Friday 3rd September: Took bus to Κολυμπάρι (Kolimbári). While waiting at bus stop met up with our elderly friend Βασίλης (Vasílis). He insisted on treating us to a drink while we waited for the bus to arrive. Really good listening practice as Vasílis has strong Cretan accent.

Our plan was to walk a circuit around several villages above Kolimbári. On the way we passed a shrine to Άγια Βαρβάρα (St. Barbara). Barbara is Karen’s middle name, so she asked me to take a picture of here there. Apparently, amongst other things, Barbara is the patron saint of people who are afraid of lightning!!

Sunday 5th September: We’ve been talking to Γλυκερία (Glikería), a lady who works at our hotel. She’s Albanian, but has lived in Crete for a long time and is married to a Cretan. G invited us to visit her village and we arranged the trip for today. G drove down from the mountain village, Δελιανά (Delianá), with her two lovely children, Νίκος (Níkos) – 12, and Στέλλα (Stélla) - 5. We all piled into her car and off we went.

I sat in the back talking to the kids (you never know when that Greek ‘small talk’ can come in handy!), while K chatted with Glikería. Went to their house first to have a drink, and so began an unforgettable day out.

Then, went for a walk in the local gorge. Níkos and Glikería picked wild fruit for us to eat as we walked.

Saturday 9th September: Arrived at the local ?afe?e?? (café) in Kastélli just after 11.00 a.m. to find a welcome party of Matína with a number of her friends, all very keen to meet us! K caught up with news of M and her friend Γιάννης (Yánnis), while I struck up conversation with M’s friend Νίκη (Níkki), her husband Δημήτρης (Dimítris) and their son Κώστας (Kóstas). Such friendly people! Níkki told me all about her family (she has seven grandchildren in various parts of the world; 2 in Bulgaria, 3 in Athens and 2 in Tinos!) She soon managed to gather details of my work, income and expected pension – all purely in the interests of comparison of course!!

Yánnis bought us all cheese pies, and Matína presented us with a large carrier bag of pears from her own tree – delicious!! Then K mentioned she had been looking at a set of really nice but rather expensive worry beads κομπολόϊ (kombolói), and Níkki promptly dipped into her handbag and presented her with her own set – these people are so generous!

Sunday 12th September: After a lazy start to the day, went into the village for some shopping and to settle down in the kafeneío for φραπέ, (ice cold coffee), and to write cards and diary. Had a light lunch and Vasílis came and joined us – our chance to treat him to a coffee for once! On the way home later, passed V’ house and were called over to meet his smiling wife Αντωνία (Antonía). Sat drinking orange juice and chatting with them.

Amongst other things, talk was about the Cretan diet (one of the healthiest in the world, apparently), forthcoming local elections and the lorry-drivers’ strike which was going on at the time. K did most of the talking, but I was delighted to find I was understanding quite a lot, and feeling increasingly confident to join in here and there. ‘Teach’ was really pleased with me!

Monday 13th September: Holiday almost over. Went to the village to get some final bits and pieces to take home. I wasn’t feeling well, so went to the φαρμακείο (pharmacy) with K and Liz, a retired doctor and fellow-student. I explained the problem to the pharmacist and L helped with some additional medical information (all in Greek of course!), and K hovered in the background in case she should be needed. She wasn’t! Appropriate medication received and instructions followed.

Vassílis spotted us when we moved on to the supermarket and came to ask us to pop into his house and say goodbye to Antonía. He’d bought choc ices, which we shared with them while hearing some fascinating stories about Antonía’s village in the mountains, how they met, their family etc. A delightful  couple.