Our Man in Tirana

After too many weeks of hot days and humid nights we had a terrific thunderstorm last night complete with driving rain. This morning the sky was grey but bright, the temperature seemed to have dropped by 10 degrees, and the air was clean and clear. I took the chance to go for a walk in the park with the dogs and took in the sweet fermentation of long dead leaves, brittle from the heat, freshly soaked. Local people don't like this kind of weather so I had the park mostly to myself. It even started raining on the way back - just light gentle drizzle refreshing rather than soaking rain. I like this weather because it reminds me of home - summer walks in Northern Ireland are never complete without a rain shower. At the moment hints of blue sky are starting to appear behind the grey, so I expect it may start to warm up again. But it was nice while it lasted and I hope that the lower temperatures are here to stay.

We decided to visit the Beer Fest on Sunday to round off the busy weekend. After taking a walk up on Sunday afternoon to watch them setting up we went back that night with a few friends. A couple of things struck me. The youngest person I saw there was being carried around on his dad's shoulders; the oldest must have been about 70 or more, and there were lots of family groups out. The family whose table we joined, having heard us speaking English bought us a round of beer. Have I mentioned Albanian hospitality? The whole thing was managed by a handful of private security guards and 3 cops - very civilised. Getting ready for the evening session at Beer Fest on a very hot Sunday afternoon Open for business on Sunday evening Beer for only 50 Leke including Albania's best beer - Korca Dark Food Music