Up Into The Hills.

Today has been damp and grey but remarkably warm. 

I have spent most of the day working in the garden and have at last got the hedges under control. The escallonia hedge between us and the neighbours really needs its depth reducing but I won't do that until spring. More of the perennials were ready to be cut back (I'm too soft hearted to chop down anything that still has flowers). Bees are still visiting the lavender and I can see new flower spikes emerging so it will be a while before I can give the lavender a trim.

Both Pete and I have colds, probably picked up on the flight home. Pete's is of the streaming nose variety (it didn't stop him from going rowing this morning) while mine is more stuffy head and sore throat. I didn't think it would be sensible to go to choir tonight both for my sake and the other choir members so I sent my apologies this morning. 

And now for more sunshine- 

Although we spent a lot of time on the beach we did visit other places as well. One trip was to go up into the mountains on the 'Happy Train'. I've stuck the photo at the end of the post because it gives such an 'old folks on holiday' vibe but in reality it was the perfect transport. The open carriages let the cooling breeze in and made it easy to take photos as we trundled along. 

Having begun our journey in Elounda we drove back to Plaka where we stopped for long enough for people to wander round while we dropped our shopping off at the apartment. We then drove up the side of the 1,500 ft mountain that shelters Plaka stopping on the way to take photos of the views over Spinalonga and Mirabello Bay. 

Eventually we ended up on the other side of the mountain at the village of Vrouchas where we got out again. Our guide was knowledgeable and amusing at the same time. He told us that this church, one of two in the village, had taken forty years to be built by the villagers.

It had taken one man four years to do all the paintings holding the brush in his mouth as he didn't have the use of his arms. I'm not sure how long ago this was but the Greek govt recently restored the paintings.

This was the village meeting place with an amphitheatre where the villagers gather for music, festivals and celebrations. On the right were stunning views down the mountain to the sea. Even though the population of the village is only 125, many family members return for weddings, christenings and funerals etc.

This was the old village bread oven where everyone would have brought their bread and meals to be cooked. The other mural shows scenes from the days of wheat growing.

Then back onto our transport and further around the mountain to the even smaller village of Selles (pop 75). There we saw the ruins of one of the many windmills that were used to grind the wheat.

All along the roads are these roadside shrines or kandylakia. There are often placed to remember an accident but may also be to express gratitude or simply to indicate that there is a monastery or church in the vicinity. 

Note the wind turbines in the background. A sensible idea to use the strong meltemi winds that blow across the island.

Having turned around at Selles we went back to Vrouchas for a meal in the taverna. I tried to make friends with the taverna cat keeping my hand about a foot away from the pretty grey feline. It came forward to sniff and then gave me a good whack with its paw, claws retracted. Okay, no stroking permitted. After the meal it was back down the mountain again and we got off in Plaka rather than go all the way into Elounda and getting the bus back.

One thing we noticed was how pleased people were if we attempted to speak Greek. Pete is better than me at languages and could ask and answer simple questions. I stuck to a few phrases and greetings and was happy enough to be familiar with the Greek alphabet. Kalimera is for up until whenever you have your lunch, kalispera is for after lunch right through to the evening and kalinikta as with 'Good Night' is a farewell. We'd also read up on customs and how hands are used. Thumbs up or a raised palm should not be used instead thank you is shown by placing your right hand over your heart.

Here's the Happy Train. A good day out.