Thank you for happy birthdays in Comments and e mails. Margaret and Pam sifted the facts and correctly deduced that we are in Crete, scene of fierce fighting in 1941 (The Battle of Crete) and subsequent resistance. The Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday, this year, falls on Sunday next. And the musical birthday clue was When I’m 64.
We are not far from the famous Samaria Gorge, a treacherous 15 km descent taking at least five hours. At the end on the coast there is no road but boats take walkers to a point where taxis can be procured for ready money. Homan advised against this expedition but obviously honour demands that it be tackled. I was delighted to be told that the gorge is closed until mid-April.
Instead we walked down the Irini Gorge, a much easier 7 km that nevertheless took us 2 1/2 hours. It was quite impressive enough for me and a bit of a scramble sometimes. There were a few other walkers which was good as we shared a taxi back to our start point with a German couple.
Here are a couple of roadside shrines, alluded to yesterday.
We are staying in the nine bedroom Elia Hotel. It is like being in a private house with thoughtful and friendly hosts. George’s grandfather, whose picture hangs downstairs in place of honour, was a leader of the local resistance and George seemed pleased to be presented with my Charmed Lives book as his grandfather had, of course, known Paddy Leigh Fermor in the war. There are multiple terraces and places to sit out among the olive trees, an aid to writing blogs.
How lovely it all looks. I have walked the Samarian Gorge twice. The first time with my husband and found it hard going. Ten years later, with two friends, I thought that I might die as I stumbled towards the beach resembling a gallant Marathon runner who weaves into the stadium long after the race is over.
What I did love whilst in Crete was reading The Cretan Runner and using a map was able to track his brave resistance work in the mountains liaising with Paddy Leigh Fermor.
My father, at that time was serving in the RNR and involved in getting the troops off Crete to the safety of North Africa.
I long to go back there. No where are the herbs as good.
Still find your blogs the highlight of my days. Thank you.