Such is life on Santorini. 
As all the guide books say, you need plenty of film or a mega picture card. I'm hoping to be able to upload some pics to my Picasa web album while at this cafe, which has broadband. 
Check the Picasa link on the link panel just in case it works. More from Naxos.
Have only 4 more minutes before I'm cut off on this machine, so I'll update you in a couple of days. Have found a reasonably
priced place to stay, & the owners are lovely. What more can I ask? Well it would be nice to have family here. Kerry & Janine you will love it. Seeing is believing, the shutters on the windows opposite are 
painted the exact same shade of brilliant blue as the sky.
& as usual he overwhelmed Annie & David with his hospitality - coffee & cakes until they were coming out of our ears! My fridge was also full of the usual goodies. 
This is the contents of just one of the boxes! The flag raising in Chania was almost a washout with the heavy rain, but I did catch up with the British Vets. Antoni has planted a tree for Kath, as Paul wanted him to, & now he's busy designing a plaque for it. 
Yesterday marked 12 months since Kath died on Crete, & it was an emotional time for both Adoni & I. He arranged for me to go with him to the small monastery nearby for morning mass in memory of Kath. It was a wonderful experience being in the place that Kath had visited in 2003, & hearing the nuns singing the service. It was a healing process for both of us. The pic is of the monastery in 2003. 
Tomorrow I'm catching the 5-30 am bus to Iraklion, a journey of almost 3 hours, before taking the fast boat to Santorini. More soon.
Annie arrived to take me back to their place in Orne, but as is usually the case with her we got off the beaten track well & truly. First stop was the "Orchid Hillock", which is famous for its orchid & other wild flower display in Spring. Of course the orchids had had it by this stage, but it was a lovely walk, & I was happy that I now know where it is. Another off-road excursion saw us driving through awesome scenery - a la the dramatic Kourtolatiko gorge near Plakias, for those who have been there. But more special, as no tourists know its whereabouts, & as I discovered last night, some locals hadn't heard of it. Whooaa! At the village at the end of this secret road are 2 beautiful churches, one very old, & in which Annie was allowed to perform an offering to the various Ikons. The second was a church belonging to an old Monastery. Later that evening we were enjoying another fab meal from Annie & Dave, when Grigori, the local shepherd joined us for an hilarious night, singing old Cretan songs. Some of you will remember Grigori bringing in his flock past Annie & Dave's house. Tuesday saw us once again heading out to "who knows where?", supplied with nuts, cherries & water. First stop was a very old church at the end of a rutted track. Great mountain biking areas around here by the way folks. 
The frescoes in the church were in a pretty bad state, but I did manage to get a good pic of one of them. We scrambled around the rocks in the area & discovered walls of an ancient village. Very cool, & once again completely unknown to tourists. We snacked beside 
another old Venetian Bridge, before heading further into the beautiful Amari Valley. After more derelict monasteries - got some great pics - & gorgeous scenery we ate a great lunch at Amari among the swallows. We called in Gerakari for coffee & to buy some cherries 4euros a kilo. Remember those cherries guys? 
Back home in Orne & we were off to Maria & Grigori's for a chaotic evening of raki drinking & communicating in the local Cretan dialect. Must have done alright going by their reaction. Hoping for a quiet day to repack for my trip to Chania tomorrow. Tonight we're going to Agia Galini so Dave can watch the final- on TV- of the European Football Champions League between Milan & Liverpool. Will be a late night & an emotional one too.
Pic is of Annie descending into the abyss. Have just learned how to upload pics from Picasa web album, so I hope I can add some more later. Well the pic upload didn't work after all baaahhhhh! Blog to be continued - need another wine right now. Footnote: Pic imported at last.
Can't wait for the next meeting. Leigh you would love the library. Will get some pics-not sure if I can upload them here though. 
More later.
The weather was great & the team played well against Edgecumbe. Our girls weren't the victors this time - mainly through lack of fitness Id say. However, Lucy played well in the No 12 jersey, & was outstanding as goalie in the second half. She was awarded Player of the Day for her efforts.
before & didn't let up until Saturday afternoon. So it wasn't very comfortable for those taking part - particularly for the slower walkers. With very little training Janine did very well, finishing around 6hrs 43min. 
Unfortunately Bunny was suffering from a tummy upset before he started, & developed a painful hip & foot during the walk. 
He had done the training, but on the day these other factors took over. He finished in just over 7hrs. Thankfully the new event centre in Rotorua was open for business, & we were able to wait in comfort until the prize giving. It was a long slow walk back to the car, where it was coffee time, a la street people, 
before heading off on our separate ways.
the sheer exhilaration of pushing the body to the limit. Looks like fun.