German cannons | Clune Gap Years

Karydi Beach

25/10/2025

We dropped laundry. Nearly didn’t as google maps took us to a house. We asked a lady nearby. Her friend. She rang her. What time tomorrow would we like to collect it? Fabulous as tomorrow being a Sunday, I thought it may have been Monday.

We didn’t drive far to Karydi beach, known for its rocks. It was pretty. Everyone else obviously knew about it too. Lots of German families. It’s school holidays. Something, as an ex-teacher, I’m delighted not to have to think of.

I took my sun lounger and knitting onto the beach. Contemplated a swim, but got as far as my ankles. Brr!

*We only just squeezed into the car park. And moved once the car park cleared, in case it got busy tomorrow*

*I’m a* *dog person but liked this one*. *It seemed to like dog food!*

Port Koufo & Heart Surgery

26/11/2025

We collected the laundry. 5.5 kilos for €22. Not bad.

*Stopped at* **Sarti** *as it’s the main town on this finger. Had an early toastie lunch, and ice cream for me. Not our cup of tea, so we promptly left*

Lin told me about Porto Koufo as her son, Craig, had been here. The Germans used the deep water as a submarine base here in WW2.

*Massive deep-water* *harbour and a* *lagoon. No flamingos this time*

*A P4N review said people had been fined in September for parking along the beach, so we are parked in the car park. Less sand walked into Jez is a bonus.*

We walked along the beach and around the lagoon, passing a few derelict concrete WW2 buildings. Could see out the harbour entrance.

A local chap recommended a taverna. Good shout as my sea bream was perfectly cooked. We celebrated 4 years since James’ heart surgery. And strange seeing an area other than Crete printed on tablecloths

German Cannons Walk

27/11/2025

We drove around to the next bay to walk around Toroni castle ruins and then up to the German cannon emplacements. These protected the WW2 German submarines in Porto Koufo.