Autumn - a time to reflect

AUTUMN is Crete has been days of warm sun, lazy days in the local cafe drinking coffee and generally watching the world go by.

  Tourists have virtually disappeared from the island and our village, Pano Hersonissos has entered a new time-zone. All the tavernas, bar one, have closed, leaving the locals, and us to use the kafeneions. These are always well supported through the whole year, and in recent sunshine a pefect setting. 

  The kafeneions prepare and sell traditional food, and it's very good value. The first rains, albeit little, have started, but not enough to discourage a walk out. On Sundays one enterprising trader from Kastelli, about eight miles away, comes to the village his van laden with plants and small shrubs. He has done a great trade in the village and will be here until the heavy rains come. His family own a garden centre and his enterprise has been good for him.

  One of the tavernas on the edge of the village square has taken a big step forward. During the years that we have been here we have noticed that they really have no trade to speak of. For whatever reason they have embarked on a major change. The place has been re-designed, with a fresh decor, so we shall watch this one carefully over the coming months.

  Soon most locals will be out checking their olive trees, looking for a good harvest. A recent newspaper article in England listed one oil from chania, as one of the very best. When we checked, the selling price was 39 euros for half a litre!!!! It had to be very very special for that. We are more than happy with the oil we have thank you. Current value if you have to buy it locally is around two euros a litre, we certainly have no complaints from our local suppliers.