My Visit To Chiana Continued

I had plenty of time on my excursion to Chiana to explore more of the town, I even managed to find the Trimartiri, Chania's Cathedral Church..........

..... but, I have to admit, I was a little disappointed, as the inside didn't seem to be half as spectacular as the church back in Georgioupolis.

It did however offer a welcome respite from the searing heat and a chance to think a while away from the hustle and bustle of the town ........

....... and of course light a candle.

Walking, at a snails pace, down to the harbour however did not disappoint.......

....... I also had more time to muse, as I had to stop with undue frequently at various delightful tavernas because it was soooooooooooooooooooo hot.......

I have to confess thatI was the mad dog Englishman going out in the midday sun, but when on holiday what can you do, you have to make the most of it.  It was an opportunity to take plenty of photos for Darrell as I think he is currently going through a bit of a Mediterranean period as far as his interior design is concerned, Lady Dame Kelly Hoppen's beige may now be a phase left firmly in the past as far as he is concerned.

I had a most wonderful morning, but I admit the air conditioning on the coach on the way back was very welcome ..........

....... however, as regards to any potential Greek Odysseys in the future "I will", to quote Arnie Schwarzenegger definitely " ....... be back",  hopefully with Darrell and Nigel in tow, it's just beautiful not to want to return and share.

My Very First Greek Market

When I found out that there was a morning trip going from Georgioupolis to visit the indoor market in Chiana for just 12 euros, it was a no brainer, my passage was assured, this would be a totally new experience for me ..........

........ in all of our Greek Odysseys over the years we have never found a market in which to mooch.

It did not disappoint, although it would appear to cater an awful lot for the tourist, there was still plenty to see and buy ....... and I quickly availed myself of some choice Greek bakery items and a mahoooosive bag of cherries to eat on the coach on the journey back. 

I admit that there were a lot of the things I saw that I had seen many times before, but in such beautiful, historic surroundings it was really all about the hustle and bustle market atmosphere, the exotic smells, the sounds and being enticed to look a little closer by the stalls owners .........

 I am sure Darrell and Nigel would have loved it too so I WhatsApped them a couple of pictures.

I bought some lovely soap, a couple of magnets, a small bottle of olive oil, some Greek spices and an embroidery kit for Lucy. I ummmed and ahhhed over buying Darrell and Nigel some traditional slippers, but I could see Nigel going a*** over t** with pom poms and to be honest what may look sooooo perfect on holiday often looks completely out of place when you finally get back home.

Nigel would have loved the fish stalls, particularly poring over the more bizarre and monstrous looking ones wondering out aloud what they would taste like.

It was romantic to imagine that I was, for a moment, a native Cretan expertly selecting locally sourced products for my seafood platter tea, but to be honest if it doesn't come either breaded or battered I am ashamedly at a bit of a loss, but it's nice to dream......... 

Yesterday I spotted something in one of the more boutique type shops in Georgioupolis that made me smile and immediately think of Darrell and Hugh. 

At first I thought they were just a revival of the old style fifties swimming hats, of which I am sure Hugh would not be at all adverse to wearing when taking the plunge to protect his hair, however on closer inspection they were in fact zipped "purses". 

I can tell you now, if he had have seen them he would have let out one of his theatrical "Darrrrrrrrrlings", grab one and then parade up and down declaring he'd found his new "man bag".  

However, I am not encouraging Darrell and on this occasion did not make a considered holiday gift purchase. I don't think Evesham is quite ready for this type of fashion accessory, if I take home any presents they will have to be of a much more traditional type Greek nature.

Greek Baked Comestible Pleasures.

As you know, I VERY MUCH appreciate a Greek Bakery and all the comestible pleasures they behove  .........

.......... and, as such, it has become part of my holiday routine to pop up early to make a few considered purchases before I hit the beach and, more importantly, before they sell out of their most popular pastries and cakes.

I am gradually working my way through trying them all.

Let me just say that their vanilla custardy slices are a triumph .......

........ and their doughnuts are certainly not to be found lacking in their mahoooosive size ............

......... and as for the honey cake, it's so laden with said sugary substance that I usually have to follow its eating with a gentle swim to help relieve myself of it's stickiness which, try as I might, always seem get myself absolutely covered in, no matter how careful I am.

And, as for the receipt ....... it's just almost too romantic to see that I have consumed such a lot of undecipherable loveliness!  What am I like?

Supermarket Shopping

My most favourite supermarket in Georgioupolis is Anna's Supermarket just off the town square, where I tend to pop in after my evening meal to pick up a few little things for my packed beach lunch the following day. 

