NEARLY THE FULL MOON TRIP!

Hi, here we are taking our 'full moon' trip early. We did plan on setting off next week but have so many other commitments that we decided to take this week end away. The weather was just perfect. We found a lovely hotel, a perfect beach, a fantastic restaurant plus another Archaeological Site. I'm going to leave it up to you to guess where.

'Oh dear, what a shame, we'll have to find a hotel ... and a place to eat!

...an early morning swim.

Looks a bit 'fishy' but we need lunch!

... totally 'Shirley Valentine'.

Does it look like we are enjoying ourselves?

... a bit of exploring!

... David wishing one of the little boats was his!

...thank you for catching our dinner!

I took this picture and very soon after the battery went on my camera so the rest of the trip was unrecorded. And, I missed the shot of the Basilica. Never mind, next time!

Some of you may have been to this site, if you have then you will recognise the beauty and the peace. Back home today and I am so happy to have had our little jaunt. Roll on the next full moon!

We have a busy week ahead, work, music practice, 3 birthday parties. It's a hard life!

Maria and Emmy get a new BMX each. Maria was straight off with her bike and Em came running to my window today to tell me that she has learned how to ride hers, too.

WHERE HAVE ALL MY OLIVE TREES GONE, LONG TIME PASSING...?

Where have all my olive trees gone,
Long time passing,
Where have all my olive trees gone,
Long time ago,
Where have all my olive trees gone,
Felled by the Council every one,
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Well, we are not going to sue the Council, in fact we had agreed to giving them the piece of land to extend the grave yard. We did, however ask them not to do anything before we had signed a paper to that effect so that we could at least chop our own trees down and take the wood for firewood.

Mr Mayor, who I will struggle to vote for when the time comes, did not think it necessary and simply instructed his men to begin work, fell the trees and take the wood away. Our meeting today was not heated but I did ask for compensation. In the end we settled for a portion of the land to remain ours as a grave plot in exchange for the lost trees.

Now, as I was brought up to give with a joyful heart, I do not begrudge the donation of a small plot of land for the community in its afterlife and looking on the bright side (I think), if I do make it into the Vrahassi graveyard then my bones should rest in peace. Unless of course, they lied...

MEETING WITH THE MAYOR!

It was a lovely day today, blue skies, a cooling breeze, birds trilling their little hearts out, I potted a few cuttings, talked to my flowers, then there was cello practice, I did the little wifey bit in the kitchen (cooking that is), spent some time building my www.anavlohos.com web site (you might like to take a look), added a few pictures to facebook, sent a few e-mails, and then it was time to take a stroll with David and Zouki.

Ah the joys of living in Vrahassi! We took the old path up past the windmills and over the other side dropping down past the graveyard, all was just so idyllic...

UNTIL...

WE PASSED BY OUR LAND BEHIND THE GRAVEYARD AND SAW THAT A SECTION OF IT HAD BEEN BULLDOZED AWAY AND THREE OF OUR BIG OLIVE TREES UPROOTED AND LYING LIKE FALLEN GIANTS IN THE TILLED EARTH, STRIPPED OF LIMBS.

So (sigh) I telephoned the Mayor who instantly said that he would come to see us tomorrow morning. AM I ANGRY? No I'm calm (deep breath), I'm very, very calm. I'm thinking sweet, floaty bubble thoughts and wondering has anyone ever sued Vrahassi Council before... I suppose there is always a first time!

Sleep tight blogwatchers. Sweet dreams until the morrow!

WHAT'S EM UP TO?

It was early morning and Em hobbled around in her Cinderella shoes. Unfortunately one of them had a broken strap that needed a dab of glue. A short while later Em came to show me what she was going to eat for breakfast, a couple of crispbreads with chocolate spread, it looked good!

FAMILY FAREWELL TILL NEXT TIME!

Mummy hugs...Daddy hugs...Jack and his pet ant...sisters say 'till next time'...Jean and her Grandsons not too happy to be going! But what a wonderful two weeks we have all had. And now it's back to work to earn those pennies for our next family get together. (Are you going to come and see Nannie and Grandad, Jade and Star? We do hope so).

SISTER JOANNA WITH HER BOYS IN AG NIK

Joanna, Ethan and Ben (left to right) at the seaside and checking out the Archeological site in the centre of Agios Nikolaos. I dropped my camera a few weeks ago and the quality of my pictures is suffering. Better send a letter to Father Christmas!

MEET MY NEIGHBOUR - EMMY!

This is Emmanuella 'Em' for short. She is 7 years old. Her name day is on 25th December, she doesn't know what day her birthday falls on. I have known Em for a couple of years because she used to wait in my office in the centre of Vrahassi, for her sister, Maria, to finish school so that they could walk home together. The school taxi brought Emmy home on the first run and then did a second trip with the older children. Maria is 11 yrs old.
Now we are neighbours. Em's Grandmother lives next door to us, Em just around the corner. I see her every day, unless she has gone to visit her relatives (and she has plenty of those).
Today Em was in goals and Referee Grandma in control of the game. To give you some idea of what sort of player Em is think back to 'Beryl the Peril' or 'Mini the Minx' are you getting the picture? And she is strong. 'Put that wheel barrow down, Em', was a usual request from the builders of my house. My sister, frightened of wasps, moved away from two which had alighted on the floor near her, Em's foot descended with no hesitation and put an end to fear, and wasps. Em brings me a rosebud flower head every day. I am going to watch Em very closely, her life could be 'interesting'.
Posted by Jane Sharp at 11:27 PM

KRONIA POLLA MARIA!

I wish all those ladies with the name 'Maria' a 'Happy Name Day'.

Here, celebrating her name day with the opening of 'Braxasiotiko Spiti' is Kiria Maria who showed us around her family home which, together with her sister, she has lovingly restored to create a folk museum. You can visit this traditional house and view the folk exhibition any day except Wednesdays and Sundays between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is free.

My favourite exhibits are the sweeper and the ladies pyjamas. Let me know what your's are.

I shall certainly be including a visit to the Folk Museum on the itinerary of my Village Walks. Click on: Anavlohos Walks

FAMILY LIFE IN VRAHASSI!

And then my sister arrived looking very 'put together'.








And her familly, all staying at the 'HERMESE' Hotell in
Ag Nik.









And the party-ing continued!

Ethan strummed a few songs...

Jack found water and all was well!

Rosemarie and Jo

And Jack... Cousteux

HOUSE FOR SALE IN VRAHASSI

For details of this absolute bargain at 12,950 euro for a fast sale, look in http://cretehouseshop.blogspot.com

DAY AT THE BEACH

It seemed a bit rough for fishing, and that cyclist gets everywhere! We had a fabulous picnic and lots of fun.

We will eat in the Village tonight but on Friday (Birthday night) we had a splendid meal at the 'Paradosiako' restaurant in Sissi. Sitting on the terrace by the sea, with the lights of Xersonissos twinkling across the bay was a perfect end to the day.

CATCH UP TIME!

And the day finally arrived... my wonderful daughter Joanne, John and Jack winged in from England for a week at the family home. My only sorrow is that my son and his family are not here at the same time. To have all my grandchildren here would be the most marvelous thing. Maybe next year.

This reunion picture is 26 years on. Joanne was bridesmade for our friends, Ian and Diana who have a holiday home in Vrahassi.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID, what better way to spend your birthday than a trip to Malia Slides for a watery morning.

Back at the ranch it was computer games and birthday cake.

A bit late I know but this was Sunday's swimming race in Sissi Harbour.

And this was lunch with my music teacher and her friends in Kritsa.

And this was the ladies Wednesday trip to Plaqua just across from the island of Spinalonga. I have to report that there are a couple of lovely clothes shops there (classy, pricey, modern, arty). I didn't buy anything...










...except lunch!