I have just enjoyed the most wonderful week with my Daughter Emma, Son-in-Law Ash, and gorgeous grandchildren Ralph and Neve!
Because Ash has not been able to go on holiday with his family, since their wedding here 4 years ago, they decided to book a lovely family room at the Almyrida Beach hotel, so that they would have a more restful holiday. The fact that Ralph and Neve are at the ages of 4 and 2, I now realize what a handful they are and how hectic things would have been if they’d all stayed at mine! Big bonus for me too really.. as I got to spend plenty of absolute quality time playing with Ralph and Neve, without all the clearing up!
Having fun with Ralph and Neve at the far beach in Almyrida
We spent every day by the pool or at the beach. In all the years I have lived here – I have never been in the full sun so much in one week! But these two adorable, boisterous little monkeys, Ralph and Neve were hardly out of the water and I just couldn’t stop playing with them! I loved every single moment of it and some!
All of us before dinner, by the poolside of the Almyrida Beach Hotel
We had lunch in Almyrida every day, either at the poolside, by the beach or at Françoise and we also enjoyed some lovely family evening meals at Umami and Psaros too. Almyrida itself seemed busier with tourists in most of the restaurants, yet it was still so quiet for the end of July. Not many people walking in the street.
Enjoying the lovely pool at the Almyrida Beach Hotel
Halfway through the week I had Ralph and Neve for tea and a sleepover. Ralph was so excited and so was I!! I would get my precious Grandchildren all to myself for a while and Emma and Ash could have their much-needed break from the kids.
All of us at Umami Asian Fusion Restaurant in Almyrida
They had a date night… to celebrate and rekindle memories of their amazing wedding here on Crete in 2016. They kicked off the late afternoon with cocktails on the Almyrida Residence Roof Garden, followed by a slap up meal at the relatively new restaurant – Almyvita. It’s a little on the posh side, expensive and much out of character with the rest of Almyrida, I think. Nevertheless, Emma and Ash dined on the rooftop there and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They reported the food and service as excellent!
Emma, Ash, Ralph & Neve by the children’s pool at the Almyrida Beach Hotel
Meanwhile, Ralph, Neve and I had a wonderful time at mine and wow – did they wear me out! There’s a reason you’re meant to have kids when you’re young. I didn’t train with Charlie last week, but I got plenty of exercise every single day with my lively Grandchildren! I can’t find the words to express what an amazing week it was for me… one I never thought possible this year. The pictures in the Photo Album at the end of this post, say it all.
Getting ready for a day out with Carl, Linda & Charlie on Carl Axon’s Rock ‘n Roll Boat!
Not long before Emma and Ash arrived, Charlie and I were invited to spend the day with Carl and Linda on his speedboat – ‘Rock ‘n Roll’. A totally apt name for a talented musician who once was a member of ‘Doctor & the Medics’ – and who had a hit with the well-known soundtrack, ‘Spirit in the Sky’. Carl took us everywhere on his boat and I saw places I hadn’t seen before – beautiful areas of coastline that can only be viewed from a boat.
Carl let me drive his boat!
It turns out that Carl knew the owners of the charming Greek summerhouse where Zoe and Rich held their wedding in 2018. He steered the boat up close to the shore and it all looked so beautiful and idyllic, with its own little pebble beach. Zoe, the bridesmaids and myself were supposed to have made our arrival by boat on the day, right there on that little beach. But sadly that had to be cancelled because the sea was too rough! This was the first time I had seen this idyllic place form the sea and it brought back so many wonderful memories. We had a fabulous day out on Carl’s boat and as my Daughters both remarked – on watching the video I sent – “Mum, you have the best life!” Don’t I just!!
My friend Debbie finally returned to Crete after a long absence, due to a bleed on the brain. Following an excellent new form of treatment from the top surgeon in Athens and after a long convalescence in the UK with her family, she is back where she loves to be and none the worse for her frightening experience. So this is also wonderful news! She is staying with Lisa at the mansion for now and we all had a lovely afternoon, a couple of weeks ago at Almy on Kalyves Beach. They have such comfy sunbeds there!
Best seller last year! Inspirational quote written in real sand, acrylic painting 3D Artwork, available to purchase from my Etsy shop – SeashellBeautyinArt
As soon as my family left, I decided to try my first day of selling by the beach in Almyrida. I still can’t quite get my head around the fact that the first day of my season was 3rd August, when normally I would have already been selling for 3 months! Debbie and Lisa both came down to Almyrida to keep me company while we had lunch at my stall and display. Later Marriane, who runs the tour desk next to me, started her first day and it was great to catch up with her again too. I really enjoyed my first day back, doing what I’ve done for the last 11 summers.. and I feel so lucky again, because, despite the lack of tourists around – I sold 2 of my Seashell Mosaic Collages to some lovely Norwegians. Amazingly, the first one I sold was the popular design I created last year – “Always believe something wonderful is going to happen”.
People all over the world need to believe this inspirational quote right now, because it truly inspires hope. I know it’s made lots of wonderful things happen for me!
PHOTO ALBUM
“This is the life!” Ralph Lying on his surf board
