Job Experience.......

Dear Mum and Blogland friends..
Firstly, I must apologise for 'slipping into my old ways'.
I promise I'll try not to do it again (hic!)
Well, yesterday, Geoff made me get up very early and he soon had me doing his job... while he went back to bed..

I was the celebrity guide on the Jeep Safari...had the best seat..can you see all the poor folk in the back (look in the rear mirror..tehe!)

I was nearly a goat's lunch...

but look at that spectacular view..well worth the bumps, hair pin bends and heat..

Thanks to these guys..I had a great day ( I reckon I worked twice as hard as them..)

We're at Zeus's Cave here.

What do you reckon??? Suits me?? Can I have one when I get home?? Please, please??

ps. I feel I've outstayed my welcome somewhat...anybody up for taking on a recovering delinquent?

Love you, miss you mum..xx

pps. if the link isn't working go to www.safariclub.gr

Who's Got a Headache from Hell?

Dear Ernest's Mother...
We haven't seen Ernest for a couple of days, but I do know where he is....
I'm sorry to report he's blotted his copybook big time!!

We took him out with us so he could enjoy a typical Cretan evening eating out with some friends of ours on Friday night.

He hit the raki BIG time, thought the tiny glasses were just his size...we did try to stop him but no, he said he could handle it..

He decided he was having his own party when we arrived home..we were still getting complaints from the neighbours early morning..
I think it's time we started thinking of who he's going to entertain next???

An Artistic Adventure with Ernest..

Dear Mum and friends.

Woke up yesterday morning. Believe it or not, it was very comfortable and I survived!! Lily seems to be lethargic because of the heat and she's always being chased by the bouncy Dewi so she's not bothered that I snuggle down with her..

Jude, Geoff and I went to Fodele for the day.

We visited El Greco's (Ο Δομηνιχος Θεοτοχοπουλος) old house, which is now a small museum.

He was born in 1541 in Fodele. He trained as a traditional icon painter but then travelled to Venice and trained under Titian. Then he travelled to Madrid and Toledo...he worked ceaselessly and became a genius.....

Do you think that could happen to me????

Mary Magdelane

1614

Dear Mum...

Dear Mum
I had a dreadful journey over, couldn't see a thing and must have flown round and around in the volcanic ash cloud.
I slept outside last night as it's so hot here but I must admit I miss my perch at home, this wasn't very comfortable.

I think the locals, though rather odd looking, are very friendly..

I've even had a pedicure....
We are off for the day today...it's 29 degrees already and it's only 10.00 am.
Miss you all

Love Ernest
x

Ernest has Survived!!

As I sat on my balcony this morning enjoying the warm sunshine, I heard a sad, tweeting from within the grape vines that grow up the pillars of our house..
I finally discovered an ash-covered, disoriented little fellow..It's Ernest..I was expecting him last week..and had begun to think something awful had happened...
Ernest has come all the way from the UK and obviously got lost in the volcanic ash clouds.
He last visited Cathy, who gave him his knotted hankie, which amazingly he's still wearing..
His family are here. so I best send them a message to say he's arrived safely.
He's relaxing in the dark at the moment..I think he's finding the sun a tad bright!
More pics soon...

One Year

One year ago ( Sunday)this happened...
http://cariadincrete.blogspot.com/2009/05/its-raining-in-my-heart.html
I still can't believe it..
hope you're watching Jose...my mate x

Birthday Present From Afar...

I've been so busy these last few weeks, working at night, but also 2 of our favourite friends from Cornwall came to visit for 2 whole weeks..
During that time, I had a birthday...eek! So, we had even more adventures...and some presents..for me...
I had the trilogy by Stieg Larsson beginning with ' The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.'..very good it is too!!
I also had Victoria Hislop's 'The Return'
I had some fat quarters, a table mat and a cookery book all the way from an Amish farm in Philidelphia ( thank you Heather and Gareth!)

But...but!...but!!...look at this ...look!!.... it's a bowl, not just any bowl.. but a bowl brought all the way from Cornwall.
I used to make bowls and ceramics is still close to my heart...so when this beauty was brought, by hand, by my friends, all the way from Cornwall I was stunned (clearly not into silence!)

Look at the tones, the colours, the lines...don't they remind you of Cornwall? I can see dry stone walls, hedgerows, the sea and sky...yes, I can...
Can you tell I love it???
And to add to all the excitement...I know the woman who constructed this bowl...
she lives in Mabe Burnthouse, which is very close to Penryn where I lived for over 20 years.
Her name is Charlotte Jones, she lives with her husband and boys in a converted chapel. Her husband Ron is equally talented and I advise you to go and check out both their websites now...without further ado.... it's well, well worth it....
Thank you Julie and Mark...you know I love it!!

The Island...Revisited!

I discovered another 'The Island' film set a couple of weeks ago, this time in Pano Elounda
I had heard some friends of mine had been 'extra' extras so I asked if I could incorporate photos of Sybil and Mike into my post.
In addition to that, I also received a photo of the author of The Island, Victoria Hislop, as an extra too..she's the woman in the above photo sitting on the wall. My friend Sybil is standing below the wall on the right.
Above is a close-up of Sybil's make-up, she was acting as one of the unfortunate lepers that lived on the island of Spinalonga...

There's Mike in the middle standing and Sybil is sitting in the middle..

Sybil told me it was very cold and uncomfortable on the island that day and they filmed the scenes of the last day when everyone was taken off in small boats..she said it was very emotional and a fantastic experience.

Now look at Mike...eek!! Isn't that effective?? Obviously lesions from the condition..

Sybil also said she was so entranced my Mike's make-up she didn't notice that they'd shaved Mike's beard off..

Locals have been wondering why so much of the old buildings have had to have been covered and rebuilt with plaster of paris and fibreglass 'fronts'

As you can see from these photos the surrounding buildings are very similar...and more authentic as they are covered with detritus, stains and aging..

Obviously, one of the reasons was to hide modern day pieces, telephone kiosk, meters, wires etc.

I still find it very interesting though..I'm very glad I found this scene and I'm grateful to Mike and Sybil for allowing me to use their photos..it helps to make it more personal..Thank you!!

String-Along Round Up and More...

As March ends, so does the String-Along 2010 Challenge held by Mousybrownshouse and Rattling On.
I've thoroughly enjoyed joining in as it dragged me out of my comfort zone screaming and shouting... The above string bag was crocheted and I had to follow a pattern...successfully!I was disappointed by the size though, it's more hand bag size than shopping bag size, never mind I'll still use it..

I do have a collection of reuseable shopping bags as you can see ..

They all come in handy when I shop for veg from the mobile veg. van which comes around the villages twice a week. Here he's in Limnes, a neighbouring village to us..I always forget to take a camera when I go down to shop. You know when he's reached the village because of the very loud greek music he plays.

Here's a very bad photo of the finished ear-rings I designed at the bead shop last week. Geoff took the photo...

but to show he can take a very good photo just look below.

This is what greeted us last week when we opened the balcony door early one morning...stunning isn't it?

I've bought some plants to pretty up the exterior of the house for Easter so I thought I would share this gorgeous fuschia with you.

We're all getting excited about the coming weekend. As you may well remember Easter is a very big deal here....and the weather is going to be great for bbqs and outside eating.

Finally, thought I'd point out a new blog on my list. As many of you know my daughter and her husband live in Saudi Arabia and J is a friend of Bethan's, explaining some of the realities of life as an ex-pat in Riyadh. I find it extremely interesting and thought provoking..

Take care.