We Love A Greek Windmill

It has to be said ……….

…… that a windmill of a Greek type nature can’t help but be ……….

……. one of the most romantic windmills in the world.  What are we like?

Darrell Gets Pensive …….

Not that we often dwell on the time we may no longer be around ………..

…….. but Darrell is oft to be found reading a poignant plaque on a bench if ever he sees one, whether it is in Central Park in New York, Brixham in Devon or Elounda ……..

……. coming to the decision that when he is gone, he would like a simple plaque on a bench overlooking the sea, location to be decided. Greece would be wonderful, but could be complicated for those left behind………. so perhaps Brixham for ease

……. simply saying “Darrell (Fortesque) Monkey,  Thalassophile, Paradise Found”.  What is he like?

At One With The Sea

It has to be said that as per usual Nigel has spent most of his time in the sea on this odyssey, channelling his inner Neptune, Poseidon, Hippocampi, Thaumus, Phorcys, Eurybia, Charybdsis, Ceto and Little Mermaid, while I prefer to channel Psamathe.

…..in fact I would say that his fingers and toes could be in grave danger of staying permanently pruney!

The water is so clear and almost too wonderfully romantic, it is a joy to see the little fella at one with the fishes.

What is he like?

We’re Not Too Keen ……..

It has to be said that none of us are that keen on nibbling on an olive ………

….. despite our beloved Iris and Bertie eating them like sweets and asking us to take some back home for them, but for us, they just do not have “The Nom Factor”.

However, putting our gastronomic propensities and certain of lack of sophistication aside, it in no way affects our appreciation of the small olive grove that is growing slap bang in the middle of our hotel complex and directly under our balcony.……..

…… they may bear a fruit too far in our eyes, but the trees  still hold an allure of palpable and tangible romance as part of any of our Greek Odysseys.  What are we like?

An Ample Amount Of Empty Space

I have to say Darrell is really pleased with our Elounda kitchen ……..

…… with ample space to sort out our packed lunches ……. but I suppose, equipment wise, it’s pretty basic. He said that it might have been nice to have a small oven so that we could perhaps buy a few basic frozen delicacies of a mostly bakery/snack type nature to add to our lunch bags, but there again, we are on holiday and no one needs to be a martyr to thermostat!

A simple ring for our batch cooked hard boiled eggs is more than enough for self catering in foreign climes ………

……. and although there is more than enough storage space, we only have four odd bowls, plates, mugs and glasses ……..

…… so should Darrell fancy going above and beyond in the al fresco department he might find himself seriously inhibited as to his presentation and serving capabilities. I’ve told him to simply stick to our routine Greek sub rolls in the day and we’ll continue to push the boat out in the evenings …….

…… and then he can be as creative kitchenwise as he likes when we get back home!

Yesssssssss, But On This Occassion, Non Merci.

It’s not just Darrell who can mooch and pore for hours along the shelves of a supermarche in foreign climes, I can have my moments, you just never know what you are going to find …….

…… fresh, local, wonky vegetables, touristy type comestibles and alcoholic beverages pertinent to the island you are on,  the unusual and exotic in a jar, or something you desperately need but in a different language ……

……. stuff that you haven’t got a clue what on earth it is, no matter how much you turn the packet around, it’s all there.

And ……. sometimes you can find the things that are sooooooooo familiar, comforting and homely!  However, on this occassion I thought it best to refrain (just this once) in this Greek heat these babies wouldn’t last five minutes ……. not even we would/could appreciates a hot, very melty Malteser, even though they are our ever constant confectionary of choice. What am I like?

Almost Too Romantic For Words …….

It was almost too romantic for words ……..

…… to come “home” from a hard day on the beach ……..

….. to find our fresh towels artistically displayed on our beds with a flower from the gardens 

…….. and a small chocolate to eat at our leisure.

It was ………… how shall I put it …….. emotional!

A Trip To Agios Nikolaos

Last night we decided to forgo our usual promenade and evening meal in Elounda for a posh taxi ride and the same in Agios Nikolaos.

It did not disappointed, it was just as lovely as when we were last here four years ago ………

……. except that our very favourite stop over for people watching, a freshly squeezed orange juice and large plate of Loukoumades is now boutique hotel …… alack, quelle dommage!

As we have almost exhausted the shopping experience back in Elounda, it was also a chance to see what a larger town had to offer, let’s just say several items of a souvenir type nature were duly considered and purchased ……

……. with Darrell taking a particular interest in all the various donkey milk beauty products on offer!

Then no trip to any Greek town is a proper trip without visiting at least one of our beloved Greek Churches ………..

……. to admire all the beautiful art work and ornate decoration, promise that next time we are in Greece we will offer up our own tamatas to the saint of our choice to help with our prayers and, of course, light a candle each for all those who can no longer share in our wonderous adventures.

The evening drew to a close in our partaking of the pleasures of a very large, traditional Greek  gyros…….

…….. and life just don’t get any betterer than that!  Happy holiday days.

Following On …….

Following on from our full house of Spinalonga Bingo   …………

…… we decided last night might be a good time to take advantage of our very generous prize, going to Olous  (for Mr D - Ancient Greek: Ὄλους, or Ὄλουλις) was a city of ancient Crete; now sunken, situated at the present day town of Elounda) for our evening meal.

Let’s just say we were NOT disappointed, especially Darrell and his choice of main meal ………

What can I say, it was erm ……..greatly admired!!!!!!!!   Comments on a postcard please!

Luck Be A Lady ….. Tonight

Last night we came back to our hotel a little earlier than usual as George our lovely, lovely host and barman had promised us “big big” prizes on his own special version of politically incorrect Spinalonga bingo!

Well, it would have looked rude not to take part wouldn’t it, especially as it was also free and we LOVE George!

Darrell did the honours in crossing off the numbers (our “professional” dabbers left far away at home, as we never really thought we’d need them).

It seems that the Greek Gods of Bingo were looking down on us most favourably as we got the very first first line, all yelling out “Line” perhaps a little too excitedly, at the same time ……..

……. winning a bottle of romantic Greek red wine!  We were so chuffed, but that wasn’t all……… we then went on to win three more lines and a full house in next two games! For the three lines we told George to keep on calling numbers and let someone else share in our good luck …….

…… but on the one full house we did accept a card for a 20% discount at a restaurant we’d already thought we might avail ourselves of.

It was, let’s just say, emotional, especially as we’ve never ever played Bingo on any of our Greek Odysseys before!