Ladies Night Success

Our ladies night last night was a total success. The bar was full and everyone chatted away and made new friends while they viewed all the beauty products. And while Carol demonstrated a head massage (which costs 55 euros in the hotel where she worked last summer) the whole bar was silent to help the volunteer to relax. Georgie sat in a corner and jumped to it every time one of us wanted a drink, I think he thought all his birthdays had come at once being surrounded by all that female flesh. Next week we hope to have a hairdressing demonstration, models wanted!

It tippled down with rain again today but not until lunch time, by which time I was in Ag Nik and George was way across the olive groves thwacking trees to his heart's delight. We both got very wet!

Yesterday David discovered that several olive grove roads were totally impassable after the rain on Saturday. The little ford that we cross on our monastery walk had collapsed down into the stream so I shall have to take a closer look before the next walk.

It was day 8 of my no drinking purge yesterday and I have to admit to succumbing to the odd dram last night. There you go. Anyway back to it today. The trouble is I'm not drinking so much but I'm eating more chocolate. Better get running up that mountain.

I'm in early tonight so I'm off to bed in a minute with a good book. I bought some new glasses today (off the shelf ones number 2) so maybe now I shall be able to see the print better. Tomorrow it is choir again at 10 and a couple of offices to visit for David's work. I'm still waiting for the new door and windows to be fitted at work but I've ordered my computers and want the office to be up and running in the next week or so.

Bedibyes time, yawn, yawn, tomorrow's another day.

Anavlohos Archeaological Site

And that was a fandabidosey day!

I wanted to do a testy walk to check out the path, timing etc. so I asked a few friends to join me. I think the pics say it all. Even the vultures circled overhead to give us an extra special treat.

If you are interested in a trip I shall be leading groups up every week. The view from the top is stunning but for me the Cyclopian walls (Doric) were something else. The whole mountain top is one huge site and the excavations are very interesting to view. I believe the archaeologists will be back (money permitting) to continue the dig sometime this year. We also spotted a wild orchid, cyclamen, anemones, sea squill, and lots of others. The area is littered with potsherds. I am told that at least 2 Minoan pots have been found. My next mission is to visit the museum in Ag Nik where finds from Anavlohos can be seen.

As usual we finished the walk with a cool drink, dolmadas, fava, salad and chips at Jane Guevara's Revolution Bar. If you are interested in any one of the walks which I shall be doing all through the season from March 1st to October 31st please get in touch for prices and group discounts. My brochure will be ready soon and hopefully in most hotels and travel agents round the area. I hope to open the office in the next couple of weeks.

Tel: Jane on 6945 872 472 or e-mail : Janesharp_creta@hotmail.com

WOMEN'S NIGHT TONIGHT MONDAY AT 8

Carol will give a demonstration of head massage and Rachel will be bringing her Avon Products.

Got to go and have a soak now. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Griffon Vultures in Selinary Gorge

What a fantastic morning it was in Selinary Gorge. The sky was blue, the sun was shining and as traffic intermittently passed on through the Gorge, Dr Xirouchakis gave a detailed talk about the colony of Griffon Vultures which he has been monitoring since 1995.

There are two types of vultures on Crete, the Bearded Vulture (also known as the Lammergeier) and the Griffon Vulture. It is the Griffon Vulture which nests in the rocks at Selinary Gorge. This habitat is ideal for the vultures because it is south facing and of an orange colour which they seem to prefer. There are, at present 30 to 35 birds in the colony. Each bird weighs approximately 80.5 kg with an average wing span of 2.6 mtrs. Apparently the birds in Crete are slightly smaller than the ones in the rest of Europe which have an average wing span of 2.8 mtrs.

At the moment (February) the eggs are incubating. The vultures sit on the nest for 140 days from December through to April when the chicks hatch. At 2 months the young are left by their parents to fend for themselves. Unfortunately in July the strong winds are the downfall of many of the young who are not strong enough to stay in the air and are smashed against the cliffs. Many are found in the sea, others are unable to find enough food for themselves. Of the 80/90 nesting pairs on the island only 50/60 young are born each year and of these only 25/30 survive. At present there are 12 nesting pairs in Selinary.

