A Wonderful Two Weeks Packed With Fun & Laughter

Posted on September 20, 2024 by micmaryjo

My daughter Emma and grandchildren, Ralph and Neve arrived for their two week holiday with me here on Beautiful Crete. The children were so excited that we went straight from the airport to the poolside at the Almyrida Beach Resort. We had to literally drag Ralph and Neve out of the water in order to grab a late poolside lunch there!

This pretty much set the pace for the whole holiday. Ralph, 8 and Neve, 6 are true water babes. Whether we were poolside or on the beach, they were never out of the water. One of the many things I will always remember about this particular family visit is Neve’s constant giggling. She and Ralph get on so well together and during the times Emma and I were not in the water with them, they totally amused themselves and were an absolute joy to watch.

Emma, Ralphy & Neve in the rock pool off Tsunami beach in Almyrida

We packed each day to the full and with plenty of variety. We enjoyed at least 3 intermittent days at the Almyrida Village and Water Park, which wasn’t really a water park but for two small slides and one much larger one, which Ralph and Neve absolutely loved. We spent at least two days on the beach at the Tsunami end of Almyrida. This beach is perfect for getting into the sea easily, with no rocks and is shallow enough for children to be safe in. It can be a great place for frolicking in the waves, which is exactly what Ralph and I had such a laugh doing on our first day there. There’s also a lovely rock pool area which they loved exploring on their surf boards.

We spent a day in Kalyves at The Kiani Resort but as it’s an all inclusive resort we drove back to the village of Kalyves and ate a lovely lunch at Café Delight. We also enjoyed two separate days at Georgioupoli beach. One early evening I dug out a couple of canvases for Ralph and Neve to make their own seashell pictures to take home as souvenirs. Ralph also made a turtle on sand artwork as a present for his Dad, Ash. They absolutely loved looking through all the seashells and creating the pictures they wanted.

At Limnoupolis Water Park

We spent a whole day at Limnoupolis Water Park located on the outskirts of Chania, which was a first for me. Emma and Ash had taken the kids there a couple of years ago, on one of my selling days but I had never been before. With so many things to do in the water, it is one of Ralph and Neve’s favourite places. Ralph had several go’s on all the slides including the really scary ones. However Neve had to be persuaded into trying the larger slides and even I was coerced into trying one that was mostly in total darkness and I did not like or enjoy it at all! Emma tried nearly all of the slides. There were lots of different things to do there and we all had a great time.

On our way back to the boat from Balos Lagoon

Collecting the yellow cockle seashells at Balos Lagoon

Another day we took a boat trip to Balos Lagoon. It’s a good few years since I’ve been there and I was looking forward to going back. We boarded the ferry at Kissamos after refreshments at a pretty little harbour nearby, thinking the food on the ferry would not be good (which we were right about) and because there would be nowhere to buy any food at the lagoon. Balos Lagoon is a naturally beautiful sandy beach with turquoise waters and a panoramic landscape. But it was very hot and so all we wanted to do was stay in the water mostly. We were all picking the pretty yellow cockles out of the hot shallow lagoons and the three hours we had there just flew by!

Ralph & Neve on my balcony

After dinner at Psaros in Almyrida

Here on Crete it has still been hot hot hot and temperatures remained in the mid 30’s for the duration of their holiday. We ate lunch out every day, dinner straight from the beach on my two selling days and we had a couple of nights when we went out for dinner, at Psaros in Almyrida, where we all played the piano and a lovely meal at Elpis in Plaka. This was indeed a nice respite from cooking in my very hot kitchen!

Playing in the sea at Almyrida

When the kids were in bed and asleep, Emma and I had many lovely warm evenings chilling on my amazing balcony with a glass or few of wine. I am so grateful for this wonderful two weeks with Emma, Ralph and Neve. We’ve all had such a blast, the kids have had so much fun and Emma has had the real rest she needed after working so hard for her operational Department Practitioner’s exam. She has since told me that she received 100 per cent. What a result.. and I am so proud of her!

