After viewing the amazing collection of artifacts of various types and sizes, we return to the souvenir shop to purchase some small items. We then visit a branch of Zara before walking steadily back to the car. It is still very hot when we get back to our room for refreshing cups of Redbush.

 

This evening's meal includes mousaka and sea bass. After which we walk farther than usual, turning left out of the hotel to reach the village centre by a different route to usual.

 

 

This morning, there is a change in the weather. We have light cloud to start the day, and the cloud is darker later and a hint of very slight rain. The weather is not the only thing unusual today - we will not be using the car, and we will be meeting our ex-BMB colleague, Steve Barber, for our evening meal, which will be at a restaurant recommended by him.

But the morning includes a visit by Jeanette to the hairdressers in Sissi. Our favourite receptionist at the hotel, George, has booked an appointment for 10:30am, and following the route we explored yesterday evening, we arrive at 10:15am. It is not clear whether or not the appointment has been recorded, but it goes ahead anyway, after we have spent some time chatting to the lady hairdresser's son (who is the salon's masseuse) - who bemoans how AirBNB has ruined the house rental market in the resort.

 

We explore Sissi slightly after the appointment, including a visit to the pharmacy where we are introduced to the pharmacist's dog, Molly. Back in the hotel, we have Americanos in the reception area as we watch the D-Day Anniversary celebrations on TV, which feature Tom Jones as one of the singers.

 

As there has been another electricity outage this morning, George has to attend at our room in order to re-programme the digital lock. We then walk to Gyroscopio snack bar that overlooks the nearby Boufous Bay. A memorial (left) near the snack bar has an explanation (later, translated for us by George) that commemorates the death at the hands of the Nazis of a young resistance worker.

 

In Gyroscopio, Jeanette has an egg toastie, and David has a Cretan salad. There are good views of the beach from the outdoor eating area which has plenty of colourful flowers. Returning to sit in our patio with our books, we chat to our neighbours, and the chambermaid supplies us with a device whose smoke discourages the mosquitoes.

Our neighbours kindly assist with photographs taken in the patio before we start to get ready for our evening out.

 

Steve arrives at the hotel at 6pm and picks us up immediately outside the hotel. He then drives us to Gouves, where we eat at the Tavern Mylos.This is a restaurant that Steve has used many times over the years he has lived in Crete, and it is obvious that the staff treat him like one of the family. In making the dinner reservation, Steve has been invited to order two of his favourite dishes in advance: mussels, followed by Cretan Cannelloni. We share mushrooms in a saffron sauce and then we both have an excellent chicken dish.

 

In addition to catching up on news, and reminiscing about our careers in the Bank, Steve tells us about his life living in Crete with particular reference to the hospital treatment he is currently having.

 

We do not order desserts, but some suddenly appear after we have been sitting chatting for a considerable time. A delightful concoction based on cake, cream, and ice cream is delicious. A lovely ending to a lovely evening.

 

Steve drives back to Sissi in the dark, drops us off at the hotel, and we are in bed just before midnight.

 

 

The hot and sunny weather returns today and stays for the remainder of the holiday, although it does get even more hotter.

 

The smoking anti-mosquito device worked well yesterday, and we walk into Sissi this morning to buy a complete kit. We have no joy at the first supermarket we try, but a second store not only supplies our needs (including the necessary box of matches) but also sells All-Bran. We spend the rest of the morning reading over coffee before driving to the nearby coastal town of Malia.

 

Although Malia is renowned as a tourist attraction chiefly due to its nightlife, it's Minoan ruins are the attraction for us.

 

 

The extensive site does not have any explanatory boards, but we find two guardians who are able to answer some of our questions