About Me

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Crete, Greece
Married to the lovely Geoffrey, my soulmate. I have two fantastic big kids,both married, whom I love and miss every day I'm not with them, but I know they're living and loving their lives and we make up for time when we get together.I now have three granddaughters too...

Sunday 31 January 2010

A Dilapidated Post

On Friday I went on a very long and strenuous walk/ramble with some friends. It took us 5 and 1/2 hours. Yesterday I was rather....tired!!
But it was well worth it and I thoroughly enjoyed it, the weather was fantastic and the company was excellant... Our husbands complained that we were too slow and if we stopped talking for a while we could walk a little faster, but of course that didn't stop us!!
I digress...
We ended up at a hamlet Geoff and I visited last year, Adrianos. It's virtually desolate, I think there's only a handful of old folk living there but some people return during the summer and the olive-picking season.
We stopped here for our picnic lunch and spent a little while peering into the windows and doors of desolate houses so this post is mainly photographs. I think they speak for themselves.....
Above is a bread oven in a delapidated house.

Just right for renovation...
Above is the outside kitchen of an old lady who has died and the whole place has just been left as if she's popped to the shops.
Below, is Joan telling me about when she used to walk past and the old lady would be sitting there, so pleased to have someone to talk to for a few minutes...





Above, another room, left just as it was when the occupant was alive.






I hope you enjoy the photographs as much as I do...It's such an insight into a Crete that very few people see.
I shall post the photographs of the walk/climb/ramble during the next week.

17 comments:

Daisie said...

It's all so pretty but seems sad too. Thanks for letting us all join you on your adventure. x

Lynn Cohen said...

I always love your travelogues through photos of where you are living in Crete. Love the blue doors, the peeling paint the walls, and rocks. all of it.

Cait O'Connor said...

These are amazing photos. I was struck by the bright colours and the sadness.
Thank you for showing some sunny pics anyway, all is white with snow here in Wales.

arosebyanyothername said...

A lovely walk without the effort. Such poignant pictures.

Pondside said...

What beautiful photos - especially the doors.
A ghost town is a sad thing. We have them here, especially on the Prairies and in mining areas, but the buildings are made of wood, so within years all that's left as evidence are the doorsteps and whatever lilac or rose that was planted at the door.

MyCretanlife said...

Great photo's Jude, pleased you all had a good day. Like the door pic's and that arch is smashing wish we had one.

Lx @ Twelve said...

Goodness, it looks hauntingly beautiful, and very evocative. Colours are beautiful, especially the blue...

Thankyou for the lovely comments

Love Lydia x

menopausalmusing said...

If only walls could talk, eh? A sad find, but nevertheless, such beauty there in the paintwork, the doors etc, and I would have loved to have photographed the tatty tablecloth..................

Jenny said...

I'm really envious of your lovely walks - how sad those houses are so neglected and there is no-one left to love them!

Andrea said...

Yes I love these photos - but they are a little poignant. Wow a 5 and a 1/2 hour walk - my knees are aching just thinking of it - lol !!

Ms B. Thrift said...

Beautiful photos, sad in a way that such a lovely home is now left to ruin i'm sure it meant everything to the old lady, but it's a lovely place for photos and also a testament to Crete, in this country an empty house would have sqatters, druggies and be set on fire and pillaged within days im sure.

bindu said...

How fascinating ... and sad. I love these walks around Crete that you take us on. And thanks for checking on me ... I have been busy and a little preoccupied with some things. Will be back soon. :)

MarmaladeRose said...

Hello Jude.
No you're not too late, I've added you to my 20 Minuters List. We all be popping by now and again to see how you are getting on, so we'll need lots of pictures! lol.
If you have time pop by and encourage some of the others on the list.
Looking forward to seeing your 'makes', will there be some baby things in the pipeline?

Loved all the photos in your last post, made me feel a bit sad though that the houses were left like that.

Twiglet said...

Love all your crafty bits - and your blog pics reminded me of a lovely holiday we had in Crete about 18 years ago!

Clare Wassermann said...

fabulous shots - it's the blues that really attract me - and yes I really would like some advice about hotels

Cheryl said...

What a walk!
I love these photos. I'm also intrigued by the old homes left untouched here. I haven't seen too many in my area, but I'm always game for having a look around when I come across one. Love this post, love it!
xoxo

ArtPropelled said...

I love these photos. Do you belong to Flickr? There are some great groups from Door groups to weathered wood groups and so on. Your photos would fit in very nicely.