PHOTO ALBUM

Hottest Summer on Record For Greece and the Islands!

Posted on August 21, 2024 by micmaryjo

Since my last post it has continued to remain extremely hot here on Crete. Although other islands, including the mainland, have suffered even higher temperatures – Crete’s have hovered around the mid 30’s for what seems like forever! It is officially the hottest summer on Greece’s meteorological records. From my point of view, this being my 16^th consecutive summer on Crete, I have certainly found it to be the most consistently hot one I’ve ever experienced. It is, of course, absolutely fine if you are on holiday here, but it’s a different story when you have to live and work in it.

That being said – it’s all about keeping cool and the aircon in both my car and at home has become invaluable to the quality of my life here. Yet despite my experiences of the extreme heat, my life continues to be quite wonderful on all levels.

With my dear friends Jill & Rick at Elpis in Plaka

My dear and close friends, Jill and Rick came to stay with me for a week, during which time we spent many happy hours chatting, eating, drinking, swimming and relaxing. Apart from the two days I was selling in Almyrida, it was a kind of mini holiday for me too. It was lovely to spend such quality time with them. We ate out every lunchtime and evening, the evenings all at Elpis in Plaka. The food there is so so good! With the exception of Saturday, when we took a wander around Kalyves, browsing the shops and enjoying a tasty late lunch at Café Delight, overlooking the sea. That evening we played cards on my balcony, whilst listening to music.

The week flew by as these wonderfully social times always do. I was so happy to have hosted their holiday and return the favour, when on so many occasions Jill and Rick have had me over for dinner at theirs, when I’ve been in the UK over the Christmas period.

I only made 3 of these in winter and I have already sold 2 from my beach stall in Almyrida. Seashell Mosaic Collage Painting – 30x40cms

As far as selling my art goes – July was a little disappointing for sales, 29 Seashell Mosaic Paintings were sold compared to 40 last year. I sold on 7 days instead of a possible 9, having missed 2 days because it was simply too hot to sit and work at my stall for 10 long hours! However, so far August seems to be exceeding last year and sales are going very well. Last Thursday I sold 11 of my Seashell Mosaic Paintings and this month alone I have sold 2 of my most expensive artworks at 170 and 250 Euros respectively.

Girls Night Out – with Lisa & Solveig – Cocktails in Kalyves

Socially there continues to be many fun events to go to and among the most memorable of these has been ‘Kez ‘n’ The Band’ at Vangeli’s. This Greek band had not performed there before and they were brilliant… churning out some great well-known tunes. I loved the band as much as I do ‘The Lions’, who played there 2 weeks ago. So two great evenings of live music and dancing at my local, just 5 minutes walk from my home.

Madfest Crete at Embrosneros Amphitheatre

Another great evening was the ‘Madfest Crete’ music festival held at the Ampitheatre in Embrosneros. I went there with Lisa, Chrissie and Debbie. What a fabulous venue for music and we found great seats (we brought cushions to sit on!) at the very top of the amphitheatre. The atmosphere was wonderful and the majority of the audience were young Greeks. Over the course of about 5 hours we listened and danced to Carl Axon & The Rocking Rebels (opening), followed by a popular Greek chart band called Locomondo, who also played at the annual Matala Music Festival. Last on stage were ‘Marmitas’ , with two excellent female singers, although their music was a little too ‘jazzy’ for our tastes. We all agreed it was a fab night and something different from the norm.

Sitting in Poseidon’s Throne at Ancient Falassarna

Despite my best intentions to take it a little easier on the work front, I’ve still had plenty of days prepping up new artworks to work on during my selling days in Almyrida. However I’ve spent the last two Saturdays out with Debbie visiting Skaleta and Falassarna. We were keen to see what Skaleta was like in the summer so we took our new beach chairs and my parasol and set up in the bay where we found so many seashells in the winter. Luckily it was an unmanaged beach, so no sunbeds or tourists! Amazingly the seashells were all there but without a hint of a breeze – it was too hot to collect them! So after several dips in the warm sea, we packed up and headed for the outskirts of Georgioupoli on the way back. We found a large taverna on the beach with comfortable seating to eat, swim and relax.

