Drassi Valley Walk.

We set off to try to walk off some of the over eating and drinking we've had to do over the last few days and enjoy some of the wonderful weather we are having at the moment...it's been in the mid 20's!! Very unusual for us. Yes, I know and I'm sorry to everyone who has been suffering hardships due to the awful weather many of you are having at the moment.
Firstly, look at these!! composting toilets!! In a play/bbq area. We were amazed when we first saw them.
This area is open to all and is very popular in the summer time, there's an oven, bbqs and 2 sinks with running water. Take a closer look at the sinks.. they've been hewn out of a huge piece of stone.
The valley is full of orange and lemon trees groaning with fruit at the moment, (guess what I'll be making in the coming weeks..loads of lemon curd and marmalade, yum!
There are also olive groves here and as we walked along we could hear the hum of the generators being used to enable the electric pickers to work.

This is an ancient tree, probably been producing olives for hundreds of years. The texture of the bark is fantastic.
No, I don't think we'll climb up there today, just an amble around, it gets cold very quickly at the moment.
Back to the bbq area and the plane trees with the strange fruit. There's a source of water here which all the locals come to collect assuring us it's the best water for miles...
I'd like to wish everyone who reads my blog... peace, love and happiness in the coming year.

I, for one will try to be more peaceful, more loving and happier, I said TRY..... people who know me will chuckle at that! I'll have alot to be happy about in June when the new arrival makes it's first appearance.....can't wait!!

Take care x

Celebrations...

Christmas Day 2009

Geoff joined a group of friends for a swim at Potamos Beach, Malia.

The sun was shining and the sea was like a millpond!!

He described it as 'bracing'.
My friend Chris's husband Jeff also took the plunge, along with Jane.
Jane also entertained us with carols played on her cello.
Sandy, Chris, Geoff and I then set off for our alternative day.

We found a gorgeous little church tucked into a cave, halfway down a cliff facing the sea. We brewed up the camping kettle and settled down to eat Homity Pies, butterfly cakes and mince pies.
The view from the church was tranquil, just the sound of the waves gently lapping the shore and the distant sound of the goats' bells jangling as the goats scampered precariously on the rocks above us.
We ambled back, stopping to explore a tiny cove which we will be revisiting to gather driftwood and pebbles (more later!)
On arriving home, we enjoyed a marvelous feast that Sandy had brought with her, which consisted of delicious mousaka and a stunning apple and mincemeat crumble with home made custard....along with ample alcohol.

Another Christmas adventure with Sandy and Chris,

enjoyed by all !!

How was your day?

Some Wonderful News...

Remember this glorious day??
Bethan and Matt's wedding day in Sept?
Guess what? They are pregnant.....
Hoorah! Congratulations to you both!
We are all so happy, it's our first grandchild and Gareth is so looking forward to being an uncle.
Matt's parents are on their way to to Saudi at this moment to celebrate Christmas with them.
I have no photos of the wedding at the moment..eeek!! as they were all in my laptop when it died.
Yes, I've learnt a lesson!!
The baby is due in June, as soon as January comes it won't be long at all!!
I'm so excited!!!

Remember the kittens we saved?? Well, this one is the one we kept..meet Lily (Savage)
This is one of her quiet moments.

Oh, yes, can't forget Dewi... he's not learnt anything yet. Saying that, he does obey Geoff. Me??? no way, he just eats my things..Crocs, boots, scark, pjs, you name it, if it smells of me, he chews it! Any ideas on how we can stop him?

Lastly, look who will be going to live in Saudi? He needs some eyes then he'll be winging his way to wait for a little friend to be born. My knitting needles are steaming!!
Take care

The Camera Never Lies.......

Whilst dog walking last week, I though I'd try to take some evocative photographs. You know the sort,

classic tiny white Greek church in the middle of nowhere.

But, no, what's this?? Where did that come from??

Oh no, there's dozens of them!!!
I can hear you say it..Hasn't she got better things to do with her time? Doesn't she know Christmas is nearly upon us? Why isn't she shopping/cooking/ wrapping presents??
My excuse..I have a cold and we don't really make a big commercial thing of Christmas. None of my neighbours will be out buying Christmas trees, turkeys, presents they can't afford.

p.s As you can see from a comment left on my last post, my son was not the only visitor we had...more later!!

While I've Been Away...

...I've completed several projects and I've started a few too.
Some people like knitting socks, some people like knitting hats, others....??
I really enjoy knitting lacy scarves..don't know why..maybe it's repetition of the pattern? the soft yarn? Just don't know!

Now this looks abit strange, I must admit, I didn't have a model at hand when I took the photo. It's aran yarn, and when worn should look like the photo below...

This pattern was kindly sent to me by Cocoa and Blankets after I'd admired it on her blog.

I don't often do soft furnishings or "useful" things, give me a quilt anyday!! But I thought I'd try my hand at this little make up/ toilet bag.. What do you think??
Just to the right of it you can see my son Gareth's arm (in a t-shirt) He was over last week for a short break and the weather was truly wonderful. He made his way over from the UK to Crete by train and ferry stopping at Budapest, Sofia and Athens. On his return trip he went back to Athens then to Patras, ferry over to Bridisi, up to Rome, then to Zurich and back to the UK. He works for Rail Bookers so it was a fact finding tour as well as a quick visit to see us. So, if you ever want to know what the trains are like between Sofia and Athens or want a hotel room in Budapest, you know who to call... he's assured me his article will be blogged on Rail Bookers website next week.

Morning has Broken

As I mentioned yesterday there are a several reasons I've not been blogging recently.
One is that I've spent the majority of nights for the last 5 weeks sleeping away from home... working obviously!
I love early mornings and when you rise and have this view from your window it's a bonus, well, I think!!

Even though some morning skies are the colour of dishwater, I still find it breath-taking!!

Some are simply magnificent.
Dawn is early here, approximately 6.30 am. Which is good as I sit for ages and just stare at the sky as it changes minute by minute.

All is Not What it Seems..

Hello there!!
I'm back...
I'm using a dinasaur of a PC after my laptop decided to die.
It's not the only reason I've been away and I'd like to thank all the kind emails I've recieved from so many blogging friends.
So, look at these photos..
they are of the small village of Plaka near Elounda.

It's become part of the set for the film 'The Island' based on the book of the same name written by Victoria Hislop. You can see the island, Spinalonga, behind the fake wall in the above photo.

The story is fictional but based on the last years of the occupation of Spinalonga by lepers.

It's was amazing to see how authentic the set was!