We all arrived at Heraklion Airport safely.

Suzanna with the other women from Gatwick arrived first and befriended 'the airport dog' while waiting for the rest of us from Manchester.

We now drove along the north coast of Crete to Rethimnon, then south across the island to Rothakino - stopping on the way to stock up with breakfast and packed lunch supplies from Armeni supermarket.

It was dark by the time we arrived at Maria & Christina's rooms - the view would have to wait for the morning.

We wandered down to Nikos and Anna's taverna which was just closing - but they very kindly agreed to feed us.

Not long after we were all settled down in our beds, falling asleep to the gentle sound of the waves below.

We woke to hazy sunshine and a thin covering of cloud. Perfect for a first day.

Everyone made their own breakfasts with bread from the delivery van, and relaxed on their balconies with a cuppa.

I had suggested we go walking at 10.00 on the first day since there is 2 hours difference here.

We gathered in front of the rooms, then set off walking eastwards along the coast.

Our goal was a little pebbly cove in sight of Plakias bay, and to get there we walked along a little coastal gravel track.

The flowers were simply stunning - so many daisies, poppies, bright thistles, thyme, oleander, mullein and many other smaller plants...

We reached the dramatic point where rocks have fallen off the hill above us, called Kastro.

And shortly beyond, Plakias Bay came into view with misty mountains and hills receeding into the distance.

We descended to a little swimming cove below us - almost deserted (well, you can't always have everything!)

Here we rested for a good hour or so, swimming, sunning, having lunch and reading.

When folk were starting to feel restlas, we retraced our steps along the coast path for a drink at Koraka beach.

Back in front of our rooms, most still had the energy to come and explore the deserted beach beyond the headland.

It was sunny, so most of the group promptly went in for a second dip!

Later we met up for supper at Nikos & Anna's taverna, 5 minutes walk from our rooms.

Delicious simple food - a great way to end our first day!

A cloudy start to the day as we headed in our 2 minibuses westwards, passing through little villages full of bouganvillia and geraniums, and past flocks of sheep and goats...

We then drove up up up the hillside to the start of the Imbros Gorge.

Up in the hills it was raining gently, but the sun still shone back on the coast as we walked down into the gorge.

Imbros is much smaller than Samaria - only 5 miles in length and more intimate generally. At one narrow, water-carved section you can touch both sides.

We wound our way down, passing many different flowers and herbs - somewhat earlier in season due to the snow that fell in February this year.

We marvelled where the gorge narrowed, and looked up at the trees and shrubs that cling to the valley walls.

Half way down we reached goats and the rescue donkey - not currently needed... then stopped for a first lunch with a choice of shade or sun.

More walking on the pebbly bed of the gorge brought us finally to the tavernas near the road.

While Suzanna and I took a taxi to retrieve the cars, the rest of the group waited at the taverna.

...beer or fresh orange juice, greek salad or Sfakia cheese pie (a pancake with filled with sheep's cheese and covered in honey....

Refreshed, we were now ready for our afternoon walk - 5 miles along the coast from Hora Sfakion to Lutro.

If anyone didn't fancy walking more, there was always the taxi boat to Loutro (the afternoon ferry wasn't running today).

The path contours the coast, at one point cut into the rock itself, then across an old rock fall to Sweet Water Bay.

Here fresh water seems out from the cliffs under the stones of the beach, and people dig wells in the pebbles to collect it...

We didn't stop for a swim at any of the coves as we were a bit short on time. There would only be a 6pm ferry today.

Beyond the coves, our path climbed and contoured the hillside above the sea - turning turquoise when the sun came through the clouds...

After a last stretch of 'up', we finally rounded the headland and Lutro lay before us, sparkling in the sunshine.

We had time for a drink - beer, orange juice, great cappucino, or mountain tea - before the ferry arrived to take us back to Hora Sfakion.

