Robin's Nest ...Crete: SPINALONGA - THE ISLAND WITH A LONG HISTORY

SPINALONGA - THE ISLAND WITH A LONG HISTORY

THE island of Spinalonga (Greek: Σπιναλόγκα), officially known as Kalydon (Καλυδών), is located in the Gulf of Elounda in north-eastern Crete, in Lasithi, next to the town of Elounda. The island is further assigned to the area of Kalydon. It is near the Spinalonga peninsula ("large Spinalonga") – which often causes confusion as the same name is used for both. The official Greek name of the island today is Kalydon.

Originally, Spinalonga was not an island, it was part of the island of Crete. During Venetian occupation the island was carved out of the Coast for defence purposes and a fort was built there.

During Venetian rule, salt was harvested from salt pans around the island. The island has also been used as a leper colony. Spinalonga has appeared in novels, television series, and a short film.

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LIFE IN GREECE

WE NOW live in a traditional village, with tavernas, a butcher, baker (no candlestick maker! and three kafenions and three tourist shops, and currently just the one mini-market, so it's a short trip to the main part of Hersonissos for groceries. Although away from the busy towns, we are only minutes from Hersonissos and 15 minutes from the capital Heraklion, where there are big markets on Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays and a massive one on Saturday, as well as major stores and airport. Retired from a busy lifetime in newspapers, marketing and hotels, to set up an independent marketing and consultancy for local businesses, but in a very part-time fashion Now we are fully retired to a beautiful island where there is always something to do, and visitors to entertain. Of course the weather helps, we are able to swim from May 'til October, and venture out to explore the countryside and tee-shirts still in late November! The local social club for seniors, invited us to join, a good choice (KAPI) arrange many events and activities throughout the year. They also arrange holiday opportunities, and excursions to parts of the island which we would never normally see. Winter is quieter, but our village square still remains open, but without the tourists and there always seems an event or party to attend every week, the places that stay open also have fires during the colder months, so there is always a warm welcome.

FRESH & DIRECT

THERE is something special about Greek villages, and our village, Pano Hersonissos is no exception. The services that brings fresh food as well as clothing, shoes, fish and cheese, is always welcome in the village, but you never really know what will come, or even when, we also have one that sells pots and pans alongside tools. Sometimes it's sold from the back of a van, or car, sometimes it's on a barrow pushed through the village.

Recently we were in the village square having shopped in the main town, and were relaxing over a coffee, when a scruffy looking pick-up pulled up. The old man got out and started to shout about his wares. This time it was fresh fruits and cheese, all of which you are invited to try first, some he grows, others he buys, and sells for a little profit.

We usually have fresh orange juice everyday, so we buy oranges from the trucks that come round - 10 kilos for 5 euros, and usually a few more added for good measure! That's about 20 pence a pound.

Within minutes along came a second truck, this time with fish straight from the local harbour, while already at the top of the square there was a woman with a push-along cart, piled high with clothing. The village shops do not appear to have a problem with these traders, and are often the first in line to buy.

We were in the square one day, when suddenly a man appeared at our side, plate in hand with huge chunks of his own local cheese to try. If you liked it, you bought what you needed, it's a free and enterprising market, and they take advantage of it, but the customer always knows that the food is fresh, and if you miss one, another will be along - some time.

Now on Sundays were have flowers and plants from a local man whose friends now come along with their own local cheeses, as well as speciality sausages. They cook up some to sample knowing that the smell attracts the locals - subtle marketing.

WORLD-WIDE INTEREST

MANY THANKS to all of you around the world who have now visited our Blog, so far we have been seen in no less than 90+ countries, which is staggering. So we can only say: Welcome, velkommen, Добре дошли, vítejte, welkom, bienvenue, willkommen, καλωσόρισμα, benvenuti, bienvenida, and hoşgeldin - which takes care of most!! We never intended the Blog to be a daily event, it was primarily for family and friends, but they are already scattered around the world. We have been most impressed by the range of the countries, and still remain. grateful for those who come back time after time. Hopefully most read the Blog in English, but we understand that the translation tool is a valuable asset. We have asked a couple of friends who are not English if the translation is good,and their verdict is "mainly ok, and that it helps if they are stuck with a certain passage of writing" We shall hopefully continue with the style and flavour of the blog along with our news and photos, as and when things are of interest. Photographs and now a recipe section will now have their own tabs at the top of the main page, we encourage you to try the recipes.

Robin's Nest ...Crete

SPINALONGA - THE ISLAND WITH A LONG HISTORY

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