Dear friends this will be the last letter due to Robin passing away..

A GREAT WAY TO SPEND SUNDAY

We have said before, there always seems something to attend or to celebrate in Crete. Today it was the turn of a Byzantion Group based in Heraklion who invited us to their annual party. Great deal of food and wine, of course, with the entertainment coming from their Turkish roots. First a nimble dancer, and then a very good singer over specially for the event. Prior to that one of the teachers from the local junior school here in Hersonissos, showed her skill on the accordion, an excellent way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon. We also managed to collect four excellent prizes from the tombola.

IT MEANS MORE THAN JUST EATING CAKE

Each year we have been here in Crete we get invited to more local events. Today it was in our main village church, where they organised the cutting of the Vasilopita.
  One of the more beautiful and inspirational traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church is the annual family celebration of the Vasilopita. This original event which happened in Cappadocia of Caesarea in the last half of the fourth century, is very much alive in our Orthodox homes each year.
   The Greek word Vasilopita is directly translated as “Sweet Bread of Basil”. When the Vasilopita is prepared, a coin is baked into the ingredients. Sweet flavouring is added to the bread which symbolize the sweetness and joy of life everlasting. It also symbolizes the hope that the New Year will be filled with the sweetness of life, liberty, health, and happiness for all who participate in the Vasilopita Observance.
   When the observance begins, usually on New Years Day, or even in February, the bread is traditionally cut by the senior member of the family, and the individual who receives the portion of the Pita which contains the coin is considered Blessed for the New Year. 
  This age old tradition commenced in the fourth century, when Saint Basil the Great, who was a bishop, wanted to distribute money to the poor in his Diocese. He wanted to preserve their dignity, so as not to look like charity, he commissioned some women to bake sweetened bread, in which he arranged to place gold coins. Thus the families in cutting the bread to nourish themselves, were pleasantly surprised to find the coins.  
  These days there is a smaller cake, usually cut by the priests with much ceremony, and the local baker produces portions of walnut cake, cut and wrapped, and for one lucky person there is the coin and a small present. 

Happy New to you all - around the world

A very Happy New year to you all from Crete, Greece. May 2016 see you enjoy a peaceful and healthy time. May your wishes come true and please remember - SMILE

A New Year resolution

Hello Readers

Many thanks for your efforts in 2015. It is obvious you enjoy reading about Crete, well here is another (FREE) way to see more. I produce every month a newsletter. It is non commercial, no adverts or links. Over 1,000 copies going out electronically every month around the world. 

If you would like you own personal copy direct to your mailbox, simple: Mail me at mediaplus1941@gmail.com and you will be added. Your details are never used for anything else, m ails will only come from me and you can find our=t more about the island. In the January issue you will find details or the wonderful work with the local donkeys A fascinating feature on historic trees. Do you know what a paximadi is - You will find out the history of this staple food always included when you order a meze. Two of the special drinks of the island with their history explains their past while in the Cretan kitchen are some traditional recipes to try.

So: mediaplus1941@gmail.com will see you on the mailing list - a perfect start to the New Year.

If you knead to now - it's the best!!!

Forgive the play on words, but out of a small almost run-down shack in the small town of Georgioupolis, to the west of the island, comes some of the most amazing bread you can imagine.
It's made in the very traditional way, they only make two shapes (round and oblong) as well as paximadi, the hard bread, but they turn out hundreds of loaves daily from the traditional ovens, and people come from miles around to collect. It seems no matter what time of day you enter this dark building, there is always the tantalising smell of fresh bread, it's always laid out on large tables, and is always seems, at least to us, that it has just come out of the ovens. Even when you get it wrapped, they tear up the paper flour sacks before putting it, if you ask, into a plastic bag.
The paximadi are also special, although cooked twice, it is the white bread sliced. We call it Yia Yia bread or grandmothers!!  It is dense, has a hard crust, but will keep fresh for a week.We were in that area at the weekend, and had to purchase some of these two kilo loaves for friends, who were ecstatic that we got this for their family.

GREAT _ But not for sale!!!!

On a recent day out we came across this in Exo Potami a small traditional village east of the Lassithi Plain here on Crete. There were only two taverns, as well as a roadside market withtwo old ladies selling walnuts, honey and raki.
  Never seen it before, and it was only when we got closer to the bigger of the two establishments we saw that they were in fact tomato clusters. Also on display about 15 large pumpkins, assorted squashes and potatoes. Not to buy but as decoration said the women inside, where in fact there was a huge range of fruit and vegetables.
  However when she realised we were also part of the group on a day excursion she actu8ally turned around, handed us the butternut squash we were holding and said it was a present. It make some excellent soup.

