Crete in September

Agios Nikolaos in the sunshine, a cruise ship towering above the harbour, people milling about enjoying their lives, and enjoying all the flavours of the Mediterranean. What a great moment in time!



Sorry about the sound quality, but there was a lot going on in Agios Nikolaos yesterday.
I shot this video, while I was waiting for my friend, Pauline. When she turned up, we went on a mission to buy me a new dress. I wanted something special to take to Washington in October. Well, I knew just where to go. There is this shop in Agios Nikolaos, that has the most fabulous clothes. Clothes that I have always thought, Jane, when you have the means, you will buy a dress from that shop. And that is what happened. I found just the number.

So, tomorrow, David and I are heading back to London to attend the Empower Network seminar. On Friday evening we shall meet our American friends, socially, and on Saturday, we shall be brainstorming and learning about the exciting ENV2 mobile blogging platform.

Crete in September has been very magical for us. We have had a wonderful break, and now it is time to get back to London, and up the pace a bit. It is easy to do that, knowing that we are going to return to this beautiful island in November, to spend another few weeks of Mediterranean life.

I will fill in the gap by posting some of the pictures that I have not had time to put up on the blog. So please keep logging in to see what is new from Crete. And follow my progress in building my team of Greek internet marketers. This is my new passion, this is my new mission, to lead as many people as I can to the lifestyle that they dream about having.

Have the best day of your life, talk again soon,
Love Jane xx

My Book, Tears from the Sun - A Cretan Journey, is climbing in the ranks, have you read it yet?

Gunshot in Vrahassi

It's a little unnerving to hear gunshot, wherever you are, but it is not so unusual in Vrahassi. In fact nobody bat an eyelid when the first three cracks rang out. It could have been murder, someone shooting his dog, a happy raki burst, a funeral or a wedding. In this case it was a wedding, being held in the middle of the village, at one of the small churches. We didn't see any sign of the bride and groom, or hear anything but the gun fire. Otherwise it was a very lazy Sunday afternoon in Vrahassi.



Earlier in the day David and I went to see some friends in Kritsa, another colourful place.

There are still a few women sitting in the shadows with their crochet. This statue typifies the industrious ladies of Kritsa.

And today I am tripping off to Agios Nikolaos, to pay the electricity bill, and to meet my friend, Pauline.

Our little holiday is almost at an end, but the good news is that we shall return in November, when we shall be giving a business presentation of Empower Network, in Heraklion. AND THAT IS VERY EXCITING!

If you are interested in being at our meeting in November (date to be fixed) then please let us have your e-mail, and we will contact you with the details.

Click this link for more information

I am looking forward to being back in Crete in November, and to meeting our new Greek Team.
Bye for now,
Love Jane x

My Book, Tears from the Sun - A Cretan Journey, is climbing in the ranks, have you read it yet?

Heraklion Is Such Fun!

Well, while top political people were being imprisoned in Greece, I was out and about in Heraklion, enjoying the sunshine and the many crafts that were on display at a super outdoor market in the center of town. See if you can get a flavor of my day. Imagine the smell of local cheeses, meats and herbs that filled the air as we walked around.



Please go to my You Tube channel and click 'like' and subscribe.

I only have a few more days left in Crete, so I'm going to make the most of the time I have left. Tomorrow I shall visit Kritsa, and on Monday, Agios Nikolaos. Oh, and I think there is something special going on in Vrahassi tomorrow morning, I hear the village will be full, full, with tourists from a big hotel in Sissi, so I had better get my camera ready, and have a handful of cards to give out. I feel a marketing opportunity coming on! 

Talk some more tomorrow,

Love Jane x

Bail of 10,000 Set for Murder Suspect

18 Year Old From Sissi, Released on Bail of 10,000 euros.

The 18 year old boy from Sissi, who was together with two other young men, one from Neapolis, and one from Agios Nikolaos, on the night they brutally murdered an old man in Amigdali, has been released on bail of 10,000 euros

.

