Midsummer

Remember these?   

My pretty May Day posy hung outside our front door, getting crisper by the day, until 20^th June when Kritsa held a midsummer event in the main square.  Looking dry and dusty, my posy joined many other ready for the ritual burning.  However, as the flames needed leaping (ancient fertility rite), one of the stewards kept the pile relatively small, adding more as they burned away.

Despite this level of control, here is a lad looking a little wary as he assesses the chances of losing his virility instead of enhancing it!

Here the steward, in national dress demonstrates how to leap successfully.

 With live music and a free buffet, including wine and raki it was a very jolly event.  For those who were extra hungry there were a ‘few’ pork kebabs for only €1 – they must have cooked thousands. 

 Sunday 22^nd June saw a classic car rally down by the main port of Agios Nikolaos.  The prized and polished participants were due to set off for Neapoli at 11.00 so we ambled down at 10.30 a.m. expecting to see a handful of cars.  Instead, the arena was full, and many people were enjoying the opportunity to browse among circa 60 vehicles.

Some good UK friends have one of these – must send them the photo!

 It was very hot when the first car set off, at the advertised time (quite un Cretan!) so we enjoyed a coffee in a shady bar to watch the cars pass.

 Here is Nikos in his lovely Lady.  Of course its off centre on purpose to show off the sea and sky.

After this, the temperature increased dramatically, so we adjusted our plans accordingly.  On the day we expected the mercury to tip 40c, we were on the beach by 7.45 a.m. fora picnic breakfast.  

You would think that as long the weather stays like this, we'd confine our adventures to those found within a book.  However, as I write this Alan is 'somewhere' up a mountain on the back of a very large quad bike...

Chronia Polla (Χρονια Πολλα) Rodanthe

9th June is the Name Day for all Greek girls and women called Rodanthe when they are wished 'Χρονια Πολλα' (Chronia Polla), like 'Many Happy Returns' on a birthday.

Even though I'm not in Crete this year to celebrate I'll raise a glass, say 'Yamas' and dream that on this day in 2015 I'll be celebrating the event with a wee celebration for my book about Kritsa's most famous Rodanthe, now know as Kritsotopoula (Girl of Kritsa).

Below is one of my favourite photos of the relief sculpture of Rodanthe in her disguise as a male rebel at the point where her secret is about to be discovered!  The carving, sited at the 1823 battle ground, was made in local stone by Kritsa's resident sculptor Nigel Ratcliffe.  Cretans love to give people nicknames, and with a big nod to Michaelangelo, Nigel is known locally as 'Angelos'.