Friday, 01-05-26

Morning, everyone.  Welcome to the first day of May and into the second third of 2026.  

I didn't show you what I brought back from Crete yesterday so I'll do it now.

The fridge magnets.  Starting at the top, this is a disc they found while excavating Knossos.  It is called the Phaistos Disc and contains information of some kind but, as yet, they haven't managed to decode it.
The Phaistos Disc - Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Then, clockwise, it's an aerial photo of the monastery we visited, a painted stone from the Botanical garden, an abstract olive leaf design on Greek marble, the Chania lighthouse and another olive leaf magnet with the mati in the centre.  The purpose of the ‘mati’, a schematic representation of an eye, is to ward off the envious gaze, which, confusingly, is also known in Greek as ‘mati’. According to the tradition, anyone offering effusive praise risks giving the recipient the ‘evil eye’, which can bring illness or misfortune, even if the giver’s intentions are pure.
Copied from here.  The Only Greek Charm You’ll Ever Need - Greece Is

While wandering around Chania, I went into a pottery centre and bought these two wee mugs, just the right size for a shot of coffee.

They have a web site but, sadly, not an online shop.  I suppose postage would be eye-watering anyway.

Flakatoras Ceramics

I bought the wee bottle of honey raki from the winery we visited.  Raki is a grape based spirit and I am advised that the nearest sub for cooking would be vodka.  
Honey raki is lovely.  

Rakı - Wikipedia

For my birthday, One Traveller gave me a little gift, a set with a mini bottle of garlic infused olive oil, three different olive pastes and a small tea towel (not shown - it was in the washing machine!)

Some of these came from the olive oil place and the rest from the Botanical Garden shop.
The body balm is absolutely gorgeous and you need so little.

And, finally, I treated myself to some olive wood bowls and a little scoop from the Bee place and from the olive oil factory shop.  I love olive wood things and they often have some lovely things in HomeSense.

I did intend to do some gardening yesterday but I was so very tired I rested up apart from a little bit of housework and tidying.

Oh, and I made some Cretan rusk bread as the barley flour came.  I was pleased with the results although I realised the barley flour was not high enough in protein so I've ordered some gluten powder.  I've also realised that I could make my own barley flour just using pearl barley and Thermione.

I made the rusks but I bet a normal loaf with some barley flour would taste good and I might try making some soda bread.
I'm waffling now, aren't I?

On to today and it is Friday so Slimming World and I am NOT looking forward to getting on those scales.  Not at all!

Diane is coming to our group because she can't make her usual Friday group and is staying for lunch so I'm putting together a meal where Crete meets Essex!!  Fusion food.
Fingers crossed.

Time to get the day going, I think.  Have as lovely first of May, everyone.  See you tomorrow.  xx