"I must go down to the sea again"

On Thursday Ruth bathed in the sea for the first time since July! This provides the link between several strands in this account of the month of September.

Art Week captures Ruth's troubles!

Central to Greyrocks' month has been the slow recovery of Ruth's wrist. On Friday 18th we made what we deeply hope is our last ever visit to the Orthopaedic Outpatients at Chania Hospital for removal of the metal bits. The gory details be available soon in a separate document ("Let me tell you about my operation!"). Two days later the bandage could come off and Ruth was able and indeed encouraged to go into the sea. Unfortunately the weather gods had different ideas, and to date that occasion has been the only one.

 

 

Clock those night-time temperatures!

Peculiar weather has been the talking point all month. We started with a heat wave, much to the consternation of the typical older tourists who come in September to avoid exactly that! Down on the beach there was occasional sunbed rage and a panic to plant more. On the afternoon of the 6th Yiannis Sunbeds came over to Greyrocks' tree to report that his digital thermometer was registering 42.5 degrees Celsius. A week or so later the problem was several consecutive unbeachable days with winds of Beaufort 5 to 6. When Ruth was finally up for at least a gentle paddle the wind and waves made it ill-advised and then overnight the rain started. Monday to Wednesday saw repeated dramatic thunderstorms causing havoc, and only the one day mentioned has been viable. In particular Saturday evening started gloomy. Greyrocks decided to cheer themselves up with prime steaks at Cape Crocodile. We were early and Giorgos suggested a particular table somewhat protected by a palm-leaf umbrella. The place filled up - including a huge Scandie party - and then the heavens opened! The shelter available was completely inadequate and all the punters could do was eat fast and laugh! Next day the village shared stories of disastrous restaurant incidents, and dry seating was at a premium.



Casualties of the storm

.. and some beneficiaries - place holder!

 

 At least the weather was good for the ten day stay of Chloë and Jack! They stayed at Zygos and with it being Jack's first visit and him not yet being a natural beach bum they took trips! They booked to go to Elafonissi by boat, but that was cancelled as often happens apparently for reasons it would be libellous to state here! Next day they got there and back - more cheaply - by bus and said they wouldn't bother to go again! They did an overnight stay in Loutro by boat and loved it.

 

They also chose to go to Chania on the early bus rather than with us, so that they could look round the city, and they also rated that highly and will stay there again for a few days some time, We were all there for an overnight as their accommodation wasn't available for the night before the return flight, so we stayed and ate on the Nea Chora. Greyrocks stayed on to incorporate the dreaded hospital visit. A leaving present for Ruth was a fancy walking stick!

 

On the day between their flight and the hospital we went on a gentle amble round the quieter bits of Chania:- particularly the Turkish quarter, being reminded of a proud heritage and a shameful present!

 

Back in Paleochora half the month was dedicated to "Art Week". Now in its third year this event goes from strength to strength, with displays in many locations, a vast array of sculpture on the prom, pavement art, and most bizarrely an underwater exhibition at the little beach near Methixis. This was, of course, not something Greyrocks was going to inspect this time round!

 

 Apologies
 

 And at this point  - with text needed on the social whirl - particularly of the Yiayia Gaga Club - the demands of packing for departure have to take precedence and so this post will be revisited soon!

 

 Read on!