Daphne's Drivel

Today we had two very nice experiences of Cretan hospitality which really touched us. We did a good long ride today, and in a tiny village we made our first stop for coffees. We noticed there were several locals dining here, and just one other tourist couple. As the waitress delivered the coffees to our table, she told us that they had been paid for by a certain other customer as she indicated a distinguished looking older gent with a wonderful moustache seated at the table next to us with his three friends. We had greeted the four of them when we first walked in with a big "kalimera", one of the few Greek words we know, meaning good morning. Apparently they appreciated it. Of course we thanked him. They offered us some of the raki they were drinking with their Sunday lunch, but we declined given we were on the bikes and it was still early in the day! Frank and the man exchanged a handshake later that Frank said was the firmest he'd ever experienced!! The gentleman...

Strange weather seems to be following us! Although we had a beautiful day of riding yesterday and this morning on very quiet roads, it looks like it would be prudent to stay off the bikes again tomorrow. Here's what's coming tomorrow! 0 As luck would have it, we have just checked ourselves into a great litle studio apartment overlooking the torquoise but already turbulent sea in a village called Tsoutsoura, still on the south coast. So we might just have to stay two nights, darn it! Procrastination is another reason this idea is so appealing right now, as we know that as soon as we leave here we immediately have to start a long climb inland into the mountains, as the coast road ends here for now! Lots of agriculture on this section of coast. We've seen rows and rows of these poly tunnels, growing bananas and tomatoes. A peasant coastal section near Myrtos The pretty village of Myrtle. There's hiking here, and archaeological sites. Still quite busy ...

Yesterday we had an unplanned rest day on the south shore of Crete. Winds gusted all night and all day up to Beaufort scale 9 according to reports I read. That would mean wind speeds of 75km/hr and up. I didn't see any damage happening or any debris flying, but we didn't venture too far from camp. Definitely no cycling, and in fact driving a car wouldn't have felt too safe either. This guy stole my heart. He's one of the camp cats Our tent is sheltered under a wooden canopy Anyway, it was a good chance to chill out and do some reading. Luckily there is good shelter in the campground and our tent was just fine. We are the only tent campers here at the moment, but there are about eight camper vans here with us, owners all hibernating inside. Most are Germans and seem to keep to themselves. Even Frank doesn't have much luck getting into conversation with them! This morning, winds have died right down so looks like we'll be back on the bik...

Since leaving the lovely Sissi campground on Friday, we have ridden up and down lots of hills, seen many little villages and sampled some Cretan food and wines. Our bodies are holding up ok with the riding, but we did have a couple of nice rest days. These pretty, tall spikes were growing all over the rocky hillsides  A stop for refreshments in the village of Krasi The rich agricultural plains of the Lasithi Plateau high in the mountains still has some of the old windmills used to pump water for irrigation Stealth camp in an olive grove. The tinkling of goat bells could be heard all night Olive trees as far as the eye can ses The town of Agios (St.) Nicholas is a pretty seaside town that lured us to spend two nights there. Our map showed campground there, but we never did find one. So we found a decent room in a hotel complete with kitchen and a balcony overlooking the sea for €49. The prettytown of St Nicholas  View from our room at th...

They say bad things happen in threes. I think we just had number three. In June there was the van accident; in July there was the mountain bike theft; and yesterday we had another unfortunate mishap.  It was Day 1 of cycling in Crete and we were 40km or so east of the capital Heraklion when I suddenly noticed one of Frank's two rear panniers was missing off his bike. We both believed it could only have fallen off on the last short section of downhill and slightly bumpy road. So he rode back up that hill with no luck. He then asked a local guy to drive him further back up the road to search. Again no luck.  We were baffled. The last 2km was the only section that I wasn't right behind Frank. Coming down the bumpy hill was the only place he got out of my sight. So how did I not see the pannier on the road? Was I that focused on the road and traffic? These are decent panniers from MEC that seemed to have a good locking mechanism. How could it have fallen off? Maybe it ju...

After four days on the island, here are some images in a somewhat haphazard order. We didn't do too much cycling here, as it's a very busy, crowded place with narrow roads. But it was definitely worth the trip...it truly is a unique place. Vlychada and its volcanic cliffs, our favourite beach,  and not even that busy Red beach We tested this little Hyudai for one day on some  steep and rough backroads Artists must love Santorini 5 Sunset time in Oia The inland countryside Lunching at our little studio apartment in Kamari Sunset-watching is the thing to do in Oia. Just look at the throngs  lining the little streets all jostling for the best viewing spots The warm glow at sunset The coastline around Kamari where we stayed on the non-cliff side  of the island  where a room doesn't cost an arm and a leg Black sand beach at Kamari which got very, very hot to walk on Typical vines on Santorini. I fir...