Barbaras Crete Pictures

Almyrida 2011 By Brian

Some pictures taken by Brian during our recent trip to Crete.

We Three go to Crete

   

Almyrida Crete

2011

Almyrida is a small village with a pleasant shallow beach nestling in the bay of Souda, with the magnificant  White Mountains in the distance.    The village is growing fast, and evidence of new construction is appearing.  Several shops cafes and taverna’s line the road that runs beside the beach.  The Airport at Chania is approximately 40 minutes Drive away   

Our holiday started around Midnight on June 21^st when our car arrived to transport us to Gatwick Airport for our flight out to Crete.    We had a smooth and uneventful journey, and managed to get some sleep.   We had one pit stop, and arrived around 4.30pm.  Check in was quick and efficient, and we had time to gather newspapers etc from WHSmith, I couldn’t believe the length of the queue but got to the end eventually.   We went through to departures, and duly boarded our plane, quickly settled and took off on time.  We had very comfortable seats, with extra leg space which was a bonus. The usual process of service began and before long we where landing at Chania Airport.  Once the doors were opened we where soon standing on the steps feeling the gentle kiss of the warm air on our skins, and breathing in the fragrance of Greece.   We boarded the bus for our short drive to the airport terminal, and once inside quickly cleared passport control gathered our bags, and out into Arrivals Hall to be met by our Representative, who gave us the paperwork, for our accommodation, and directions to our waiting taxi, a brand new Mercedes.  Once on the road, we enjoyed the pleasant views of sea and mountains, and 40 minutes later we arrived at Villa Artemes, we had a pleasant surprise, because we anticipated that we would be in the lower floor, of the two apartments, but indeed we were shown to the higher of the two with all round views of Almyrida. 

Our accommodation had three bedrooms, one double one single and one with bunk beds; this came in handy to store our cases etc.  Each room had its own balcony with stunning views from each.   A welcome pack of basic groceries, enabled us to enjoy a drink and make a sandwich, we then unpacked, changed into holiday clothes, and made our way down to the village, to pick up necessities like Beer and crisps.   Once back we all had a little sleep, then fully refreshed, we showered, and made ready for our first meal out.  We chose, the first taverna along the road, and enjoyed a wonderful meal of Lamb for Nick and I and Brian had an omelette.   After we had finished, we were served with some fruit and cake, and a little bottle of Raki, so       now we really were on holiday.  We then made our way back to the apartment for some welcome sleep

Simple Tasks

Simply Tasks

The other day, whilst making my favourite curry, I decided that my spices needed some organisation.  After rummaging around, for the required ingredients, and taking forever, my patience ran out, and I started to look at the various options.  I decided that I just didn’t have enough work top space to put a spice rack on, and looking in the catalogue of my Kitchen supplier I noted that they had a three tier rack that could be hung on the cupboard door.  So off I went and ordered.  I know on hindsight that I should have consulted’ the expert’ Brian my Husband. He would have immediately sat and thought about it, and therefore saved us a lot of time, read on...........

Yesterday, we collected the above equipment, it looked perfect for the job, and we couldn’t wait to get home and hang the thing. Brian set to the task.  It looked so simple just screw to the door and rack the spices.  As you know nothing works out as easy as that does it?  We discussed where I would like the rack placed, but it soon became obvious that the cupboard shelves needed to be realigned. So that meant unloading all three shelves of the cupboard, but each configuration meant that at least one of the tiers would not be able to hold a standard spice jar, thus losing some valuable storage space.  So we decided to place the shelves back into their original configuration.    This cupboard is a bit of a ‘tardis’ a corner cupboard, that holds an amazing amount of gear.  Of course it had to be emptied, whilst the shelves where being arranged.  My kitchen tops were full of the contents, and as I was going out, and had to make a chicken in red wine stew, I was busy chopping in the narrowest of spaces.  My poor husband was hunched in the most peculiar positions, whilst attempting removal of shelves, and I was left thinking was it all worth it.

Two Hours later  my stew was prepared, and gently simmering on the hob, with delicious smells erupting from it, Brian had finally fixed all the shelves back into place, and was busy measuring ready to drill the required holes for fixing the spice rack.  I was all ready in my exercise clothes ready for my Zumba Class, and at last things were getting there.  So off I went, and one hour later arrived home to find spice rack in place, and my stew ready for consuming (it was delicious).

