Apokoronas Our Home

We started the day by having some friends round to "Learn Greek while you eat" The idea was that we show them some local Cretan recipes and as far as possible speak only in Greek in order to improve conversation and vocabulary.   Preparations Taking a closer look. Tasting the results  Later I went to Vamos school  where the pupils, teacher and parents were supporting the community by collecting clothes, food and medications. There was a slideshow and talk before music, Cretan, Jazz and Blues, again provided by the pupils and teachers. Testing the sound system  Setting up the band (s) The youngsters set out and served the food and drink provided by the parents  People arriving with donations  The Band  Donations of clothes  Donations of food Snacks were provided by parents and pupils I had to leave Vamos early to attend the cutting of the Vassil...

Even in these difficult times the villages of Crete continue with their traditional celebrations. Yesterday I went to the cutting of the "Vassilopitta" ( New Year's Cake) at Exopoli. We could see the lights on the church and the village hall from a long distance away The church was looking bright In the courtyard the barbecue was fired up and ready to go. In a side room the experts were cooking the pilaffi ( rice cooked with the juices of the boiled lamb) Mr Marikakis, the president of the "Syllogos" says a few words before cutting the cake. The villagers gathered together. The shepherds had donated a sheep, a farmer a pig, the ladies of the village donated spinach pies, macaroni with cheese and mushrooms and "Spetsofai" and of course a lot of local wine! The young people of the village helped to serve the food. Argyro and Joanna had  a special mention  for all of their hard work The cake was...

The weekend started with finishing the olive harvest. We were lucky with the "Halcyon days" which we nearly always get in January. The weather was warm and calm  - though there was a lot of dew first thing and we were able to finish the final field! Having finished the olivesI went home and had a bath to rest my aching back and got ready to go to the cutting of the Vassilopita at Plaka. The Vassilopitta is a New Year cake which is shared. A coin is hidden in it - not unlike our Xmas pudding - and the finder has good luck all the year. Often these days there is a prize or gift of some kind associated with it. The local priest also blessed the local community at the celebration.