Viki and Banna outside the kafeneion in Stylos.
Shortly after this photo was taken Banna became lame and despite the best efforts of the English farrier, Les Buckle, it seemed that we would have to get Banna out of the field.
A couple who had dog kennels and a cattery called Colin and Frida got us out of trouble. They originally had two horses and had stables near Armenoi. Viki walked Banna to their place and trawled back and forth twice a day to muck out, feed and care for Banna. We did have one disaster when he split his face open (he really didn't like being stabled) but Colin administered injections of antibiotics and he recovered well. I should also mention that they steadfastly refused to accept any payment from us for their help and temporary stabling.
After about a month we were convinced that Banna was well enough to leave the stables and his lameness had gone. The problem was that we still had nowhere to put him except the original field.
And then it happened. And our world changed.
I often browse the small ads in the local paper Χανιοτικα Νεα when I have my morning coffee at Roula's kafeneion. I have never, repeat never, looked at "commercial property for sale" but that morning I glanced at it and something caught my eye. It said 10 stremmata in Stylos for sale or rent. I called the number and arranged to meet the owner that day and we signed a 2 year rental agreement the next day.
At last we had somewhere suitable for Banna to live. We made a makeshift corral with ropes and Viki rode (!) him to the farm. No lameness at all.
We then realised that we also had 2.5 acres of untended farmland, avocados, oranges, 200 immature lemon trees, walnuts, 7 olive trees and a small uninhabitable house with a particularly nasty outside toilet.
This was either a huge mistake, or a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Welcome to our blog about setting up a working organic farm in Crete, Greece during a period of recession and uncertainty.
We are accidental farmers. We never set out to find ourselves wandering around frosty fields on Christmas morning of 2012, but this how it happened ...........
In her youth, (many, many, years ago) Viki went to Pony Club and later owned a horse (Bert). She maintained a fondness for equines and when she was offered a 25 year old Arab in May 2012, she jumped at the chance to get back in the saddle again. We were offered the use of an old "aloni" or threshing field and set about fencing it in for Banna's arrival. This was actually valuable training, but at that point I was not aware how useful every new skill would become.
Friends who own a riding stable near Malaxa agreed to collect the horse for us and we arrived at the village where Banna was led to the box. I missed most of what happened next but there was some problem getting him in, resulting in the horse turning around as we followed the box down the National Highway. We pulled over and managed to turn him on the side of the busiest road on the island and set off once more. Yet again he turned, raising fears that he would injure himself or even try to escape. We stopped again and struggled to get him into position. This time it worked and we made it all the way to the village and his new home.
The small field was far from ideal, but we could not find anything larger. It had large stones and we had to clear old shards of glass and metal thoroughly before we could put the horse in the field.
Viki felt that Banna needed company so we got a small pig (female).
And then another one (male)
By now you may be starting to get the picture.
As yet, I haven't mentioned Jaco (after Jaco Pastorius). Jaco was running wild and eating everyone's chickens, so we took him in and then he repaid us by eating most of ours. Here is the name and shame moment.
Then there is Flo (A.K.A Flo-Bo, Boo, Booby, etc. Flo was abandoned on a scorching summers day and, well, we had to take her in too. She's not so bright, but a beautiful affectionate dog. This photo was taken just after we found her.
And then there is Prince David (Dave, actually). Spoilt rotten, and thinks the house belongs to him.
More tomorrow. ...................
