A visit to lake Agia by Tom Ridell

Lake Agia ("aya") is one of Crete's less well-known beauty spots and well worth a visit. It is a favourite resting place for migratory birds and, therefore, for ornithologists and lovers of nature. You can reach it by leaving the National Road at the junction signposted for "Omalos" and continue along that road for several kilometres until you see a sign on the right hand side in the shape of a swan. Go past that sign for another kilometre until you see the second swan sign and turn right there up a narrow road. Follow the road until it crosses a bridge and sweeps to the left. At this point turn right and drive up a track alongside a stone wall to the end of the wall, then turn left before the café and go down the slope into the car park. The track is often lined with cars (especially on Sundays) but there's usually plenty of space in the car park. Climb the steps and you'll see the lake in front of you. The view is breathtaking! Lake Agia - November 2014 The café "Erasma" garden is accessible via a gate, which should be kept closed to keep out the geese! Watch your step because the geese leave sticky presents on the footpath. Cat drinking from the tiny watercourse in the café garden. In summer you may see large fish near the lake shore. This turtle was seen in mid July. Although they usually hide amongst the reeds, you may be lucky and see one swimming. The lake and its surrounds is a haven for migratory birds. This "Squacco Heron" was seen in mid April, 2016, and comes from as far away as South Africa. In early October each year, Greece holds the "Celebration of the Birds", when birds and people flock to this lake (and others). In Early October each year, Greece holds the "Celebration of the Birds", when birds and people flock to this lake (and others). Celebration of the Birds on October 4th, 2015. Visitors walking towards the small pumping station. Pumping station midweek when few people visit view of the pumping station and the sluices from the lake Algae flourishing in mid July. If you turn right out of the café gate and head past the pumping station, you will see the bridge over the weir in the distance. April 2016, following a mild, dry winter, the weir is already dry. There may be water shortages in summer.                                           8th December, 2015.                                     The weir as it looks, normally. Continue over the bridge and follow the path, which curves around a small patch of woodland with a stream. This shaded area is occasionally used by the locals for celebratory meals. Continue along the path to look at the small weir with bubbling spring adjacent. Continue to the end of the path to the cobbled area, where you might see the remains of an information sign and picnic table. Probably destroyed by high winds. Continue straight ahead, across the road that stretches up towards the village on your right. Enter the boardwalk and follow it past an industrial area to its end. Here you'll find an observation point from which you can see - absolutely nothing! It's surrounded by bushes and cane. Retrace your steps to the "Erasma" café and stop for a drink before continuing along the cane-lined path towards the other side of the lake. Beautiful canes in July. Here you'll find another boardwalk that sweeps round the lake to the right. The boardwalk takes you past another café. "Café - Snack - Playground" on the sign. After a short distance you'll reach another observation point. Retrace your steps to either of the cafés or the car park if you've seen enough. As work continues on the paths and boardwalks, it's quite possible that they will have changed by the time you read this. May 1, 2016

A typical few days of life in a Cretan village -

A resident of Apokoronas has written about a typical few days.

Saturday 16th April - Bougainvillea

I went for a ride on my motorbike. On a whim, I turned through the village and saw a greek friend in his garden. I asked him whether he'd be interested in cutting down our Bougainvillea.  The painter, had advised me to take it down. I started on it, yesterday, but I hadn't the stamina to complete the job

He followed me home to take a look. Then rode his scooter back home and returned with his son in the car.

They borrowed our ladders and tools and took down the whole lot, then moved the branches across the road.

Meanwhile, Gill had gone to a rehearsal

I rode my motorbike to Georgioupoli, had a snack in the square then a frappé near the beach. There were very few tourists around but I saw half a dozen clamber across the rocky causeway to the tiny church of St Nikolaus.

Sunday 17th April - Breakfast

We drove to Almyrida. We had breakfast with friends

In the afternoon we drove to Rethymno and had a wander around.

