I have just returned from Montenegro where I had a holiday with my family. It is a place that is not at the top of the list for most people I guess, but it does attract many Serbians and Russians, particularly to its spectacular coast.
We were attracted because it was different, has spectacular scenery dominated by huge mountains, is relatively unknown, and it also enabled us to visit some very famous Serbian Orthodox monasteries as my wife and I are also very interested in Byzantium and its art (see MyByzantine blog).
On our first night, as I casually flicked through the books left in our villa by the owner and previous visitors, I was surprised to come across a paperback copy of Between the Woods and the Water. It had been read and was in good condition. This gave me the excuse to encourage Kim to read it as she happened to be coming to the end of A Time of Gifts which she was enjoying.
It made me think that many of you who read the blog may have come across Paddy’s work in unusual circumstances, and in faraway places. It would be interesting to hear more; why not paste a comment below or email me (tsawford[at]btinternet.com)? Let’s see who has the most interesting tale to tell!
Hello,
I’m very interested in Montenegro too, and in Patrick Leigh Fermor; did he ever visit the country?
I don’t know James. Have a read of https://patrickleighfermor.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/paddy-visits-the-wonder-that-is-ohrid/ . There is a further description of their Balkan tour where he tells the story to Debo in a letter dated 23/24 October 1960 (see page 67 of In Tearing Haste).
Many thanks