1030 – Friday 30th March 1028: Ayious Nikoloas

Agios Nikolaus – free parking on the Marina – walked the town – very nice area – lunch sitting right on the water’s edge …..  

We met two chaps on a boat nearby – they’re sailing their craft from Turkey to California! 14 metres long – it’ll take about 3 months with the longest stretch of nothing to look at but waves being 3-4 weeks.  It looked small but, we were invited to look around inside – and it’s remarkably spacious. Two double bedrooms en suite and large living/dining space. They sail rather than power – 2 salty sea dogs!  Apparently, a yacht will self right if turned over, but a power boat won’t.  

K: even when having a boat tour in harbour, I was uncomfortably conscious of the movement … I’ll stick to a motorhome, even if a lot smaller inside.  Incidentally, I met a another yatchie dog walking who told me the mooring and electric here came to about EUR350 per month … not cheap if you want a marina.

One of the views from yesterday as we approached Ag Nik.

Ag. Nik. only has 2 small beaches, but look at the mountains heading east along the coast. People come here to relax, eat and drink.  We had read that Ag Nik has been adopted by the Brits and we did hear quite a few UK accents … having not heard British voices for a while, it take a moment to tune into them.

Europa who was kidnapped / tricked by the leacherous Zeus who had disguised himself as a beautiful bull.  He hid Europa in the cave he was born on.  She bore him numerous children.  

The bottomless lake.

A family of paddle boarders entertained us whilst we had lunch. 

1031 – Saturday 31st March: Plaka Walk

We ran along the seafront in the morning – perfect running conditions…

We sailed Jez to Plaka – a short distance – to a gorgeous free beachside overnight – 50 metres from the lapping waves!  A good perambulation uphill around the headland via a wind farm – 14 kilometres all told!!!  A Plakaperfect sunset…

Corrie impersonating a mountain goat.  We came across a huge herd / flock / school of goats … fortunately we were warned by the sound of their bells as Corrie seems to think chasing them is acceptable.

This coast line is the Gulf of Mirabello … and it truly is.  Over the last 40 years the hotel complexes and holiday villas have moved in, but it is still stunning.  The small island is Spinalonga Venetian fortress and subsequently a leper colony until 1957!

1032 – Sunday 1st April: Spinalonga Fortress & Lunch

Uphill am running on the track we walked yesterday – but not 14k!  About 4k up and down….   All brekkied up and off to the boat for Spinalonga island (ex leper colony).  It appears that leproacy still exists in India, China and some other poor countries – a dreadful disease…  

Our doggies were well admired en route.  The photos tell the tale of our circumnavigation of the island.  To the mainland for a sumptuous lunch of seabass, salad and wine – we had been recommended to the restaurant by a young lady we met in Ag Nik…   

Neither dog was happy to board … particularly Corrie … we shan’t get a yacht then!

The Venetian fortress 1579 completely covers the island.  It was impregnable and was only handed over the the Turks 50 years after the rest of Crete had surrendered.

The Turkish building within the walls were adapted by the lepers, as well as 3 large ugly C20 concrete dormitories.

Most of the buildings are shells that you can wander around, but there are still features such as wooden shelves and window frames.

The Lepers’ Graveyard.  This was the last Leper colony on Europe, long after medicines were available.  The conditions here were very basic and those that complained were incarcerated in the fortress jail.  

Would this be another sea side lunch?  It was a little windy and a certain hero had to clamber onto the rocks to retrieve my sun glasses that had blown off the table.

Simply the best sea bass EVER. 

1033 – Monday 2nd April: A Plaka Pruning and Big Spinalonga

Morning run again – then vanwork – K shearing Oscar – and moi doing van internal cleaning. Then K sheared me as well – one of her special Kkutz…. different shears!   We left the lovely parking having filled a few watering cans for Jez’s gunnels from the high up beach shower … aching and wet arms for K who held the watering can aloft, like a processional torch.  

We motored all of 10 minutes to south of Elounta.  Across a small stone bridge to big Spinny island and another seaside overnightly – just as good as the last one…  An Austrian motorhome arrived – the first we’ve seen on wilding for a while.  K doggywalked while I set up camp and tidied a bit. 

Sunrise.

Think Corrie was panicking that her turn was next!

Can a view get any better than this?  

There were salt pans here, stone windmills and an ancient port.

From a small chapel on my Big Spiny walk.

 

1034 – Tuesday 3rd April: Kritsa & Laundry

Morning run – this is my fifth running day in succession – six will be a record for some couple of years!  I’m upping the distance slowly – 6+k today – forcing myself to run slowly.  K: I walked this morning … the dog pruning is not easy on my back!  

On to Kritsa via Lidl and a small church with frescos, coffee – and guess what?  Another beachfront parking!  Twin tub out, laundry – and clothes line fluttering in a strong breeze – mega quick drying.  A no alcohol day so I’m imbibing zero alco beer…  We visited a British food shop – I’ve got some Magners cider for tomorrow.  My first taste of booze was Bulmers cider in a corner pub in Blackrock Dublin where I got rather squiffy and threw up in Blackrock Park!!!  Amelia will know the area well… K:  J assures me that the ONLY reason Amelia knows the area is as it is near where they lived.

 Panayia Kera Byzantine Chuch with the most complete and best preserved frescoes in Crete … mostly C14 and C15 …

… the guide book says they’ve been retouched so often that they are now impossible to accurately date.  They were beautiful though.

Krista is know for its weaving, embroidery and other handicrafts … to be honest all the shops looked the same and the table cloths all looked machined.  We did spot a lady doing some crochet, but this was about as creative as it got.

Karavostasi Beach: A working shower on the beach, so we filled Jez and I did several loads of laundry … it all dried within hours.  Not sure how many pairs of knickers I lost off the line!

Yes, another great waterside overnight parking … we are now used going to sleep to the sound of waves.

The Owners’ Diary – the Empire strikes Back!

Four can play this game – Oscar/Corrie!  Now readers – these little feckers have chewed through a lead (halfway), a recycling bag – and stole a days supply of treats from K’s bum bag!   We will instigate the ‘naughty’ step, kiddos!  But they do it so innocently – “who me?”  How about an exchange visit – with Poppy and Boo, Shirley and Margaret?  Or we’ll take Kensie from Robyn and Tom!  

Watch this space – K9OwnersClub.littlefeckers.chewballs.dryfarts.org.