FLOWERS OF CRETE

Flowers of Crete calendars

2011-12-27T11:34:00.003Z

Have sold out of calendars again, so am re-ordering if anyone would still like to get theirs.

Chronia Polla

2011-12-23T01:16:00.002Z

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year. I am looking forward to the coming season with a variety of new trips and holidays - www.flowersofcrete.info. I'm especially looking forward to the Rare Orchids trips and the new Food Foraging weeks.

Species survey at Almyros

2011-12-13T01:05:00.000Z

Rosemary and I have decided to undertake a survey of the wetlands at Almyros just east of Aghios Nikolaos in order to produce a species list of this important habitat. We went there a couple of weeks ago and recorded three species in flower and identified a number of other species from their leaves. We are going again today. It is my aim to photograph each plant as it comes into flower and we will be putting the results onto the Flowers of Crete website

Course at Knossos

2011-12-10T21:27:00.001Z

I have today received the following information from the British school of Archaeology at Knossos

'We have a residential course here (22-28 April 2012) of an ecological Historical nature .. it is led by Oliver Rackham. It's theme is The Making of the Cretan Countryside.
There is room for 10 places.'

If anyone would like more information please contact me directly - I have prices and itinerary.

Orchid calendar

2011-11-18T13:59:00.001Z

The first batch of Orchid calendars has sold out and we are just about to order some more. It is not too late to order yours at a cost of 12 euros plus post and packing.

Red Palm Weevil

2011-11-14T08:20:00.000Z

Up until a few days ago the palm weevils were still flying - I killed two in the house last week. I have heard from quite a few people that their palms are infested and that there is no money available from the authorities to deal with the problem - not surprising in view of Greece's ordeals at the moment. As far as I understand it basic measures are being taken to spray palms in public areas but the threat is by no means being dealt with. So far I have received no information of infestation of P. theophrasti and several eminent botanists believe that they will not be attractive to the palm weevil. We can only hope that they are right!

Orchid Calendar 2012

2011-11-06T07:42:00.000Z

The Flowers of Crete Orchid Calendar is now available priced at 12 euros plus post and packing. We are really fortunate in having the wonderful flower photography of writer and photographer Paul Harcourt Davies including in this calendar, which is our best yet. Orders received now can be despatched in time for Christmas.

Specialist holidays for 2012

2011-11-05T10:19:00.000Z

The new itineraries for our specialist holidays and trips can now be found on the website www.flowersofcrete.info, including Botanical Art workshops, Food Foraging and Discovery, Spring Orchid Finding and Endemic Spring Flowers - more information on further events will be online shortly.

Cretan gastronomy seminar May 2012

2011-01-25T10:57:00.001Z

We are planning a seminar on Cretan gastronomy in conjunction with The Orthodox Academy of Crete for May of next year. Details of this year's seminar which s fully booked can be found by going to www.oac.gr website. This very interesting seminar will include cookery classes, visits to traditional dairies, bakers, oil factories and much more. For more information please contact julia@flowersofcrete.info

New date for Court Hearing

2011-01-16T12:34:00.001Z

We now have the new date for the court hearing for the Flowers of Crete syllogos. Industrial action aside, this should now be 6th April. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Exhibition at Kolymbari June 2011

2010-12-05T23:40:00.001Z

There will be an exhibition of work for the environment entitled 'Rare and Beautiful Plants' to be held in conjunction with the International ECOTHEE conference at The Orthodox Academy of Crete at Kolymbari. Anyone interested in submitting work should please get in touch with Flowers of Crete or the Academy for more information.

Cavo Sidero

2010-12-05T23:38:00.000Z

On 4th December the Greek courts ruled that the Minoan/Loyalward development of a golf resort on this area of special scientific interest was illegal. We understand that the company is launching yet another attempt to get amended plans passed and, although this has been a victory for campaigners, it is not yet time to rest on our laurels. There are also rumours of developments at such important sites as Elafonisi.

Date for Court Hearing

2010-12-05T23:35:00.002Z

Owing to industrial action by lawyers here on Crete, the date of the court hearing for the granting of our syllogos has been postponed. As soon as we have a new date I will post it.

Date for Court Hearing - Syllogos

2010-08-31T01:19:00.002+01:00

The date for the court hearing for the granting of charitable status for Flowers of Crete has been set for 1st December, 2010.

Talk by John Fielding

2010-08-31T01:18:00.000+01:00

There will be a talk and slide show entitled 'Plants for a Mediterranean Climate' by co-author of the wonderful book Flowers of Crete - John Fielding at BioAroma in Aghios Nikolaos on Monday 25th October - time to be arranged. To register your place at the talk (which is sure to be well attended) please get in touch with julia@flowersofcrete.info.

Red Palm Weevil

2010-08-20T11:09:00.001+01:00

There are absolutely loads of weevils flying in and around Elounda at the moment. I have just sweep four up from my courtyard. This is really scarey. And apparently Cretans are being led to believe that the weevil will not attack the native Palm, P. theophrasti - this is NOT true. It will also attack banana palms too.

Spring Flowers Finding Trip 2011

2010-07-02T09:03:00.000+01:00

The dates for the Spring Flower and Orchid Finding trip are Tuesday 24th to 31st March - tour of the west of the island from Elafonisi to Rouvas. Dates for the second week Tuesday 31st March to Tuesday 5th April, the east of the island, taking in Katharo Plateau and Thripti mountains with a feast of orchids. Bookings are now being taken. Places are strictly limited, so if you are interested please book early.

Limodorum abortivum

2010-05-22T06:57:00.000+01:00

I am hoping to go to the south of Heraklion area in the next few days to photograph this beautiful orchid, which I have so far seen only in bud. If I am really lucky I might also find Cephelantera cucullata one of Crete's rarest endemic orchids. Rosemary and I saw one specimen last year, but the wind was so strong my photos didn't do it justice. If I find any I will post the photos here. Today I am working on my commission for Heather to paint Bituminaria bitunminosa - not easy as the flowers are so small, but I have finished the preliminary drawings and will start on the layout today.