I later busied myself, replacing the contents of the cupboard, and then at last placing my spices into the racks.  Time to stand back and admire, I could at last see at a glance all my various jars, cumin, paprika, feniguik, etc, all there for me to grab when needed. I also have the advantage of extra space in my cupboard to fill with even more kitchen clobber.  So yes it was an easy job, which took longer than it should, but now I see it was worth it, and I am now inspired to make my favourite curry.   My vegetable soup that I prepared today, was enhanced by the addition of some spices, and was very tasty, and now that the kitchen is tidy and back to normal I am very pleased, and just wished that I had done this job many months ago.  Of course the moral of this story is that before I set out on purchasing items that need installing, I must first consult the expert, and then perhaps I might have found an easier option.

Bingo

On Friday evening, I joined in  the  popular pastime, that of playing Bingo.  It was arranged as a social evening at  my local Health Club.  I have played Bingo a couple of times in my life, but not for several years so I was surprised to receive a set of books, each containing five sets of bingo cards on one page.  A little unsure as to what I had to do my friend explained the procedure.  She had come armed with a special marker pen, which glancing at her during play, certainly made playing much easier.  At last the Caller called the usual  'Eyes down and Looking',  and we were off.   Now I thought I had a good level of concentration, but my oh my,  how hard it was to monitor all 5 cards at once, I am sure if I had won, I certainly wouldn't have 'called'  in time.  First looking for a full line, then two lines, then full house.   I didn't come close to winning, but I have to confess I enjoyed the evening, a couple of glasses of wine, and a nice chat to friends, during the periods in between games.


I have thought about the evening since, and looking back, I noted that playing the game, is both good for concentration, and also for taking your mind off other things, becoming totally transfixed on the task in hand, that of marking off each number as they where called.  I think that had I played this game, whilst I was working, it would have been great for stress relief.   I can understand why millions of people play each week.   Certainly you get an adrenalin kick, especially if you are looking for just one number, excitement at the prospect, that you might win a prize, the power to switch off the brain and leave your problems behind, for a short while, and the social benefit of being with other like minded people, all having fun.  I certainly will join in the next session when arranged, and this time will definitely go armed with the special bingo players marker pen.  

Spring Cleaning

This is my first ever blog. It is a horrible foggy Devon Day, and at last I have just performed a task I have been meaning to do for ages.  I have cleaned out my cabinets and washed and dried an assortment of glass ware and ornaments all things I have collected in the short space of my life.  My morning as been spent locked in my memories, from my 1953 Coronation commemorative mug, to a recent trip to Greece.
  I think to myself, I must get rid of some of this junk, but as they create memories and take me back to times good and bad, I am reluctant to let them go.  So whilst they gather dust, and take up space, I think for a time they must remain. 
One of the items is a china tea cup and saucer, taken from my Mother’s house after she passed away.  Each one of my other siblings  one Brother and two Sisters, have a duplicate set displayed in their houses, so along with memories, of Mother and 'Home' I am also taken to them, and wonder what they are doing, being scattered between Lancaster in England and Ontario in Canada.
I have a selection of beer glasses, legally taken from various bars in Europe, including two very attractive ones taken from a ski lodge in  Scheffau in Austria, after a scary trip up the mountain on a gondola; we enjoyed a lovely walk enjoying the views, and beauty of this mountain landscape.  So before descending we enjoyed a wonderful glass of beer, and for no reason, I can recall, we seemed to break into laughter.  This trip helped me to overcome my fear of heights, and we continued to explore higher and higher, during this holiday. Other glasses collected, include those from our favourite holiday haunt, Kalami in Corfu Greece and two wine glasses given to us when we did The Wine Tour in Cape Town. South Africa.  We have tea glasses from Turkey, and a Rovers Return glass bought when we did The Coronation Street Tour, in Manchester.
I also have lots of little bits and pieces such has birthday candles, little gifts from the children, a couple of Union Jacks, A Canadian flag, and a Greek flag.  
So as you can see how can I possibly get rid of these items, I expect I will continue to collect, and moan regularly about the cleaning and dusting, that they create.  I have enjoyed my morning, looking back, and now I must look to the future, and make my lunch.  I hope this little blog is of interest, thank you for reading it.  Barbara