We're just about ready to head off on our homeward journey, & I've only just got around to blogging. Pleased to say that this trip has been successful. Everyone has enjoyed themselves, & the weather on Crete has been fantastic. We're in a middle of a heatwave at the moment, but with a pool & sea just outside our door, & aircon inside, we're coping very well. We arrived in Iraklion, capital of Crete on May 13, & stayed one night there. The following day we visited Knossos
& the archaeological museum before catching an intercity bus to Rethymon. No time & space to tell of the crazy things that happened on the way. Anyway I always operate on the maxim of: What goes on tour, stays on tour. Florence was looking forward to meeting up with Lisa,
who had flown in from the UK the day before. It was a great meeting there, up on George's roof garden. Apart from Jane & I, all the rest of the gang knew Lisa. That was the beginning of a lovely friendship. Lisa has been a favourite wherever we have stayed. She left Chania airport for Manchester 2 days ago, with many tears I might add. She has gone back to 12 degrees & rain, but her boyfriend, Angus, & her sister Kelly were there waiting for her. David & Jane left for Athens the same evening on the overnight ferry. They should be on the train to the airport now. They leave for home later this afternoon. David has been a star. He has had to drive the whole time. I had a fall in Santorini & cracked some ribs, as well as a couple of other minor bumps, so using my right hand for gear changes etc was impossible. To say that I was hosed off is putting it mildly. Our stay at Annie & Dai's place was idyllic. Great weather, great food & company.
There was the potential for a bit of adventure at the start, because at the time of hiring our vehicle there was no petrol available on Crete for private vehicles. We were told that the petrol would be arriving that afternoon, & that there would be no problem!! Luckily for us we found a gas station that was open just as we were about to run out. We visited Matala, Joni Mitchell
& Cat Steven's old hangout from the hippy days, after visiting Phaestos Minoan site & Vori museum. We also travelled in the Amari valley, gorging ourselves on fresh cherries, cherry preserve & cherry brandy - of course. Once we arrived at Antoni's we were given the royal treatment. We are still trying to get through all the food he set us up with. He wouldn't hear of me staying in the villa with the others, instead he put me in studio 2 upstairs. I think that was the same studio Maurie & Leigh stayed in in 2003. After David, Jane & Lisa left he moved Florence upstairs, but not in with me as you would expect, but in the next door studio. What a man! The rest of the gang walked the Samaria gorge in a very good time, & none of them had any stiffness etc afterwards. The previous day David walked up Kedros mountain, which is behind Annie & Dai's place. It's pretty tough terrain, but he did it. Everyone mighty impressed. Florence & I are having our last day out in Chania. We've found some fab places in the back streets. Minoan houses & shops,
& at one we were able to watch a "dig" for a while. After this I'm taking Florence to the Bougatsa place, where we'll have a Frappe & bougatsa. The Battle of Crete events went pretty well. A bonus for me was meeting up with Dudley Perkins brother Neville again, & for the first time John Irwin, documentary maker from NZ who made the doco In Rich Regard, which I have at home. Well have to finish off now as my internet card is about to run out. Might get another chance in Athens to blog, but if not I'll see you when I get back.
Here's a pic of the "farewell committee" We've noticed the Kereru around more frequently, & today I got a pic of one on a tree just outside our front door. 
I had to get down on my knees to get it, because of the angle, so its not a very good shot. I was hoping to get closer, but Tama decided to bark at it & it didn't happen. A few days ago one of Tama's fans from Holland sent me this fab pic of their champion Icelandic Shepherds. I'm sure Inge won't mind me posting it here.
Bunny lined up for his 10th Polar swim today. The sun came out briefly as the swimmers emerged from the sea, but the air 
was pretty raw today. On Saturday we saw our first Kereru for this season. We're looking forward to seeing these big birds closer to the house as the season progresses.
accommodation in Stalos. Unfortunately it didn't survive the transplanting. I think it was because it was too big when transplanted, & was unable to cope with the extreme winter gales that occur there. 
