I’m Always Happy When I’m Walking on This Beautiful Island!

I’m feeling wonderful!  I’ve enjoyed life at a much slower pace this past month or so.  Now that I no longer have to create so many artworks for next season, I have more time to spend on the other things I enjoy doing, whilst living on Crete.  Much as I love making my Seashell Mosaic Collage Paintings, I’m also loving that there’s no pressure anymore.  In November I only completed 2 artworks, to replace those I sold on Etsy.

Walking from Kalyves to Plaka - the views on my way

Walking from Kalyves to Plaka – the views on my way

The weather has been quite clement since my last post and we did not have any proper rain until mid-November.  Even so, we have not experienced any real storms as yet, which is unusual for October & November.  Nevertheless, the local Greeks have been saying that we are expected to have a cold winter, in contrast to the last two years which have been quite mild.  Anyway, we’ll see…

For now, it’s sunny and pleasantly warm again, as I sit on my balcony writing up this post and reflecting on what’s been happening over the past 5 weeks.  As is par for the course, I’ve been out beachcombing and exploring, especially when the weather has been sunny and warm.  Debbie and I have enjoyed days out in Georgioupoli, Stavros, Skaleta, Falassarna and Frangokastello.

Walking behind Debbie on one of the beaches at Frangokastello.

Walking behind Debbie on one of the beaches at Frangokastello.

On Skaleta beach it was so windy that Debbie and I almost got blown away!  It made it difficult to collect the seashells that are always there on the “beach that keeps on giving”.  We’d walked the long beach at Georgioupoli first, but realizing there was not much there – we’d moved on to Skaleta.  But even if we don’t find much to collect, I always feel invigorated by the fresh sea air and all the exercise we get.

A beautiful beach along the coastline of Frangokastello

A beautiful beach along the coastline of Frangokastello

The weather was just perfect when we visited Stavros and we walked at least 6 beaches in the area.  It was also sunny and warm the day we went to Falassarna and we stayed to watch the beautiful sunset on the far beach.
Last week we returned to Frangokastello for the first time in over two years.  It’s quite a drive over the mountains and down to the south coast and there hadn’t been much to find there, which was why we hadn’t been for a while.  We decided to check out the area for any changes, but sadly there wasn’t much washed up on the shorelines.  Nevertheless we took the opportunity to explore further along the coastline and found a couple more beautiful beaches, as well as walking some other nearby beaches in Frangkastello.  We especially picked a good day weather-wise and spent the afternoon in vest tops and shorts, which was cool!

At Skaleta on a very windy day!

At Skaleta on a very windy day!

It’s another sad fact of climate change, to know that the Mediterranean Sea is slowly dying.  You can certainly notice this by what washes up on the shores of the beaches we visit.  When I first came to Crete 15 years ago, there were so many more seashells to find than there are now, on many of the beaches.  Debbie and I had planned another stay-over at Elafonisi in November, like we did in March.  But we decided it wasn’t worth it because all the satellite photos we studied – still showed parts of Elafonisi underwater.  It was underwater when we visited in March.  We used to find so much in that area of Elafonisi, up until about 3 years ago.  Now I think climate change and rising sea levels there may make these areas inaccessible for the future.  It’s so sad…

Part of the long beach at Falassarna

Part of the long beach at Falassarna

When we shop in Kalyves, usually at the ‘House of Deli’ health food shop, Debbie and I always walk the far long beach at Kalyves.  It really is a beautiful beach where I don’t usually find much, but always enjoy the walk.  We do however, find some lovely pieces of sea-tumbled glass, which Debbie loves to collect.

Talking of sea glass, Debbie and I spent a day in Chania doing a little bit of shopping and then we explored all around the old and derelict tannery warehouses.  They are right on the coastline of Chania and there are some wonderful pieces of sea glass to find there.

After sunset on a tiny little cove outside a large taverna in Kalyves

After sunset on a tiny little cove outside a large taverna in Kalyves

I’ve been on two more of David’s group walks.  One was around Armenoi and the other started at Fres and covered the surrounding landscape.  We walk for about 4 hours, Stopping to admire flora and fauna and any wildlife on the way.  Then we stop at a local taverna for a lovely long lunch, which usually involves feeling quite ‘tipsy’ after drinking the local village wine!  No wonder, as it is quite strong and fortified.

Inside a very old Chapel we visited on David's walk outside Fres

Inside a very old Chapel we visited on David’s walk outside Fres

I’ve done so much walking over the last month, including both times my car was in the garage for service and repairs.  On both occasions I decided to walk back home from Kalyves, then walk to Kalyves later in the day to collect my car.  I could have arranged a lift but would much rather get the exercise and enjoy my surroundings more.  I’m always happy when I’m walking as there’s so much awesome nature to stop and admire along the way.

The far end of Stavros

The far end of Stavros

There have been a number of live music gigs and events that I enjoyed at my local Vangeli’s, including a Halloween party and a new band called ‘Flush Royale’, who were really good and got everyone up dancing.  A local English musician who had entertained here on Crete for many long years, sadly passed away recently.  There was a concert celebrating his life, held at Gyalos taverna in Kalyves.  Thankfully it is a very large taverna and was packed with people paying tribute to him, with over 40 musicians playing there that evening.  By contrast, my birthday was quietly celebrated with just a few friends at my local taverna.  My Dutch friend Robert made it a bit special by treating Lisa and I to a couple of banana daiquiri cocktails.  Lush!

On my Birthday at Vangeli's, with cocktails!

On my Birthday at Vangeli’s, with cocktails!

Back to the present time and I am looking forward to my next trip back to the UK, for Christmas with my family.  I fly out on 9th December and stay for 3 weeks.  This time I will be based at Karen and Mike’s for the first 10 days, before going on to Yorkshire to stay with my daughters and their families.  I can’t wait to see everyone and especially my grandchildren, Ralph, Neve, Arthur and Ava.

