On 6th October I had the most amazing day! It was a usual Monday selling day and although I hadn’t quite decided at that point, it would be my last selling day this summer. Even though I could easily have extended my season for a few more weeks as there were still plenty of tourists in Almyrida and the weather remained sunny and warm. Continue reading
Despite all my best intentions to slow down on the work front this summer, a record number of visitors to Almyrida has resulted in increased sales, especially during September. I sold 43 Artworks in August and a further 40 Seashell Mosaic Paintings in September. Continue reading
Apart from a few isolated days, the climate on Crete has been far less heat intensive than it was the previous summer. There have been far fewer heatwaves and we’ve all enjoyed lower temperatures to live and work in. During July I missed two selling days, one day when it really was too hot and another because it was too windy to set up my stall and display. Despite only selling for 7 days out of a possible 9, I am happy to mention that like June – July sales were up on last year. Continue reading
I had the best time with my daughters and grandchildren when I returned to Yorkshire for 10 days. I was at Emma’s for just over a week, whilst Ralph and Neve were off school for half term. I arrived Saturday night of the bank holiday weekend and so I had 2 whole days with Emma before she was back at work on the Tuesday. The rest of the time I had lots of fun with Ralph and Neve. Continue reading
The weather remained sunny and warm for the whole of Easter Weekend. I was out and about socializing and joining in the celebrations for most of it! On Good Friday I was in my local taverna Vangeli’s from around 5pm, intending to stay only for a couple of hours but actually not leaving until 9.30pm. Continue reading
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. Continue reading
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
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
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
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