In the Mountains of Crete (across from Vrahassi)

Yesterday David and I took a trip into the mountains, up past the Monastery of St George and on towards the lower slope of Selena. A French company has been given the first permissions to build a wind farm up there. What a shame if that beautiful, natural countryside is scarred by the errection of wind turbines. Personally, I think the area should be designated a National Park, and that should include Vrahassi and Anavlohos. The abundence of wild flowers, the natural habitat of the Griffon Vulture and other wild birds, the fact of being able to visit a piece of this planet where it is possible to be at one with nature, are all reasons why this area should be protected. I know I am not alone in thinking this, and I only hope that we can find some way of stopping the proposed scheme.
Sorry about the shake on the video, but the road is very bad. It's a thought, but, isn't there any European money to help make that road better so that more people can enjoy the mountains. If it were a tourist attraction (and I don't mean to make it into a main road) then that may be another reason to make it a National Park, with proper signs, and regulations. It works in England where there are Park Rangers to help control things like litter, protection of species etc.
Selena is a beautiful mountain, a very beautiful mountain, go there if you can, and see for yourself.

Love Jane x

By the way, the lovely music is Rachmaninoff Cello Sonata, and I am going to listen to the whole thing while I do my 7 minute workout. Got to get fit to walk in the mountains.

Action Against the Wind Turbines!

The people of Crete are a proud people. Vrahassi people are proud people. I hope they are not powerless in their fight to stop wind turbines being put on their mountain. The beautiful countriside that surrounds Vrahassi should be kept as a nature reserve. It is horrendous to think of roads being dug out of the slopes of Selena, of giant windmill being errected on the skyline, of precious oak trees being dug up. When tourists come to this area they come because of the natural beauty. They visit Sissi because of its beautiful harbour and pleasant surroundings. They come to Vrahassi to see the Griffon vultures, to walk the old roads and descover wild flowers, to sit in the centre of this traditional Cretan village and find the peace that a mountain location has to offer. What a tragedy if the proposed wind turbines change the face of this wonderful area. I wish the people of Vrahassi well with their fight against this happening. Cretan people don't give in easily! Vrahassi people never give in!

Love Jane x

Οι άνθρωποι της Κρήτης είναι ένας περήφανος λαός. Οι Βραχασώτες είναι περήφανοι άνθρωποι. Ελπίζω ότι δεν θα είναι ανίσχυροι στον αγώνα τους να σταματήσουν την τοποθέτηση των ανεμογεννητριών στο βουνό τους. Η όμορφη φύση που περιβάλλει το Βραχάσι πρέπει να κρατηθεί ως αποθεματικό της φύσης. Είναι φοβερό να σκεφτεί κανείς δρόμους να σκάβονται στις πλαγιές της Σελένας, γιγάντιους ανεμόμυλους να εικονίζονται στο ορίζοντα, πολύτιμα δέντρα δρυες να ξαπατώνονται. Όταν οι τουρίστες έρχονται σε αυτόν τον τόπο έρχονται λόγω της φυσικής ομορφιάς. Επισκέπτονται το Σίσι για το όμορφο λιμάνι του και το ευχάριστο περιβάλλον. Έρχονται στο Βραχάσι για να δουν τα Όρνια, να περπατήσουν στα παλιά μονοπάτια, να ανακαλύψουν αγριολούλουδα, να καθίσουν στο κέντρο αυτού του παραδοσιακού κρητικού χωριού και να βρουν την ηρεμία που μια βουνίσια τοποθεσία έχει να προσφέρει. Τι τραγωδία, εάν οι προτεινόμενες ανεμογεννήτριες αλλάξουν το πρόσωπο της υπέροχης αυτής περιοχής. Εύχομαι οι άνθρωποι του Βραχασίου να πάνε καλά στην πάλη τους να αποτρέψουν να συμβεί αυτό. Ο Κρητικός λαός δεν ενδίδει εύκολα! Οι Βραχασώτες ποτέ δεν ενδίδουν!

Με αγάπη Jane x 

My sincere thanks to George of Anablochos.blogspot.com for translating this post into Greek.

A GRIFFON VULTURE IN MY BACK YARD!

This short video is only part of the wonderful pictures I took today of KK8, an 18 month old vulture which was found grounded, and looked after by the Animal Welfare people of Malia, until strong enough to be released. It was duly allowed to fly away yesterday but seems to have got so used to human company, and fresh meat, that it came back for more. You will find a full report in the Animal Welfare newsletter.

KK8 flew away, but apparently did not go far. Later in the day she was found in the church yard and was picked up and transported to safety. If KK8 or any other vulture lands in your back yard, the advice is, please do not give food, and after a short while the bird should fly away. If there is any concern then telephone your nearest Animal Welfare organisation.