The Vultures feed on the dead carcases of goats and sheep and 10/15 vultures can feed on one sheep. They eat very quickly and can down 1.5 kg of food in one go. This of course takes some time to digest, approximately 36 hours, and the birds cannot fly straight after eating, they do not necessarily eat every day. Food, these days is becoming more scarce as flocks are being watched more carefully by the shepherds. This has resulted in the birds adapting to eat other dead animals. Having fantastic eyesight (they can see between 10 cms and 1 km) they can spot food easily whilst soaring high over the mountains. Griffon Vultures have no problem flying at a height of 3 km but they can fly much higher and an aeroplane pilot reported seeing one at 11 kms.

So, between now and August there is plenty of activity in the Gorge as the vultures are nesting and producing the next generation. I really enjoyed listening to Dr Xirouchakis and learning about the Griffon Vultures of Selinary. There is more info on Google if you wish to see better pictures etc.

You see, life isn't all 'revolution'. Or is it?

Now, about this none drinking thing. Thanks for the comment about death from none drinking it really cheered me up. I don't actually feel any better for abstaining at the moment and I hope I am not doing irreparable damage to my arteries by going without (the extra water will probably calcify my gall or something) but I've set out on a quest and can only hope I'm still alive to see it through. Today is day five.

I've time to write today because it's absolutely tippled down since the middle of the night. That means no olive picking for George and (getting very Greek) I'm not going down to the bar because it's too miserable for anyone to be out especially me. So, it's a day at home with Dave, and because it's Saturday I have the computer and the man is relaxing on our very comfy sofa with a good book. Speaking of good books have you seen the 'verybestaudiobook' sight that I recommend. Take a look in Links opposite. For me with bad eyesight they are fantastic and I don't have to worry about having the light on in the bedroom late at night.

And talking about bedrooms - I am informed that a door has been ordered for the en suite. Maybe next week we shall order a bath. Only five weeks to the deadline. David thinks I'm joking about leaving him if I don't have a bedroom by the time Jo comes and I think he's calling my bluff (on the other hand it may be his way of getting rid of me). OUCH!

Maybe I'd better do a bit of work, got brochures to write not to mention the book which I still haven't sent off to a publisher. So, bye for now, and should you be a publisher who is interested in a work of fiction about a poet who is visited by the spirit of a Minoan Prince who is searching for the reincarnation of his Princess, and all that happens in the now and the then, then drop me a comment. (Film rights go without saying).

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Selinary Water Fest

Thanks for the comment Percy. What a damned good idea! We should all stop drinking alcohol for 40 days and cleanse our bodies. I shall have a 40 day Selinary Water Fest in the bar, will you be my first customer? (I am on day four and not feeling at all cleansed yet).

Meanwhile I'm keeping busy. I'm off in a minute to take Georgy Baby into the olive groves where I shall leave him to pick olives to his hearts content until I pick him up again this afternoon. I shall be taking a group of people around the village on a trial History of Vrahassi walk and then back to the bar to do a spot of cleaning ready for the Quiz Night tonight.

(Thanks also M & J for your comment, hope to see you soon).

Love Jane x

P.S. A full report of my Vulture watching experience yesterday coming soon!

Vulture watching

Good morning all you fans out there in the cosmos (just in case this goes on to outer space). The wonderful life of Jane Guevara surges forwar(would you believe just at this point there was a power failure and a lot of words like 'bastard' being hurled about the room). I'll try again.

Good morning everyone including the wonderful electricians who almost spoilt my surging forward. And what am I surfing the wafe of life towards? Well, this morning I'm off to meet Professor Cr Stavros Xirouchakis of the University of Crete at Selinary where a small group of us from 'Friends Meeting' will accompany him on his regular monitoring of the Vultures which nest in the crags. All exciting stuff, eh! I'll report later.

