Rules for running in Crete!



'Cretan Office' (before raki)

So, having decided we would run 3 times a week, we've now realised there are a couple of rules we should have considered before we started:
#1 - get up early and be running by 7.30am latest, otherwise it's too hot
#2 - don't drink raki the night before or you won't be able to adhere to rule #1 !!

So, yes you've guessed it, not only did we not run Monday, but failed on Tuesday as well.  However, we finally made it out this week on Wednesday and it was all the more worthwhile as when we got to Mochlos Mare (our now usual stopping stop), Panagiotis and Sterie were there and gave us a large bag of salad items, a melon and also invited us for a rabbit supper on Saturday (along with Stuart & Ivona).



Malia kernos
(not sure what it is, so must be 'ritual')

So, we'd had raki on Monday afternoon (!!) because we were doing some work down at the 'Cretan Office' (aka the Kafeneo at the back of Kokylia) and Nicki had given us first a glass of raki each, "to help with the work" and then a carafe because she obviously felt we needed it!

storage at Knossos
(we wondered if the pithoi jar shown
was filled with raki!)

Having not run on Tuesday morning, we set off to visit Malia (the archaeological site, not the 'party zone') and then Knossos, with Stuart and Ivona.  It was interesting (for us) to see what Ivona thought of the two sites, not being an archaeologist - and she said that Knossos was definitely the best for her, because you could gain an idea of what the site might have looked like (even though it's what Arthur Evans thought the site would have looked like of course).  Before (and after) we went round Knossos, we stopped off at Manolis taverna (first in the row outside the site and closest to the BSA where we have stayed before at the 'taverna' - slight misnomer for the 'hostel' that it is).  Manolis said he hoped to be coming over to Mochlos during the summer but it would depend on how business was going over at Knossos.  One of our 'small world' experiences when we met Manolis first and said we were off to stay at Mochlos, he replied that his girlfriend (now his wife) lived in the next village (Lastros), and he is very fond of the taverna's in Mochlos - especially Kokylia!
 

full moon rising


Tuesday evening we had supper at Kokylia and watched the full moon rising above the mountains, took several photos of which this hopefully gives some idea of the sight of the moon rising and casting light shadows on the water.



mountain goats

en route to the waterfall

Thursday saw us set off for our second trip to the Richtis waterfall, this time with Stuart and Ivona.  In contrast to our first visit on a Sunday, we had the waterfall to ourselves this time, which was lovely.  Our walk through the forest was shared with the mountain sheep and goats (sheep tails go down, goat tails go up), and they seemed intent on following us - or was it just that we were in their way?

Just us and the waterfall

wildlife in the forest
(Stuart takes the credit for this photo)

more wildlife
(also taken by Stuart)

To finish off on Thursday we went down to Bogazi for supper and Greek music (with our 'friends' Vagelis and Yiannis).  And to finish as I started this posting, Manolis gave us raki at the end of the meal, so guess what happened to our run this morning.................