NOVEMBER'S CRETE TODAY NEWSLETTER

IT'S HERE: Crete Today the free island newsletter is ready to be sent out to subscribers. Items this month in this non-business publication include a special feature on Alice Kober, the forgotten lady of Crete; Just how dangerous are our roads plus local news and views PLUS of course the ever popular recipes page. If you would like your own copy, without advertising, without links and your details are never passed on, then mail to: mediaplus1941@gmail.com will see your copy on its way - remember it is always free!!

DID WE HEAR RIGHTI

THERE are times when we despair at some of the things  we hear tourists say. Is the water safe? Is there food in  the supermarkets, do the banks have any money etc. This week we heard a first - for  us at least. We were sitting having a drink in the square on the local Dance Night, on the table next to us were two young females. When they went to place their order they said: “Do you have anything that is not  Greek?
They then  actually ordered a Greek salad! Needless to say the waiter, who we know, looked at us, managed to suppress a great laugh, but not the huge grin on his face. He replied, "well we have whole chickens that are cooked in the oven". Back came the reply - "But it's a Greek oven" We will just have the salad!!!!

ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

IT WAS  a simple question to the local priest: “ Do you still own the small house just around the corner from us?” Yes he replied with a puzzled look on his face.“There is a family from Romania living there’
 He  was  crestfallen  when  we  told  him  that  was  no longer the  case,  they  had disappeared, five children, a pregnant again wife and work-shy father. We are sure he muttered bad thoughts under his breath, especially when he revealed that they had not paid him rent or money for the electric. He was even more unhappy when he found that they had left behind a great looking dog, plus it turned out six large pick-up trucks full of rubbish.
 That was the fairly simple task, he had to pay somebody to do the clearing up, plus build a gate to the outside stairs so that the dog, who was living there could
  no longer gain access, as well as a special  box fitted over the electric meter.  That just left the puppy, an Alsatian type,  less than four month old, with no water and   no food. It stayed around our house, and of   course  we  fed  it.  If  we  went  out  it  would   follow  us,  sitting  under  the  table  when  we  went out  for  a  coffee,  and  was  very  good   natured,  sat  when  told  to  sit,  and  never  worried for food.  We asked around for somebody to take him from being a street dog. We tried the animal   shelters,  all  overflowing  with  dogs  of  all shapes and ages. A friend runs a small   shelter, but had 25 dogs. We had a man from Rethymnon in the end who wanted him, but,  before he could finally come to collect, our Russian  neighbour,  whose  daughter  also  gave the dog food, took him to a friend just on the edge of the village, where we were assured he was well treated.

Something for September

GOSH time really does fly - Almost at the end of a summer season, but for Crete Today newsletter there is no let up. This popular non commercial, non business six-page publication will be out at the end of next week. and is available to anyone. To receive a copy and to join the near 1,000 already sent out, mail me please: mediaplus1941@gmail.com. It's a personal journal.

The September issue has articles  on the Greek Crisis; Old-time memories; History, and Victoria Hislop the famous author. Of course there are also the popular recipes, as well as news and views from around the island. So for your totally advert free copy - just ask - it's that simple

Standing with Greece

STAND FIRM GREECE: You are not alone - your supporters are throughout the world. There are tough times ahead, but you are resilient and not alone

 IT’S quite amazing how a small post on social media site Facebook can have such an incredible response.
  I posted a small photograph with the words added “Stand firm” in relation to the ongoing saga of will they won’t the Greeks leave the eurozone and default on re-paying their mounting debts.
  In response came nearly 1,000 likes, comments and shares, and not one voice against what was written. The replies came in many languages, including Greek of course. The Greeks were delighted that somebody was standing up for them, and appreciated the comment and the support for the country in difficult time. The support came in many languages from around the world - proving that they are not alone.
  As course we are going to support the country, just as we have for the last 12 years since moving here.
We spend our money here, pay taxes on everything that we buy, so their pain is our pain.

Are we missing something here??

GOING the rounds on social media at the moment is the following. It has been well received by the ex-pats we know and has gathered momentum back in the UK.
Dear Prime Minister The RT. Hon. David Cameron, MP.  I wish to ask you a Question:- "Is This True?" I refer to the Pension Reality Check.
Are you aware of the following ? The British Government provides the following financial assistance:-
BRITISH OLD AGED PENSIONER
(bearing in mind they worked hard and paid their Income Tax and National Insurance contributions to the British Government all their working life)
Weekly allowance: £106.00
IMMIGRANTS/REFUGEES LIVING IN BRITAIN
(No Income Tax and National Insurance contribution whatsoever)
Weekly allowance: £250.00
BRITISH OLD AGED PENSIONER
Weekly Spouse Allowance: £25.00
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS/REFUGEES LIVING IN BRITAIN
Weekly Spouse Allowance: £225.00
BRITISH OLD AGED PENSIONER
Additional Weekly Hardship Allowance: £0.00
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS/REFUGEES LIVING IN BRITAIN
Additional Weekly Hardship Allowance: £100.00
A British old age pensioner is no less hard up than an illegal immigrant/refugee yet receives nothing
BRITISH OLD AGED PENSIONER
TOTAL YEARLY BENEFIT: £6,000
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS/REFUGEES LIVING IN BRITAIN
TOTAL YEARLY BENEFIT: £29,900 -
           Something seems to be
              very wrong with the
                whole of the system.

