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.
Nautilus Shell in Seasell Mosaic on Sand – 30x40cms
I am determined to enjoy more free time this summer and not to spend so much of it trying to keep up with demand. As happens so many times – when some of the designs in my stock pile run out – this summer I will not be replacing them unless I can work on the mosaic whilst I am selling. I cannot do this with many of the larger designs. This summer, when I am not selling I have plans to take frequent day trips to other parts of Crete that I’ve always wanted to visit but not had the time to. This winter Debbie and I have managed to explore many new beaches during our beachcombing expeditions. However, usually in the summer the seashells are just not there but there are so many other interesting places to visit and explore on this large and beautiful Island of Crete.
Discovering the dead Sea Turtle on the Kissamos Coastline
So when I am not creating my Seashell Mosaic Collage Paintings, I am mostly beachcombing. Debbie and I recently explored the coastline around Kissamos, particularly beyond the port. On one of the deserted beaches there, we came across a dead turtle. It must have been there for some time as it’s flippers and head were all withered and its shell had cracked. This is actually the third dead sea turtle I have come across during the many years I’ve been beachcombing. The other two were both found on the far beach at Kalyves, where all the rocks are.
Best seller for 15 years – Baby Turtles in Seashell Mosaic on Sand
Each time I was overwhelmed with sadness as I absolutely adore these creatures…and so does everybody else if sales of my ‘Baby Turtles’ design is anything to go by. They are still my best sellers.
The following week we explored the coastline all around the Stavros/Akrotiri area, discovering a further 6 beaches we’d never been to before. We visited a total of 8 beaches that day including two that are regular haunts, where we usually manage to collect many beautifull shells and ocean treasures. But that day those beaches were quite empty. Luckily, one of the new areas of beach we came across had an abundance of small and tiny seashells – ideal for my mosaics.
Beach at Kissamos that was great for shells
We couldn’t resist another return trip to
Skaleta and were rewarded with a huge variety of stunning seashells.. all concentrated in one of the small bays. Such an abundance of fabulous clean seashells meant we spent practically the whole day collecting there. Without doubt – our best beach discovery this year has been Skaleta.
One of the bays at the far end of Georgioupoli
By contrast, Geourgioupoli has been surprisingly barren this winter. It is such a long and wide beach and stretches for many kilometers. There is usually always something to find there… but not this year. However we have not really had a winter this year…no real storms creating stormy seas, bringing heaps of interesting sea finds onto the shorelines. To be fair many of our other regular beaches have also been barren this winter, including Falassarna, Stavros and Bali. The flip side to not having had much wintry weather, has been the abundance of warm and sunshiny days which are perfect for beachcombing.
Last week Debbie and I decided to see if stuff was possibly washing up further along the endlessly long Georgioupoli coastline. So we had a day of jumping in and out of the car at regular intervals, checking parts of the beach that are usually too far to walk to or do in one go. There was absolutely nothing to find but we still enjoyed a wonderful day of walking Georgioupoli’s wonderful sandy beaches, ending the day with coffee and cake in the sunny square.
In Georgioupoli Square, enjoying coffee and cake after our beachcombing
It’s been Greek Orthodox Easter this weekend and we kicked it off with a beachcombing day on Good Friday at Falassarna. Stopping at one of the new beaches we’ve found in Kissamos, we discovered that there were many more seashells to collect than there were the first time we visited. Falassarna itself was somewhat disappointing again, but it’s a beautiful area to walk and the weather was lovely yet again.
Dinner with our Norwegian friends, Solveig and Geirs – for Geirs’ Birthday.
Socially I’ve been out for dinner and drinks with friends celebrating their birthdays and live music gigs at my local tavernas.
As it was Easter Saturday, last night I decided to walk into Plaka village square for the big bonfire and Easter celebrations. Vangeli’s were hosting live music by ‘The Vibes’, who were really good. But I wondered if they would light the big bonfire after all, as the wind had been blowing a Hooley all day and there’s a real possibility that the fire could ignite the surrounding buildings and trees in the square. But as I walked up to the square it became much calmer. However, as it turned out…. later on it chucked it down and rained quite heavily for a while so they couldn’t light the bonfire anyway! I honestly can’t remember the last time we had rain! On Easter Saturay Plaka Square is usually choc full of Greeks holding candles and standing near the huge raging bonfire… but not this year. Despite the weather dictating the absence of normal traditions, I had a really great evening with lots of friends, enjoyed dancing lots and didn’t return home until the wee hours of this morning!
Awesome sunset as viewed from my balcony a few days ago
Next week we will make our last beachcombing trip of the season by returning to Elafonisi. This time we hope that the flooded areas are now accessible again and that we can reach the parts of Elafonisi that we missed when we stayed over in March. Ross will also be coming along with us, which will be nice as it’s Debbie’s birthday on the day we plan to go.
I am very excited to be going to Spain in just over a week! My sister and brother-in-law now have a beautiful large villa in the village of Algorfa, which is about 30 minutes south of Alicante. I will fly from Crete to Manchester and connect there with a flight to Alicante. My brother Mark is also joining us and Karen and Mike will already be there. We will stay for just over a week of rare quality family time in a holiday atmosphere and I really can’t wait!
As soon as I arrive back in Manchester I will be visiting Zoe, Rich and my grandchildren, Arthur and Ava for a couple of days. Then I’ll be moving to Emma, Ash, and grandchildren Ralph and Neve’s home on the other side of Yorkshire for a further week. I really can’t wait to see them all! I really am so so lucky to have so much to look forward to.
I will not start my selling season until after I return to Crete on 3rd June.