Maggi invites us to her flat for lunch. But first a walk, the one she and Maxi take regularly, through the old leper colony by the salt lake. The colony is deserted now, but the houses are still there, and a little hospital and the recreation areas? Overgrown now, and unoccupied, except possibly by the odd squatter (M reports having seen, and then not seen, a pair of shoes outside one of the doors, as if waiting for a night porter of old). It's a rather haunting scene, despite the inevitable broken glass and discarded appliances. Easy to imagine it as a little community with some charm, other than the obviously uncharming aspect of the leprosy itself. We're reminded of that by the presence of a large white bell, this one obviously not worn by lepers but possibly used to summon the community. There's an attractive, not-so-little church as well that looks like it's still used on occasion. And we're only metres away from the salt lake - just off the dirt road where a ten foot high tumbleweed marks the edge and past some even taller pampas grass to the beach. More beach and less salt lake than usual as there's been so little rain but the flamingos are back on their winter route north, dozens if not hundreds of them in the distance. Maxi has a lovely time, off the lead and following endless scents.
Then back to M's flat for lunch, beginning with homemade soup followed by snails in the shell, oozing garlic butter. Then a meze of dips and pate and cheeses, including my favourite dark, sweet Norwegian goat's cheese. Ending with Greek coffee and little Battenburg cakes. By which time we really need the long walk back and, in any case, none of us is in any shape to drive, thanks to G&Ts. Merlot and liqueurs.
Perfect day, and supper, oddly enough, surplus to requirements.
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