I haven't been blogging for a little while, because I've been on my holidays! I spent 10 days on Crete, staying at the gracious villa of two good friends of mine, near to Panormo. And it was just fantastic. I hadn't realised how much I needed a holiday - it was as if a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
The place itself is verging on idyllic. What can be nicer than to get up in the morning and sit on a terrace overlooking olive groves and mountains (it even makes up for the tea not being quite as good as I am used to!). The villa is set on high, surrounded by gorgeous bougainvillea, and the view just takes your breath away. The picture here is not quite the view, but it is pretty close. You can see Mount Psiloritis, which also provides part of the view from the villa.
Days were idled away lazing by the pool, walking amongst the ruins and swimming in the sea. There is something just so liberating about swimming in the sea, don't you think, even if you give the lifeguard a few anxious moments when you jump the waves and the riptide pulls you under. The people are friendly and the food just divine. Somehow eating fried cheese doesn't seem that unhealthy. And the raki! You learn to grade it so you know the difference between the palatable and the paint stripper, but when you are on your holidays, it doesn't really matter.
I explored a little more of the island this time, going down south to Plakias. This took me through some truly beautiful gorges, some of which I am looking forward to walking next time. And one of the nicest things for me are the churches that you just come across suddenly while out walking. You go in and they are just lovely - incense burning, icons on the walls. You just couldn't get it in this country, sadly. They'd be locked up.
If you haven't been to Crete you are missing out. Big style. Do I sound like I can't wait to go back?
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