New nesletter

2010-05-19T08:45:00.001+01:00

I am working on the Flowers of Crete newsletter - very belated I'm afraid - but if you have any articles you can contribute, please let me know.

My Artwork

2010-05-18T04:31:00.001+01:00

I have just started a new blog for my artwork - www.jjbotanicalart.blogspot.com if you would like to take a look.

Palm Weevil

2010-05-16T12:02:00.001+01:00

This morning (Sunday) I have killed two palms weevils at the house in Pano Elounda. Unless something is done immediately, we stand no chance of saving the Palms at Vai.

Cretan Date Palm

2010-05-15T10:47:00.000+01:00

It is with much regret I have to report that according to MAICH in Chania, the Red Palm Weevil is infecting some of the Palms at Preveli. I saw no sign of the weevil when I was there a couple of weeks ago, but then I didn't examine every palm. I spoke with the owners of several tavernas near the palm beach and they knew nothing about the threat to their palms or their livelihoods. MAICH is apparently 'monitoring' the situation but we have no information as to what this entails. I have killed three weevils at the house in Pano Elounda over the last few weeks and I am appalled at its spread. It will not be long before it reaches VAI. Rosemary and I have tried all avenues to get some co-ordinated help to deal with the problem, but so far each dimos seems to be doing its own thing. We have tried to make an appointment with the head of the province of Lassithi but without success. We really don't know what we can do to make a difference.

Conference on Biodiversity in Kolymbari

2010-05-10T09:23:00.000+01:00

Rosemary and I returned last night exhausted but very heartened by the response we received at the Conference from botanists and scientists from around the world. I will be posting much more about the conference shortly, but in the meantime I will post some photos of the devastation being wrought at Afrata - a site world famous for its cyclamen meadows. Despite efforts by Flowers of Crete to find some funding to buy a piece of land there, the diggers have now moved in and soon there will be little, if anything left. Once Rosemary and I have discussed the Conference and all its implications, I will be posting reports on the various topics and also some wonderful images of Greek Red List species that we were lucky enough to see over the course of the week,

Flowers of Crete - The Artists' View

2010-04-26T09:33:00.002+01:00

A chance for artists and the general public to visit the Greek Orthodox Academy at Kolymbari and to view the exhibition of art and photography which is being held in conjunction with the International Exhibition on Biodiversity being organised by PlantaEuropa and the Academy. There will also be a chance to visit the newly inaugurated botanic garden and the Museum of Cretan Flora.

Red Palm Weevil

2010-03-09T09:41:00.002Z

My cat found a red palm weevil on the kitchen floor this morning in Pano Elounda. Very worrying, as the warm weather is obviously allowing them to fly earlier than expected.

Palms at Preveli

2010-01-14T10:05:00.002Z

Thanks to someone living near Preveli we have established that the palms there are still in good condition. They will be monitored to ensure that they do not start to show signs of attack by the weevil. Good news so far!

More info

2010-01-13T09:55:00.000Z

Entries for the exhibition should be notified to julia@flowersofcrete.info by the 1st March 2010. Hanging will be 2nd and 3rd May with the exhibition running from 4th to 8th May. The cost of entering is 20 euros per work with a commission fee of 10% on any item sold. This money will go towards the work of Flowers of Crete and the cost of mounting the exhibition. Works can be in any medium except photography, which is the subject of a separate competition entitled The Flowers and Funghi of Europe. Works should be no large than 1 metre by 1.5 metres. Photos of the work should be submitted with the application to me - julia@flowersofcrete.info. Please contact me if you need any further information.

Flowers of Crete Art Exhibition

2010-01-13T09:49:00.000Z

The exhibition will be held in the Exhibition Area at the Greek Orthodox Academy at Kolymbari. The work can be in any medium except photography, which is subject to a separate competition entitled The Flowers and Funghi of Europe. The title of the art exhibition is The Flowers of Crete.

The exhibition and photographic competition display will be open to those attending the Conference - mainly botanists and scientists from around the world, and also to the general public. Any artist wishing to attend the exhibition and would like to stay at the Academy, can book a room. Prices start at around 55 euros a night, but accommodation will be limited as delegates to the conference will also be needing accommodation.

Thank you so much for your help. The conference is being held under the auspices of the international organisation PlantaEuropa and it is the very first time that art has been incorporated in a scientific conference in this way. Flowers of Crete has arranged these events as a way of involving the public and it would be wonderful to make it a great success. It will also provide a great showcase for the artists of Crete and give an opportunity for us to show our commitment to the environment of Crete.

Translation from Patris on Cretan Palm

2010-01-03T12:10:00.003Z

In a meeting on Vai
After the discovery of the "P" for the disaster - the initiative of Secretary of State Michael. Karchimaki

On the issue of measures to preserve the palm forest at Vai and other clusters of palm trees in Crete by the beetle, intervened yesterday by Secretary for Rural Development Michael Karchimakis. In a letter to the Secretary General of the Region of Crete Thanasis Karountzo Mr Karchimakis proposes to convene immediately a meeting involving all the co-authorities and agencies to start now coordinated efforts to save the palm of Crete. In his letter Mr. Karchimaki to Mr Karountzo stated:

"Over the last four years Crete faces a serious problem for the invasion of the insect Rynchoforos, which spread rapidly from area to area destroying palm trees.

The bug is based on both plant health legislation of the European Union, as Ms. corresponding Greek designated insect quarantine and requires immediate remedy it.

Unfortunately, all these years, the measures taken were insufficient, resulting in the destruction of the palm to spread rapidly and now threaten to contamination in integrated network NATURA, Vai palm.

The fact that the palm trees on Crete are an integral part of the aesthetic and a major investment, and adorn the public parks, beaches, homes and hotels on the island. In addition, the Palm Vai is a tourist destination unparalleled beauty of Crete and rare environmental value for the planet.

We therefore directly and closely all stakeholders to look at the problem, giving a final solution to the gradual destruction of these historic trees. So he finds it necessary to ask you to arrange a joint meeting of the Region of Crete on the treatment of aggressive insect Rynchoforos and protection of the Palm Beach Vai in Lasithi, and any other native palm island.