Greek Class as usual at 2 p.m.
Quiz Night tomorrow night in the bar starts about 8.30 ish.

I hope to open the office below the bar on the 1st March so I'm getting a bit bossy organising this and that. I went to the OTE yesterday for a paper which I need for the internet line and as I'm not getting and OTE line they were very reluctant to give me the paper. Anyway I stood my ground and got it in the end. So, just to let you know that if you get anything that sounds like "you can't have internet in Vrahassi," or "you will have trouble with internet in Vrahassi", or "the lines won't take internet in Vrahassi", just explain very politely as I did. "Look," I said, "I already have internet in my house, my friend down the street has internet, a few doors away another friend has internet and on the main road not far from my office there are two more houses at least with internet, so don't tell me that I can't have internet in Vrahassi." It seemed to work.

OK, I'm off to get ready for the jolly old bird watching. If you've time check out my new links they may be of interest to you. Click on link on right side of page.

And don't forget if you know any musicians Saturday night is Jam night at Jane Guevara's Revolution Bar.

Byeeeeeeeeee!

Clean Monday

Yesterday was what is known as 'clean Monday'. It is the last day before the 40 days leading up to Easter which we call Lent. The tradition here in Crete is for families to go out into the countryside, party and fly kites. As Vrahassi was dead yesterday, George and I decided to head out and find some action (and that we did). We ended up at Milatos which was as crowded as Manchester high street one week before Christmas. Every restaurant was full, full. Kites were flying and the sun was shining. David joined us when he'd finished his computer work and we all had a jolly time. Then it was back to the bar for Ladies Night, and an even jollier time.

Now I hope I can do this, and I am really going to try, for lent I have decided to give up alcohol. I need to get fit for the summer and think this would be at least one step. I wonder if I can persuade George and David to join me (probably not).

I have Greek conversation classes from 11 in the bar so as it's pushing 10 now I think I'd better get ready. Byeeeeeeeee!

Anavlohos Walks

Well, I started off my looking at bathtubs on the internet just to give me an idea of what's available. That put me in the glums right. Expensive or what! Oh, sure, I'd love a Zen bathroom with a soak tub but I would be so busy trying to earn the money to pay for it that I'd never have time for a soak. Free standing baths are fantastic, but where whould I put the champagne glass. Sunken baths look wonderful but has anyone ever tried cleaning one without leaving footprints. I looked at corner baths, round baths, square baths, baths with taps in the middle, baths with taps at the end, baths with no taps, baths for one, baths for two, red baths, orange, baths, green baths, stainless steel baths, and even baths with built in lights, (actually I really liked those, a sort of 'glow in the dark' experience). Anyway by the time I'd digested all this information about baths which I couldn't afford I had run out of time to actually go to the showroom at Ag Nik. Oh, well, c'est la vie!

Yesterday morning I was all on edge because I knew that Inga was coming to do the Monastery walk with me. When I saw her husband, Manolis, had come with her it was a double 'on edge'. I knew that this was serious. Manolis and Inga are Alma Tours of Agios Nikoloas and here they were coming to vet my walk for promotion in their new brochure. First we went to the bar to meet George, that went well, then it was off to the Monastery. They left at 2 p.m. very happy people and of course leaving me (and George) relieved and planning our future. Inga will return next week to talk terms. Anavlohos Walks will soon be up and running!

Meanwhile tomorrow, Monday, I am to test out the Village History Walk, we shall set off at 12 noon so anyone interested just turn up at the bar. Vrahassi is such a wonderful place to live. This morning I have to get the monastery keys back to Papa Georgos who so very kindly let me have them yesterday. Then Dave and I shall go to Latsida where we are picking up an office desk from friends there who have done us a swap for a quantity of our olive oil.

All part of life.