This second tree is small enough to take off, & its location at Zourva is particularly beautiful, & a place which Kath was very fond of.
I have uploaded a few of her pics to Picasa Web Album. Just click on the Picasa link to the right to see them. Here are a couple. One is of a very pleasant lunch in the Old Town of Chania, & the other is of 
the last stage of the full changing of the guard in Athens.
I think they sum up the atmosphere pretty well. 
Florence & I had a smooth crossing from Crete to Athens, even though we drew the short straw as far as boats went. Ours was a much older vessel than the new Ariadne, which Jane & David were lucky enough to travel on. We had a busy couple of days in Athens, the highlights for Florence were the full changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, & a hike & funicular ride up to the top of the highest point - Lycabettos. I was able to change our seats on our homeward flights, which meant that we had a spare seat between us on both legs. A one night stopover in Bangkok was welcome, with comfy beds & a swimming pool. Before we knew it we were back in NZ, & by the time we hit Rotorua we knew that we weren't too fussed about the cold weather. However, being met by Bunny, Winston, & the big surprise - David,
more than made up for the cold. A couple more photos on Picasa-more coming.
& the archaeological museum before catching an intercity bus to Rethymon. No time & space to tell of the crazy things that happened on the way. Anyway I always operate on the maxim of: What goes on tour, stays on tour. Florence was looking forward to meeting up with Lisa, 
who had flown in from the UK the day before. It was a great meeting there, up on George's roof garden. Apart from Jane & I, all the rest of the gang knew Lisa. That was the beginning of a lovely friendship. Lisa has been a favourite wherever we have stayed. She left Chania airport for Manchester 2 days ago, with many tears I might add. She has gone back to 12 degrees & rain, but her boyfriend, Angus, & her sister Kelly were there waiting for her. David & Jane left for Athens the same evening on the overnight ferry. They should be on the train to the airport now. They leave for home later this afternoon. David has been a star. He has had to drive the whole time. I had a fall in Santorini & cracked some ribs, as well as a couple of other minor bumps, so using my right hand for gear changes etc was impossible. To say that I was hosed off is putting it mildly. Our stay at Annie & Dai's place was idyllic. Great weather, great food & company. 
There was the potential for a bit of adventure at the start, because at the time of hiring our vehicle there was no petrol available on Crete for private vehicles. We were told that the petrol would be arriving that afternoon, & that there would be no problem!! Luckily for us we found a gas station that was open just as we were about to run out. We visited Matala, Joni Mitchell 
& Cat Steven's old hangout from the hippy days, after visiting Phaestos Minoan site & Vori museum. We also travelled in the Amari valley, gorging ourselves on fresh cherries, cherry preserve & cherry brandy - of course. Once we arrived at Antoni's we were given the royal treatment. We are still trying to get through all the food he set us up with. He wouldn't hear of me staying in the villa with the others, instead he put me in studio 2 upstairs. I think that was the same studio Maurie & Leigh stayed in in 2003. After David, Jane & Lisa left he moved Florence upstairs, but not in with me as you would expect, but in the next door studio. What a man! The rest of the gang walked the Samaria gorge in a very good time, & none of them had any stiffness etc afterwards. The previous day David walked up Kedros mountain, which is behind Annie & Dai's place. It's pretty tough terrain, but he did it. Everyone mighty impressed. Florence & I are having our last day out in Chania. We've found some fab places in the back streets. Minoan houses & shops, 
& at one we were able to watch a "dig" for a while. After this I'm taking Florence to the Bougatsa place, where we'll have a Frappe & bougatsa. The Battle of Crete events went pretty well. A bonus for me was meeting up with Dudley Perkins brother Neville again, & for the first time John Irwin, documentary maker from NZ who made the doco In Rich Regard, which I have at home. Well have to finish off now as my internet card is about to run out. Might get another chance in Athens to blog, but if not I'll see you when I get back.
