Joice Nankivell Loch, Ouranoupolis, Halkidiki

My favourite spot in Halkidiki, when escaping from Thessaloniki in the early 1980s, was Ouranoupolis, on the border with Athos, the Holy Mountain. I very nearly bought a small house there, but the call of Corfu proved too strong.

The most beautiful spot of all was the Byzantine Tower by the sea, where I once had the pleasure of visiting Joice NanKivell Loch, who lived in it (the village was called Prosforion before it became Ouranoupolis).

If there are three women with both Greek and Australian associations whose names deserve to be better known internationally, I would suggest the following: Lady Bowen (Countess Diamantina Roma); Joice NanKivell Loch; and Charmian Clift.

Joice Loch (1887-1982), a legend to travellers to the monasteries of Mount Athos, wrote her own inspiring and highly recommended autobiography, A Fringe of Blue, An Autobiography (John Murray, 1968).

A collection of her poems was published in 1980.

An important biography, Blue Ribbons, Bitter Bread, The Life of Joice Nankivell Loch, by Susanna de Vries (Pirgos Press, Brisbane, 2000, and updated editions), helped to make her name and achievements better known to Australians.

I won't attempt to summarise or relate the fascinating story of the rich and varied life of Joice NanKivell Loch, or of her husband, Sydney Loch, but I do wish to draw attention to the autobiography and the biography.
An unforgettable woman.

About Ouranoupolis