Given your sensitivity to environmental issues and cultural history of Crete, thank you in advance for your cooperation and look forward to your reply.

Geotechnical Chamber of Intervention

Meanwhile, the issue involved and the Crete Branch of the Geotechnical Chamber of Greece. As announced yesterday, the last meeting of the Steering Committee Annex "approved the proposal drafted by a group of members of the Geotechnical Chamber and decided the proposal be forwarded directly to the political leadership of the Ministries of Rural Development and Environment, the Secretary General of the Region of Crete and 4 prefects of the island. In the Prefect Prefect and the Chamber will seek a special meeting to inform them in more detail on the proposal submitted.

Petition - Help Save the Cretan Palm

2009-12-27T12:31:00.002Z

Please sign our petition at
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?flowers1&1
to help raise awareness of this threat to our environment.

Flower Finding Trips

2009-12-24T11:11:00.000Z

There will be a series of Flower Finding Trips in Spring 2010 - for more information please get in touch. First two weeks will be orchid finding and the second flower finding. We will be travelling the length and breadth of the island and seeing lots of interesting and exciting places.

Art Exhibition at Kolymbari

2009-12-13T07:47:00.000Z

There will be an art exhibition for the environment during the International Conference on Biodiversity at the Greek Orthodox Academy in Kolymbari in May 2010. The subject of the exhibition will be 'The Flowers of Crete'. Exhibits can be in any medium except photography, which is the subject of a competition which will also be displayed during the conference. if you would like to exhibit, please contact me for further information.

Christmas Fair

2009-12-03T07:02:00.002Z

There will be a Christmas Fair for Flowers at Cindy's Bar, Aghios Nikolaos on 11th December at 4.00 until 7.00. Home-made mincepies, mulled wine, carols, raffle for a Christmas hamper and much more. Flowers of Crete christmas cards! Please come and join us.

Information in Greek - please pass it on

2009-11-13T09:43:00.001Z

Ο κρητικός Φοίνικας εκπέμπει σήμα SOS…

Βρισκόμαστε στη δυσάρεστη θέση να ενημερώσουμε τα μέλη και τους υποστηρικτές μας ότι, την προηγούμενη εβδομάδα, η Rosemary βρήκε ένα νεκρό αρσενικό δείγμα του καταστρεπτικού κόκκινου ρυγχωτού κανθάρου φοινικών στην πλατεία της Ελούντας. Αυτό το έντομο είναι μια απειλή στα ενδημικά κρητικά δάση φοινικών σε Βάι και Πρέβελη και πρέπει να καταβληθεί κάθε προσπάθεια που θα καταφέρει να σταματήσει την καταστρεπτική του μανία. Έχει βρεθεί και στον Άγιο Νικόλαο αλλά και κατά μήκος της ακτής μεταξύ Ηρακλείου και Μιλάτου, όπου πολλά μολυσμένα δέντρα έχουν ήδη ξεραθεί.

Όλες οι αρμόδιες αρχές έχουν ενημερωθεί και θα σας ενημερώνουμε για το ποια μέτρα λαμβάνονται ώστε να ελέγξουν αυτήν την απειλή.

Στο μεταξύ, τοποθετούμε μια φωτογραφία αυτού του ρυγχωτού κανθάρου.

Εάν βρίσκετε αυτό το έντομο, παρακαλούμε να το καταστρέψτε και να κρατήστε τα υπολείμματα. Παρακαλούμε επίσης να το φωτογραφίστε και να μας στείλετε τις λεπτομέρειες στην παρακάτω ηλεκτρονική διεύθυνση www.flowersofcrete. info, έτσι ώστε να μπορούμε να ενημερώσουμε τις αρμόδιες αρχές. Τα δέντρα που έχουν επηρεαστεί σοβαρά πρέπει άμεσα να καταστραφούν. Όσον αφορά τα υπόλοιπα δέντρα στην περιοχή μπορούν να ψεκαστούν και έτσι οι παγίδες φερορμονών θα μπορούν να συλλάβουν τους ρυγχωτούς κανθάρους.

Όπως μπορείτε να δείτε είναι ένα μεγάλο έντομο με ισχυρά φτερά που του δίνουν την δυνατότητα να διανύει αποστάσεις.

Η Rosemary και εγώ ήρθαμε σε επαφή με την Κάλλια Πεδιαδίτη στο ΜΑΙΧ - το Μεσογειακό Αγρονομικό Ινστιτούτο Χανίων – η οποία έχει κάνει μια περιεκτική μελέτη πάνω στον κρητικό φοίνικα, παίρνοντας έτσι συμβουλές για τους τρόπους που ο σύλλογός μας «Flowers of Crete » μπορεί να βοηθήσει ώστε να διαδώσει τις απαιτούμενες πληροφορίες. Το τοπικό συμβούλιο της Ελούντας είναι επίσης ενημερωμένο γύρω από αυτήν την κατάσταση και θα ληφθούν μέτρα για την αντιμετώπισή της.

The Daffodil Principle

2009-11-13T08:16:00.001Z

This was sent to me by Sharon Collins in Canada - and I felt it was worth posting here -

Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother... you must come to see the daffodils before they are over."

I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.

Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren.

"Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!"

My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother."

"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her.

"But first we're going to see the daffodils. It's just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this."

"Carolyn," I said sternly, "Please turn around."

"It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."

After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, " Daffodil Garden ." We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight.

It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each different colored variety was planted in large groups so that it swir led and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.

"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn. "Just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house.

On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking", was the headline.. The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read. The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain." The third answer was, "Began in 1958."

For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop. Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration. The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration.

That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time--often just one baby-step at time--and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world .

"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"

My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said.

She was right. It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask, "How can I put this to use today?"

Use the Daffodil Principle. Stop waiting.....

Until your car or home is paid off

Curry Night at Limnes

2009-11-12T07:57:00.002Z

We are holding a Curry Night at Limnes on 20th November. Tickets for the meal are 10 euros each - bring a bottle. Numbers are limited so please let Julia or one of the committee know in plenty of time if you want to come along.

