Crete - Rethymno, port

 I forgot to mention in yesterdays post that it rained on our way home. The first rain we had seen since we got here a week and a half ago. With bags of groceries we sheltered under shop awnings and made our way home each time the downpour eased.

We woke to a beautiful sunny day - snow capped mountains to the West, from our balcony

and the fortress and old town to the East.

We set off this time intent on finding the port.

We have those wonderful views because we are up high. This long set of steps is fine to go down but quite a slog to come back up after walking all day, and carrying groceries!

Lovely to see the colour at the nursery that tempts me every time I walk by.

Walked by a small park with a memorial to the Australian and New Zealand troops that had fought here in WW2. Greece moved their government to Crete, in 1941, and the British sent in troops to help defend it. Some of the troops came from Aus and NZ. Eventually the Nazis prevailed and although many troops were evacuated to waiting warships some escaped up into the mountains were they were helped by the Cretan villagers.

We had need of a plug for the kitchen sink so stopped in at this hardware store. It was a huge jumble inside and we despaired of finding what we wanted but the proprietor offered help (in English), understood and dug out a plastic bag full, found the right size and off we went.

Next it was through the large, municipal, botanical garden - a playground, lots of benches, shade and labels on some of the trees.

A tire, swan sculpture and

the first of many, larger than life size, paper mache sculptures.

I wonder if they have something to do with Carnival.

On the edge of the old town is a square, church on one side, surrounded by coffee shops all packed with local people.

Watched over by another sculpture.

Into the narrow streets of the old town through one of the original gates.

Pizza right out of the oven, Rick was a happy camper,

and I had a spinach pie.

Wound our way through to

the harbour and beach.

Took a while to find the tourist office which was an open door, between closed restaurants,

and just a table with some pamphlets!

We walked along the path by the water to the marina.

I found a handy place to sit and sketch while Rick did some "dock walking".

Photo by Rick

While I was sketching, a bare foot, grey bearded, fisherman presented me with an orange and a lemon. I think he said it was for "good energy".

So I sketched those too.