Our Small Place in the Cretan Sun

Sunday, June 02, 2013

The End of Our Greek Odyssey

After almost six years in Crete, we decided that it was time to return to the old country again. We had never intended to stay in Greece forever, and from the outset agreed to re-assess our lives after so many years. We wanted to experience the life and culture of different land, which we felt we have achieved, to a greater or lesser extent. It has been a fascinating experience and full of highs and lows. We were lucky to choose a beautiful small village where we were accepted as part of the furniture after a while. We met many good people and will miss the friends we made and the hospitality of our neighbours. Sadly, the current economic crisis seems to have noticeably dampened the mood of the country, and this is reflected in daily life. I will miss waking up to the sun shining through the shutters of the bedroom and to spend much of the year outdoors with the warmth of the sun on one's back (though I could give the searing heat of August and the mosquitoes a miss). I will miss the tranquility of the village and the kindness of the people. No longer will I have to saunter up to the kafeneon for my daily bread. So what happened to Rufus? Well, he travelled back to the UK in the back of a van with two other dogs and a cat. After four days on the road through Europe, he arrived safe and sound and enjoying his days in the Fen country, Alas, I never managed to climb to the top of Korda in the mountains after all ..... [Video footage of life in Vafes can be found on YouTube]

Monday, May 03, 2010

Buffy the Wolfhound


April 2010
Just to say that Buffy, our much-loved wolfhound-cross, died on Palm Sunday, almost to the hour when she arrived 3 years previously. She came from the Blue Cross in England and believe she was 12 years old.
She had a wonderful last few years here in the sun. Strangely, her nemisis, a large dog on the back on a daily passing pick-up seems to have gone to that great dog kennel in the sky as well. The village will be much quieter without her barking echoing around.

Sad.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

One Year On - a postscript

One year on – a postscript

Having closed our blog, I thought that I would make this postscript one year after we arrived on the island of Crete. I hope that some of my previous ramblings have given an insight to those thinking of moving abroad, to Greece or elsewhere.
Firstly, we have moved a long way since we came, with a house with three plastic chairs and an inflatable airbed, awaiting the appearance of Buffy and Rufus the next day. The house is now a comfortable home designed to live in a totally different world ... and climate. The air-conditioning is installed in preparation for the summer, and one of the rooms made into a “day room” for our siesta on hot days. Indeed we are planning a long porch across the back of the house to give us more shade and protection from the horizontal Cretan rain.
Buffy and Rufus have thrived with the help of an excellent local vet. I cannot speak more highly of Greek vets. The dogs join in the evening chorus of the other village dogs with great gusto, and also usually announce themselves to the working dogs on the back of passing pickups during the day.
Today, we reached almost the last task with the house, to change our electricity from builders’ tariff to domestic tariff. We had to enlist the help of the local tavern owner and his father simply to discover where the electricity DEH office was located, before wandering around the offices trying to find the right person, but everything was fine, even when the language appears to present a barrier. It was another good example of how perseverance is the watchword to cope with day-to-day practical tasks and dealing with bureaucracy.
For anyone thinking of moving abroad, I always think that if we can do it anyone can do it! Maybe not?
We thoroughly enjoy our new life in Crete, helped by the fact that work seems a million years ago now. I am pleased that we have gone through a whole year without mishap. What the future holds, who knows, but long may our life continue here
Highs and lows

HIGHS
The welcome and kindness of people in the village, and the patience of other people we have dealt with on the island
The somba which has kept us all warm this winter.
The beautiful island, especially the flora and fauna.
Cretan music and singing, much of it impromptu at the village taverna
Our own olive oil

LOWS
My struggle with learning Greek, in spite of having a very patient teacher.
Amazing heatwaves
The tree incident
Fighting a losing battle with the garden (but now won!!!)

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Goat pauses for lunch at the village war memorial



Well trained horse in Georgioupolis


Georgioupolis Beach - sheep on holiday


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Monday, March 10, 2008

Last photo


Rethymnon Karneval

more


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..another carnival photo


and they know how to Carnival - Rethymnon 2008


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Friday, February 22, 2008

Winter In Crete



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Winter Dogs in Crete



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Monday, January 14, 2008

Georgioupolis in Winter - sun umbrellas?