Red Palm Weevil

2009-11-10T12:14:00.001Z

We now have up to date information on how to protect healthy palms and what to do with infected palms. If you need advice please let us know.

Next Bazaar

2009-11-10T08:11:00.001Z

The next fund raising bazaar for Flowers of Crete will be held as usual at Cindy's Bar in Aghios Nikolaos on Sunday 15th November from 10.00 - 1.00. Please come along and support us. Lots of cheap books, as well as home baking, preserves, etc. Good quality second hand clothes, bric-a-brac and much more.

Prevention and Protection

2009-11-06T09:24:00.001Z

Methods of Control

Plant Quarantine:

The transport of offshoots as planting material from infested areas can contribute to the spread of the pest. Strict quarantine at international and national levels should be applied.

Cultural Control:

Field sanitation and cultural practices are one of the important components to prevent weevil infestation.

1- Clean the crown of palms periodically to prevent decaying of organic debris in leaf axils.

2- Avoid cuts and injuries.

3- When green leaves are cut, cut them at 120 cm away from the base.

4- Cutting of steps in palms for easy climbing is to be avoided, as this provides sites for egg laying by weevils.

5- As palms affected by leaf rot and bud rot diseases are more prone to weevil infestation, they are to be treated with suitable fungicides; after that, application of any insecticide to prevent egg laying by weevils is essential.

6- Destroy all dead palms harboring the pest by cutting and burning.

Mechanical Control:

Dead palms or palms beyond recovery are to be split open, exposing the different stages of the pest present inside and the debris, including the out logs and crowns, are to be burned.

Trapping the Weevils:

Trapping the weevils and destroying them is another method by which weevil populations can be brought down.

Biological Control:

No effective biological agent, which can be employed for the biological control of the pest has been found..

Chemical Control:

A- Preventive.

B- Curative.

Training and Education:

In order to successfully implement weevil management the cooperation of the public is essential. For any large scale pest management program to succeed, it is imperative that the public cooperate and involve themselves at the operational level. This can be achieved by making the population aware of the seriousness of the problem and training him in various IPM skills.

The only effective control is to cut down all infested palms and destroy them at an early stage so the nests of larvae cannot hatch and repopulate an area. The trunk of the palm needs to be split open and all stages destroyed. Burning the head does not kill the stages in the middle of the trunk. Thus, the whole trunk should be chopped and burned.

Adapted from the website www.redpalmweevil.com

Red Palm Weevil

2009-11-05T13:47:00.001Z

We have now informed the town council of Elounda of the appearance of the weevil and also have taken advice on what to do from Kallia Pediaditis at MAICH in Hania. Apparently the weevil is destroying the palms along the coast from Heraklion to Milatos and has now also been found in Aghios Nikolaos.

Red Palm Weevil

2009-11-04T12:10:00.002Z

Very worryingly, Rosemary and I have found a male Red Palm Weevil - fortunately dead - in Elounda. This is the beetle that is killing the date palms on the island and the one that it is vital doesn't get to Vai. If I could post a photo here I would, but there will be a photo in this months newsletter. Please look at it and remember it, in case you come across one somewhere. An infestation means certain death for the palm.

Images

2009-10-30T07:13:00.001Z

For some reason I can't seem to post a photo anymore on the blog. Does anyone know what is wrong?

Cretan Date Palm

2009-10-28T08:05:00.001Z

I received have received a photo of a dead palm from John Fielding. This image was taken in Italy and shows the devastation that is caused by the Palm Beetle. Fortunately, as far as we know, the beetle isn't here yet, but with the import of foreign palms, there is a distinct possibility that it will arrive here sooner or later. We are proposing that there be an exclusion zone around the areas of P. theophrasti at Vai and Preveli to prevent this and the possibility of hybridisation. Pressure needs to be put on hotels and developers to stop this happening.

September newsletter

2009-10-26T09:56:00.000Z

I have just sent out the new improved newsletter for September. If you would like to receive an e-copy and haven't done so, please let me know and I will add you to our mailing list. Julia

Flowers of Crete Calendar

2009-10-20T10:46:00.000+01:00

I am working on the Flowers of Crete calendar for 2010 at the moment and we are now taking orders. The subject will be the Endemic Flowers of Crete and you can see a sample of the cover here. Unfortunately, because of spoof orders last time we printed our calendar, we have to ask for pre-paid orders only. The price of the calendar will be 10 euros plus post and packing if required, but supporters in Crete can pick up their copies from Committee members or at our Christmas bazaar.

Bazaar

2009-10-15T17:37:00.000+01:00

There will be a Bazaar for Flowers of Crete at Cindy's Bar on Sunday 18th October at 10.00 a.m. to 1.00p.m. Please come along and support us. There will be home baking, produce, books, dvds and bric-a-brac. We still need donations of items for sale so if you have anything to offer please get in touch with a member of the Committee.

Bazaar at Cindy's

2009-08-11T09:14:00.000+01:00

There will be another Bazaar to raise funds for Flowers of Crete on Sunday 13th September at Cindy's Bar in Aghios Nikolaos near Pelagos Restaurant from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. There will be plenty of books, home made produce - lots of spicy chutney, cakes, scones, etc. as well as bric-a-brac, DVDs, Flowers of Crete pens and T-shirts, and lots more. If you have anything you can contribute or can help out on the day, please get in touch with me, Julia Jones, or one of the other committee members.

Meal on Saturday

2009-07-23T10:05:00.000+01:00

A table has been booked for Saturday night after Dr Moody's talk at Gargadoras Taverna by the beach for 9.00 p.m. I have to confirm final numbers for the meal tomorrow night, so if you want to come along and haven't let me know, please can you do so asap. The slideshow and talk will be very well attended and the meal will give people a chance to meet Dr Moody and enjoy a very pleasant evening.

Catching up

2009-07-21T08:24:00.001+01:00

I have been sadly remiss in not getting on with the newsletter and updating the website in the last few months. Ill health and pressure of other work is to blame, but I am now looking through the vast numbers of photos I have taken since March in the hope that I will actually get some work done. One particular photo that reminded me of a brilliant day out was this one of Rosemary and Nick Turland botanising on Psiloritis in June. We had a terrific time with Nick and Chris and I was thrilled to find Viola fragrans for the first time on this trip.

