Monday 8 July 2013

Old Friends

1988

At the end of June, our old friends Kath and Dave drove their camper van out of our garden gate and set off for Greece. We were very sad to see them go and tried to persuade them to stay longer but they have a rendezvous with their elder son in Greece so had to get on their way. While they were here we looked through my photo albums and dug up some old pictures of our Famous Five trips. The one above is from 1988. We tried to find the same spot to picnic on the way back from Lagina but the recent road-widening  scheme has obliterated it and the best we could do was a lay-by.   In those days, the fifth member of our group was Brian, a German Shepherd/Anatolian Shepherd cross who shared our life for 10 years.


1988


2013

It is fun to compare the old with the new.  The theatre at Stratonikea has changed a lot in 25 years

1987

2013

We've had fun trying to recreate old photos, but time can't be rewound.  I look completely at ease in the top picture whereas 26 years later I was distinctly uncomfortable sitting on the same edge.

2013


We've had a great couple of weeks remembering old friends and rekindling forgotten memories. A true test of friendship is when it can be picked up and carried on despite the length of time in between visits.

Dave turns on the tap for the first time

Luckily I have a very practical reminder of their stay as while I was away in Scotland, Teo and Dave installed an irrigation system in our garden. I shall be reminded of our 2013 trips every time I turn on the tap.


You can follow Kath and Dave's camper van trip by clicking here

24 comments:

  1. Super to pick up with old friends...we too have friends who we don't see for years and then it all picks up where it left off.

    And it's a real friend who installs an irrigation system!

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  2. I love the kind of friendship where you can so easily pick up where you left off, even if it's many years later. True friendship.

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  3. Dear Annie, I think you are so right about true friendship. When it's built on a solid foundation then we meet again--after many years--and can pick up the conversation almost where we left off all those years ago. Peace.

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  4. Absolutely the best kind of friends to have - and fancy you being the Famous Five too! Lovely photos and lovely memories. How I'd love to recreate a few photos from the past, I think it's a brilliant idea! Is it really 25 years since 1988? Oh gosh...
    Axxx

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    1. I keep meeting people born in 1988 and expecting them to still be children

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  5. Beautiful post; what wonderful memories you made revisiting these spots with friends of a lifetime. I hope your roads cross again soon and no doubt you'll just pick up where you've left : )

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    1. Now our children have all left school I think we'll be more able to see each other more often

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  6. Friendships of depth always endure regardless of time and distance. I love the recreation thing. I must dig out some old snaps and follow your example.

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  7. B to B, Yes, that kind of friendship is a true gift. Your memories, photos both old and new - all beautifully shared with us. Thanks.

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  8. . . the recreation idea is a super one - and you are so right about time and tide having no discernible impact on true friendship - I wonder if this isn't the secret of immortality.

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  9. 'Old friends' indeed...... I finally got Dave to a doctor yesterday to see about his foot. Effectively he told him to act his age!!! Loved our time with you and our 'Famous Five' trips...see you again soon we hope x

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  10. "old friends" are the best...and how lovely to now have an irrigation system to add to your good memories :)

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  11. Those friendships built on good shared experiences seem to be unbreakable. DH and I have the same feeling when we meet up with certain friends from college days. It's great.

    I enjoyed the then and now photos. 25 years can make a big difference.

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  12. Just love the thought of you scouring the landscape to recreate the new from the old. Isn't it great when friendships withstand the test of time, and you can just pick up where you left off, and start creating new memories.

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    1. It will be tempting now to take old photo albums on trips.

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