He told the prosecutor that he was drunk, and that he was driving the car, the other two asked him to stop in Amigdali  saying they had a job to do. He claimed that he stayed in the car and waited. When the two returned to the car they had blood on their hands, and he says that is when he learned of the crime. He denied having any involvement in the murder.

The 18 year old is restricted from leaving the country, and must appear twice a month at court. Bail was set at 10,000 euros. The other two are up at court on Thursday.

I thought you might like a follow up to what is happening in the murder case which I reported in my previous blog.

I gather there was an almighty mother of a storm in Vrahassi last night. I hope you kept your roofs on! Anyway, now all that is out of the way, and the full moon on the 19th, I recon it will be sunshine all the way for the next two weeks. Yippee! Break out the sun bed, David.

Only one sleep to go, great. Let the next adventure begin. So, I shall be reporting live from Vrahassi in the next few days. Watch this space.

And if you would like to watch a video about the exciting new blogging platform, that is going to revolutionize my blogging capabilities, and let me blog directly from my mobile phone, watch this: 

AND CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN GET STARTED WITH THE ENV2

Can I just say that the co-founder of Empower Network, Mr David Sharpe, is not my David (though I think there is a resemblance) nor is he our son. Our name does not have an 'e' his does. But he is a fabulous guy, just the same as my David.

You should look into this brilliant way to make money on line. It isn't for everyone, I agree, but we are having such fun, and meeting such a great set of people from all over the world, while at the same time, building our business.

Got to go now, last minute packing to do. Bye for now,
Jane x

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU.

I am now living in England, but still have strong ties with Vrahassi, so thought it would be a good idea to keep this blog going through 2013. 

This might be of interest to you:

The Anglican Church in Crete

part of the Church of England Diocese of Europe

                                        is pleased to announce a                                                         

Service of Holy Communion

On Sunday 13^th January at 11.00AM

to be held in the Church of

Agios Charalambos

Agios Nikolaos

by gracious permission of His Eminence, Metropolitan,

Nectarios, Orthodox Bishop of Petras and Cherronissos

All are welcome

For further details or directions please contact

                                Reverend Michael Crawford (0030) 698 691820

So, all the best for 2013 I shall be posting from time to time with any hot gossip that I have.

Love Jane x 

Odd Poets, Musicians and Dancers, Entertain in Agios Nikolaos.

Founders of the Odd Poets of Crete, Jan and Jane.

My poem The Old Cafeneion Chair, brought a few smiles!

Kyria Maria, who is in charge of the Cultural Committee of Agios Nikolaos, and Kiria Paroula of the Lycium of Greek Women, opened the event.

I played Chariots of Fire on the keyboard, suitably wired for sound, together with Caroline on the flute.

That went down well, then I changed hats and became Jane the Poet again!

I had strong competition, Ola read one of her favourite poems, in Polish.

Barbara read in Russian

Ania read in Polish, and Natalia in French (Sorry I don't have a picture of Natalia)

Then we had a little sing along with Jean and Brian

Followed by fabulous Greek music and dancing

The ladies were accompanied by Dimitris Thrapsaniotis.

A few Mandinathas (Greek poems) from Dimitri Kyriakakis.

A rendering of a part of Homer's Games of Reconcilliation) by Gavin and Daniel.

And local poet Gill, read her poems, The Flower, and Experts, in English.

And in between it all The Emerald Trio played a little Irish music.

Then we all relaxed and enjoyed one last dance before the sun went down.

                                           

                                                                  What a splendid evening it was, my debut in the limelight at Agios Nikolaos. Wow! Where to next? Oh and I forgot to mention that the Mayor of Agios Nikolaos was in the audience too. V.I.P's no less!

You are cordially invited to a free event

IN THE SPIRIT OF THE OLYMPICS

A production by The Odd Poets of Crete for the Municipality of Ag. Nikolaos, sponsored by INCO

An evening of Poetry, Music and Dance,

by the Lake in Agios Nikolaos

Sunday 24th June - 18.00 to 20.00

...and that is why I have not blogged for a week. I have been busy getting it together for next Sunday. At least my music and poetry has taken my mind off the elections. Well we shall soon know the outcome. I intend popping down to the cafeneo tomorrow to get the latest from the street. So, I will blog again when I have a few photos and comments from my neighbours. Unitl then, have a good weekend and jot down in your diary to come and support The Odd Poets of Crete next week in Agios Nikolaos.