Bazaar at Cindy's

2009-07-21T08:20:00.000+01:00

The bazaar at Cindy's Bar was a great success and helped raised much need funds for Flowers of Crete. The next event is Dr Jennifer Moody's talk at BioAroma on Saturday. We are taking a break in August and ur next event will be another bazaar in September. We are in need of good quality bric-a-brac to sell please and would be grateful if anyone with anything to donate could get in touch with one of the committee members before the middle of September.

Bazaar at Cindy's Bar, Aghios Nikolaos

2009-07-06T14:24:00.001+01:00

There will be a bazaar for Flowers of Crete at Cindy's Bar 10.00 - 1.00 pm on Sunday 19th July. Loads of books, home baking, DVDs and videos and bric a brac. Please come along and support our cause. The sylogos papers are now completed (at last) and ready to go to court for a hearing date.

Another of my Watercolours

2009-07-04T16:52:00.000+01:00

This time an endemic ophrys which grows not too far from Pano Elounda on the mountains around Thripti.

Little frog

2009-07-02T09:14:00.000+01:00

Have done a Google search and it could be a young Pelophylax cretensis - endemic water frog from Crete. Any help on identification would be welcome.

Collecting Campanula spatulata

2009-07-02T09:04:00.001+01:00

I was asked to collect some leaves of C. spatulata for a professor at the University of Florida. Steve Lenton kindly showed me where there were still some in flower on the Katharo and the dried leaves are now on their way. While we were there, we found several small pools of water left in the almost dry river bed. These pools were full of tadpoles, some of which had still not developed legs and seem doomed to die in the scorching heat. However, the whole area was alive with tiny toads or frogs (no idea which) and I managed to get this photo of one that had just left the water. It looks quite menacing as it is totally black and I would be very interested to know what species it is.

Dr Jennifer Moody's talk

2009-07-02T08:42:00.000+01:00

Posters are going out now for Dr Moody's talk on the climate changes in Crete over the centuries and there is a lot of interest. I am arranging a meal afterwards for people to meet Dr Moody and anyone who would like to attend is please asked to let me know, so that I can book a table (tables) at the restaurant.

Exhibition opening

2009-06-21T08:57:00.000+01:00

The opening of the exhibition in Aghios Nikolaos went really well and I have to say, thanks to the help of Rosemary, Steve, Jane and Barbara it looked really lovely. There were loads of people there and the President of the Cultural Committee made some very nice comments about my work and the work of Flowers of Crete. The photographer from Anatoli was also very complimentary and took loads of photos, which I hope will be in the newspaper tomorrow. I obviously didn't get a chance to take any photos, but hope to publish some from Jane in a few days time.

I am really relieved that the exhibition is now up and running and I've got to know the two other artists exhibiting with me.

Exhibition - Precious Heritage

2009-06-10T08:15:00.000+01:00

I am gearing up for the opening of my exhibition at the Art Gallery in Aghios Nikolaos a week on Friday. I am hoping to show some new images of wild flowers here and some new paintings and more modern pieces of work. Should be interesting! The opening ceremony will be at 8.00 p.m. on Friday 19th June and the exhibition will run until 28th June. If you are around, please come and join us on opening night.

One of my paintings

2009-05-30T13:09:00.001+01:00

Hi Faith, here is one of my watercolour paintings of endemic Cretan plants - this one is the wild Cretan iris which grows all over the place in Spring and early summer. You should come over and see them sometime, they are stunning.

Jenny Moody's talk

2009-05-30T09:29:00.000+01:00

We would really appreciate offers of prizes for the raffle on Saturday 25th June at BioAroma to help raise money for the work of Flowers of Crete. We rely on donations of prizes for the raffle, as the event is free as a way of raising public awareness of the need for conservation. A lot of work goes into organising and promoting these events and we have to use Flowers of Crete money to put these important slideshows and lectures on - money which could be used for the upkeep of the website and to pay for informational and education literature.

Stunning day on the Katharo

2009-05-30T07:50:00.000+01:00

Rosemary John and I joined Steve Lenton for a day botanizing on the Katharo Plateau. It was absolutely wonderful. I have never seen the Katharo looking more beautiful. Everywhere was clothed with stunning flowers - gladiolus, poppies, daisies and the wonderful purple fumitory. Amongst all this abundance, we found a few very special flowers - thanks to Steve, whose knowledge of the area is amazing. There will be more news on Steve's and our 'finds' on the Flowers of Crete website in due course. In the meantime, enjoy this image.

Alone!!!

2009-05-27T18:02:00.000+01:00

Is there anyone out there reading this? I feel that I am blogging away to thin air. Please lets have some feedback!

Precious Heritage

2009-05-26T11:22:00.000+01:00

I will be exhibiting my paintings, drawings, photography and textile work in the Municiple Art Gallery in Aghios Nikolaos from 19th to 28th June. There will be an opportunity to learn more about Flowers of Crete and to join our organisation. Please come along and take a look and say hello. With many thanks to PODAN who are organising this exhibition on my behalf. Julia

Soiree at Vrahassi

2009-05-26T11:18:00.000+01:00

There will be another chance to show off your talents at the May Soiree, this Saturday, 30th May, starting at 8.00 at Jane's Revolution Bar in Vrahassi. It really is a great evening, with a lovely atmosphere and a variety of performances from classical music to Pam Ayres, stopping on the way to enjoy Greek prose, country music and German lieder. DO come along and join us. Raffle and donations to Flowers of Crete. Refreshments at the bar. If you would like your chance to perform, please contact Jane Sharp at Vrahassi.

Spring Fayre in Vrahassi

2009-05-26T11:15:00.001+01:00

Despite the very warm day, the Spring Fayre was a great success and enjoyed by everyone. Many thanks to those who contributed to funds by hiring a table for the day and to everyone who worked so hard to raise funds for Flowers of Crete. The International and National profile of our organisation is rising at a terrific rate and there are more and more opportunities to promote the work of education and conservation needed to protect the endemic and endangered flowers here. This success is down to the hard work of everyone concerned.

