Mum and Daughter

Most of my regular readers will remember Jessica, the demon huntress. Most will not know her mum Ginger as she is very afraid of people and will not stand still for her photo taking. I took these as they were curled up asleep together because they look so cute......Ginger is on the left and Jessica on the right...

Its Raki time again.....

I got a phone call yesterday morning to say my friend Manthos was going to be making his Raki at the other Raki factory (not the one I photographed last year) and he would like me to take some photos for the Blog. Always ready to oblige I scooted off. The Raki making had already started.....

The finished stuff....warm....tasty...and lethal!
Kath checking they are doing the job right...
Yiannis and Dimitra who run the Raki factory starting to dismantle the still to put more stuff in....

First the pipes come off....
Then the dome....(well I dont know the names, do I?)
The branch is there to stop the grape mulch from floating.
Pushing the used pulp out of the still ready for the next lot..
There it goes...steaming hot....

All used up.....
The next batch waiting to go in...
There it goes....
Yiannis laughing as he spots me taking his picture...
And of course they have to make a party of it....
Michaelis is cooking as Manthos sorts out the meat....
Just one or two people to keep company while the Raki brews...







A really good time was had by all, and it was really good to sit outside in the sun, eat, drink and talk with such interesting company. Thanks everyone.....

Mums 80th

Well it was my Mums 80th Birthday yesterday, so I had to come to the UK for the party. Tomorrow is also my niece Vickys 18th so its a big week. Here are some piccies from Mums party.......a good time was had by all....even if the "oldies" scandalised the young ones.....

Little Kitty

Just to let you all know that the little one has been re-homed today, with my friend Jackie who has an ouzeri with her husband George in Stalis (Stalida). Her son Nico was looking after him when I left. Thank you everyone for your good wishes on his future....

Mochos v Chania

The boys did well at the football match today beating Chania 2 - 0.....well done lads!

New Mummy/Daddy wanted

Hello, I don't have a name but I need a new mummy or daddy as i was left in a carrier bag under a car. I am about 4 weeks old and healthy and love to explore and cuddle. I can wash myself very well too, except sometimes I fall over washing my feet! Margaret has some baby milk for me until I am big enough to eat grown up dinner. She would love to keep me, but is going to England on the 21st and so cannot. If you can be my new mummy or daddy, please ring Margaret on 6946025103. Thank you x x x ps I promise to be good and give you lots of cuddles.

Football season starts

Well its that time of year again (lovely!) and the village hosted the first match of the season. The Mochos second team drew 1 - 1 with Episkopi. Apparently everyone played well.

Demon Huntress #3

With the help of her mum Ginger, Jessica the Demon huntress strikes again. This poor rat was stuck up the wall in the avli, when I went out it was spreadeagled across the corner. It is around 6 or 7 feet up and clung on for over an hour until I managed to get it down and let it go outside. The look on its face tells it all.....

A different kind of wine making machine....

My friend and local taverna owner Rodamanthis, his father in law Michaelis and his uncle George were making the family wine this afternoon. George has this ingenious machine which strips the grapes from the stalks before they tread them under foot to get the juice out. The first picture shows the stalks coming out of the machine into a crate (and a few empty crates too..)



The grapes after stripping from the stalks, then go into sacks for treading.

These are still waiting to go in.

George treading the grapes and Michaelis supervising.
Smiling for the camera (I told them they would be famous on the internet.)
The whole family operation, with Rodamanthis (Manthos) on the right.

Demon Huntress Mark 2

Well Jessica has surpassed herself this time. I was very scared to take this off her, but also scared to leave her playing with it. I am not sure what kind of snake it was, but even though it was little I dont like them. If there are any clever clogs out there, they may like to tell me what it is.....

Prize Draw

Those of you who know my website http://www.alternativecrete.com may have noticed that I have been running a Prize Draw for people filling in a short questionnaire. The draw closed on 31st August and was drawn today. The draw was made by Rodamanthis who runs the taverna of the same name in the village square.


The names ready to go in the draw (not many I know!)



In the basket ready to go.....



Its getting exciting now.....who will it be?



And the lucky winner is....... Susan Scott..... Thanks to all for entering and thanks Mantho for conducting the draw!