You know Christmas is coming when.....

..................CHRISTMAS FAIRS start to be advertised. Our first of the year was today in Hersonissos, Crete. It's like most others an annual event, recently moved indoors, good idea, to a local gymnasium. Plenty of space and it stays warm.
  Our local KAPI took part of course. The ladies choir gave a small concert, but the main aim of the day for the members of this senior citizens organisation is to raise m oney to keep the situation ticking along.
   The ladies produce a varied and wonderful range of typical Greek home-made pies, cakes and sweets which are soon snapped up. Other local groups offer different items so that there seems little of no rerpeat of items for sale.

Forget the calories!!

DECEMBER and already there is more than the hint of Christmas in the air, and the first activity of the month comes with Loukomades Day or small fluffy inside and crisp outside donuts. They are hand-made by the ladies of our KAPI organisation and handed around to anybody, and we mean anybody who cares to drop in on the day.
 They started early getting the mixture of flour and yeast to prove until it was ready to be introduced to the hot oil. It is something that has to be done by hand, taking a scoop of the mixture and then squeezing it out to the required amount - they have been doing it for years and results in the perfect small ball dropping into the hot oil.
   When it gets golden brown it is taken out and doused in a honey/water mixture and then a spoonful of finely chopped nuts are added - forget the calories - simply enjoy. The enjoyment includes huge metal trays of these golden balls being taken to the local town hall to be shared around. Don't worry there is always a back-up bowl fermenting ready to be called into the action. Some people have been known to go back for a second plateful, not sure how they manage it.

Chestnuts - but no jokes

AS AUTUMN casts it seasonal look to the island there is always one thing that the Cretans look forward to - chestnuts, so you can imagine the interest from our KAPI senior citizens group for an excursion there.
  Almost all the chestnuts on sale in the shops come from the village of Elos which lies 24km south from Kissamos in the east of Crete, and 57km from Chania. They are sweet and an excellent size, excellent for roasting, or, like the Greeks often eaten raw.
  En route you also pass through the beautiful Topolia Gorge and through the tunnel (the oldest one in Crete?)  before you will also see the Agia Sophia Cave.
 In the village of Elos you can find an old Turkish aqueduct, the remains of a large old mill and the Byzantine church of Agios Ioannis, which dates from the 14th century. Inside the church are well preserved frescoes of Christ and of saints. 
  But for the KAPI members it was the chance to buy fresh chestnuts, by the kilo and virtually by the sackload as well, probably to sell on!
  A sign from the central square points you in the direction of the church. It is not a long walk and you will also pass the aqueduct. Next to the church are pretty fruit trees. Elos is one of the most attractive old villages of the Kissamos prefecture, with green surroundings and natural water sources. You can make a stop here in one of the kafenions or taverns.
  Elos is situated at an altitude of 557 meters above sea level. Most people drive through the village when they are on their way south to visit the Monastery of Chrissoskalitissa or go to Elafonissi Beach. The area around Elos is known for its natural beauty.
  The area is famous also for its hiking trails while the majority of the people earn their living from agriculture, mainly the chestnut. The Greeks eat them raw as well as roasted - either way these local nuts were certainly fresh, having been picked from the trees in the morning.

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