Monday, May 30, 2011

POET ROGER McGOUGH IN CRETE

Well, this was a turn up for the books! Here I am with the Patron Saint of Poetry (according to Carol Ann Duffy) Roger McGough. It was an opportunity that I could not pass up on. When I heard that he was to give a poetry reading, I immediately organized a ticket for the event. The poetry workshop which I was lucky enough to attend was a real bonus. David and I went over to Vamos, near Xania, for the weekend, where we caught the last few days of their Art Festival. It was a great weekend. For those of you who may not be into poetry, Roger used to be a member of a group called The Scaffold, remember Lilly the Pink? He has since been awarded a CBE and OBE for his services to poetry. Esteemed company indeed! If you are able to listen in to Radio 4 you will hear Roger presenting the programme, Poetry Please. So, that was my weekend, I hope yours was as enjoyable. This week I have to catch up with my cello practice in and amongst my writing. Village news is a bit thin, but about a week ago, Lefteris and Stella had their third child, a little boy. Otherwise the village is quiet, we would never know that there were tourists on Crete if we didn't leave Vrahassi now and then. I suppose the weather is the main talking point. It is still a bit chilly, and damp, rain is forcast again for tomorrow. My next door neighbour says that it is going to be the same throughout June and July. Let's hope not. I have some personal news too - our daughter, Joanne, has completed her University course, and will graduate in October. Well done that girl! A happy Bank Holiday to all. Talk again soon. Love Jane x

Monday, May 9, 2011

MY BEAUTIFUL HOUSE IS FOR SALE

http://www.cretanresidences.com/site15/index.php?option=com_estateagent&act=object&task=showEO&id=492&lang=en

Yes, David and I have decided to put our house on the market. It was not an easy decision. We have put a lot of love into restoring this old Cretan house to make it a modern, functional home. I love my bathroom with its double bath, I love my bedroom with its beams and gothic window., I love my wonderful living room with the old, stone arch, I love the view of the mountains, I love my neighbours - but it is time to move on. We are not ready to retire and another adventure calls.

We will look first in Vrahassi for our next home. We love Vrahassi, the climate is the best in Crete, the proximity to the sea, the convenience of being only 45 minutes away from the airport, and to be able to look out of my window and see twelve, fourteen Griffon Vultures circling on a thermal, is just something else.

We will continue to improve our large, outside areas, where we hope to have many barbecues during the summer. If you buy our house, maybe you will invite us to your barbecue! So, take a look at the details of our lovely home by clicking the link above. Very soon, most of the big agencies will have our house on their sites, so wherever you look, you will find us.

Do tell all your friends and acquaintances; they may be looking for a life in the sunshine!

In case you would like any further information please contact the agent; or if you prefere, get in touch with me: 0030 6945 872472

And now I'm off out to Sissi by the sea, where a bookshop has requested more of my books, Tears from the Sun - A Cretan Journey. If you have not read it yet do look on Amazon, where you can now download it as a Kindle e-book for very little money.

Love to all, peace and light,
Jane x

Monday, May 2, 2011

JANE EATS SNAILS IN CRETE!

You can't beat a bit of local food when you are out and about, though I have to admit that snails are not the tastiest of fodder. Given the choice I would much prefere a nice, big, juicy steak, but times are hard!