MESSAGE TO THE COUNCIL - THE PARTY IS OVER!

Sign next to the main road in Vrahassi.

Someone is obviously upset! (click on image to take a closer look).

A quick translation: Only those streets where council members live are being repaved. Kalokratis, the new law is welcome. Bon Voyage George, the party is over!

I am just reporting what I see.

LUNCH IN SISSI

Jayne (with a Y) and I spent a lovely lunchtime in Sissi today, between 12 and 2. The harbour was very quiet, there were a few people on the little beach, but no tourist throng. In a way that's how I like it, but it must be a disaster for all the little business owners. Our lunch cost us 7 euro each. To be able to sit in such a beautiful place alone was worth that. But we were alone, and there's the pity. Come back to Sissi, it is well worth a visit! Hope to see you there next time. The Thalasinos Kosmos (Sea World) taverna, overlooks the harbour.

FOOTBALL IN THE CAFENEO

It wasn't a big screen, there wasn't a big crowd, but we did sing God Save the Queen. Unfortunately England lost to German but well done Germany for winning. We did have a very pleasant evening.

NOT ALL THE ROADS OBVIOUSLY!

I noticed this sign along the road side. Sombody is obviously a bit concerned. Obviously not all the pathways of Vrahassi are going to be paved. Hey ho! something else to talk about in the cafeneio.

For those of you who don't read Greek, it says: This road will not be fixed because it does not have a house belonging to members of the council beside it. It is a fine situation!

Just for the record - I didn't write it, or have anything to do with the writing of it.

Happy Saturday wherever you are in the world - and, looking on the bright side, we will be able to continue taking our car up the hill without any holdups, roads closed, stuff like that.

IT'S JUST THE WAY I'M FEELING - AH LOUDOVIKOS

HEALTH AND SAFETY - FORGET IT!

It was difficult enough for us to navigate our way down to the dustbins, but dam near impassable for Maria. We could have gone a different way around of course, but turned a corner and this is what we came across. All it needed was a piece of red tape across the road to close it off for the night. I love Crete, and Vrahassi so much, but the safety of others is not a consideration when it comes to holes in the road and buildings that are falling down. Hopefully no-one will be injured in the getting of our new pathways. Which, I have to add, are looking splendid.

TEARS FROM THE SUN - IS A HIT IN AMERICA!

I just got back from a trip to the east coast to visit my daughter in Virginia and (of course) took Tears From the Sun. I finished the book on the flight home and I have to tell you I was simply mesmerized throughout the entire book. It was just absolutely a fun and magical story. You have such a gift for describing the characters and places that I just felt I was there! You’ve had an incredibly fascinating life !! And Crete and Vrahassi and all of the history of the Minoans is something I wouldn’t ever have had the experience of knowing about without this book. SO...are you doing a sequel - what’s next in the literary works for you? I’m going to miss Kate and Fuckin’ Pete and Maria and everyone! I just hated to see the story end.
JoAnne Hodge

I received these comments today from one of my readers in America. It has prompted me to start writing book number two. Thanks JoAnne for your very kind words, I am so happy that you enjoyed reading my book.

FACELIFT FOR VRAHASSI

Work has begun on paving the streets of Vrahassi. Fantastic! But not so good if you are driving along the same road. I'll choose an alternative route next time.

Here is some information I received this morning.

The Lyceum of Greek Women will be re-enacting theKlithonas in the main street of Aghios Nikolaos on Wednesday at 8:00pm.

And a brief update on the Greek Salad event:- "Residents of the prefecture of Ierapetra on Crete gathered over theweekend with the aim of creating the largest salad in the world andearning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Using areceptacle measuring 100 square meters as their salad bowl, locals threwtogether 6 tons of tomatoes, 3 tons of cucumbers, 2 tons of peppers, aton of onions, 800 kilos of feta cheese and half a ton of olive oil. It remained unclear late yesterday whether the 12-ton salad had made itinto the record book" So we're still none the wiser! Regards-- Maurice Sheppard

THE PRE-LAUNCH TOUCH PAPER WAS LIGHTED!

The first official pre-launch of my book, Tears from the Sun - A Cretan Journey, went well. David and I set off early in the morning to collect the bunting from 'Specially for You' in Sissi. The printing business run by Joe and Gail. They had also printed a T-shirt for David and made me an advertisment board. While we were there we picked up a copy of 'Who Pays the Ferryman' a British 1978 television series which was filmed locally. Then it was a swift hour of blowing up balloons and fixing bunting outside the YiaSu Bar before going home to prepare the food for the buffet. That seemed to take ages, but by the time 5 0'clock came round all was packed ready for the off.

We stuffed the car full of champagne and nibble, books and bookmarks and headed to Malia where we picked up the cake - a wonderful cheesecake that had green jelly on the top. Unfortunately we forgot to take pics of the cake, in fact we forgot about the cake altogether, and by the time we were reminded, most of our visitors had gone. Guess what we ate today!

It was a fantastic evening. My friend Margaret of http://www.alternativecrete.com came to do a Reiki blessing on the book. Her words were beautiful: In the name of all that is good, true, and brings love and light, bless this story, that it should reach into hearts and minds. Bless the people who read it, to lighten their journey. May it bring happiness and joy to all who read it.

The proprietors of the YiaSu Bar presented me with a lovely bouquet of flowers, and three of my friends read short passages from the book. It was a fantastic way to baptize my novel, and to present it to the world. Where better than a bar only a few yards away from the little flat in which I had the dream that inspired the book. I thank all those who attended and supported me at this very special event.

Today, the bunting came down and David and I enjoyed an hour at the Sissi Arms, where we watched England v Austrailia play rugby. Now it's back to work, but by eck, it ain't half hot!

BALLS!

I have just finished making, 150 assorted balls and cocktail sized bites for our guests at the book signing event, which is to be held on Friday. More tomorrow - We shall not be nibbleless! Unfortunately cello practice had to go by the way, but I'll make up for it in the cool of the morning.

It's been a hot one today, melt down time. Too hot for Yannis at the cafeneo.

A COMFY SEAT, A COFFEE, AN ICECREAM AND A GOOD BOOK

Try Ormos Cafe Bar for a bit of relaxation by the very pretty harbour at Sissi. It is new, it is modern and it is the perfect place for that after-dinner drink.

TEARS FROM THE SUN - A CRETAN JOURNEY by Jane Sharp
Now available from Amazon .co.uk for U.K. and European purchases:Tears from the Sun: A Cretan Journey

WORLD BUSK IN KRITSA

We had a great morning, the school children turned out to listen to us, there were a few tourists passing, and lots of local friends. Thanks to their generosity we raised about 300 euro (not counted yet) for the charity Musiquality, which provides musical instruments for children in underdeveloped countries.

Gillian and I were the only people in Greece for the second year running, to sign up for this event. The shopkeepers and cafebar owners of Kritsa were very helpful and handed out raki and nibbles to passers by. Let's hope that next year we will be joined by other local musicians.

A big thank you to all who helped today!

GOING FOR GOLD AT ISTRON

It was a jolly Sunday in the garden of Sue, the rescue dog (and cat) lady, at Istron. Scrumptious home made cake, scones and buscuits and a glass of wine to wash it down. There were books, jewelery and plenty of plants for sale. Carp and goldfish seemed very happy in their pond - I haven't seen any of those for a long time. Diana took Lydia and me in her motor. We left all the dogs (4) with David and Ian in Vrahassi, lucky them!

VRAHASSI VILLAGE INFRASTRUCTURE

Who is in charge of town planning? Vrahassi roads are in urgent need of repair, they are so dangerous. Surely Greek citizens deserve more than this.