Reasons to be Cheerful

July so far has been a series of delightful experiences!
First there was Anna's 50th birthday party. She had invited us personally when were at the Jetée on Ruth's 60th, when she said that husband Sifi (not short of a bob or two!) wanted to make it a big "do" and that quite a few of her Australian family would be there. We were surprised, though, when in the days before some posters went up, thus making it a very public affair. No price, no time, no mention of the catering, and even the bar staff seemed confused! It was a very hot day, with strange wave movements, so we were happy to leave the sunbeds early to investigate. There were huge speakers and a mixing desk. The music was unremarkable contemporary dance, and in a short time dozens of local young people turned up. We decided we had got the wrong end of the stick and took ourselves off for some food, from where we could hear the music very clearly. A bit before 9pm we went back to Zygos, had a chat to Olga and Stephen, and decided this was a no-no function, but whilst we were distracted something changed and we suddenly heard music much more to our taste, and and in response out traipsed the youth! We went back in and spent a very pleasant evening, with Anna and the Aussies having a boogie to a really well-selected playlist. We left at about 1pm, and understand the plug was pulled by the police a little later!

.. and the next evening there was more! We had seen small posters advertising a session with Carl Wyatt and Archie Lee Hooker at (of all places) Azogires. The mind boggled at the descent from there in the early hours! But it transpired that they would also be at the Atoli on Sunday 3rd.  And it was a stonker! Carl Wyatt from Ireland was on all evening with a keyboard player and percusssion, playing Delta Blues; and later they were joined by Archie Lee Hooker, who is the nephew of John Lee Hooker. This raised the level yet further. The place was heaving, and the consensus was that we would have paid good money for the performance. It seems they were on holiday and did just three gigs on Crete! What luck!

..and on the subject of "cooking on gas"

.. last Tuesday was the day of the big fish soup! The Kandonites have regularly organised pilafi meals of chicken or goat at their favourite tavernas. This time - in part as several of the guests don't eat meat - we partook of the traditional fish soup. This can be bought in some Paleochora restaurants, but is best cooked in quantity. This one was for ten, but would have served thirty! Three British couples went up to Kandanos on the noon bus, to join A&P and another French couple. We ate in shade in the plateia outside the taverna of Ilios - who was a ship's cook for 11 years. He serves the broth and rice in individual bowls, and then the fish (red snapper in this case) and many vegetables are added to taste by the punters, and it just keeps coming! Delicious - and great value!