Sunday, 8 May 2016

Visit to Panormo

It was a lovely bright day today and we decided to take a "run out" We headed for the lovely little seaside village of Panormo.


Panormo is a small traditional village 22 km from Rethymnon and 55 km from Heraklion. It used to be the main port for the export of Carob to Western Europe. 

 The old Carob mill is now the cultural centre of the village and houses a small stage and auditorium

Season has not begun properly yet and the beaches were quiet. 



"The Captain's House"



The harbour was quiet with just a few fishing boats




This wonderful building is sadly neglected. I was fortunate enough some years ago to be shown around inside ( Probably too dangerous now) It Had been a fine mansion and the bedroom ceilings still had their original ceilings painted with murals


During WW11 This building became the headquarters of the German forces in the area and inside you can still see a painting of the German eagle on the wall and writing in the old German script. Marks of Jackboots can still be seen in the tiles on the floor.


The building was heavily bombed and bullet, shrapnel and bomb damage is still clearly visible.




The remains of it's lovely blue border under the eaves can still be seen.

The Church of "The Ascension of Christ"  and "St George"


We walked along to view the remains of the small castle. The castle of Mylopotamos (Castello di Milopotamo), has been known since 1212. In 1341, the "Kapsokalyvai" besieged the castle where Alexios Kalergis, who was in the service of the Venetians, was holding out, but they did not manage to take it. In 1647, the castle was seized by the Turks. The Venetians under Gildasi, the general, tried to retake it in vain. In 1583, it was fired and destroyed by Barbarossa.



A touch of the "Shirley Valentine's"?

We stopped for a coffee at "Nikita's Place" which was just being freshened up for the season. The owner was friendly and it looks as if it probably quite lively on summer evenings

Frescos on the wall

Tables made from barrells


The vine was growing through the rafters

We noticed that we were being watched

There were two old guitars on the wall - rather the worse for wear

Anyone recognize this make?


The flowers were out in profusion along the streets

An anchor made of driftwood

Restaurant review - Captain's House

Time for lunch and we looked around for somewhere to stop. We only wanted something light.
The breeze was cool so one of the deciding factors was sunshine and shelter from the breeze. We chose the Restaurant belonging to "Captains House"



 We chose Horta ( wild greens) Greek salad, Fried Kalamares and the ubiquitous chips washed down with a beer and water.
The food was excellent and the service good. The kalamares were fresh and crispy. Soft in the middle and not at all chewy. The salad tasty with good flavoursome Feta cheese. The horta was not bitter - I think it was "Vleeta" but forgot to ask.


The view was lovely overlooking the harbour and the sea.

Fred was in charge of Tsigouthia (Raki) testing

We were also given a plate of fresh fruit including "Mousmouria" - otherwise known as "Despoles"or Loquats.

A very unusually coloured cat, tabby and grey came to join us.

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Service, pleasant and friendly.

Prices, average

"Star ratings"- on the "Guzunder" scale ( Non Brits may need to check out this word!) 6. 

- clean, doors have locks, toilet seats present, paper and paper towels available. A little run down, but fine. Some points lost for having to cross the road and take a steep set of stairs to reach them so not disabled friendly.

Complementary raki and fruit at the end of the meal

Raki on Richter scale 6. Reasonably smooth but with a slightly strange bouquet.

Would we return? Yes


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