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.