ANOTHER WONDERFUL PARTY!

Is there no end to the fun! It appears not. It is New Year's Eve and the bubbly is on ice.

Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing today, I want you to celebrate all the good things of 2010 and welcome in the new year with loving thoughts of peace to all mankind. Let a wave of love start with that first new year's kiss, let it surge out to your family, your friends, your neighbours, the politicians who work towards keeping a safe and healthy environment for you to live in, the workers of the world, who with their energy create beauty and maintain order, and to the spiritual leaders who keep the light of God blazing. And, let a great sunami of love warm the hearts of the sick, the poor, the bereaved, the hungry and the homeless. How does the song go? "It started with a kiss..." And remember to love yourself, nobody ever said you shouldn't do that. Let 2011 be full of love.

That's my new year's message, be happy, and have a wonderful New Year's Eve.

With love from Jane x

THE NEAPOLIS CHOIR SING IN SISSI

This was a lovely event, organized by the Cultural Committe of Sissi. An evening of live music, food, drink and Christmas magic. And, if you look at the pictures carefully, you may see Father Christmas being serenaded by his little helpers, Gillian, Julie, and yours truly. (Thanks to Dr Zacharias Fthenakis for supplying the photographs). I hope this will become an annual event, with gift stalls, home made produce maybe, and something for the children. All good Christmas fun!

Cretan Carol Singers 2010

AND SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I sang, I swam, I played cello, and I shared a whole load of food and drink with my friends. Not quite a traditional Cretan Christmas, but the two merged together very well.

On Santa's trail in Rethymnon!

The 'switch on' of Sissi Christmas tree. Gillian, Julie and I did play, but as yet no photo.

Sissi boys enjoying the evening.

Christmas Eve, Julie and I played carols and all our friends sang along. We were outside the Oasis bar, which is opposite the big church in Neapolis. Later that night David and I had a few friends around for Christmas Eve drinks, and...

...then there was Christmas Day! First a chat with our family in England as they opened their presents. Then cosies on and off again. So few crazy people on the beach that day, but David and I didn't let the side down. Together with Mark and Jim, we took the cold plunge and enjoyed every minute.

Then it was back to Vrahassi for a lovely hot shower, and off to Ian and Diana's house for a wonderful Christmas dinner.

And now, David is back in his overalls working on our extension ready for Jo coming to stay this summer, meanwhile, I have just finished polishing and vaccuming, preparing yet more food and catching up with my e-mails. The dogs are sitting in the sunshine outside, and all is peace and quiet. A perfect re-charge day. I hope your Christmas time is as good as ours.

To all my blog readers, I wish you the very best for a wonderful New Year.

Oh, and that reminds me - Cosmos bar in Vrahassi, has been refurbished, new toilets, new tables and chairs, new most everything, and it is now open for drinks and nibbles. George, who runs the place, says it is a Raki Bar. We popped in on his first night. For sure it is a welcome addition to the night spots of Vrahassi.

Love and all things nice, Jane x

WEATHER PERMITTING - CELLO MAMMA IN AG NIK

OK, we are going to give it a go tomorrow, Monday. If anyone would like to join in the fun, come and sing along with us. We shall be on the pavement, just down from the bookshop on the main road for traffic, that leads to the sea. Listen for the music if you can't find us. Hope to see you there, starting at 11 a.m.

Love Jane x

HELP I CAN'T GET THE CAR UP TO MY HOUSE!

The winter has brought another house down in Vrahassi. This time it has blocked the road up to my house. Hm... good job I bought some new wellies. If I have to spend the rest of the winter walking up and down the hill to my car, then I know I am going to need them. Is this God's way of making me exercise?

AN AFTERNOON OF MUSIC

Our little student's concert went very well. What you would call, a very agreeable afternoon of music.

Our next venue is Agios Nikolaos on Thursday 16th December, when we shall be playing Christmas carols in the street. We invite as many people as possible to come along and sing along, at 11 a.m.. We shall be on the pavement on the road down to the lake. Hope to see you there.

MUSIC ALL THE WAY TO CHRISTMAS AND BEYOND!

The little blond on the front row has started her Christmas by joining in with the Rainbow Choir at their annual carol concert. It was a last minute 'come and join us' but I put a bit of work in and hey presto, had a wonderful evening. We had a fantastic audience too, who turned out despite the freezing cold, snow, hailstones and high winds. Yes, it's winter! Great, I might get chance to wear my new wellies.



Love Jane x

PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS AT FOURNI

I have been going to Fourni for the past couple of Fridays, to play piano for a lovely flautist. What a surprise I had the first time I entered the village. Just on the very edge of Fourni is a field full of these panels which generate electricity from the sun. I was shocked at first, but then got to thinking how much better this was than the ugly power plant on the coast just outside Heraklion. If we are to embrace alternative technology to help sustain our need for electricity, then we have to accept new landscapes. I have to say, I do prefere the roof top variety, but then again, I have seen much uglier buildings than these panels. I wonder how long it will be before Vrahassi has a couple of fields full of the same.


MUSIC ALL THE WAY TO CHRISTMAS!

Don't miss the Rainbow Choir's annual Christmas Carol Concert, to be held at the Hermes Hotel in Agios Nikolaos, on Saturday 11th December, at 8.00 p.m. There will be lots of mulled wine and food, and a raffle with fantastic prizes, like a trip to Santorini.

I will be playing the cello with fellow students, on the 12th December, at a private gathering of friends, and the week after going to the Christmas concert of the philharmonic at Rethymnon. In between all of that, I hope to take to the streets with Valentino and play carols. Anyone who would like to join me, listen out for a meeting in Sissi, to arrange a date.

Jingle Bells and Deck the Hall, Christmas is coming!