Wild World Blogspot

2009-05-26T11:10:00.000+01:00

In March, Rosemary and I went out with a Swedish photographer, Peter Lilja, who was here in Crete to take photos for National Geographic Magazine. He was in the area around Elounda for two days and we had a delightful time showing him some of the treasures of Lassithi. Here is a link to his blog. His images are great and the articles in National Geographic will be wonderful for promoting the flora of Crete. http://www.wild-wonders.com/blog/?p=3704 We hope to be able to feature some of Peter's images on our website in due course, once copyright issues have been cleared up.

Fund raising

2009-05-22T08:19:00.001+01:00

We have now ordered the GPS handheld unit for recording the location of endangered and rare flowers. Unfortunately, the unit we wanted has been discontinued. Thanks to Steve Lenton we have now sourced one in the UK and Rosemary ordered it yesterday. It has, of course, cost considerably more than we initially expected - another £90 and the contributions coming in for the yearly 4 euros subscription will hopefully help to offset this cost. The computer donated by Matthew Jones, although working when it left the UK, is not now - the computer cannot talk to the monitor. Steve has looked at this and thinks it is the graphics card, but could be the motherboard! Any advice and/or help with this problem would be most gratefully received.

Talk by Dr Jennifer Moody

2009-05-21T15:55:00.000+01:00

Flowers of Crete is proud to announce that Dr. Jennifer Moody, Research Fellow of the University of Texas at Austin, and co-author of 'The Making of the Cretan Landscape' is to give a talk for us on 25th July at 6.00 p.m at BioAroma in Aghios Nikolaos. The talk and slideshow, entitled "Flood, Feast and Famine - adapting to climate change in ancient and historic Crete", is sure to be very interesting and informative and, as usual, entrance will be free. There will be a voluntary collection towards the work of Flowers of Crete. We are expecting a large turn-out for this event, so can you please register your interest by contacting Julia Jones - julia@flowersofcrete.info If there is sufficient interest, we will be organising a meal after the event to give people a chance to meet and talk to Dr Moody. Again, please let us know if you would like to attend the meal - more details on this will be posted on http://www.flowersofcrete.info/ and http://flowersofcrete.blogspot.com/ shortly.

2009-05-07T06:40:00.001+01:00

At the last Committee meeting, it was decided to ask supporters to donate 4 euros per year towards the work we are doing on Crete. The funds raised by this, will be used for printing, the production of various 'Flowers of Crete' merchandise and the day to day running of the organisation. Donations can be made in cash to members of the Committee or through PayPal. A facility for paying through PayPal has been set up on the Flowers of Crete website www.flowersofcrete.info. For supporters in the UK and in Greece we can also provide bank details for payment at Barclays Bank or Geniki Bank.

Sample of 2010 Calendar

2009-05-06T10:45:00.000+01:00

Here is a sample page from the Endemic Flowers of Crete calendar for 2010. Further pages will be available shortly, as I assemble the most beautiful images of native flowers month by month.

Cavo Sidero

2009-05-06T06:12:00.000+01:00

Dr Rosemary John and I are off to Palehora on Friday to meet with representatives from Minoan the developers for the much discussed development at Cavo Sidero. Although I have been to Vai several times, I have not been on to the peninsula and it should be a very interesting day. We are also hoping to meet with members of the local opposition to the proposed resort, so we will be reporting our findings back to the Committee in two weeks time when we have our next Committee meeting. We will then send out our observations to members in our monthly newsletter. If members have any questions that they feel should be put to Minoan please let us know.

My talk and slideshow

2009-05-02T09:08:00.000+01:00

Although no-where near as high profile as Nick's talk in March, we are getting a good response to my talk on the Flowers of Lassithi Province, but are having difficulties coming up with a translator into Greek and someone who will provide a digital projector and sound. If anyone can help, please let us know. We are hoping to attract tourists to the event and would like it to be a success in spreading the word about the flowers here. We can, of course, pay for these services, but as we have very limited funds and the event is free, it defeats the object somewhat if we have to set aside precious funding. I will go and see Sakis at BioAroma this week and try to sort something out, in the meantime, if anyone can help, we would be most grateful. Julia

Flowers of Crete T shirts

2009-04-30T11:21:00.000+01:00

I am in the process of designing a T shirt for supporters of Flowers of Crete. It will retail at around £9.00 plus postage and will feature line drawing of Crocus oreocreticus and the 'Flowers' logo. Anyone interested in ordering, please contact me directly. We are also designing a calendar for 2010 and will be taking pre-orders for this. Production will depend on the number of pre-orders we receive. Julia

Cavo Sidero development

2009-04-29T13:58:00.000+01:00

Just to confirm that Dr Rosemary John and I are going over to Cavo Sidero on the 8th May to meet with directors and experts from Minoan/Loyalward the company responsible for the proposed golf development on the cape. It should be an interesting day and we will report back to the Committee of Flowers of Crete and then to supporters worldwide.

Another item off the Wish List

2009-04-29T08:20:00.000+01:00

Flowers of Crete would like to thank Heather and Charles Baily from the UK for their generous donation to provide us with a GPS system for identifying the position of important and endangered flowers that we find on our botanising trips. Heather is Rosemary John's sister and she and her husband are supporters of the work we are doing here. At the moment I am exploring the best system to use and Steve Lenton is advising me on how to proceed. Apparently we also could do with a copy of the Google Earth Software and this will replace the GPS system on the wish list. I think I will be on a steep learning curve and Rosemary and I will be using the system on our weekly visits to Pezoulia Reserve once we have cracked how to use it. The computer donated by my son in the UK will be arriving shortly, courtesy of William Rumbold and Liz Scott who are bringing it down with them when the drive down from London next week. This will be invaluable, as my old laptop is really beginning to struggle with the amount of work and images that are stored on it. I do have an external hard drive, but the size and number of images is becoming enormous. So a better laptop would be a wonderful addition to our work. Doesn't have to be new - just quicker than the one I am currently using - An Acer Aspire bought in the UK three years ago.

