Kindling and Kalyves

Spring is nearly here. I say nearly because one week it is warm and sunny and the next it is dull and raining. March is notorious here in Crete for being wet. At the weekend it was glorious but with a dodgy weather forecast so we decided that we had better take advantage of the weather and collect some kindling for the woodburner.

We knew we would find dry pinecones just around the corner in Litsarda

Treasure!

And a wander around the village

As the weather was so lovely we decided that a walk along the beach at Kalyves was in order. Looking towards Kera this rock formation looks like a dinosaur emerging from the water.

The beach was quiet and peaceful 

The "Pirate ship"

White mountains behind the village

The water was so clear that it looked as if the boats were floating on air above the water.

Spring is just around the corner

This is the time of year when the days can be cold and suddenly we get several lovely springlike days. This last weekend  was a case in point, warmer outside than in and ideal for a bit of a wander and some beach combing 

The "Pirate Ship" off Kera beach.  Legend has it that a shipload of pirates were attacking and the local saint turned the ship into a lump of rock!

So, are these natural rock walls or the remains of a Roman building?

Meanwhile in Georgioupolis.....

Leisure...

Work....

The quiet before the tourist season arrives.

Kera - A hidden gem

The little beach at Kera near Kalyves is a hidden gem

When you reach the little beach cafeteria to the right (as you face the sea) you will sea a tiny sandy beach and to the left just pebbles - a metre or so deep

Not really a place to spend you time you might think - other than a stroll

According to legend, when pirates threatened the inhabitants of the area, they prayed to the Panagia (there is a church on the site of an older monastery near the beach) And the pirate ship was turned to stone.

A  little beach combing perhaps 

But what is this?

The remains of walls and foundations?

Then you realise - The Romans were here.

Up at Aptera,The  Roman bridge at Vrysses,The fifth century mosaic floor at Almyrida just down the coast.

The hunt in the pebbles becomes more interesting 

Those stones in the shallows look far too regular to be natural. A courtyard?

Is that something?

Tiles? pottery?

What was here all that time ago?

The pirate ship?

Time to carry on down the road and see the mosaic and try to put the pieces together….