Day 4 Crete 16/9/18 Off we go to Sougia
Another beautiful sunrise and happily I just made it which means a good night sleep for me. Air con has a low fan setting so not really noisy and helps with the hot flushes.

I would like to go back to Elafonissi for couple of hours before our 1.5hrb journey to Sougia through the mountain villages. We are going to stop at Eros and Kandanos.
I typed Kandanos in google last night and we read about the
the Holocaust of Kandanos which occurred with the complete destruction of the village and the killing of about 180 of its inhabitants on 3 June 1941 by German occupying forces during World War II. It left us in a very somber mood with a feeling of we must stop at the village memorial.

So we ended up staying until 3 at the lagoon. We stopped just before the car park so I could try and get a photo of the lagoon. I of course was so,careful not to knock the ‘big toe’ I of course did, grrrr. In one respect it did it good as the flap,of skin lifted and after wading in the lagoon to the island it cleaned it out and looked a lot better than it did this morning. I still have not tried on my walking sandals to,see if I can wear them for the Samaria Gorge tomorrow. I dare not.....

Snorkelling I found some Pipe fish, part of the sea horse family, Long thin fish with very small,fins. Some were dark some white as ghosts. They did not shy away from me and I managed to get a shot before the battery ran out! Not planning a beach day we did not charge the batteries. Arriving at 930 the sea was calm which made snorkelling blissful. Not many people about at all until much later today. For a weekend it seemed a lot quieter than Friday.

Russ returned to the car to fetch some food and bought a club sandwich and chips which we shared for 7 euros and very good it was.
Later the wind rose so much so our parasol flew into the sea! The day went very quick yet again but alas we had to leave.
The car park was very busy, cars driving around trying to,find places, maybe they had all,stayed away from the island as there were definable less people than Friday.
Also glad to report no idiots picking the lilies to give to their girlfriends and no one taking bags of sand. That made us very angry on Friday.

Anyway onto Sougia we go. We headed into the mountains highest point was 2800 ft, fantastic views. we didn’t stop at
Eros but did at Kandanos. I was in need of a coffee but find it too strong so went for a fresh orange juice after looking at the plaques with our silent thoughts...

We then drove on through the village only to see, wait for it, what you reckon, high in the Western Crete Mountains, what do we see a cafe selling........ Costa Coffee!!!! That’s a first for us!! Boy I could have done with a Latte!!

Arriving at Sougia we find Lotus Rooms. It is where I remembered on the corner. There is a notice to go to the bakery to get the key. Russ also finds the gorge open.

So we lug our luggage to,our room, number 6, wow how big is this room, spoilt, totally. I mean you have to shower whilst sat on the toilet!! I am dreading my nights sleep in the not a double bed. As I lie now on the springy mattress with the air con whistling as if it is in a hurricane, my toe throbbing I really am so looking forward to our 6am a,arm and Samaria Gorge.

We did of course discuss over dinner whether we should do it. We are both in the situation of not wanting to let the other down. I know how much Russ wants to do,the gorge again and I won’t stop him from doing, but he won’t walk it with out me.....

We face time our friends who we brought here in 2015 and our daughter and son in law over a Mojita and beer. The toe story has spread but from photos none think it is bad, it doesn’t look bad because the flesh is still slightly attached covering the raw flesh underneath starting where I tread.

2230 we retire, the bed is sooo small, I really do not recommend this place. It has no kettle, a tiny fridge oh I could go on but won’t. I am tired and dread the sleepless night ahead.
I