So to recap -

we have received a donation from Heather and Charles Baily to purchase a GPS system

but we would be eternally grateful for either of the following which are added to our Wish List

Google Earth Software - I think we may need the upgraded version, but would be grateful for info on this
Higher powered laptop

Once again, MANY, MANY thanks to Heather and Charles. The GPS will be invaluable for our work and we will make excellent use of your generous gift.

Julia

Great day on the Katharo

2009-04-29T08:12:00.000+01:00

Rosemary and I went up to the Katharo yesterday, to photograph the peonies on the way up and then to meet Steve Lenton to do a bit of botanising. Steve took us to see Tulipa cretica and a wonderful meadow of fritillary and we introduced him to a new species of orchid for his catalogue. It was a wonderful day, most satisfying for all concerned and I thought I would share a few of my photos with you as a preview to the April calendar on Flowers of Crete website. Julia

Fritillary

2009-04-23T19:49:00.000+01:00

Just in case you couldn't wait - here's the fritillary.

Flowers of Crete wish list!!

2009-04-23T15:47:00.000+01:00

Following a trip out into the field with a professional photographer from Sweden, the Flowers of Crete wish list has expanded somewhat. It now includes

a macro lens for Nikon camera (carried over from previous wish list :-) )
a portable reflector
a GPS system for plotting the location of particular flowers - Rosemary and I found a fabulous orchid on Katharo today, but I doubt whether we will ever be able to find its location again!!!
a digital projector
inks for printer

With Rosemary holding the reflector I got a really good image of a fritillary last week. It will be online in the FoC calendar for April, once I have finished writing everything up. It's been a busy month.

Bazaar in Neapoli

2009-04-22T16:13:00.000+01:00

Out first bazaar in Neapoli was a great success and the Committee of Flowers of Crete would like to thank everyone concerned who helped with this fund raising event. We would particularly like to thank Anna Kosmadaki of the Centre for Foreign Languages for her generous hospitality in allowing us to use the centre. It was a lovely location and we hope to be able to hold another bazaar there at some point during the summer.

Conference for the Environment and Art Competition

2009-04-11T15:12:00.000+01:00

Here is advance notice of a conference to be held at the Greek Orthodox Academy at Kolymbari next May. It is hoped that Flowers of Crete will be organising an International Art Exhibition for the environment to run alongside the conference and also a concert of music and dance for the closing Gala night. Further information can be obtained from Julia Jones or from the website http://www.oac.gr/

Cavo Sidero Development

2009-04-10T10:34:00.000+01:00

I have just heard that the Committee ruling on Cavo Sidero has ruled against the development. This information has yet to be confirmed, but Minoan shares have fallen to 10p - their lowest figure yet.

Bazaar in Neapoli

2009-04-10T10:33:00.000+01:00

Just to let everyone know that the time for the bazaar on Sunday will be from 10.00 - 12.00 and not 2,00 as previously posted. Julia

Cavo Sidero Development

2009-04-07T17:17:00.000+01:00

The President and Committee of Flowers of Crete has been invited to meet with a Director and experts from Minoan and Loyalward at Cavo Sidero to see for themselves the proposed development. The meeting will take place on 8th May and will be an interesting experience, allowing members of Flowers of Crete to decide for themselves the sustainability of such a huge development in such an environmentally sensitive area.

Bazaar in Neapoli

2009-04-01T09:57:00.001+01:00

Please come along to the first Flowers of Crete Bazaar in Neapoli at the School for Foreign Languages at 10.00 a.m. till 2.00 p.m. on Sunday 12th April. Lots of books, DVDs, home baking, and bric-a-brac. We hope to see you there!

Soiree at Vrahassi

2009-03-29T19:41:00.000+01:00

Once again, a superb and entertaining evening at Jane's Revolution Bar in Vrahassi. Many, many thanks to Jane and David for hosting the event, and to everyone who took part. We observed the Earth Hour, with readings of poetry and prose by candlelight. The next soiree will take place on the last Saturday in April - 25th at 7.30 for 8.00.

Flowers of Lassithi

2009-03-29T19:39:00.001+01:00

Following the success of Nick Turland's talk at BioAroma, I have been asked to give a talk and slideshow on the Flowers of Lassithi on Saturday, 18th May at 6.00 p.m. The talk will once again be at BioAroma and we would ask you to register your interest if you would like to attend. This will give us some idea of numbers for seating and catering. The slideshow will focus on the flowers in the Lassithi area and elsewhere that we are all able to see and appreciate.

Soiree at Vrahassi and Earth Hour

2009-03-28T13:34:00.001Z

We will be honouring Earth Hour tonight at Vrahassi by switching off all the lights, as we sing-a-long to some old favourites with Wolfgang and co. Should be great fun.

Starts at 7.30 - 8.00 p.m. but come early if you would like a seat.

Cretan violet

2009-03-28T13:33:00.000Z

Thanks to Steve Lenton I found my first Cretan violet on Thursday on the Katharo. Absolutely wonderful! Thanks Steve - photos will be online soon www.flowersofcrete.info and on the blog once I can find a minute to post.

Nick Turland's talk

2009-03-22T07:50:00.000Z

The event was extremely well attended by around 150 people of all ages. There were a large number of Greeks and, of course, an equally large number of ex-pats. Sakis and his wife made us very welcome and provided wonderful refreshments after the talk. Nick's talk showed us extremely rare flowers from Crete - mostly high mountain plants, which few of us are ever likely to have seen. My particular favourite is the endemic Clematis elizabetha- carolae which grows in an extremely harsh environment. Many of us were amazed to see the beautiful fields of Tulipa doerfleri and we have decided to make a trip over to Rethymnon shortly to see them for ourselves. In the next few days, the Committee of Flowers of Crete will be looking at ways to improve the running of these events - the next one is scheduled for July and to find ways to encourage people to 'sign up' as supporters. I was asked if I would do a talk on the orchids of Crete and a date needs to be set for that. I would like to thank all the members of the Committee for their help in organising and carrying out last nights event. It was a huge undertaking and I couldn't possibly have done it on my own. Thanks also to everyone who donated a prize for the raffle - the amount raised will be published shortly. And, of course, a huge thank you to Nick for giving us his valuable time. We had a great day out in the field with him during the day and his help and advice at Pezoulia has been invaluable. Also many thanks to Babis for stepping into the breach to translate at short notice, which he did most excellently and to Yiorgos from 104.4fm Radio for operating the projector and laptop - a technical job which always worries me enormously.