The beautiful rock pool at Ancient Falassarna

Last weekend we finally decided to venture beyond the areas we usually do our beachcombing and explore the ancient ruins at Falassarna. High up there it was unbelievably hot and a strong hot hair-drying wind didn’t help! So after sitting briefly in ‘Poseidon’s Throne’ and discovering – not to our surprise – that access to the ruins was closed, we turned back to try and find somewhere to set up our parasol and beach chairs. This was a beach we had never been to before and it looked really interesting. To cut a long story short, it was quite impossible to set up the parasol for shade in the strong winds and so we abandoned that idea and went for a wander instead. We came to this amazing and beautiful large rock pool which was deep enough to swim in. It must have been full of salt because I could actually float standing upright, without moving my arms and legs. It was heavenly! Later on we ate at a taverna on the beach again and went for another wander around afterwards.

Mini Cocktails on the Almyrida Roof Terrace

Yamas! We got free mini cocktails on the Almyrida Residence Roof Terrace during ‘Happy Hour’ yesterday!

In just 5 more days my daughter Emma, and grandchildren Ralph and Neve arrive to stay with me for two whole weeks! WOW, I am crazy excited! Sadly Ash, who works in the military is unable to join them, but this won’t stop us all from having a truly wonderful holiday. During the time they are here, I have decided to sell in Almyrida only once a week so that I can make the absolute best of my time with them all.

A Hot Month For Temperatures & Sales

Posted on July 14, 2024 by micmaryjo

June turned out to be a very hot month with temperatures exceeding all records. I usually set up my beach stall twice a week – weather permitting. But during a heatwave, when the cooling breezes are just not there – I stay away! In contrast I have recently missed another selling day because it was just too windy! Yet despite only selling on 6 days, sales figures for June have been the highest since 2015 and I sold a total of 29 Seashell Mosaic Collage Paintings.

Cat on Steps in Seashell Mosaic – now in the best seller slot

But I have had another nightmare with the canvas supplier I’ve been using in Athens for years. Last year I didn’t receive the ones I needed the most until the end of July. These are the bespoke canvases I use for my best seller – the ‘Baby Turtles Race for Life’ design. This year I placed my order for 130 canvases of varying sizes in plenty of time, at the beginning of February. I thought that surely they could make them within 3 months. Yet I am still waiting for the same 40 canvases that I make my Baby turtles design from. I called the owner of the company a couple of weeks ago and pleaded with him to make these canvases asap. He did respond and the following week they arrived. But he had made them in the wrong size!! They should have been 10x30cms but I received 10x40cms! Duh??!!! This is a large Art company in Athens and I have learned over the years that most Greek companies have no concept of customer service and this can make life both stressful and frustrating .

Cat on a Wall – Another best seller for June

However I refused to dwell on these problems and everything has worked out OK, as it also did last year. People have been buying my two Cat designs and up until now, these have taken the slot of best seller over the Baby Turtles. In June alone I sold 8 of these artworks. I have had to produce 4 more Cat designs recently, even though I thought I had made enough in the winter and stocks are already running low.

Because the temperatures here on Crete have remained consistently high, my friends and I have made sure we get at least one relaxing beach day a week – usually on a Saturday. We’ve been mostly choosing Almy in Kalyves as we don’t get charged for the lovely comfy sunbeds there. But more than that – it’s a great spot on the far beach in Kalyves and we always enjoy a nice lunch there. Swimming in the cool clear sea is blissful! I spent a lovely day at Almy yesterday with Lisa, Debbie and Solveig, who is holidaying on Crete at the moment.

