Left: Sir Nicholas Houghton, Chief of the Defense Staff of the United Kingdom laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Syntagma Square, Athens. Photo Credit - British Embassy, Athens.

In this the 100th anniversary year of the start of the First World War (1914-1918) General Sir Nicholas Houghton, Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom visited Greece on July 16 at the invitation of the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Mikhail Kostarakos.

General Houghton's visit to Athens is in keeping with the long tradition of excellent relations between the Greek and British Armed Forces and the close cooperation of the two countries within NATO. Greece's role is to guard the front line defense of the southeastern flank of Europe.

The General made a respectful point to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Syntagma Square, Athens paying tribute to the brave Greek men and women who lost their lives in action. He later had meetings at the Defence Ministry and the Hellenic National Defence General Staff.

The visit to Greece of the British armed forces chief is just weeks ahead of the upcoming major NATO gathering of military chiefs that takes place in Cardiff on September 4th and 5th. This will be the largest gathering of international leaders ever to take place in Britain and a feather in Wales' cap. (click below for full story)

British Pensioner: Missing in Crete

Photo Credit: Arthur's Family

One month on and the campaign continues to find missing Briton, Robert "Arthur" Jones, a 73 year old from Denbigh in North Wales who was on holiday in the Chania area of Crete. He has not been seen since June 19. His son Jeff flew to Crete soon afterwards and launched a leaflet distribution campaign. With the  help of £20,000 funds raised, he has since generated with the help of friends and family a spirited online effort drawing support from British national media organizations, social networks including Facebook and Twitter. The Jones' have even solicited and received support from Prime Minister, David Cameron.

A major search is already underway by the Greek and UK police. Were you on holiday on Crete on June 18, 2014 in the Chania area and met any Brits? The police continue to ask anyone to contact them, British or other nationality, if they visited the Souda War Cemetery on that day, a Wednesday as it is known Arthur paid a visit.

The search continues for Arthur but no news as of this date.

Full story of British pensioner, Robert Arthur Jones missing on Crete and full contact information if you think you may be able to help, can be found here.

It was no joke. A real krokodilos!

A local Rethymno resident could not believe his eyes when he spotted last week from his car a 2 metre long creature swimming in a local reservoir. It had all the features of a Crocodile. Surely not on Crete?

It turns out the local Cretans knew some wild animal was taking their chickens and sheep but had not reckoned on a croc. But there it was swimmingly happily in a span of water all on its own. Crocs are not native to Greece in modern times. More details in the video and further in the story (Greek with English subtitles).

Changed Contact Info for the British Consulate in Crete.

Brits in Crete has been informed that the British Vice Consulate located in Candia Tower, Thalita Street Heraklion has revised opening hours for us, the general public for the usual consular services. To note, you can make telephone enquiries Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 15:00 hrs. If you dial the usual number 2810 224012, in fact it goes to Athens and then is re-directed to Heraklion. Now if you want to make an appointment, that is down to a choice of just three days - Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 09:00 and 13:00 hrs. There is more…..

Matala Music Festival 2014 is upon us, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - June 20, 21 and 22. No matter your age if you like the carefree life and good hard music, then this throw back gathering to the days of the hippies and flower power reprises for yet another year. More than 80,000 devotees of folk, guitar and rock are expected to descent on this south coast beach resort in Crete. The festival motto: "Today is Life, Tomorrow Never Comes". The weather forecast looks to be great - Clear Skies meaning wall-to-wall sunshine. So if you are Living on Crete be part of a week end of a total experience and meet like-minded folks of all ages. Bring your suntan lotion.