Monday 18th April - Dentist

Gill woke me just before 7 am. "The painter is coming today to paint the wall!"

"Oh, bugger." I hauled myself out of bed, eyelids glued together, and dressed.

The painter arrived at 8 am with ladders, paint and brushes. He clambered onto the balcony and began his preparations.

I watched part of a "The Voice" episode then Gill drove us to Vrises.

In the High Street she stopped to buy bread then again to drop me off at the dentist. He is called Sifis and  he trained in Athens. Amazingly I called on a whim, without an appointment and was treated right away. Unheard of in England!  It would be worth taking a holiday here for dental treatment because it's half the cost of treatment in the UK and the waiting times (if any) are usually hours rather than weeks! Less than half an hour later I was at the café with a repaired tooth and instructions not to eat or drink coffee for at least an hour. I sipped water. At noon we paid Gill's bill and walked to the supermarket for food, then back to the car. On the way home, Gill dropped me at the bank to withdraw more cash from the ATM.

I visited a friend who had an electronics problem, We spent some time fiddling and made it a lot worse! Gill drove to her sewing group. Gill cooked pork and celery for dinner. I hadn't had lunch so I wolfed it down, gratefully. Tuesday 19th April - Georgioupoli I arose early because the painter was returning to finish the work. He finished the balcony - which is all that I can afford this month. It's not cheap but he's expert, meticulous and leaves everything spotless. Gill went to her rehearsal. I worked on the electronics problem for a while.When Gill returned we drove to Georgioupoli and ate lunch in the square.

Afterwards we took a walk to see how the new hotel is progressing.

It's enormous and completely blocks the view of the beautiful church.

We discovered a new sand-filled groyne opposite the Cotton Club.

Gill cooked green beans for dinner.

I noticed that the humidity was below 50% today.

Wednesday 20th April - Walk

My nose was running. Feels like hayfever so I took a Cetirizine Hydrochloride.

We drove to Helen's house because Gill wanted to speak with her.

I was relegated to the garden with the dogs.

We drove to Vamos and parked at the Vrises junction.

An abandoned puppy had taken up residence behind the rubbish bin.

Our friends arrived and we set off on a walk to Litsarda.

We stopped at the turkey farm entrance to let one of the walkers catch up.

My feet were sore after the walk. We drove home but others went to a café for a chicken lunch.

I rode my motorbike to Georgioupoli and chatted to a friend at Stelios Bar, while I drank a Frappé. The sky was overcast and seemed to be threatening rain. I rode home. The air was still warm and humid.

Thursday 21st April - Overcast Morning

I finally hauled myself out of bed at 9am and had a shower. Feeling tired because of the tablet I took yesterday.

I answered emails then edited a web site.

Gill has a play rehearsal at 2 pm. 

Later I rode my motorbike to Georgioupoli and toured the town for a while. I was slightly cold while the 'bike was moving and wished that I'd worn my padded jacket.

My nose is still running from the hay fever.

Friday 22nd April 

I had a banana and a spoonful of beans for breakfast  (this strange diet  is my attempt to lose weight and combat IBS by the way!) then rode my motorbike to Gavalohori for an meeting. Afterwards I rode to Georgioupoli for a chicken gyros then back to the village.  I edited a booklet from America for a while.

In the evening we met our neighbours at our local taverna for an evening of entertainment by "Irish Bob", opened first by Eric Whibley who played guitar and sang powerfully and tunefully.

Gill & I left during the interval.

I did more booklet editing then went to bed.

My nose is still running- pollen season is here!

Congratulations Kokkino Chorio!

Perspectives today comes from Bob Scott of Kokkino Horio

CONGRATULATIONS to the 'new' Syllogos of St Peter and St Paul in Kokkino Horio who last night ( Sunday 14th December) unveiled and lit up a Christmas tree in the village square. This is a 'first' as far as we know. The whole event was very well done, with a Santa Claus giving out gifts to just about everyone he bumped into (!) and a free buffet with wine and raki. A great effort and something new coming from the new team. Let's hope they have lots more good ideas for the village.