We ate in Hora Sfakion that evening for a change, with a wider choice of dishes. Still we only paid 13 Euros each including wine and tip!

After our stretching walk yesterday - and with the Gorge of Samaria tomorrow - we took the day off today to enjoy the beach around the headland.

The day dawned sunny with not a cloud - normal May weather - it had finally arrived!

We lazed on our balconies, eating yogurt and honey, fruit, bread and cheese or whatever else we had bought for breakfast.

Then half the group set off for the beach - while the rest of us slowly gathered ourselves together.

The beach around the headland is perfect for a lazy day.

Behind the beach there are low trees that offer shade, and much of the beach is sandy with flat rocks in between...

We had a lovely day. Some women returned to Nikos and Anna's taverna for lunch and a beer.

Others picniced under the trees, taking a dip if they needed to cool off. But there was always a gentle breeze from the west.

That evening we ate at Katerina's restaurant for a change.

She has a simpler menu, but delicious food and, if anything, even cheaper than the other restaurants.

Then we all headed to bed relatively early - in preparation for our big day tomorrow.

We woke before dawn, and set off for the Samarian Gorge as the sky brightened slowly in the east.

First we drove to Hora Sfakion where we parked the cars.

Here we caught the bus to Hania, had a coffee, then arranged 3 taxis up to the top of the Samarian Gorge at Omalos plateau.

Time for another coffee or tea, yoghurt and honey, and a chance to buy more goodies from the taverna for our day in the gorge.

It was cloudy as we set off down - but the views were still breathtaking, with Gingilos magnificent across the gorge from us, forming its western boundary.

We followed the zig zag stone-laid path steadily down down down through the pines towards the stream bed, stopping at one of the frequent waterpoints to refill our water bottles.

Here the gorge is dry for a while, until suddenly the river emerges for a while. Wherever there is water, huge plane trees grow. There were also many flowers to see.

We paused at Agios Nicolaos - an ancient church - surrounded by a veritable forest of Dragon Arum (lillies indigenous to Crete).

A little further on we stopped for lunch at a lovely pool - a chance to dip our feet after all that 'down'!

We continued on. At one point we passed patches of wild clyclamen growning as a carpet under the trees.

Our path climbed to the western side of the valley for a while and gave us a view up a huge tributary valley descending from Melindao - one of the White Mountains...

By 3pm we reached Old Samaria village - the approximate half way point.

The old village has been turned into a medical centre and rest stop and we had another break here.

As we left, it started to rain lightly, so we pushed on in case it got heavier. We saw spider orchids in several places...

Soon the gorge narrowed dramatically and we entered a different world. The gorge walls were now almost vertical, and in places the strata was bent every which way...

We crossed and re-crossed the dry stream bed, walking on the rounded stones.

Further down the water came back and there were more beautiful plane trees... Now where we had to cross the stream, it was on ladder bridges...

Finally we reached Cristos - another small church and rest stop - and had our final break and snack.

A little further on we reached the Gates of Samaria - the narrowest point of the gorge where the river fills the gorge.

We walked through over a lengthwise wooden bridge...

Another mile further on we emerged through the oleander bushes at the edge of the National Park.

Another mile further on we finally reached the sea and the little settlement of Agia Roumeli.

It was a tired but satisfied group who trouped into Restaurant Tarra for a well-deserved beer of fresh orange juice.

We were welcomed by Andreas who runs the restaurant and nearby Hotel Calypso.

We settled into our rooms, then had a very delicious meal back at Restaurant Tarra.

As we sat there the skies opened and the rain continued to fall steadily all night long.

As the morning was likely to be cloudy, we'd decided on a later start than normal for this day - with breakfast at 08.00 (normally we start earlier to be ahead of the sun).

Today we would walk along the coast from Agia Roumelli to Marmara cove just before Lutro.

The walk starts along the beach on sand and pebbles, at times climbing the hillside to pass above big rocks blocking the beach.