Visit to Cavo Sidero

2009-03-20T09:40:00.000Z

The members of the Committee of Flowers of Crete have been invited to meet the experts and some board members of Loyalward and the Minoan Group to see for themselves the extent of the development at Cavo Sidero and to consider the impact on the environment of this scheme. We will be spending two days 8th/9th May there and will then be in a position to report our concerns and impressions to our membership.

Lichenologist

2009-03-18T09:10:00.000Z

A friend of mine, Anamarija Partl, a lichenologist from Zagreb, Croatia, is staying with me for two weeks and it is hoped that she will accompany us to Pezoulia next week to identify some of the lichen for our species list. If you haven't already seen it, it is now online at www.flowersofcrete.info and it will be updated on a monthly basis as we identify new species on the land.

Pezoulia

2009-03-16T05:28:00.000Z

Dr Rosemary John and I are off to join Jane Sharp at Vrahassi this morning for a walk to the Flowers of Crete Nature Reserve. Last week many orchids were starting to appear, so we are looking forward to an exciting day, seeing just what species are there. Next week Anamarija Partl will be joining us. She is a botanist from Zagreb with a special interest in lichen and we are hoping that she will identify the various varities we have already spotted. On Saturday 21st March, Nick Turland and his assistant Babis (a student at Patras University) will be accompanying us to the land to help with identification for the species list.

We have also been offered two pieces of land by a neighbouring dimos to be used as nature reserves and once we have any firm committment on this, we will post more information.

Press write-up

2009-03-15T11:08:00.000Z

To see a report of the Press Conference (in Greek) that was held on Friday evening and a photo of some of those concerned, please visit http://www.104fm.gr

Nick Turland's talk

2009-03-15T08:45:00.000Z

Following the press conference on Friday night, it has been decided to bring the opening time of BioAroma forward to 6.00, to allow visitors to look around the new botanic garden and museum and to look at the essential oils shop, Julia's artwork and to pre-order Nick's book, sign the Sylogos papers and to find out more about Flowers of Crete. Those people who have reserved a place, please arrive early to ensure that you have a seat. The talk is being extensively advertised on radio and in the newspapers, so we are expecting a large turn-out.

Bazaar in Neapoli

2009-03-14T16:49:00.000Z

The Flowers of Crete Bazaar in Neapoli will take place from 10.00 to 2.00 on Sunday, 12th April at the Centre for Foreign Languages, Therisou 19. Please give us your support. Lots of lovely things to eat, books, DVDs, bric-a-brac, clothes, and household items.

Report from Press Conference

2009-03-14T11:59:00.000Z

Yiorgos Toutodakis of 104.4fm RADIO has put a report and photo from the Press Conference last night on the website www.104fm.gr He is going to mention Nick's talk on air every day next week in the run up to the 21st March. Also Leon from Anatoli is going to write about the work of Flowers of Crete and Nick's talk. Several reporters from Heraklion telephoned to say that they were unable to attend the press conference, but they wanted to write about the work we are doing in Flowers of Crete. We are very grateful to Sakis and his wife for being such generous hosts and supporters and also Popi for her help in arranging the press conference.

Press conference in Aghios

2009-03-13T19:40:00.000Z

The press conference proved to be a success, with an interview with Anatoli and with local radio and several enquiries from newspapers and magazines in Heraklion. It had not previously been understood that this is the only talk Nick Turland is giving while he is in Crete, and the importance of this event cannot be overstated. It was decided, that in order to fit everything in to the evening, we should bring the start time forward to 6.00 p.m. This would enable visitors to have a look around the botanic garden being set up at BioAroma and to talk to Sakis about the essential oils distillery and the museum of Cretan life. Nick's talk will then follow with translation into Greek and a chance to have a social exchange with refreshments kindly provided by Sakis and his wife. We cannot thank Sakis enough for his sponsorship of Flowers of Crete and his generosity in allowing us to hold such events at his premises.

Bazaar in Neapoli

2009-03-13T08:49:00.000Z

Items for the Bazaar to be held in Neapoli on 12th April are now coming in and we would like to thank everyone who has donated so far. If you have items you would like to offer us, please contact Julia Jones, Barbara May or Chris Woolfenden to arrange delivery or collection.

Press conference

2009-03-13T08:44:00.000Z

There will be a press conference for Nick Turland's talk tonight at BioAroma. It is hoped that this event will generate a lot of positive interest in the work of Flowers of Crete. It is becoming essential that we attract financial sponsorship, in order that we can continue the work we have begun and to enable set aside and nature reserves to be established all over the island. There is expected to be a large turn-out for what promises to be a wonderful evening. The books ordered for signing have now been sold, but there will be an opportunity to order and pre-pay for a copy on the evening. Delivery time is around 3-5 days, as the books are being sent from the UK.

Flowers of Crete by Nick Turland and John Fielding

2009-03-02T06:46:00.000Z

I am about to order books for signing by Nick Turland. The cost of each book, including post and packing, will be 65 euros. I can only order books for this event that have been pre-ordered and paid for, so, if you want to receive a copy, please let me know as soon as possible. julia@flowersofcrete.info

Flowers of Crete by Nick Turland and John Fielding

2009-02-27T08:36:00.000Z

I am about to order copies of the above book for signing at Nick Turland's talk on Saturday, 21st March. The cost per copy of this book will be 65 euros, which includes post and packing. This seems a lot, but for anyone interested in the flora of Crete it is invaluable and a must have! I can only buy in pre-ordered and paid for books, so can anyone who want a copy to get signed by Nick, please get in touch with me as soon as possible. Books can also be ordered and paid for on the night, but these, of course, will not be signed. julia@flowersofcrete.info