Hugs,
Jane x

The Island - Spinalonga

Andonis the Barman made sure we didn't go thirsty and he had a lovely smile!

The Island - Spinalonga

The little church of St George, a great place for a breather.

 I was up early this morning to collect my relatives from Stalis, and take them to Agios Nikolaos where we took a day trip to Spinalonga. The boat left at 10 a.m. and returned at 4 p.m. The price, 25 euro included plate of salad and a barbecued pork chop, an apple, and a glass of wine or juice. We also had to pay 2 euro each once on the island to look around. The boat that we were directed to was The Lato, a pleasant enough boat, but all the other passengers were either Russian, Polish or Dutch and there was no English commentary. When I made enquiries about having the information in English, a very nice Greek lady did come and explain the timings of the trip, and what we had to do should we want a vegetarian lunch. Once on the island we were on our own but that was OK as I did know quite a bit about the history of Spinalonga.

The Walls of the Old Venetian Fortress

This was our boat, but we were not alone!

Greeted by a huge glass cross as we got off the boat.

The Gun Turret

First we walked around the island, it is not far, half an hour's walk at the most.

The Grave Yard on Spinalonga

There were lots of black flags flapping in the strong breeze.

After the trip around the island of Spinalonga, we took the boat again to a small, sandy bay, where we could enjoy a swim while the crew prepared lunch. It was my first swim of the year. I worked on my tan and enjoyed being a tourist for a day.

I think I shall have to work on my tan!

Olympic Flame in Agios Nikolaos

My friend Jan reading the prayer for the athletes at the Olympic games in London, when the flame came to Agios Nikolaos on its way around Greece before heading for Britain. I think she did very well. The dancers too were excellent!

Olympic Flame in Agios Nikolaos

Την Παρασκευή 11/5/12 στις 3.00 μ.μ. στη Λίμνη η υποδοχή της Ολυμπιακής Φλόγας στον Άγιο Νικόλαο 

Friday 11/5/12 at 3 p.m. at the lake, Agios Nikolaos

National Day in Agios Nikolaos

David and I had a splendid day in Agios on Sunday. We got there early, while most people were in Church, and had a coffee in the square. Then we took a frontline position to watch the parade. It began with the entrance of the Scouts and Cubs. They made a dramatic entrance to the sound of loud, clanging church bells. Then the priests arrived, and the Mayor and other important people. I don't have the name of the man who recited his poem, it was popular with the crowd, written in mantinatha style, and very long. Then, piped brass band music rallied the marchers, who proudly paraded up the main street, into the square, and down towards the harbour. When it was all over, we sat in the sunshine and enjoyed a glass of wine before heading home. The day went without incident, though there were a few orderly demonstraters. There was a large police presence just in case of trouble, but they were not needed. So, on we go towards Easter, and the great Greek holiday.

Second Hand Charity Shop in Agios Nikolaos, Crete.

I spent the morning in Agios Nikolaos today. My mission was to locate the Charity Shop, which I had heard about. As you see, I did find it, in a very convenient position, just up the side of the big church on the road to the square at the top of the town. I also asked if there was a soup-kitchen in Agios, apparently not, but above the charity shop there is the KAPI (I hope I have spelled that correctly), anyway, the KAPI is an organization run for older people. It is a place where pensioners can go for a cup of coffee, and a chat with other pensioners. I am sure there are activities and the like organised for these people too. I was also informed that above the KAPI there is the office of Social Security, where those people who are desperate, i.e. have no money for food, clothing etc., can go and talk to someone who will help them.

Proceeds from the shop will go towards the social needs of the area of Agios Nikolaos, so, if you do have something to donate towards this good cause, or if you are looking for something to buy, do visit the shop - it is the only one of its kind in the town. And some things have been given by shops, and are brand new. I picked up a children's book, in Greek, but there are English books too, and videos and DVD's. Go and take a look next time you are in Agios.

