Cretan Easter Barbecue

This was just the beginning of a party that went on well into the night. When David and I returned home from our celebration, there was music and laughter in the street. We had the best of both worlds, the only thing we missed was the football. Well done Chelsea! Click here to take a look at what we were up to.

Brits Easter Barbecue in Crete 2012

In stark contrast to our neighbours' barbecue, we Brits all took our own food, and Lydia and Mark provided their gas barbecue (Mark as chef), and Easter entertainment. It was a great afternoon, but not quite the same as Yannis' barbecued lamb and traditional trestle of village wine, Easter biscuits, and Cretan music. Click here for a little taste of it.

Poetry Workshop in Xania

A poetry workshop in Crete is a very rare opportunity. I was so pleased to be able to take part in the one given by Ruth Padel, a very esteemed English poet, writer and BBC broadcaster. The trip to Xania was well worth a three hour bus ride.Gillian, my friend and music teacher, came along with me for a little break. The workshop lasted for four days, so Gillian went off exploring Xania during the day, and we met up for dinner each evening.
Ruth Padel was such an inspiration. Her knowledge of poetry and how best to construct it was very educational, and every day of the workshop was intensive and thought provoking. We were seven students all together, all from and around Xania except me. And most were connected in some way to the Synagogue, where we met every day for four and a half hours, the Synagogue library being very conducive to writing poetry.
As a finale there was a reading of our work in the synagogue itself, in front of the Rabi and a small crowd of friends and relatives. Gillian came, and made the lovely video of my reading, click here. 
One of my poems in particular, The Doors, we had discussed in class. At first, though it was humorous, the Jewish words 'Oy Vay' (and I apologise if that is spelt wrong) were criticized as being too 'lowly' for the Synagogue. But the next day, those nearest to the Rabi advised me to leave the words in, saying that they thought Rabi Niko would surely think it funny, and as the whole poem was about someone who knew nothing about Judaism, than it was okay. Sure enough, I made the Rabi laugh!

After the reading, the whole group got together at a long table for wine and meze, and a good old relaxed chat. New friends were made, and it was a wonderful evening. I was introduced to unleven bread, and Gillian was introduced to the Rabi. We were asked back to play baroque music in the Synagogue, an event which I look forward to very much.

Christ is Risen - Agios Nikolaos 2012

This is rather a long video but it is a good one. I was tucked up in bed while all this was going on, so sound asleep that I didn't even hear our neighbours letting off their bangers at midnight. So, for me it was good to find a video showing what happens on Easter Saturday, midnight and after, in Agios Nikolaos.

Yesterday, I was more awake, and I enjoyed a barbecue get together in the centre of Vrahassi, to celebrate Easter, and Gavin's 60th birthday. David won a cream egg in Lydia's sweep, and a good time was had. (photo's later).

Hope you all had as good a weekend as we did.
Love Jane x

Poetry in the Etz Hayyim Synagogue Xania, Crete.

I enjoyed my five days in Xania, even though the weather was not good. There are more photo's to come, and I shall write a full report of the wonderful poetry workshop I attended. So, please be patient, it is Easter and I have chocolate to eat. Enjoy your weekend, wherever you are. Tomorrow I shall take to the streets of Vrahassi and feast on barbecued whatever comes. Kali Anastasi!

Ruth Padel in Hania

Love Jane x

I Doesn't Hurt to Dream

You may wonder what a Bentley Continental GT has to do with marmalade. Well they are both mine! I made the marmalade from oranges that were given to me by a friend whose tree was abundant with fruit. And the Bentley was given to me in exactly the same way. There is abundance out there, a glut of Bentleys just waiting to be distributed to worthy recipients. I was one of those recipients. My Bentley is blue, like the one in the picture. It has a leather interior with seats that are more comfy than any sofa I've ever had. It has surround sound that enables me to listen to rich cello music as I drive along, tons better than my computer speakers, and in the boot there is a picnic hamper complete with smoked salmon sandwiches and champagne. My driver, David, drinks Coca Cola, at least when he is driving. We cruise through Europe visiting all those capital cities that we have never seen, and we stay in the best hotels. Along the way I collect a whole pile of data about our trip and when we return home I write a book about it. 'Poetry is a Bentley'. My book is a best seller, of course, and I am invited to do readings all over the world. With all the money I make I help put a smile on millions of faces, inspiring them to live their dream too. And while I am doing all this David and I are having one hell of an adventure! Now you might ask, 'What’s in the marmalade?' My answer, ‘A zest for life!’ It doesn’t hurt to dream!

My Marmalade

Agios Nikolaos Join the Fight to Save the Oak Trees of Vrahassi!

 This isn't the best translation, but I got it from Google Translate, taking it from the account in Greek on the Anablochos blog, there is a link in the right hand margin of this page for the full account in Greek and pictures.


An objection to the Region for the hybrid in Azilakodasos decided unanimously yesterday by the Municipal Council of St. Nicholas
The first issue off the agenda was discussed yesterday at the City Council St. Nicholas submitted the issue of MPE for the hybrid hydroelectric power to "Koutralia" in the Azilakodasous Vrachasiou.
Opening the issue Kounenaki D. Mayor read the resolution of the recent Assembly Vrachasiou held by clubs in the area and said the community was right after all made in absentia, while the EIA is unacceptable not to submit for approval to any municipality. So said he recommends the acceptance of those listed and proposed to join the City of St. Nicholas objection together with the regional actors in the Environment Committee of the Region of Crete, which will be introduced for approval by the MPA the project.Then spoke the Dav. Director V. Hatzidakis, who read a text with the positions of the Democratic Rally for industrial electricity and stated that he agrees with an objection. The head of the Municipal Cooperation said that the party is not against renewable energy, however, sufficient to ensure the protection of the environment and resources of a region and said that he agrees with the submission of the objection.The ground taken and Aldermen and the mayor finally closing the matter said that the City has expressed that it is not against renewable energy, but the location must be done with vacant, a study and consultation with local communities, which is Currently not applicable and therefore suggests the joining of the objection.So the City Council took this decision unanimously and now must be set that will be drafted and filed this appeal.
It is worth noting that when discussing this topic in the Public Council, the hall was attended by many residents of Vrachasiou and Milatos (over 30) showing real interest in the local community on this issue without having to speak to a representative of the protest committee.Also attended by members of the Ecological Movement Miramvellou and solidarity Citizens interested in practice on the course of this important environmental case of Mirabello.

It is a very positive step, well done all protesters, and the best of luck! Jane x