Crete Today newsletter for free

OVER recent months I have been working to improve the number of copies of Crete Today newsletter that is mailed out free of charge each month. There are currently more than 600 onb ther mailing list and it gradually improves each month.

  The six pages are professional prepared and contain a mixture of news and views covering the whole island. It has been an eye opener to see where some of the request have come from, and not just from Crete.

  If you would like to be added to the mailing list, a simple request sent to mediaplus1941@gmail.com, will see you added to the list and copies will bve sent out. They are in |PDF format, which is simply to read, by clicking on the icon, which saves downloading or even printing out.

  This month's features include: Sifis the Crete Croc!! Samaria Gorge, a spotlight on Chania, a new book from writer Yvonne Payne as well as recipes from the island.

The Holy Day

Tonight the churches all over Greece were full. In our village of Pano Hersonissos the packed church all joined in Christos Anesti, and left to see the large fire outside for the burning of Judas. Καλή Ανάσταση και Καλό Πάσχα

Kalo Pascha - Happy Easter to all

In the build-up to the big Easter celebrations here and all over Greece this weekend, members of our KAPI senior citizens organisation were busy decorating candles ready to hand out for the big events in the local churches this weekend. Easter is traditionally the big religious event of the year, churches, which are normally full will be at bursting point over the celebrations..

THE END OF SIFIS THE CROCODILE

SIFIS the crocodile that had taken up residence in a reservoir near Rethymno in Crete has sadly been found dead.

  The crocodile who is thought to have once been a pet that had been released when he grew too large, was first spotted last summer by somewhat dumbfounded municipal workers. He rapidly became a local celebrity drawing tourists and locals alike eager to catch a glimpse of the reptile.

  While the cause of his death remains unknown it is considered likely that the reptile failed to survive the Cretan winter which this year was particularly harsh.

  After he was first sighted, a committee was established to monitor and capture Sifis and rehome him in a zoo. However the crocodile evaded all of the traps set for him.

  Since mid-February those involved in the effort had lost track of Sifis. Efforts were made to track him over the past month but hopes that he had found some form of shelter were dashed when Sifis’s lifeless body was spotted floating in the lake.

  A team including researchers from the Museum of Natural history and the herpetologist Petros Limberakis will attempt to recover the body and examine it to determine Sifis’s cause of death.  The examination will also answer other questions about the crocodile that have perplexed experts since he was first spotted in the reservoir.

Proud to be Greek - Independence Day

XRONIA POLLA !!! To all our Greek friends and all who attended the Independence Day celebrations, here in Hersonissos today. Similar parades are staged throughout the country in large cities ad well as small villages, as young as well as old come together proudly in support of their past.
  They were lucky weather wise, it was sunny at the start, the last gro9up had finished and it poured down - all over the country they celebrated, many wearing their best traditional costumes.

Leaving it all so late

MARKETING, or rather the lack of it here in Greece, is a real bug bear. How often do we find out events or activities with very short notice, or even the day or week later. It’s not just us who see the stupidity of it, although the locals seem happy to accept it.
  Take the Hersonissos cycle Grand Prix as a further example. Three well organised races, trophies on offer for all classes from youngsters through to virtual professionals, loudspeakers, police closing off roads, but only small A4 posters in about two places here in our village - yes it was through the village!!!!
  We only found out as we strolled in the sunshine to collect our newspaper and later to have a coffee ib our square. It came as a shock to see the square packed with bikes and the riders, relaxing as they waited for the start of their event.
  It was not just a solo event, there were team events, up and through the hills around our village, only a handful of locals - like us - surprised that this was being staged. The riders swept through the village from the steep side roads, through the square, a very sharp turn had to be negotiated by the old well before they disappeared down the hill. Each of their laps being counted off professionally and each main bunch proceeded by a service motor scooter to make sure that the road was clear.
  The sun was out, but very few people, which was a great shame, and we were certainly not alone in disbelief that an event like this was not announced properly. Friendly villagers complained, in fact the only ones who benefitted were the two open coffee houses which were delighted to be full.