A Greek view of the highway code

Yiannis Syrigos answers some queries about the highway code in Greece.


Driving in Greece could indeed prove to be a dramatic experience, due to the
temperament of Greek drivers who all think that they are Formula 1 pilots
and that they never make mistakes in driving.

The highway code is available in Greek, but I am not sure if it is available
in English.

FLASHING OF HEADLIGHTS

Actually, like in the UK, flashing of headlights means that it is ok to pull
out. When you see somenone waiting to pull out on a side-street then you may
slow down and flash your headlights, indicating to him that you are going to
let him pass.

However, if you flash your lights in the car in front of you while in
traffic, while simultaneously turning on you left flash, this indicates that
you wish for him to pull to the right so that you can pass him because you
are in an emergency.

SOUNDING THE HORN

Depending on the way you sound the horn of your car, it can mean a bit of
all· One long and "angry" beep while in traffic or at an intersection to the
car in front of you means "get moving!!!". After a near miss it usually
means "Son of a· You almost hit me" (itâs always the other guyâs fault).
However, when someone lets you pass (e.g. yields in an intersection) then a
couple of short, friendly beeps can be used as a sign of gratitude.

And then of course there is the classic use of the horn as a hazard
warning·.

DOUBLE SOLID LINES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD

They mean the same thing as in the UK. Nevertheless, 99% of policepersons
are not too keen on enforcing them (Iâve passed a police car on a double
line many times but not once did they bother to stop me). In fact, it would
be VERY odd if you got fined for such an offence. However, please note that
2ble lines are there for a purpose: safety. Be very carefull when passing
them·

SINGLE DASHED LINE

Same as all over the world: it is safe and legal to pass another car.

SOLID WHITE LINE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD

It is supposed to be there for emergencies, but in a traffic jam· who cares?

ROUNDABOUTS / VEHICLES COMING FM THE RIGHT IN AN INTERSECTION

Just like you said: Unless there is a STOP sign or traffic light (Red or
Flashing Orange), the vehicle entering a roundabout or coming from the right
has priority.

ROAD SEVERITY

Most always indicated by signs. Shrines do not mean that the road is in bad
condition or that a curve is dangerous· It may well mean that the driver who
had a fatal accident at that spot might have been speeding excessively,
driving drunk or many other things· So mind the signs AND THE ROAD ITSELF
and do not take it for granted that the shrine will mean that this part of
the road is dangerous.

SPEED LIMITS

The speed limit signs are generally regarded as being too strict. This is
why the police will in many cases show leniency up to a specific point. E.g.
if the limit is 80 km/hr then you should feel safe to go up to 100-110.
Anything more than that and you MAY be in risk of getting fined.

In the city it is highly unlikely that you will get pulled over for
speeding, even if you are doing 150 (km/hr) on a 80-limit street (of course
if you are driving like mad - 180+ - and a police car sees you he will pull you
over) However, on the freeways you do risk a chance of getting pulled-over
by a policeperson with a radar-gun and may fine you depending on your speed
(as I told you if you are doing 110 on an 80-limit freeway then it is most
likely that they will let you go).

The good thing is that there are not too many radar guns on freeways and
practically none in the cities or country-side roads.

Radar detectors are illegal, do not use one.

VILLAGES AND SPEED LIMIT SIGNS

Yes· in many villages you will see a 30 km sign entering and won't see an 80
sign except after a couple of kilometers. The reason for this is because on
an X-km radius from the village there might be a lot of pedestrians,
tractors or animals (sheep etc.) who might be coming from or going to their
farms and speeding outside a village (as well as inside of course) might put
them and you in danger.

However, you won't see many drivers observing these limits, as it is
EXTREMELY RARE to meet a policeperson with a radar gun on these rural roads.

PENALTIES

Of course there are motoring laws, just as in every European country.