Excited to be Planning My Winter On Crete

This is the time of year for reflecting on the busy summer season I’ve just had and looking forward to all the joys that the winter brings into my wonderful life.  I love the winters here on Crete as much as I do the summers.  It always seems as though summer finishes and winter begins in such a few short days.   The temperatures have dropped from the mid 30’s consistently through the summer months, to the now much more comfortable early 20’s. The heat saps your energy but now I’ve been feeling all my energy returning and I am enjoying making plans for all the amazing adventures I will have.

So here I am..sitting on my amazing balcony, writing up this post.  For me it is the perfect climate up here, calm and comfortably warm.  When you live in hot temperatures for so many months, you start to crave days like this.  And thank goodness we have them!  The change is utterly refreshing and more than welcome!  These temperatures are perfect for being outdoors.  I live amongst all the beautiful nature I could wish for and still after 15 years, I am always blown away with the sheer experience of it all.  I never forget how lucky I am…

The view from my balcony as I write up this post

The view from my balcony as I write up this post

I am thrilled to share that I’ve had yet another successful season of selling from my stall and display by Almyrida beach. Considering all the days I missed, I am more than pleased to have sold 139 Seashell Mosaic Collage Paintings to tourists and visitors to Crete.  This is more than enough for me now.. as I strengthen my resolve in continuing to create more balance in my life.  Less hours creating my artworks and more free time to travel and explore my awesome environment.  I simply can’t do this if I am working all winter.  Albeit such pleasant work… it’s time for a change.  However, I can’t ever forget that without my Art, I would never have experienced these wonderful 15 years.  Selling my Seashell Mosaic artworks has enabled me to live a simple yet most wonderful life here on Crete.

Tropical Goldfish in Seashell Mosaic Collage Painting - 20x20cms sold from my beach stall in September

Tropical Goldfish in Seashell Mosaic Collage Painting – 20x20cms, sold from my beach stall in September

For the last two weeks the sea has been so rough that it again flooded the centre of Almyrida.  This coincided with my last couple of selling days.  Last week I set up at a different place further along the edge of the beach, for more shelter from the wind.  I noticed the seawater some distance away but didn’t imagine it would get any worse and it was far enough from me not to be a concern.  Or so I thought…  Within the space of two hours the water had reached my table and display boards.  I packed up as fast as I could and pitched up again in my usual spot.  I have never set up twice in one day!  But back where I felt comfortable – I sold well and instantly all the effort was worthwhile.

During these past weeks I have enjoyed some lovely days out with Debbie at Stavros, Kissamos and Skaleta.  These wonderful days were a mixture of beach relax, some seashell collecting and lots of exploring on foot.  We’d take our little low deckchairs, a parasol (if it wasn’t too windy to put up) and our rucksacks.  Late afternoon we’d go and find a nice taverna to eat and then round up the day with a long last walk on the nearest beach.  Perfect!

Beautiful Stavros

The far long beach at beautiful Stavros

This week I went on the first walk of the season with David’s group.  We walked all around the outskirts of Kournas village.  We were quite a large group of about 15 and so I was mostly chatting with people I’d not seen since last April.  We had a really nice lunch afterwards, at a traditional taverna in Kournas village.

I have really enjoyed some fun nights out with friends.  There have been the usual live music gigs at Vangeli’s and a party at Nikita’s.  I have also enjoyed spending time with my Norwegian friend Solveig, who joined us at some of the music nights in Vangeli’s, as well as keeping me company sometimes on my selling days, like Lisa does after work on Mondays.  Other people I know sometimes sit down to join me for a chat and it’s part of the socialising I do on my selling days .

With Lisa & Solveig on one of Vangeli's live music nights in September

With Lisa & Solveig on one of Vangeli’s live music nights at the end of September

I was also thrilled to meet up with a wonderful family I first met at least 12 years ago, through my Art.  They have been consistently good customers and have become special friends too.  It’s been at least three years since I’ve been able to meet Paul, Sheila, John and Adelle and so it was a delight to catch up with them again, over drinks on my balcony followed by lunch at Elpis in Plaka village.

I recently helped move Lisa to a new apartment in Neo Chorio.  The place is lovely but needed a deep and thorough clean before she could move in.  So I picked Debbie up one Saturday morning and Lisa collected Solveig and between the 4 of us we got her new home shipshape.  After working tirelessly for over 4 hours, we packed up and went straight to the large main taverna in Armenoi, for a much needed late lunch and refreshments. But from the moment she moved in, Lisa has had problems with the electricity supply.  It was cut off due to unpaid bills.  It’s a long story ..yet she is still without electricity – despite the bills having since been paid.  Poor Lisa… it’s not easy living here without electricity and she has all my sympathies.  Yesterday she stopped by mine for a cuppa after work and explained the latest about the situation.  Luckily I remembered my power pack.  The one I used to extend the life of my portable fan during the hot selling days by the beach.  It is perfect for extending the life of her iphone.  I am just pleased that I could help.

In the here and now, I am wrapping up this post so that I can continue my plans for another awesome winter on this beautiful Island of Crete.  I continue to live my life to the full… It brims over with all the things I love doing and I am never ever bored.  What a wonderful life!

 

A Wonderful Two Weeks Packed With Fun & Laughter

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! Continue reading

Hottest Summer on Record For Greece and the Islands!

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 16th 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. Continue reading

A Hot Month For Temperatures & Sales

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. Continue reading

Creating Special Memories With My Family in Spain and in Yorkshire

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. Continue reading

More Day Trips Exploring the Stunning Coastlines of Crete

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

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

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