Just a week after returning from Amsterdam, I’m back in an airport. Just yesterday, spring was beginning to appear, the grass beginning to grow and the blossom beginning to bring colour to the garden. Sadly, yesterday’s weather was not spring-like and a cold wind tempered the promises of what nature was expecting. Today’s a different story. I don’t know if it’s because I’m already 200 miles farther south or whether I’m in a different frame of mind. Maybe it’s just that I’m going to be combining three passions in one trip and my outlook has changed. Maybe it’s simply that the weather is better today than yesterday. Whatever the reason, at 07h00, the airport was quiet, check-in fast, security efficient, the waiting area comfy and the departure boards showing exotic places … Dubai …Port of Spain ... read more

Another hot day, but unlike the other days, this was a day of rest. I use the word rest advisedly as there is always something to do - but today, at least, there was an opportunity to take things a little more slowly. Today therefore, there are just photos ...... read more

Yet another hot and sunny day dawned. Yet again, breakfast consisted of yoghurt, fruit, eggs, bread, cheese, ham, coffee and fresh orange juice. Yet again, I smothered myself in sun cream and headed out into the open air. I walked through town to the bus station, stopping at an ATM, before purchasing a return ticket to Kalives. For the first time on this trip, I was heading east on the Irakleo bus and so, I asked the driver to stop at the Kalives junction, which I knew was roughly 25 minutes away, but wasn't aware of the approaching signs to the stop. Fortunately, a young lady was wanting to get on at Kalives, so the driver had to stop in any case. Getting off the bus, I found myself by the side of the wide main ... read more

Today was going to be hot. Not necessarily because the forecast had indicated a temperature over 30 nor because of the high predicted humidity. Rather, today's walk was going to be wild and lonely, through dramatic hills and gorges near the north-west coast of the Akrotiri peninsula, just east of Chania. Much of the walk was going to be hard and stony underfoot with very little shade. This was why it would be hot. The weatherman may have said 30, but that's in the shade. I was expecting to add another 10 degrees to that figure. My taxi arrived on time and soon I was heading towards the airport and up into the remoter hills beyond. It seems amazing that, this close to Chania, many visitors don't head out in this direction. Having paid my fare, ... read more

This morning was very hot. I had my breakfast out on the street, now that I was staying in Chania's Old Town. Although the sun had yet to reach my table, the air was already heavy and humid. After breakfast, I went for a stroll around town before heading up to the bus station and buying a ticket for Kalidonia, the peninsula just west of Chania. The bus turned out to be packed with locals heading to Kastelli, but at least the air-conditioning was working. Taking the old road, we passed through the holiday brochure version of Chania with its seaside resort atmosphere, tacky shops and karaoke bars. These thinned as we came into Meleme with its little airstrip and military cemetery. I couldn't but wonder how many of those enjoying the hedonistic offerings nearby knew ... read more