Roll on for another festival

WELL the festival season has officially ended, Clean Monday brought about the first day of lent, and here in our village they went out with guess what - yes another party!!
Officially the Greeks will stay clean of meat, dairy and fish in the lead up to Easter, but on Clean Monday villages around the island celebrated. Our village has not managed to get themselves organised for the last couple of years, but, despite a wet start of the day, they pulled out all the stops.
  There was a huge vat of bean and vegetable soup, with lagana (flat) bread to mop it up, and there were cold dishes including taramasalata, dipping veggies and halva (sweet made from sesame) all washed down by as much wine as you wanted - and it cost nothing.
  The villagers pulled together to support it all and, as the weather improved for the rest of the afternoon there was sunshine, music and dancing - a great end to the Apokries period - roll on Easter

COME ON - LET'S PARTY

Life is anything but boring here in Crete, there always seems to be one party or another, and February is now the time for the fesitval season..

  It's the party period of the year in the build up to Easter, the main religious time. We have got used to events on birthdays, but also not to be confused are names days. There are saints days and of course, two big national celebrations in March and October. But February is the time for Apokries.

  Apokries, is the Greek version the worldwide known as “masquerade partying festival,”  The festivities in Greece have their origins in ancient religious traditions that honored Dionysus, the god of wine and joy and celebrated the end of the winter season. In relation to the Greek Orthodox Church Apokries, is celebrated three weeks before Easter, and visitors will see thousands of costumes, parades, masquerades, and dancing people. 

  The event is most noteworthy in the carnival capital, Patras, in the Peloponese, and the Rethymnon Carnival is coming up the radar with each passing year. okries, is the Greek version the worldwide known as “masquerade partying festival,” carnival. 

   The festivities in Greece have their origins in ancient religious traditions that honored Dionysus, the god of wine and joy and celebrated the end of the winter season. In relation to the Greek Orthodox Church Apokries, is celebrated three weeks before Easter, 

  All over the island and the mainland  visitors will see thousands of costumes, parades, masquerades, and dancing people. The event is most noteworthy in the carnival capital, Patras, in the Peloponese, but the one in Rethymnon, here is coming up the radar with each passing year. 

  But it is not just the big cities, far from it. Our first one of the yuear came the other day, when our senior citizen group KAPI held their own party. Hundred came to feast, dance and celebrate in style. The food may have been served, but withg music live, they were up to dance and dance.

  Costumes were not the order of the day, but, of course some did dress up. Now we have other parties to attend to, our local onbe is at Agriana, but there are events annually also in Malia, Heraklion and any other opportunity that offers itself. 

What a winter!!

FIRST  we had driving rain, then came heavy snows in parts of Crete. Back came the rains, flooding in Chania and Heraklion, people trapped in the mountains and roads blocked, and not just the smaller ones.
  We seem to have this kind of weather in four-year cycles, but this was the worst since we came to the island 12 years ago. Luckily our village suffered very little, a smattering of sloshing snow, forcing people wisely to stay in, and that was it, but how the rest suffered.
  It was during this time that we sat down to analyse our winter projects - we always try for something. Last year it was the re-furbished kitchen (done), the wooden stairs (done) and the smaller of our bedrooms (done) Now came something much bigger - our main bedroom.
  We decided that it was not enough just to decorate - we went for broke with a bespoke wardrobe, complete with mirror doors.
  It was not the first plan to have the glass and aluminium doors, but, after considering the options of wood, we took the plunge. A carpenter who know came, took our design, measured up, gave us a price and away we went - or so we thought!
  Here in Greece it is natural to hand over some money to get the project going, fair enough. Our man called to say that the units were ready, but they were coming from Heraklion? They duly did arrive, complete boxes, which had to be lifted off the van, up from outside onto our terrace and through the terrace doors.
  After getting over the surprise of the units being complete, we were stunned to see that the shelving we drew on our plans was missing. We had all the main shelves at the bottom, with hydraulic rails to take the clothing, which you pull down. to load up.Then came the bigger surprise!!!
  The units covered over the two light and one power switch. No problem said our man - we can move them - No way we said . He had made the wrong measurements!!! In the end the factory had to take back the wrongly made units, re-make them, re-make the aluminium doors and runners and worse still - re-cut the glass - they were more than a little unhappy.
  Four days later they came back - correct, including the shelves on our plan, plus a man who installed them all. Our man asked for the rest of the money, we told him to wait, we had spoken to the factory boss and explained to him the situation, we eventually paid less than the first amount, telling our man he was totally at fault - if he did not like it- he would have to negotiate with the factory, we don't think so.
  We completed the room, re-decorated, rich reds and golds and finished - eventually - very happy with the overall result. The wardrobe gives us so much more space, allows for tidy boxes inside and neat hanging rails. Happiness all round - except our local man.

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.