Their local cheese is soooooooo impossibly romantic. Hugh, Darrell's best friend, mentor and all round artistic and cultural inspiration would probably go absolutely bonkers if he ever saw it and would no doubt have a few choice pieces shipped over for one of his exclusive star spangled dinner parties.  

Anna also purveys fill your own bottle of local wine from the barrel for around 2/3 euros. I admit to have sampled quite a bit, but have yet to make a considered purchase, to be honest a small sample per night is probably enough for me ........ happy days!

One Soap Ingredient Too Many

Before we all went our separate summer ways Darrell asked me to "keep an eye out" for anything new in the way of authentic Greek beauty care like what they have in the supermarkets and gift shops.

Every year he always returns with half a suitcase full of something "innovative" that he believes/hopes will help stop or at least slow down the pruning process as he calls it.

You name it, he's tried it, from just plain olive oil on it's own, to olive oil with lavender, pomegranate, donkey milk, lemon myrtle & may chang, eucalyptus and peppermint, organic and inorganic ............ to name just a few ............

 ........... believe me, they've all been on his face, feet, bum and all the bits in between at sometime or another.  What is he like?  -

Yes, quick change here for the observant ones among you, Mr D in particular, a case of new day, new shop, clean t-shirt ........ AND new soap ....... to help complete my story  ...........

However, this is a soap tooooooooooooooooooo far and will not be duly purchased. Darrell must never know of its existence.  If he ever wants to cover his face (or other regions) with snail slime there are more than enough snails crawling up the outside walls of The Towers to do that, pickled in olive oil or not! 

Dinner A Deux A La Grece

Over the years Darrell, Nigel and I have encountered many cats on our Greek odysseys, however  until now, it has to be said,  I haven't really made any great effort to interact with them ..........

....... but, eating alone as I am each evening I have to admit it is a little extra company of sorts ......

....... and I know it's not really encouraged ........

....... but on this occasion it was quite nice to have someone to share my spit roast lamb with, as it was a rather large portion.  However, fear not, no simian/feline bond was formed and as such I will not be spending thousands of pounds on flights, quarantine and vets bills etc. to bring "Stavros" as I temporary christened him, back home with me, this was just a holiday bromance, as Darrell would say!

I Finally Get To Light My Candle

Last night, before I had my evening meal in the taverna opposite, I finally got to pay my respects to the main church in Georgioupolis ......... 

....... it did not disappoint.

It was truly, truly stunning ...........

I am just sorry my pictures did not do it justice.

It gave the impression that it was quite new, the paintings that covered the entirety of the walls and domed ceiling appeared to be very clean and fresh, however, I couldn't find any information on it's history anywhere .......  perhaps I can do some more research when I get home.

However, I did finally get to light my candles, one for Darrell, Nigel and me and the other for all those we can no longer send postcards to but who are no doubt still looking over us and seeing what we are all getting up to, bless.

A Trip To Rethyminmon

I may not be able to pronounce it, but I still managed to book a taxi to take me to the nearby big town of Rethyminmon and collect me again afterwards ........ 

I am soooooo proud, I almost feel like a local!

I know I could have caught the bus, but I am not quite that brave a first time foreign solo traveller just yet!

It has to be said Rethyminmon did not disappoint.  I arrived towards the end of siesta time, so I was able to take in the sights while it was reasonably quiet ........  if not still very, very hot.

I do love a quaint Greek alley way ..........

........ and town square ..........

...... and of course a Greek church.!  I would have loved to have gone in as is my way, but there was a mass/service going on and I didn't want to be responsible for turning all the heads in the congregation with a distracting creaking of the door, no matter how romantic and atmospheric said creaking. On this occasion I shall just have to light my candle elsewhere. 

I did a little mooching, but was very restrained in my purchases especially as I didn't think Darrell would thank me for a evil eyed dream catcher, no matter how tempting, as it would most probably upset the aesthetics of his carefully put together interior decor ...... although, bless him,  he would never tell me but just discretely hide it away after an acceptable amount of time on display had passed.

I decided that a Greek pick and mix would be a much safer option .......... it would also be a gift that keeps on giving as the flavour of each sweet would be a complete mystery until sucked, as I didn't have a clue what I was putting in my bag, I just went for colour!

And when the heat finally got the better of me the historic Venetian harbour was a wonderful place to enjoy a cool drink before I got my taxi home.

As I watched the sun setting with my shot of raki, coffee and complementary nibbles it was almost too, too, too romantic.

Darrell would have loved it .......... and I promise, I really am missing both him and Nigel ........

......... but I am also relishing being alone with my thoughts and drinking everything in own my time and in my own way .........  in pure unadulterated Cretan bliss.