Thursday 26 December 2013

An Introduction to Lassithi, Crete, Greece




Throughout my fifty five years I have always appreciated the power of nature and the beauty of the countryside but I regret to say that until ten years ago I could name but a handful of common birds, even fewer wild plants and the world of insects was simply beetles, flies or wasps.
Then I moved to the Greek island of Crete and decided to put an end to my woeful ignorance. I have been on a magical voyage of discovery and I invite you now to join me for a year and together we will explore the wonderful array of life that abounds us.
Let me first furnish you with some maps and some basic information about the land through which we’ll be travelling.

The Eastern Mediterranean



 The unmarked island in the centre-left of the map is Crete with the European mainland above, Asia to the right and Africa below.

Lassithi



At the eastern end of the island lies the prefecture of Lassithi which is dominated by the Thriptis mountains which rise to just under 5,000 feet (1,500m). As we cross the narrow neck of the island between Pachia Amos and Ierapetra, which is only seven and a half miles (12km), the first thing you will notice is the change in temperature. Climatically we have now left temperate Europe and joined the North African climate zone.



Ferma


Turning left at Ierapetra we head east for another seven miles until we reach the village of Ferma which is to be our base camp for the next twelve months. So, join me next week as, butterfly net and binoculars in hand, we set sail once again on our magical voyage of discovery. I’ll leave you with a few pictures from the village which is to be your home for the next twelve months and I look forward to your company.


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GO TO NEXT BLOG - A Walk on the Cliffs

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