St Antonio Ravine

TUESDAY 4th November

No rush to get up but shopping did need to be done before we could go anywhere - especially a beer change for the men.  Julia and I went along with them visiting the bakery at the far end of the village. This was the first time I have been to the shop and the smell of fresh baking was just wonderful. Inside the selection of delicacies  had us both drooling, but we were strong and bought only the bread and some rolls which looked very large.

The sun was hot, but a fairly strong northerly breeze was blowing, so we decided to go and see the progress of the new road to St. Antonio Ravine.  Ian drove us there giving Keith chance to admire the scenery and do a bit of videoing.  Arriving at the entrance down to the Ravine the road was still under construction. However we were able to make our way along the very dusty track avoiding the heavy machinery and when we were unsure of the track an old man riding his donkey was able to direct us, delighted we were English. The large iron gate by the taverna has been removed so driving straight in we were able to park where we liked. Ian chose to stop under a shady tree.

It was now lunchtime so  we made our way along the path admiring the autumn colours of the trees before climbing up the rough steps to a now leaning gazebo.  It's a long time

 since we have been up here. The food and  drink unpacked we sat back and ate our tuna and tomato roll, which was very light and tasted so good we wished we had another, whilst watching a flock of birds emerge from out of tiny cracks in the cliff face. Keith, not being an expert, says they are 'Cretan blackbirds' but I think they are ravens! We were still sitting in the shade when the  birds returned to their roost. We could also hear the sound of animal bells but it was quite a time before we saw them - actually on our way out of the Ravine.  3 sheep with splendid horns.

Our snack over we made our way down following the path deeper into the Ravine to be joined by an

other couple.  They were walking faster than us so we let them by, the lady infor

ming us "we have the better shoes!"  We were in sandals, they were in trainers and much younger than us. Stopping to look at the plantlife we only saw one flowering cyclamen but found masses of what  I refer to as 'the cobra snake plant'. 

We had told Maria we would be home around 5pm as it is Lambros' 11th birthday and she would like us to join in the cake cutting and sampling ceremony.  We found we still had time to take a look at the dam that his been under construction for several years.  What a dramatic change since last year.  A new road has been constructed around 'Amari Reservoir' and as we looked

across to the road we used to travel along we saw the site of the taverna and nearby houses now completely flattened.  The only building that remains standing is the small church and with the amount of water already collected it will not be long before it is submerged.  We  arrived at the highest point which is now a tarmac road across the dam where an area has been marked out for coaches and bicycles and across the road another section for cars.  Seating has been set by the barriers and so this will now become a tourist attraction.  I guess we shall be seeing tavernas, boat hire and picnic sites before long.

We returned home via the northern villages of Mirthios and Selli where 3 young goats on the bare hillside began to slide as we reached them and for a minute thought the first one was going to end up under the wheels of our car.  Yesterday an eagle flew down in front of us to grab something in the undergrowth before soaring straight up in front of us again.  

We ate at home tonight when Julia and I prepared stuffed long pale green peppers with feta cheese, onion and tomato and then prepared slices of aubergine with chopped tomato and more feta cheese.  It was very nice but Keith announced that doesn't want to become a vegetarian!