Peloponese January

the view walking home after a swim

Although we were prepared for rain and fully expected to be picking in the rain they do not pick olives in the rain here.,,,,,,and here we've had the most rainy days of anywhere we've been in Greece. They prune the trees quite heavily when picking. When the trees are wet they can easily transfer disease so rainy days are used for clean up and making firewood......so that's what we did. Because they prune so heavily there are huge piles of branches that get burnt....... they would have huge amounts of mulch if they could chip all those branches. Before burning any of the bigger pieces get cut off to be used for firewood. Olive wood is a hard wood that burns slowly, but many of the pieces are small so disappears quickly.

Unfortunately with so many people burning; there wasn't a day without a smoke cloud in the neighbourhood or on the horizon which isn't so nice but they've done this for years and years. It's hard to change the old ways especially in these parts of Greece.

The day we arrived there was a thunder storm and a torrential downpour that changed a dry gully into a raging river. Two days later it was once again a dry gully but the water had uprooted anything in it's path as well as caused a few mudslides. The following week we had another spectacular thunderstorm which started at night and lasted through until lunch. It felt very much like spring and more and more spring flowers appeared along with some invasive species such as “gorse” which was also starting to bloom. Gabriele was more than happy when Roberto gave her the go ahead to uproot the “prickly shit”as he would call it. They have more than there fair share of “prickly shit”.

Dave on the machine

When the weather was clear we again enjoyed incredible views while picking ...... the sea below, snowcapped mountain ranges, glowing orange groves. After work we were able to go swimming, relax with a glass of red wine (Roberta and Barbara make their own) and enjoy the most stunning sunsets.

Roberta pruning/cutting

Meal times were often the combined efforts of Roberta and Barbara (our hosts), Lauren and Libby (two young ladies from the States), other guests that would drop in with food and ourselves...... always a very social creative affair., which was usually very successful. And when there were to many cooks in the kitchen we'd get things like “***# falafel *#*#”......but Dave can fix most anything with tzatzki. We enjoyed local culinary delights such as “horta”, the winter greens the locals enjoy. Roberto would have gathered a bag full of horta for lunch while on a break, it is related to dandelion and grows wild. Also goat grilled on the woodstove and fresh feta, yogurt and milkrice made by the shephard's daughter up on the mountain.

the girls raking

We've learned alot about ourselves, lifestyles,olives and people. Hard to believe are time in Greece has come to an end. It has left us with impressions and ideas which we will carry into the future and who knows what it will lead to but for me(Gabriele)... Mindful Living is one.

the best sunsets

The Happy Wanderers on their way home...... Frankfurt January 17th.

Happy Holidays

Our rainy day

Balos Bay Xmas Day

Quiz for the day? Why is the Mediterranean aqua blue whatever the weather?

2 summer days, 2 windy days, 2 cloudy days and 1 rainy day 1 = 1 perfect week in Kissamos in the western most corner of Crete. We swam, we hiked, we explored a little bit everday. We had hoped to hike the Samari Gorge (the longest, deepest gorge in Europe) but soon realized that was too ambitious a plan for the Xmas holiday and would be stretching our limts. As it was we burned calories instead of putting on calories which would be more the norm over Xmas and we got a good “flavour” of a small corner of Crete.If you're looking for a place to holiday we recommend it...a 5 star destination.

But not everyone took a break. The olive pickers worked late Xmas eve, a few picked on Xmas day and everyone was back at it December 26^th. The square was full of migrant workers eager to be working. And there are so many olives to pick. They grow a smaller variety in Crete but they supposedly produce a better oil.Crete produces 70% of Greece's olive oil.

This is an incredible landscape: mountains, gorges and caves galore. The flora and fauna is equally as impressive both what grows wild on the moutain slopes eg. sage, wild leeks, thyme and what we see blooming in the gardens eg. geranium bushes, poinsetta bushes, hibiscus bushes, roses and more... if winter is so full of colour .....can you imagine spring????

Most of the locals attended mid-night mass Dec 24^th some of which were held in sacred caves. We visited only one sacred cave ..... the music echoed in the gorge, they had a manager scene set into a rock face and the chairs were still set up from the mid-night service.

Greek ferry docking facility

BC Ferries eat your heart out. The Greek ferry system does it... well the greek way of course. No need for fancy landing facilities, just any old concrete dock will do. Simply back the ferry in, drop the ramp and load em up. Simple and cost effective. Oh, the part about the Mediterranean only having 3 foot tides does help, but David Hahn should take notes. The coffee is on par with what we get in BC. And we had roast pork with rice at 8 Euro a shot for lunch. Whitespot look out. And we did hear a rumour that most cruise ship lines want to have Greek captains because they are so good.

Contrary to what you may have heard, we have been impressed with Greek drivers. After watching bus and truck drivers manipulate their way through these tiny villages with half a lane and cars parked everywhere, it is quite impressive. The problem is not the driving, but the parking etiquette: if a parking spot doesn't exist, just park on the sidewalk. If that doesn't work, just stop, put on your 4 way flashers and walk away. Try that in Victoria and see how fast they tow you away.

Guess how many lbs I've lost (or is that euros)?

Almost 53 and still climbing

We are on the eve of New year.....wondering how it will unfold both for the locals and us. After this weekend it's back to work for us. We'll be olive picking on the Peloponese, Moloai for the next two weeks.

New Years Eve was quiet just the way we like it and the church bells rang at 7:30 am to ring in the new year.......might not have been appreciated by those that had been out celebrating.

Monemvassia New Years Day

Wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR......