A Truly Fantastic Day Walking The Awesome Samaria Gorge Again

Posted on May 22, 2025 by micmaryjo

It is 14 long years since I first walked Samaria Gorge here on this beautiful Island of Crete. It was before I started this blog so I am really pleased to be writing about it now. The first time I went with a group of friends from my local taverna, Vangeli’s in Plaka. This time I went on an organized trip with a tour company. One of my friends from David’s walking group had always wanted to walk Samaria and I eagerly agreed to go with her. Continue reading →

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

Posted on December 3, 2024 by micmaryjo

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. Continue reading →

Excited to be Planning My Winter On Crete

Posted on October 27, 2024 by micmaryjo

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 →

Hottest Summer on Record For Greece and the Islands!

Posted on August 21, 2024 by micmaryjo

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 16^th 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

Posted on July 14, 2024 by micmaryjo

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

Posted on June 9, 2024 by micmaryjo

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

Posted on May 5, 2024 by micmaryjo

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 →

Beachcombing Season Off to a Great Start in 2024

Posted on February 20, 2024 by micmaryjo

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 →

Spending Time with Visiting Friends and Making Some New Ones!

Posted on October 18, 2023 by micmaryjo

I am sitting comfortably on my balcony writing up this post and reflecting on these past weeks. It’s the middle of October and it’s a gloriously sunny and warm day. October appears to be making up for the disappointing weather we had in September, as it has been like this for most of the time so far. During September I had 2 ‘no sales’ days because of the weather. On one particular day I went down to set up my stall only to find the sea had flooded the centre of Almyrida! Consequently and for various other reasons, September sales were as disappointing as the weather. Continue reading →

August is Always a Good Month for Sales

Posted on September 8, 2023 by micmaryjo

We have been very lucky not to have experienced any further serious heatwaves since I last wrote in this blog. I know other parts of Europe and particularly Spain, have suffered with very high temperatures during August. For the most part though, I have been comfortable on my selling days at the edge of Almyrida beach and this is all due to the constant breezes coming off the sea. Continue reading →

Michaela's Blog

Michaela's blog

Tag Archives: Seashell Mosaic Collage Paintings