In fact, you should keep in mind that Greece has one of the most thorough
legal systems in the world and it is characterized by being extremely
liberal and with a strictly observed respect for human and constitutional
rights.

Breaching a motoring law only carries fines (steep ones I might add). E.g.,
crossing a red light will make you poorer by about €500. A parking ticket
should cost you about 80 (and in some cases will cost you your licence
plates for a month). Don't be surprised if you see people crossing red
lights late at night when the streets are empty: a police car is not always
at every intersection and Greek drivers tend to take advantage of this.

Only under extreme circumstances is imprisonment called for: If you are
driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs you will most probably spend
a quiet nice in the police station or if you carry a concealed weapon or
drugs in you vehicle (which I hardly think that you do·).

Fines cannot be paid on the spot. You will have to pay them at the city hall
of the city you got fined OR at any IRS office within 10 working days.

Some other things you should be aware of

In some of the major highways of Athens (e.g. Kifissias ave.) the
right lane is reserved exclusively for buses (it is indicated by signs and
yellow lines on the side of the road). DO NOT DRIVE ON A BUS LANE!!! You
WILL be fined for sure (and the fine is steep·). There are always policemen
or cameras. You can only drive on bus lanes after 20:00 hrs and before 08:00
hrs.

If you park your car where it is not allowed it is 99% sure that you
will NOT get a ticket at night time. But be careful in the day-time.

In the center of Athens on the odd days of the month only the cars
whose license plates end with an odd number may move around. Similarly, on
even days only cars whose license plates end with 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 may move.
This is done in order to lessen traffic in the downtown area and keep
pollution from cars down. You will recognize the restricted areas by a blue
sign with an orange map of the city in the middle and a big red delta
in front of a street that you are not allowed to enter (e.g. the
entire heart of the downtown area of Athens carries such restrictions).

However, if your licence plates are not Greek you will not be stopped. If
you are a foreigner driving a car with Greek plates the police is 99% sure
to let you go (how were you supposed to know of this anyway???).

Furthermore, during the month of August, when most people leave Athens for
their summer holidays this restriction is not in force.

Most (if not all) traffic signs look like and mean the same thing as
in the rest of the world.

Traffic lights: As everywhere, red means "stop" and green means "go".
Orange means "get ready to stop" BUT after a red light comes directly the
orange, unlike in the UK. An orange light only comes after the Green light.
A flashing orange has the same effect as a stop sign.

Police persons are always courteous. But if you run on someone who isn't,
do not hesitate to write down his badge number and report him.

Emergency numbers are: 100 for police, 166 for medical emergencies and
199 for the fire brigade. When calling from a mobile phone you can reach all
these services by dialing 112.

If you drive a motorbike do not consider going without a helmet. It is
very likely that you will get fined. On the freeway always wear your
seatbelt, something which - although mandatory - is never enforced in
Athens.

p.s. Don't forget: we drive on the right side of the road·

Research in Apokoronas

Dr. Seán Damer, a senior sociologist and Research Fellow from the University of Edinburgh, is here in Apokoronas for a year doing a research project into the community of British migrants in the area. This community is of interest to him because it is one which grew up very quickly after about 2000. Seán is interested in why people came to this area in the first place, what they wanted to find, and if they have found it. He would like to talk to as many British people as possible about their experience of living in Apokoronas. If you are willing to help in this important research project, please contact Seán at: seannachai1@gmail. com, and he will make an arrangement to meet you at your convenience.   

View from Patima

Because we understand that the municipality cannot do everything,
we participate. All the people in different way. The most important thing is that
we really enjoy doing it and being together. We love our tiny village and its old
stone. Something positive today in all this mess. 

Anna Kitas

Cutting back the undergrowth and bushes, trimming the tree.

Lopping the branches

Logs chopped, rubbish in bags

The community has also been working together to renovate the old cafenion and now we all use it for events and get togethers.

Sharing a drink on the warm summer evenings.