CAN YOU READ THIS? Have you noticed how many more foreigners are now speaking and reading Greek around Our Towns? Well, that's because of the Greek language lessons conducted by our own Sophia Klidi of Gournes, at Nesta Café this past winter. Sophia held two classes, one for beginners and another for intermediates, but we won't tell you who wore the "dunce" cap, no matter how much you twist our arm. Sophia teaches a conversational Greek, with emphasis on the everyday needs of Crete's foreign residents. Next winter season there will be three levels, with an advanced class being added to the schedule. Check with Nesta Café or talk to Sophia about signing up as a beginner, intermediate or advanced . . .

Who goes there? One of our area's more prominent (and married) pub owners was spotted recently ducking into that infamous pink-and-blue-coloured building on the old road opposite the Heraklion harbour. The building, which signals the availability of its "commodity" by turning on the light over the front door, is a hotbed for one of Crete's two main vices – and there are no gambling machines inside! . . .

Photo Finish: If you've been wondering why no one has opened a photography shop in the Our Towns area, wonder no more. This season there are two – YES, TWO – racing to open up in time for the influx of tourists, and both are in Kokkini Hani. The good news is that at least one of them will be open all year . . . Under new management: The Eviva taverna, a long-time year-round meeting place at the crossroads at Kato Gouves, changed hands this winter. Dimitri, the landmark's congenial host, is enjoying some well-earned retirement Good luck to the new owners . .

Why are they smiling? Dr. Stefan Hoeing of Kokkini is sporting a big smile these days, and you can't blame him – he'll have a new "flower" in his life, and she'll be called Jasmine. That's right – Stefan and his lovely lady, Sarah Paolucci, are expecting a baby girl, and they should be changing diapers by September . . . Also in the same "condition" is Catrin Johansson, a partner in the delightful new b-youunique online shop operating from its Gournes studio/workshop. Catrin, and mate Nikos Armataz, are expecting a girl (name still undecided) in late August.

Welcome to 'Our Towns': Ann and Arthur Barker are recent arrivals from England and are building a home on recently-purchased property in neighbouring village of Stamnois – that is, as soon as Arthur figures out how to work his camera!

Another fish story?: The trouble-plagued CretAquarium, on the grounds of the old military base in Gournes, has announced another "grand opening" set for sometime this month. Apparently, its original "opening" this past winter wasn't so grand after all, since it was discovered that the aquarium was only about 50 percent completed at that time. Many people complained about paying the nine-euro admission price, and seeing so many empty or sparsely-filled tanks. We'll be there counting fish to see if the waters are fully stocked this time.

And they keep on coming: An unofficial internet survey recently discovered that there is now one British-run real estate agency, or related business, on Crete for every 10 Brits looking to move here. The latest addition is something called The Greek Property Society (www.thegreekpropertysociety.com) started by Simon Berry of Gouves. However, this one takes a novel approach to the old subject of property buying. Check it out yourself if you have a lot of time – it's a bit wordy, and not too easy to read, but quite interesting.

Starting with a bang: The recent party at Wuiby's in Kokkini Hani, announcing the restaurant's new partnership between Johan van Boekhoven and Patrick Lieftink, was rudely interrupted by a loud crash. It seems that a car speeding along the main road careened out of control and wiped out several parked cars. Welcome to Crete, Patrick.

The wounded return: We've warned him about the perils of manual labour, but does he listen? Christian Bruns of Gouves, returned from his annual sojourn to native Germany sporting an armful of scars. It seems while doing some construction work, he fell into a pile of rusty nails and was rushed to hospital. After a shot or two (that's tetanus shots, not raki) all was well. And the "war wounds" provide good subject matter while sitting in the kafenio in the Pano Gouves square taking his other "shots."

Doing his 'homework': Andreas Bamberger has a new job, with a very cordial working environment – he's working out of his own home in Gournes. By resigning his position at Kreta Plan in Kokkini Hani, and working as an architectural assistant in his own place, Andreas has reduced his commuting time to the job drastically . . .