It's such a different system here to England. Yesterday the funeral of my neighbour's husband took place. The funeral here is almost always the day after death. The undertakers brought Stavros home where he lay in the open coffin surrounded by his family and friends until the bells began to toll. He was then carefully carried down the hill to the centre of the village led by his nephew who carried a tall cross infront of Papa Georgos and Papa Nikos. There must have been a thousand people following. The service lasted over an hour because of all the people who came to pay their last respects.

Before the funeral I had to go to the house with three candles and sit with the coffin for a while. It isn't an easy thing to do but it is the custom here and if I hadn't gone it would not have been good at all. It is something I have done many times over the years but for old people. This was so sad, so very sad. But life goes on doesn't it?

I'm going to look at new bathrooms this morning for inspiration for our back bedroom. Tonight is quiz night at the bar and tomorrow I shall take a walk to the Monastery again.

Grey day in Vrahassi

When I wrote 'Two Weddings and a Siesta' a few days ago I stopped after Two Weddings and...
and something grey crossed my mind. When the guy that talks in CAPITALS paid a visit to one of our neighbours yesterday, I remembered that moment.

Sadly, Stavros, the man who supplied us with raki, our next door neighbour's son in law, husband of Katerina, was found dead at his work, age 45. The whole village is in mourning and the funeral will be at 4 p.m. today. Our heartfelt condolensces to his family.

George was in shock last night, running here and there trying to find out what exactly happened. Some say a heart attack, but there are others that think foul play was involved. Stavros was a security guard for a big hotel. I shall find out more today.

The Greek class will go ahead as usual.

Unfortunately last night's Valentine Party had to be cancelled but those who did turn up enjoyed the company, just no fancy dress or dancing. Our new TV saved the day as background sound and Carol's cornish pasties were delicious. We'll try for a party another night.

I am off to Neapolis market at 10 to get some fresh vegies, meeting the 'Friends Meeting' group for coffee at 11 and then back to the bar. It's cold today but fine.

My shoulder is playing up probably because of the cold and I seem to have got very fat lately. Blood tests for thyroid pretty good on the whole so OK for another 6 months. Dave banged his head on a low beam yesterday and he also got stung by a bee, so it wasn't his day but he's back on form today and working as hard as ever. Over the past few days he has been laying a concrete floor in our back bedroom, which I have to report is taking shape. I'll soon have to decide whether it's going to be a corner bath or a normal one. As ever I think it will depend on the money situation.

Only 6 weeks' to seeing Joanne and Jack, that means only 6 weeks' to having a bedroom in the house, yipee!

More later.

Wedding Photo's

Vassili and Poppy were married in the ancient church at the Monastery of St George. No pomp but an absolutely beautiful ceremony.

The 'stroma' (mattress) party started with almonds on the bed. It ended with hundreds of euros covering the quilt. (Think I aught to have a belated one). This young couple seem to be starting out with everything.

Two different weddings but the boiled lamb was the same at both. (Very tasty if you like boiled lamb).

News Bulletin.

Maria has sold her grocery shop to Paravolia the other grocer in the village. Maria wanted out because she has not been too well of late and then her cateract operation caused her a lot of trouble.

Weather

Cold, damp and windy.

David has offered to take me out for a pre-valentine's drink so we're off to find some action. More later. Byeeeeeeeeee

Official Office

George and I had a meeting with the Mayor last week to establish the correct procedure to acquire our patch of outdoor land on which to put tables and chairs. Mr Sfirakis was very helpful and then he pointed out where my office would be. "But I have an office," I said, thinking he had got the wrong end of the stick about my 'Anavlohos Walks' business. "Oh no," he said, "this will be your office when liasing with the English about Council business." So, there you have it, I seem to be entering local government, but I think it will be some time yet before the office is up and running, at the moment it is full of 'stuff'.

