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 23rd 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 3rd 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!