Another Blood Donation
Wake at 8:45! Brian is already in motion having his usual amount of success with the stove. It has been declared bloodletting day again, so we wind up and set off into Thessaloniki (after two false starts - one for passports and one for Brian's shoes) at about 10am. Meanwhile a plane nearly lands on us - an air force DC3. Into the bloodletting establishment, change patrons once, and am told by nurse who sees my card that I must wait two months, and suddenly everyone is shoved out for some reason which I couldn't comprehend so no one gets done.
I go off to find price of socket set parts (17mm drive, bar and ratchet) lowest found were 20, 25 and 80 Drax respectively. Then find car and extract writing paper, find Roger who has left his motorbike with the customs and start letter to India. Brian arrives, we go and have lukewarm meat bougatza, buy a melon and return to the camp site. Lunch is continued. Then check toe-in of the front wheels 5/32", it should be 5/64", not bad at all. Find another, smaller tap amongst equipment next door (where we "borrowed" wood, pipe etc) and fit to water heating system.
Another Yank, a retired loner in new VW Caravette, comes over for advice on Athens and Fred. Brew tea. Yank refuses tea and disappears. John and Alan appear and have tea and natter. Roger comes and has tea; Adrian comes and doesn't have tea. Natter for ages then eat. Mozart's Flute Concerto drifts over, off with chair in search of source. Traced to same lone Yank. Sit and listen gratefully. Then symphony by Leopold Mozart. Then eat again. Excellent. Today is the day when Brian bought some spice. Yesterday he bought flour and custard powder - we have yet to have custard.
Brian's shoes are going to cost 100 Drax so I'm definitely going to have my socket spanners, especially if I manage to sell some more blood tomorrow.
Rise, with effort, at about 7:15 and disappear to village to buy some stale bread (baking was in progress). Packed up car, including Roger, and headed into Thessaloniki about 8:30. Back to the blood extractors. Went straight in as one of a pair, then waited. Yesterday's patrons came in and said I had donated two weeks ago. I hotly deny it, fortunately I am believed. Don't see the sister who threw me out yesterday. Eventually go through to testing room where I am questioned again. Stoutly maintain that I have given blood only in England. Found to be OK. Another huge wait and into letting department. As usual my left arm functions much better than my right and it is soon over. Walk into orange room, receive 400 Drax (£5), sign form and out.
Reach Eva's about 11am. Have coffee with Eva - very pleasant. Take our leave 11:45. Down to Mercedes agent to buy bulb, socket parts and open-ended spanner. Into Mercedes agent, get brake seal and find out more about heater fan - no real help except that I now know where it should be.