Meanwhile my office under the bar is slowly taking shape but I am still waiting for doors and windows. The computers are on order, the paint is coming today and I need a piece of hardboard to put a false wall between me and the sink. (Well I need a place to hide)! Then there is the book shelves to put up. My phone line is in and I'm almost ready to go.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and we have decorated the bar in readiness for our PARTY NIGHT. Just the music to sort out now. If you are reading this DON'T FORGET FANCY DRESS. It is Carnival Week so we are combining the two. There will be Carol's Cornish Pasties on sale to stave off the munchies and lots of Love in the air. Hope you can join us.

Greek class Tuesday 11a.m. absolute beginners
Tuesday 2 p.m. intermediate
Thursday 2p.m. somewhere in between the Tuesday grooup!

Friday night is Quiz Night
Monday night is KWRG (ladies night) next Monday we are migrating to Malia for a change, details later.

I really want to start a JAM session night, where anyone who plays an instrument can come along and be among fellow musicians. I have a very good accoustic guitar, an accordian, keyboard, tambourine and even a triangle. So I would like to invite all musicians to come to the bar on a Saturday night, to either play my instruments or bring your own. If you are interested just turn up or if you prefer, contact me by e-mail: Janesharp_creta@hotmail.com or phone 6945 872 472.

AND CALLING ALL POETS - how about a get together once a month to discuss your work and mine? Contact me if you are interested.

Well that seems to be enough to keep me busy for a while. Can't wait for all you people to come back to Vrahassi and liven us up a bit. I suppose I'd better be getting down to the bar. It was late when I left last night and George was drunk and in a mood (nothing changes) my parting words (as I hurled the keys in his direction with every intention of knocking his bloody head off) were... well so bad that I can't write them down here. I suppose we shall be back to normal this morning.

Two Weddings and a Siesta

That was all very enjoyable but a bit of a meat fest. The do we went to last night was the usual 600 ish gathering. Dance floor in the middle, lots of Cretan music, wine and boiled goat (or lamb) and speghetti. All very enjoyable, nice to see the fashions of the day, the men enjoyed the young girls' heaving bosoms as they did the fast circle dance and George got me up a couple of times to dance with him. The bride wore a very beautiful white dress throughout the service and evening. These do's are always a bit strange. The bride and groom never appear until half the food has been served and at first you don't know whether to start eating or not. Most people tuck in straight away but being British you think, is it proper to commence before the bride arrives, then after about an hour or so you think, oh what the hell there's food and drink on the table so let's get on with it, which we did. George was very happy because the groom was his nephew. The mother of the Groom looked very tired but still doing her hostess bit, she must have worked so hard for days. First there was the 'stroma' party a couple of nights before where the future marital bed is made up in the finest lacey quilt (all white of course) and people go and crowd into the bedroom and throw money (paper) onto the bed. There is food and drink and dancing until late. George and I went but Dave bowed out of this one. We got home from the wedding for 1 a.m. which was remarkably early for a wedding do.

The point was there was a second wedding today at 11 a.m. which we were invited to and really didn't want to miss. It was the wedding of two of our neighbours, not a young couple, both in their fifties. It took place at the Monastery of St George and was a much smaller affair, about 40 guests. As opposed to the pomp and ceremony of the big wedding last night, (there were no silver waistcoats, no shepherd gunfire) this wedding was so beautiful that I shed a tear. We all huddled into the old church, candle light only, while Papa Georgos took the service. He didn't have to hide behind the big gold-backed bible while the rice was thrown at the couple as they walked around the small altar three times, last night there must have been a few kilos hurled at the happy couple but today only a small shower. It was all very emotional and am so glad that we made the effort to go. The reception after was at Lefteris Cafeneon (brought back a few memories) but Leftie was nowhere to be seen. The new wife to be was well in charge but she didn't smile once nor even came out from behind the counter from where she shouted her orders. The whole family, including the bride, dished out the food which again was boiled lamb. David and I left after the cake and came home for a lovely relaxing afternoon.

So, now it's back to the bar to see if little legs is OK. It is very cold tonight so I don't really expect much trade. I will post some pictures tomorrow when David has downloaded the camera.

Byee for now.

