Asi Gonia on April 23

[AndyL]

If you're there on April 23 and have a car, go to Asi Gonia for the blessing of the sheep. St George is patron of sheep and shepherds and they bring them down to the church where they are milked and the milk is given away with Cretan rusks to any visitors. Every cafe has a charcoal grill going for lamb souvlaki at 1 euro a stick. It's a wonderful occasion, with few tourists but many Cretans piling in from all parts with empty jugs and bottles for the free milk. Allow an hour and a half to get there and be there for 10am. The route is: Mirthios - Kanevos - Kali Sikea - Velonado - Roustika - Ag. Konstantinos - Argiroupolis - Asi Gonia. Your map may not show a road between Kali Sikea and Velonado but there is one. It's all quite good apart from a really rough section beyond Zouridi, after Ag. Konstantinos.  (N.b. If April 23 falls in the Greek Easter week this festival will be moved back a bit - check locally).

[harribobs]

that sounds absolutely marvelous!