Realxing on one of our ‘Beach Days’ at Almy in Kalyves

Socially it’s been crazy busy with so much going on that I’ve had to miss certain events! There is live music on at my local taverna, Vangeli’s every Friday night. There have also been gigs on at Nikita’s, The Donkey Café in Vamos and Vamos Plateia. Add to that a couple of parties, dinner at a close friend’s in Kokkino Chorio and the Football!

An evening of live music and dancing in Vamos Plateia

Yes, I may not be a dedicated fan of football but I do enjoy getting into the spirit of watching the major tournaments such as the World Cup and the current UEFA Eurpoean Football Championship 2024. I particularly enjoyed watching England win over Switzerland and then The Netherlands win over Turkey – on the same night. It meant that England would go on to play The Netherlands in the semi finals. England triumphed but I would also have been happy to see The Netherlands win as I am half Dutch! So later tonight I will walk up to Vangeli’s for the final between England and Spain. It is frustrating that it is on a Sunday night at 10pm here as I have to get up early for a long day of selling in the heat in Almyrida tomorrow . Never mind… I’ve done it before (last Wednesday actually) and I’m hoping it’s going to be a memorable evening… fingers crossed.

With Lisa and Solveig.. enjoying our evening in Vamos Palteia

I am excited because in just over a week my close friends Jill and Rick are coming to stay with me for a holiday. They have been coming to see me in Crete for as long as I have been living here. Almost every year for 15 years! They absolutely love Almyrida with its laid back atmosphere and quite importantly these days – its lack of over-tourism. I can’t wait to pick them up from the airport!

Creating Special Memories With My Family in Spain and in Yorkshire

Posted on June 9, 2024 by micmaryjo

I had the best time in Spain with my siblings, Karen and Mark and Brother-in-law Mike. We spent 8 days of pure quality time at Karen and Mike’s wonderful villa in Algorfa. This really was a special time for all of us. Karen and I used to holiday once a year with our sister Leonie and our Mum. Sadly we lost both our sister and Mum in 2017 and 2019 respectively and so I have not had this kind of holiday since 2017.

Karen & Mike’s wonderful villa in Algorfa, Spain

It is so rare for the four of us to get together because we all lead such busy lives and it’s not always possible for us all to be able to take time out at the same time. Especially my brother Mark, who as a stunt co-ordinator could be called up to a film location at short notice. But we made it happen and all thanks must go to Karen and Mike for being the absolute perfect, wonderful hosts. What a truly relaxing and perfect holiday it was!

Dinner at one of the great restaurants on the golf complex.

The villa is situated on a large golf complex and we enjoyed at least three evenings dining out at the various top-notch restaurants there. We made the most of every moment, taking the time to really chat about everything going on in our lives. I have to say that there is always so much to talk about in our family! Most evenings we managed to fit in a game of cards too. We spent one day at a nearby open-air shopping complex, where I bought presents for my grandkids. We also met Karen and Mike’s lifelong friends, David and Deborah for a lovely lunch there.

Me, Mark & Karen on our walk to the restaurant!

The weather was perfect so we were based around the villa and pool most days, where there was everything we could possibly need. We all get along so well together that we have decided to make this a regular ‘Thing’, alternating between Crete and Spain. So Karen, Mike and Mark will all come to Crete next year and the following one we’ll be back in Spain again.

We arrived back at Karen and Mike’s home in Bramhall on 23^rd May and the next day I took a train to Huddersfield. Zoe picked me up from the station and took me to check in at The Weaver’s Shed in Golcar. It’s a lovely pub within walking distance of Zoe and Rich’s home. With baby Ava now, there is just no room for me to stay with them anymore. I am happy to spend a couple of nights at the pub, especially since my grandson Arthur can’t wake me up at 6am every morning, not to mention his baby sister, Ava waking at around 5am. I am definitely not an early bird!!

With Arthur and Ava at The Weavers’ Shed after dinner there.