Wedding Bells

Hi,
Here I am rushing again. The Church Bells are on the edge of 'clang' and my bath isn't even run. I'm not panicking really... Ahgggggggggggggggg! Just got to blog a bit 'cos it's been days.

What has been happening? Well let's work backwards (what's new). Last night we had the first of our Friday night is Quiz Night evenings, and what a success. The bar was buzzing, the music was good, we had beef stew and rice and excellent company. It must have been OK cos people didn't go home until 2 p.m.

The Thursday Greek Class was good too and after we had a chance to look at some gold jewelery brought by a member of the village who has a gold shop in Thesalonika.

We launched the 'Jane Guevara Revolution Club Loyalty Card' with lots of sign ups to earn points for a discount and advertised the Valentine Party for next Wednesday.
Really got to go now, fingers won't work any quicker and running out of time.

New very beginners class starts at 11 a.m. on Tuesday 13th Feb. So if you want to join come along. More about that later.

WE'VE A WEDDING TO GO TO...

Snow on the mountain

Well it had to come didn't it? Winter is here. Vrahassi is cold, damp, even hailstones yesterday. I feel like hybernating until spring but I've got plenty of warm gear, thick socks, boots, wooly jumpers. Vrahassi seems very grey at the moment. Doors are closed, heaters are on full blast. There is a coating of snow on the mountains opposite and when the sun does peep through the clouds it does look very pretty.

We held the first meeting of the KWRG (Kriti Womens Revolutionary Group) last night in the bar. We were five and hope to recruit more next week. We shall hold a fund raising event week after next and see how it goes. It's a fun club really and our aims and objectives are simply that, to have fun!

I'm a bit hung over this morning, first time in ages, think I'll cut out the booze for a day or two. Saturday night we shall go to George's nephew's wedding, 6p.m. Vrahassi, then on to a do in Sissi. Sunday morning 11 p.m. we are invited to another wedding in Vrahassi so it looks like a full weekend.

The bar is quiet at the moment but we have lots to do to get the office ready. Still waiting for new doors and windows.

Greek class 2 p.m. today so better get going it's nearly 12 now. Actually I feel like going back to bed, oh dear!

Jane Guevara's Revolution Bar

THE 'REVOLUTION BAR' IS NOW OFFICIALLY OPEN - YEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!WHOOP! WHOOP! WHOOP!
And our very first customers were Papa Nikos and Jill. Who knows what plots will be hatched in Jane Guevara's Revolution Bar. There have already been one or two. For starters the KWRG is to meet every Monday evening at 7 p.m. Kriti Womens Revolution Group, first meeting Monday, 5th February.

Tomorrow, SATURDAY 3rd Feb we have the COFFEE AND CAKE MORNING 11 A.M
MONDAY 5th Feb 12 noon VILLAGE HISTORY WALK (Wear good shoes).
TUESDAY 6th Feb GREEK CONVERSATION (Intermediate)
THURSDAY 8th Feb GREEK CONVERSATION (Beginners)
WEDNESDAY 14th Feb VALANTINE'S CUM CARNIVAL CUM MOTOWN HAPPENING
That should be enough to be going on with. Inbetween I've got Choir, piano lessons, and a bar to run. (Well to run after George who is running the bar)!

We are really happy with the Revolution Bar and all our customers seem to like the place. It gets better every day as we add new pictures and posters. Very soon the landlord will be putting new doors and windows downstairs so that the building looks better and I shall be creating an information office cum book exchange cum central reservation for Anavlohos Walks. All exciting stuff!

So, see you all soon, I'm off to get my feet done (Sue Chiropodist) this afternoon, had a wonderful massage and facial yesterday (Carol of Neapolis) just my eyes to have tested now and a few little shopping expeditions before it's all systems go for the summer.

(Bye the way, the bedroom has come to a standstill again but I am assured that it will continue in a couple of weeks' time).

Check out this site it really is the very best: http://www.verybestaudiobooks.com/and it saves so much stress on the eyes.

Also recommended is http://www.alternativecrete.com/