Family holiday 2017-Crete

It’s all been quiet on the blog front here at shazruns, the reason for this is the annual family holiday. Now usually I entertain (bore?) you all with a daily update on our holiday adventures but this year I saved you from that mainly beacause this holiday was different from our norm-this was a lay by a pool holiday. I might have been able to write a daily blog about this but entertaining it wouldn’t have been, unless I regaled you with stories of inappropriate swimwear, children hiding under towels with their technology, inflatables that were shaped like slices of pizza, the family who pitched up by the poolside with a cooler and wheeled suitcase full of sports paraphernalia, the constant chatter of the barman at the next hotel and constant noise of the cicadas, still not scintillating stuff is it!?  

It might not surprise you to hear that I am not a “lay-by-the-pool-holiday’ kinda gal! Zzzzzzzzzzzz. I knew I would find it tough. We did manage one trip out to the most amazing beach I have ever been to.

PARADISE!

Running was only possible first thing in the morning due to the heat and this I managed only three times due to being laid low with a cold. One morning I run up to the German War cemetery, certainly a first for me! Wow what a place it was too, the most incredible view from the top

I think I would take great comfort from it, if I found my loved ones were buried in such a beautiful place.

This was my first visit to Crete (unless you count a day trip circa a very long time ago which I dont!) so what do I think?

• It’s a country that is not finished-empty plots, half built buildings, rubble everywhere
• Wifi and 3G signal all over Crete puts the uk to shame
• Their cats are smaller and sleepier
• 
• Churches are everywhere, in the middle of nowhere, right next door to houses, bars, sea, big to large to holds a congregation of two, old to brand spanking new.
• Very few places charge for parking, even the paradise beach car park had no pay and display machine which made it even more paradise like!
• Trees are planted and saved just to park your car under it seems, and with that heat it is no surprise!
• When you ask for the restaurant bill you get the bill and  fresh fruit, possibly cake/ice cream and raki. Raki tastes just like paint stripper in my opinion but I partook all the same mainly in an attempt to kill off the lurgy.
• When riding a motorbike/scooter/quad bikes helmets are not a requirement and helmets are carried on the arm when travelling which must only mean that Cretans consider it very important to protect their elbows. From this I surmise that this is so they can partake in  arm wrestling! 

So there you have it Crete in a shaz nutshell! 

After eating my body weight in Feta cheese in a week it is now time to get back with the running, normal service will be resumed. Until then here are some holiday snaps. X

‘