After I’d checked in, we went to the house where I played with Arthur and Ava for a couple of hours. Then Rich came home from work and we all walked back to The Weavers’ Shed for dinner. The food there is excellent and afterwards we were all able to have a couple of drinks in the comfortable lounge bar. Zoe, Rich and the kids left to walk home at around 9.30pm and I enjoyed a nightcap before retiring to my room for the night.

On Saturday morning it was pleasantly warm and sunny, which is pretty surprising because every time I got on or off a plane at Manchester airport it was dull, cold and raining! So I really enjoyed the 20 minute walk to Zoe and Rich’s after breakfast. They were going to the Trafford Centre for shopping and lunch while I looked after Arthur. Sadly the nice weather didn’t last long so we couldn’t go outside, but Arthur and I had plenty of fun playing indoors. Zoe cooked a lovely meal when they returned from the Trafford Centre and then dropped me back at the pub later on in the evening.

All 9 of us at ‘Beck and Call’ after our big Sunday roast

On Sunday, Rich picked me up after I’d checked out of the Weavers’ Shed and a short while later we were on our way to meet Emma, Ash, Ralph and Neve at a roughly half-way point in Leeds. We had all wanted to go for a nice long walk, like we usually do when we all get together, but the forecasts were saying lots of rain. Instead, Zoe had booked a soft play centre, where the kids had lots of fun for about an hour and a half. At around 3.30pm we made our way to the huge pub called ‘Beck and Call’ where we had booked a table for Sunday Roast. Typically – the weather had perked up by the time we got to Leeds and out came the sunshine! The pub was packed out with people watching a big local football match on large screens outside in the enormous grounds. Lots of families were out for the day and enjoying all the amenities this pub had to offer, including a good sized play area for the kids.

Wonderful Family Life!

As my family has increased over the years, it is really wonderful when we can all get together in the same place and just enjoy being together. It was a great day and the roast dinner was truly scrumptious! I can certainly recommend the ‘Beck and Call’ for a great roast dinner and family day out. Much later at around 7.30pm, I said my reluctant goodbyes to Zoe, Rich, Arthur and Ava and got into the car with Emma, Ash, Ralph and Neve for my week long stay at their home in Thirsk.

Three of my gorgeous grandchildren.

This is the 3^rd consecutive year of coming to the Uk to help look after Ralph and Neve during the Whit half term, whilst Emma is working and studying for her nursing degree. Ash helps whenever he is home but is often away as he works in the military and he had to leave again on the Bank Holiday Monday. They are long days for Emma and she is gone in the morning before we are even out of bed and not back home until after 6.30pm or 9pm on one day of the week. Ralph and Neve are growing up so fast and are now 8 and 5 years old. Therefore, in many ways they are much easier to look after now, if somewhat boisterous! We packed every day with doing as many different things as we could, given that I don’t drive when I’m in the UK. We walked to the large playing area on the other side of the military base and played outside in the garden whenever it wasn’t raining. I have to say I was disappointed with the weather in general. I had to wear Emma’s big coat to keep warm but maybe that’s because I have got used to such a warm climate and feel the cold more easily. Ralph and Neve were always hot, running around and full of energy every day!

Dull and cold! Out and about with Ralph & Neve in Yorkshire!

At the weekend, Emma was free and the weather improved so that we got lots of sunshine. On Saturday, Ralph was begging to go to ‘Jump 360’, the large trampoline park in Leeds. So we went and had lunch out before spending a couple of hours there. On Sunday we visited Monk Park Farm for the afternoon. Thankfully it stayed sunny and warm and there was enough to keep the kids amused for the whole afternoon. There are so many wonderful places for families to take kids these days.

I loved every minute of the time I spent with all my grandchildren… and my daughters, in the evenings after the children were tucked up in bed. My visits to the UK are so precious given the fact that I live on the Greek island of Crete. These visits always give me special memories to cherish for always. But when I came to say my goodbyes to Emma, Ralph and Neve on the Monday morning, before my flight back from Leeds Bradford – I didn’t get too upset this time. They are all coming to Crete for a whole 2 weeks towards the end of August!

