Mountain walk

Yesterday we were out on the mountains all day so the dogs are catching up on their sleep today.

It was very pleasant, as I think I mentioned on the phone last night. Still a little warm for Dave as he is not configured for doing much when it’s warm other than snore.
Peace has been shattered by the arrival, a couple of days ago, of a French camper containing a family comprising at least 3 small boys.
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Season’s End

It looks as though the tourist season is very much coming to its end.

The last ‘guests’ left the camping yesterday either heading for home or for other parts of the island. In the afternoon we enjoyed an extended lunch attended by the camping personnel and Alex and I, ‘resident guests’ all 6 of us including Adi’s girlfriend, a German from Köln.… Read the rest

Cretan Front – demanding afternoon

We have just emerged from one of those mediterranean lunches which seem to go on forever.

Alex and I had already eaten a salad with Cretan olives, Cretan Feta, Cretan tomatoes etc and then we were invited back to eat something with Marco and some of the other people who work on the camping. There was an amazing fish soup with fish caught that day, in front of the camping.
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It’s windy today!

The wind got up in the night and so did Boris. He had an urgent appointment at about 04:00. Not that it mattered as I wanted to turn off my laptop which had been downloading Peaky Blinders from the BBC iPlayer Downloads site. I also have the first of Series 3 of Inspector Montalbano.

Unfortunately, here, it is not just a question of downloading the content and watching it when I want, as the BBC restricts access to programmes which are intended for the UK only.
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Everything is going swimmingly

Everything is going swimmingly here in sunny Crete. I’m quite busy doing stuff for people in England as well as doing my own research and personal edification.

The view from my office is without parallel and is so realistic that the sea actually moves up and down and people appear to walk along the beach from time to time.
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All quiet on the Cretan Front

It’s getting colder now that October is drawing to a close. Not so much during the day but at either end of it. This morning it was 16C outside and 17C inside. The daytime temperature is still around 24C, the sky is blue and there is plenty of sun. After the habitual dog walk in the morning, I tend to stay in the van until the sun comes round.… Read the rest

Another beautiful sunset

Today I woke up with a cold. Not a bad cold, so far, but I think it came from my former Austrian neighbour who arrived at the camping with one and developed it during his stay. It’s easier having a cold when it’s sunny and warm.

I played with my computers this morning and read my book in the sun on the beach this afternoon.
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Another demanding afternoon

Another demanding afternoon on the beach, at least for Boris. He decided that going into the sea to retrieve the ball was the task of the day so we have spent most of the afternoon with me throwing it in followed by him bringing it out. It was the camping guy who first started this activity since he was looking after Boris whilst I was getting Dave and a couple of other things I needed to do.… Read the rest

All happening in Lewes

It seems to be all happening in Lewes this morning.

We have just had lunch – another Alex masterpiece. Alex has now gone off to play on the beach. I suspect he will go over to the promontory and fall asleep in the sun. When he goes to bed early tonight, he will complain that he only slept for 9 hours continuously.
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Today is again lovely

Today is again lovely and started off with the usual walk over the rocks on the nearby promontory.

The sun was about to rise and the full moon, 180 degrees behind, was just setting in a violet sky – very attractive.
Yesterday was busy as there were still problems with Inter Sport’s Internet connection despite the false hope that it was working again properly.
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We are having weather today

Fortunately the dog food has gone down well as they have both just gulped it down and at €20 for 20kg it’s the same price as I was paying in UK.

I forgot to mention that I have revised my van and pitch electrical installation today. I have an electricity meter to record the amount I use, as the normal rate is €3 per day.
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Untitled

It is extremely windy although the promised storm for last night was a real flop. There was a little rain, it was a bit windy and there was a bit of lightening but hardly anything to write home about.

 

Today I have been helping Inter Sport with their on-going Internet problem and their provider seems to feel there is something wrong with the telephone line.… Read the rest

Rain

I see you are having some rain today. We are also expecting some together with a little wind. It will probably start late evening then go into the night. A possibility of some thunder too, which will be a lot of fun for Boris.

Boris has taken to going swimming in the mornings as we come back from our walk.
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It’s warm today

It’s still warm despite my predictions that a change of wind would bring cooler weather. I had all the windows of the van open last night as it was so warm. It was very pleasant as i could hear he waves, see the sea and listen to the cicada singing.

Today I did some washing this morning and chatted to my Austrian neighbours, a young couple who have a small son who has an enquiring mind.
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Greek (Cretan) Bread

We are having Thursday today as yesterday was Wednesday.

There are fewer people on the camping now since my German neighbours have just left to go back to Germany then work on Monday.
I have a couple of younger Dutch neighbours across the road but they don’t have a lot to say and look as though they are packing up too.  
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Is this bread Greek if it is made in Greece?

My Dutch neighbours, with the large new camper, have gone off.  They are probably fed up being next to the mad English guy with the dogs. I’m not certain that this camping is suitable for people of their calibre.
The sun is shining and it’s 28C. Boris is lazily gazing at the beach from his bed whilst Dave relaxes in the van.
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Shopping trip

We, as in Dave, Boris, Alex and I, have been shopping in the nearby supermarket. I need to enquire about dog food as well. I suspect there may be some complaints if we run out.

 We have olives, apples and lots of tomatoes.
Now I have an electricity meter too as well as some Dutch neighbours with a large, 2 year old motorhome and a small dog.
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Young Montalbano

I have just fished watching the 1st episode of Young Montalbano. I enjoyed it having downloaded it from YouTube where someone had kindly posted it.

You also get to meet Young Catarella too!
It’s been a lovely day of which I have spent most of it on the beach. The dogs are both exhausted by their exertions and currently competing in a snoring match.
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Swallows II (gulp)

The swallows appear to have continued their journey to North Africa as they can no longer be seen on or around the beach.

I took Dave and Boris out first thing as usual then had a shower. I did some washing with the help of Boris. A quick chat to the German neighbours who remembered me from last year and then some coffee before taking Dave to the beach.
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Swallows

Today Grammeno has been invaded by swallows. They have come here on their way to North Africa. They have been amusing me all afternoon as they fly, very low, between the trees on the beach. Sometimes they all land and sit in the depressions in the sand. They are not very large when you see them up close or in the trees.… Read the rest

What news?

I’m fine. It is sunny but rather. Dave is snoring in the sun and so is Boris

I was thinking about a cup of coffee and wondering if my friend Alex is going to appear soon.
The annoying dog somewhere in the distance is not barking and probably asleep.
No real news as such as I do not have Costa across the road with people imbibing.
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Message for mother

I don’t need another table but now I have two: one for inside, the other for outside. The outside one was already here and is a very large cable reel laying on its side. The cloth was attached to it by drawing pins. I cleaned it yesterday. See photo attached

I have seen all of the photos from the wedding and their holiday.
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Why doesn’t Crete have leopards?

Interestingly I encountered a pride/flock/gaggle of leopards whilst out walking earlier. They were quite tame although a little frightened of the dogs.

I have seen Emily’s photos and communicated with her too. She says it’s cooler in UK than in Madagascar. There were some lovely pictures and they appear to have had a wonderful time.
Crete is still warm although it was quite windy earlier.
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So there you have it

Fortunately leopards are now mostly extinct on Crete so we may all sleep soundly in our beds.

It is still nice and warm although we had a few spots of rain.
Some new Swiss arrivals yesterday are also in a camper towing a trailer complete with dirt bikes and small children – they don’t tow the children.
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