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

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!

VANESSA AND SIMON 25 YEARS' MARRIED

A BIG 'THANK YOU' FROM SIMON AND VANESSA FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL CARDS AND PRESENTS WHICH THEY RECEIVED FOR THEIR SILVER WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

...and it went with a BANG! Fireworks, balloons, heart shaped chocolates, pink punch, oodles of food and... nearly music and dancing. Why? Because although I was in charge of the music, Yannis CD player was on the blink and it was just a miracle that we managed to get one CD to play. For once I was glad that it was not my problem. There were around 30 guests and not too much room to dance anyway so all was not lost. It was a great get together.

Amazing cake candles!