Brushing up on artist

OUT to Fodele, west of Heraklion for a day out with American friends to the birthplace of painter El Greco. It's a quiet village, very traditional with buildings lining the small river that feeds the lush area.
  Kn own also for their quality oranges and lemons, we have a friend who runs a taverna there, so it was a visit to catch up, see the El Greco museum and spend quality time in a friendly village. The old ladies of the village still demonstrate their mecrame skills, making intricate designs, working in a traditional manner off the back of an old chair. It's interesting to see them at work, usually surrounded by young relatives as their pass on their techniques.
  The museum is packed with a well displayed selection of the great mans paintings, but obviously not original, but quality photographs placed on light-frames, whichshow  every details.

Another day in the mountains

WE obtain a great deal of joy from going out on excursions with our Senior Citizens group (KAPI) Although we generally know where we are going, there are always surprises along the way. The trip this week was to Apladiana, high in the mountains, but with a coffee stop at one of our favourite villages, Fodele, birthplace of painter El Greco.
  Turning off the main highway it was straight into twisting turning rods, further and further upwards, before we eventually arrived at the taverna. We could simply not find it ourselves, no signs, no houses and no other signs of life, although it could comfortably seat 300 or even more.
   We were promised music in the form of a trio who played through the meal into late afternoon, but nothing stopped for the meal, which included rice pilaff  and lamb - then pork from the rotating grill and potatoes.
  The dancing went on through the afternoon, we went off to see the ostriches they bred, hence the feather in Pat's hair on our return.

We take to the hills

QUESTION: What has 24 wheels and carries nearly 200 excitable Greeks? ANSWER: Four buses.

We have often tried to remember virtually the first trip around the island that we made with our Elderly persons group - the KAPI, which took in some glorious caves and stunning scenery. Well, this week we found out on our latest trip.

  The caves in fact were the Sfentoni caves of Zoniana, high up in the Psiloritis  mountain range. In the seven years since our first visit the authorities have really smarted up the place with coloured lights to enhance the viewing pleasure. We were collected by the super coach at 8.00am and later joined the other three from various areas around up. First it was to the historic Anogia village, not an easy task on roads originally made for donkey transport, and just wide enough for coaches to carefully pass by. A brief stop at a special museum at Potomianos where the history of the region is played out, but must say the waxwork models could do with a little updating!

  Of course a trip out with the KAPI would hardly be possible without a visit to some religious building, this time to the Monastery of Timios Stavros. Fantastic views and superb gardens, which surprisingly did not seem to interest the majority of the large group. Then it was the highlight - at least for many. Lunch!!

  Not an ordinary lunch of course. It was in the village of Throsia who specialise in cooking pork and lamb, over charcoal, either on a spit or just simply turned by hand. It's always cooked slowly and the result is juicy meat, we had been before and it was as good as previously.

  Finally we turned toward home, but noit without a short stop at another very traditional village, Fodele well know for it's connections with famous painter El Greco and specialising in macrame work, which the ladies of the village happily show you as they work with nimble fingers on intricate patters off the back of an old chair. It was nice to see that they are passing on their skills to the younger generation. In Fodele we have a friend who runs the Taverna  Domenico, who serve up local orange juice as well as specialties of the region, So it was good to catch up and share a drink before arriving back in Old Hersonissos.