Flowers of Crete calendars

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

Chronia Polla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.