Mardati to Kroustas,

Since January we have undertaken a series of hikes with friends Joan and Russell.

They normally take all day and always include scrambling, climbing, picnics, brew ups, getting lost and alot of scratched legs!!

We started this trek by driving towards Kritsa from Aghios Nikolaos. Just after Mardati, we pulled over and parked in a lay-by.

If you look carefully at the above photo, on top of the mountain centre left, you will be able to make out a radio mast....that's where we are heading, yeah!!

First hurdle is trying to get through the river without getting our feet wet...

You can see the mast clearly now and the first part of the walk is on concrete and is up a slow incline

First brew up, we sit in the church yard enjoying the wonderful sunshine.

As the track gets steeper, we enter an area shaded by trees where the flora enjoy damp and shade.

Looking over the Mirabello Bay, you can see the visibility is hindered by the dust laden breeze coming from the south, giving very pleasant temperatures for this time of year.
The track is an old donkey trail and as you may have noticed has now fallen into disuse.


This part of the walk is a little uncomfortable as these bushes have very sharp thorns, note to myself...cover legs up next time!!
Soon, we are back on a wide path and enjoying the fresh air and jolly banter..
That's Aghios Nikolaos in the mist!!!!
Over there is Sandy's house...remember the photos from the last post...how crystal clear it was!!
And here is the radio mast...I made it!
Here is a Snakes Head Iris. Below, is some almond blossom, the perfume was gorgeous!

We finally entered Kroustas...the village is 500 metres (1700 ft) above sea level. It's known for it's almond growing. Later in the year, the old ladies sit outside their houses cracking the almonds open, just as they've done for centuries.
Joan's wooden leg has decided not to work at this moment!!



Geoff's legs got their first airing!!
As usual, we had to peek in to some derelict houses, I do believe that's a sewing machine case balancing on that pithoi!

Look at the colours!! And the abandoned family photos!!


This is a very common sight at this time of year, trucks over laden with olive prunings...they are taken to feed the sheep and goats.
As we start walking back the air has cleared slightly and you can see the road the car is parked on way down below.
That is Kritsa Gorge beyond Kritsa...maybe one day we'll walk that gorge.
Last year I concentrated on the flowers of Crete but this year I'm going to tell you more about the walks/treks. But, as orchid season is just getting underway, I can't really leave this out...
This walk took us 6 hours, some parts were uncomfortable due to the stony surface. We stopped for a picnic at Kroustas.

Once back down again we all fell into the car and went home for a well earned glass of wine(or 3) and a lovely supper cooked by Joan... we slept well last night!!!!

p.s. Joan does not have a wooden leg really!!

Sewing at Sandy's

It was Sandy's turn to kick her husband out of the house this morning, as we descended upon her for our weekly sewing get-together.

Do you remember this stunning view from their house? This is how it looked this morning, gorgeous!

You too could wake up to this view, if your interested... look here
We have a new addition to our little sewing group, she is also called Chris, she's the Chris on the right, above.That's Chris on the left too...and Sandy's husband is called Chris .....
Above, is Judith on the left and of course, the infamous Sandy!!
'New Chris' has introduced us to a new technique. She does 'Drawn Thread Work', it's so intricate but very effective. She must have so much patience as you have to count the threads of the fabric..
She is hoping to complete 4 and make them into cushion covers.
This is 'Original Chris's' quilt, it's for her 2nd grandchild due at the end of March. She's hand embroidered a sweet little fairy in the centre.
This is my latest quilt, made from recycled and vintage fabric. I like it... It's going to be backed with a deep red cotton.
Above and below are Sandy's latest quilts, she's our most prolific quilt maker...

The quilt below was taken from the Shabby Roses BOM on Elefantz blog last year.
And, last but by no means least is Judith's....she's been working on this for 35 years...maybe she should take a leaf from Sandy's book....oops!! Sorry Judith!! Aww, that hurt!!!

20 Minuters

I recently joined a lovely little group of bloggers who have promised to craft for at least 20 minutes a day for a year. If you'd like to see more pop over to MarmaladeRose and click on the '20 Minuters' button. There's also a Flickr page dedicated to us.

For some strange reason I can't attach the button to my page at the moment but I'll keep trying.

I've got so many ideas and projects on the go at the moment my little note book is very handy...

This is a 'baktus', a traditional Norwegian scarf. It's very easy and quick to make. I first saw them on here. I then looked them up on Ravelry, found there are loads of different versions. This one is made from sock yarn so it's light but soft and warm.
I'm now knitting a mohair 'spiral scarf', I'm using a simple pattern from a stash busting book my friend Judith lent to me (thanks Judith..) This is also easy to knit and as there are only 10 stitches to deal with, I can sit in the evenings, by the 'somba' (wood burner) and enjoy clicking away to my hearts content.
I've just had a new consignment of this wonderful yarn delivered...you know who this is for don't you?? I've got a couple of projects ticked off in the Debbie Bliss baby books and will be starting something very soon....That reminds me!! I haven't photographed the last thing I knitted for the 'Bean'.
Quilt News....

For those of you who have been following for a while, I'm sure you will recognise these squares.

I believe this will be my first and last hand-sewn quilt!! I'm now starting to sew all the squares together so I'll let you know how it goes.

I've also cut out and sewn together a quilt using some vintage fabric, it's made up of 10 inch hexagons. I've got the backing fabric but I'm still sourcing the wadding, it's not easy to get over here and we've discovered it would cost in the region of 50 UK pounds to be sent by post....hahaha!!! `

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.