With Ralph & Neve at Monk Park Farm

I arrived back on Crete to my first heatwave this year. I got in very late and didn’t start unpacking until the next day. I felt so hot and drained of energy and thought it must be due to such a drastic temperature change, but the Greek meteorological department was reporting the first heatwave of the summer and it was in fact – 100 degrees!! I do hope this is not a sign of what’s to come…

How cute is my baby granddaughter Ava?!

I started my first day of selling in this heatwave. Where are the sea breezes when you really need them? I dressed as coolly as I could and prepared to dip into the sea or pool often, but I barely got the chance! I was so busy with friends dropping by and customers especially! There were many British tourists around in Almyrida and I sold 6 of my larger Seashell Mosaic Collage Paintings. Despite the heat I had a really great start to my summer season. I think I was happily distracted by so many lovely people!
I jumped straight back into my social life too and on Friday night I went to the live music gig at Vangeli’s and didn’t walk home until almost 3am!

I know I say this often… but I absolutely love my life and I am so lucky and blessed!

More Day Trips Exploring the Stunning Coastlines of Crete

Posted on May 5, 2024 by micmaryjo

As is usual, these past four months I have put many long hours into creating my stock for summer 2024. In this short time I cannot possibly produce the volume of artworks I sell during the summer months. I endeavor to make the more time-consuming and difficult designs in the winter and the smaller, simpler designs I can replicate in between and during selling days. I can certainly work mosaic whilst at my beach stall but I cannot paint or do any sand work because it is often too windy, too hot or both. Continue reading →

Two Wonderful Days at Elafonisi

Posted on March 29, 2024 by micmaryjo

Here on Crete we’ve had the warmest January and February on record and March is looking to smash more records too. I have saved lots of money on heating fuel and electricity during these last 3 months. As a direct result of the fine and warm weather, I have done lots more beachcombing than I did in the same months last year. Debbie and I just love it! To have all these beautiful beaches to explore and practically to ourselves… is awesome! Continue reading →

Beachcombing Season Off to a Great Start in 2024

Posted on February 20, 2024 by micmaryjo

The weather for the remainder of January was mostly fine, sunny and warm and so my beachcombing season has started with much enthusiasm. Having said that though, Debbie and I were disappointed to find very little at Georgioupoli in January. However I did stock up on the specific small flat grey pebbles which I use for the walls and steps in my cat designs. Last summer alone I sold 25 of them! Continue reading →

A Memorable Month in the UK as Granddaughter Ava is Born

Posted on January 6, 2024 by micmaryjo

This Christmastime I booked an extra week in the UK in order to be there when my fourth grandchild was born – due date 11th December. However, babies have a habit of coming into the world when they are good and ready… and little Ava decided to keep us all waiting… Continue reading →

An Unforgettable Trek to the Glass Beach

Posted on November 22, 2023 by micmaryjo

I finished my summer of selling by the beach in Almyrida on October 23^rd. I sold six of my seashell mosaic collage paintings that day, but decided that as there were not so many tourists around, it seemed like a good time to end the season. October was good for sales this year and I sold over 31 artworks in total. Continue reading →

Spending Time with Visiting Friends and Making Some New Ones!

Posted on October 18, 2023 by micmaryjo

I am sitting comfortably on my balcony writing up this post and reflecting on these past weeks. It’s the middle of October and it’s a gloriously sunny and warm day. October appears to be making up for the disappointing weather we had in September, as it has been like this for most of the time so far. During September I had 2 ‘no sales’ days because of the weather. On one particular day I went down to set up my stall only to find the sea had flooded the centre of Almyrida! Consequently and for various other reasons, September sales were as disappointing as the weather. Continue reading →

Michaela's Blog

Michaela's blog