get them every little helps 🙂

[leo60]

All hose blessings, you may end up in heaven ! xx

[Hidden in reply to leo60]

Doubt it I'm going to kick Satan out his chair and turn hell into a casino 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[leo60 in reply to Hidden]

😂😂😂😂 not into gambling but make it a pub and I’m in!! 🍺🥃🍹🍸🍷🥂 xx

[Hidden in reply to leo60]

Hey not just gambling live shows Elvis will be booked and a few more . Lots of free JD and beer plenty of good food and loads of pole dancers 😂😂😂😂

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

That's a beautiful photo Dave, being blessed is a good thing. Have a lovely day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxxx

[Hidden in reply to Damon1864]

I know 😔 I'm exhausted so trying to get a siesta today 👍🏼

[Damon1864 Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

You get some rest , take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxxx 🌻🌻

[Hidden in reply to Damon1864]

Actually had an hour sleep which was heaven until I was coughing which woke me up 😂😂

[Jane2005]

That's a great photo 🙂

[Hidden in reply to Jane2005]

This icon is valuable hence the armed guards ☺️

Here's another 😂

[Firefly25]

That’s a great photo- really interesting and great that those traditions are kept up. Can’t bear to think how hot they must be in those uniforms though! Fingers crossed you’ll get some rain later- there’s not been a single drop here for weeks 😵‍💫 xx

[Hidden in reply to Firefly25]

It's a bit dull today and cool breeze on and off would be nice to have a good downpour

[Izb1]

I love all these festivals it keeps local traditions alive. Glad you had a better day Dave and have a cooler breeze, hopefully you had overnight rain x

[Hidden in reply to Izb1]

If it rains I'm coming outside naked with my sponge and shower gel 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[Izb1 in reply to Hidden]

If I read it in the news Dave that a man has been arrested for showering naked in the street in Greece then i will know its you lol x

[Hidden in reply to Izb1]

Most definitely but only if it says man in straight jacket showering naked in the streets 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[Thepainterswife]

Great photo and I hope the blessing does you some good 😊

[Hidden in reply to Thepainterswife]

So do I I could do with something to go my way for a change . Got appointment again on Monday with the pulmonologist for a fresh spirometry test.

[Thepainterswife in reply to Hidden]

Then I hope Monday brings you some better news than you’ve had recently 🤞 but whatever the results ( and obviously we ll want to know ) you just keep doing the photography, baking and showering in the street when the weather allows 😂 oh and don’t forget the meds - plenty JD’s 😉

[Hidden in reply to Thepainterswife]

I'll do all the above mentioned 😂😂😂😂 we just had ten minutes of brain so I went round the back of my home in my boxers and got soaked 🤣 shame even the damn rain is warm water 😢😢😢 we can't win 😂😂

[Thepainterswife in reply to Hidden]

Ten minutes is better than nothing and a warm showers better than no shower - see your life’s improving already ! 😂

[Hidden in reply to Thepainterswife]

But I wanted ice cold JD shower that lasted a couple of hours 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[Thepainterswife in reply to Hidden]

Now that’s just greed 😂😂 great idea tho - if it ever rains chilled Chardonnay let me know 😃

[Hidden in reply to Thepainterswife]

Damn you missed that last week in Thessaloniki 😂😂😂😂😂 it lasted twelve hours

[Thepainterswife in reply to Hidden]

🤦🏻‍♀️😩Story of my life ! 😂

[Hidden in reply to Thepainterswife]

Can't win them all 😂😂😂

[Patk1 in reply to Hidden]

Hope u get results u hope for x

[Hidden in reply to Patk1]

I've learnt not to hold my breath on that one 😂😂😂

[katieoxo60]

Hello Daveyboy1963, glad to hear you are still quite active the pictures are really good. Hope you got that rest you needed or you might miss another blessing. Sounds interesting what you propose for your afterlife made me smile anyway, we'll all be queing up for your bar . 😀🥃

[Hidden in reply to katieoxo60]

All will be welcomed and food and drink will be on the house 👍🏼😅😅

[katieoxo60 in reply to Hidden]

Hokey Dokey.

[watergazer]

Wonderful to see these processions x

[Hidden in reply to watergazer]

Lovely to watch but it's the athmosphere aswell

[Qr83k_-Jd]

Aww daveyboy that is so so such excellent news. I am so pleased you got another blessing that is fantastic news. I wish it were me. I used to go to church with my friend and she is quite a strict catholic but I suppose I got lazy, terrible to admit but that's the reality. I used to love getting a blessing from the priest it really was such a positive experience. Per chaps I should go back with her. She wanted me to convert as she did but for some reason I didn't wish too. But one never knows what the future may hold. Anyway I am so glad you received a blessing.xx

[Hidden in reply to Qr83k_-Jd]

Thank you 👍🏼 religion is down to the indervidual person and their beliefs don't every feel pressured by anyone into joining anything and I'm sure anyone here will agree 👍🏼

[Qr83k_-Jd in reply to Hidden]

I am in total agreement with you and I do not like being pressurised into anything which I am not wholly sure about. I am quite happy as I am. How about you, you really boost people's imagination with the heartfelt pictures and the little things you text in this group. How are you feeling in yourself after coming out of hospital? Do you ever feel lonely because you do live alone and I know you love sitting outside looking at the sunset and the view. What sort of other things do you li,e to do? Well we had RAIN today believe it or not but some of the drains couldn't cope with so much rain. I'm not surprised they had 101mm in Suffolk and that is quite a lot to have at once but it hasn't done too much for the drought we are in. It is nice and cool today it is 21 degrees compared to yesterday which was 30 degrees. I will text again soon. Take great care of yourself please. God bless you. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Qr83k_-Jd]

I love looking at the stars you can lose yourself looking at them . I'm happy being out of hospital 👍🏼 yes it gets lonely but you just accept it and move on with the day . I have you guys on here so not totally alone xxx

[Qr83k_-Jd in reply to Hidden]

Oh I lost me message it just disappeared. Well I will write again tomorrow. I am tired now. Hope you have a good night and sleep well, when you go to bed. X