There used to be an old house on this plot. It was knocked down in a couple of days by a big excavator and most of the stone has now been carted away. A temporary drive up to the plot has been created and the road up past the big church will be blocked while work is in progress. Still, when the new house, which is being built there, is completed, it will enhance the look of the village - the less derelict property the better. It is good to report an improvement to Vrahassi. Work continues on the extension to the graveyard; a beautiful new wall has been built around the perimeter. And, the hole in the road in front of the minimarket, has been filled in - hooray!
Well, houses are falling down and there is still a little bit of graffiti, but the view from our roof terrace, to Dia Island in the middle of blue sea, is just so fantastic, that all else is forgotten.
David and I enjoyed the company of the Mayor of Gouves, Mr Yiorgos Nikolakakis, at the launch of Mr Lou Duro's poetry book, which has been translated into Greek. It is available from the offices of the Khronicles newspaper and at various bookshops throughout Crete. David (hidden talent) was asked to read a couple of verses in English, and he did very well. I got into conversation about religious dogma, with a young priest, Papa Dimitri, of Gouves. I also managed a few words with the Mayor. So, between religion and politics, poetry and music (of the wandering minstrel type) we had a thouroughly enjoyable evening. The venue was a delightful little restaurant, with open fire, called 'Katafigio', on the road to Anopolis from Kokini Hani. It is the first time that we have been there, but I am sure it won't be the last.
This is Rethymnon just begining to trim for Apokrias, the Carnival weekend, which is 14th February. After rehearsal of the Philharmonic Orchestra, David and I pop in to Kokkinos, the pizza place overlooking the square. We love our Friday evenings in Rethymnon. 