After about 1.5 miles we reachd Agios Pavlos - an ancient Byzantine church built by St Paul's followers.

Here there is also a little taverna, so we stopped a cup of coffee and a 2nd breakfast.

We took a look inside this beautiful ancient church...

Now we climbed up into the pine trees and walked on pine needles looking down at the tourquoise sea below - always a lovely stretch.

At the end of the pines we climbed around the headland and now walked higher above the sea as the path got rockier.

We passed between small trees, thorn bushes and many flowering shrubs and herbs.

This headland goes on for a while. At one point we had a break beneath a huge ancient olive tree which must have sheltered so many travellers in its time...

Then there was no shade. By now the clouds had all disappeared, however there was a good breeze.

We could see griffon vultures circling on thermals above the high cliffs inland from us.

We walked steadily on until finally we topped a rise and Finix bay lay before us - the bay before Lutro.

Shortly our path started down to Marmara cove, zigzagging steeply over the hard limestone here - marble in fact. Marmara cove lies at the bottom of the Aradena Gorge.

Here there is another small taverna that was our destination for a late lunch.

No one swam in the cove - it was too rough after the storm even though the sun was warm.

A little later, I arranged a taxi boat from Marmara to Lutro - a very exhilarating ride.

4 women decide to walk there instead, taking the new easy path to Lutro.

We all met up in Lutro to sit in the sun and enjoy another coffee, tea or beer, writing postcards, or doing a little shopping until the ferry arrived at 6pm.

We regained our minibuses in Hora Sfakion.

It seemed like ages since we had left them here. We drove back to Rothakino to have a chance of a shower 'back home' before supper at Nikos & Anna's taverna.

Last walking day - and we headed east to just beyond Plakias. Today we would walk to the coast above the Preveli Gorge near the Preveli Monastery.

It was a beautiful day - sunny but with a good breeze from the north.

Our goal was Palm Beach where palms from North Africa have grown up beside Crete's only other permenant river (besides Samaria).

We walked between olive groves, then struck out above the gorge. At one point we could see the palm trees below lining the river below.

Topping a rise, we came into sight of the coast stretching east towards Agia Galini and beyond.

Out to sea we could see the islands near Agia Galini clearly.

Down down down, we took a little winding path, and emerged onto a track which led to Palm Beach.

The sea was still too rough for the pleasure boats from Plakias and Agia Galini, so the beach was fairly deserted.

Today, for sure, there would be too much water in the river for us to return up the gorge, so instead we hired sun beds and relaxed in the sun for 2-3 hours.

Some of us swam, others hired a pedalo and had great fun getting up the river against the wind, Barbara bird watched in the gorge, the rest of us dozed or read...

Later we climbed the steps towards the monastery, and found a new path returning above the other side of the gorge.

From our outward path, we had spotted that new safety railings had been built on the other side of the gorge at what must be viewpoints, and so thought it worth investigating!

The views were stunning - it proved a great find. We also saw blue rock thrushes flying in the gorge. (You can see all of Barbara's list of birds spotted on the holiday at the bottom of this page...!)

We came to a larger track that I recognised, and so regained our vehicles in good time.

We now drove into Plakias and spent an enjoyable 1.5 hours shopping for presents and souvenirs, and relaxing with tea and cake and a view of Plakias harbour.

Back at our rooms, Christina and Maria had invited us to dinner at Katerina's taverna - en famille.

Even Christina's 6 month old baby daughter joined us.

It was a lovely meal and a very kind of them to invite us.

This morning we had time for a lazy start before heading for the airport.

Three of the group built sandcastles on the beach before we all a late breakfast together at Nikos & Anna's taverna.

Then sadly it was time to say goodbye to Christina and head back across the island to the airport. Suzanna would stay on with Marian to run the 2nd WW Crete week.

We arrived in good time and were able to check in with minimal queuing.

We then sat around chatting outside in the shade till it was time to go through - with a last goodbye hug in a circle!