Charity Shop opening hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day except Wednesday, when it is 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Weekdays, I'm not sure about Sunday).

Information supplied by my Greek teacher, Manolis. Thank you Manoli.

KAPI = Open Care Center Elderly
 
  The institution of KAPI created in 1984 by a legislative initiative funded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The institution has gradually evolved through local government, developed and expanded throughout the country which now reaches more than 900 work centers. The basic philosophy of the institution is to defend the social rights of the elderly. The services of the center aimed at men and women over 60 who live in the area of operation regardless of the economic and social situation.

Κ.Α.Π.Η. = Κέντρο Ανοικτης Προστασίας Ηλικιωμένων

 

 Ο θεσμός των ΚΑΠΗ δημιουργήθηκε το 1984 με νομοθετική πρωτοβουλία και χρηματοδότηση του Υπουργείου Υγείας και Προνοίας. Ο Θεσμός εξελίχθηκε σταδιακά μέσω των οργανισμών τοπικής αυτοδιοίκησης, αναπτύχθηκε και διευρύνθηκε σε όλη τη χώρα όπου φθάνει μέχρι σήμερα να λειτουργούν περισσότερα από 900 κέντρα. Βασική φιλοσοφία του θεσμού είναι η προάσπιση των κοινωνικών δικαιωμάτων των ηλικιωμένων. Οι υπηρεσίες του κέντρου απευθύνονται σε άντρες και γυναίκες άνω των 60 ετών που κατοικούν στην περιοχή λειτουργίας τους ανεξάρτητα από την οικονομική και κοινωνική τους κατάσταση.

Bye for now,
Love Jane x

SAINT NIKOLAOS NAME DAY TODAY

merambello news: Ο 'Αγιος Νικόλαος σήμερα γιόρταζε ...και ήταν πραγ...

IT WAS A TRULY WONDERFUL DAY IN AGIOS NIKOLAOS TODAY.

KRONIA POLLA to all with the name Nikolaos, I wish you a happy celebration.

Love Jane x

MUSIC ALL THE WAY TO CHRISTMAS AND BEYOND!

The little blond on the front row has started her Christmas by joining in with the Rainbow Choir at their annual carol concert. It was a last minute 'come and join us' but I put a bit of work in and hey presto, had a wonderful evening. We had a fantastic audience too, who turned out despite the freezing cold, snow, hailstones and high winds. Yes, it's winter! Great, I might get chance to wear my new wellies.



Love Jane x

A LITTLE HOLIDAY IN CRETE!

David's sister Nan, and her husband Lawrence, came to stay for a week. We had lots of fun, ate lots of icecream, and got to see some interesting places. The boat in the photo is called the Stella Nan, and as David's grandmother was called Stella, and his sister, Nan, we thought the boat was very special. Our visit to Talos gemstone shop in Agios Nikolaos was another highlight of the trip, and the Minoan palace at Malia was so worth the visit, even on such a hot day. Finally we said goodbye to our visitors today, hoping that the holiday did not tire them too much.

A big hug to take home to the rest of the family.

ITS NOT ALL MEATBALLS AND STUFFED VINE LEAVES!

David and I had a real treat in Ag Nik today. We ate the best grilled octopus that we've ever had, smoked duck and pear salad, and mushrooms with balsamic dressing. Then the fantastic puddings that you see. Yes, it was expensive, but it was our treat for all the hard work we have done over the past year. Of course, it is back to stuffed vine leaves tomorrow. Hey ho, probably much more healthy!

Two other things to mention: first my book is now on sale in the small bookshop in Sissi, and sencond, I received a telephone call from a member of the Sissi Cultural Committee, asking me to play cello at their musical event to be held in Sissi on 7th August (or 6th... or maybe 8th). Anyway the date will be decided soon. It promises to be a jolly evening with about twenty local musicians joining together to make a varied programme. Another little adventure for me and Valentino.

AND... Joanne and Jack and John arrive on Monday! Five sleeps to go. Cossies at the ready!