It was Mark Twain who said: “In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.” Well, that’s certainly true of this year ! I have never known such changeable … Continue reading
Hello again! I don’t know about you (and if you’re very religious or a regular church go-er it’s unlikely you’ll be able to relate to this) but over the last few years, for me anyway, Easter has become a bit … Continue reading
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus HELLO EVERYONE, I’M BACK!! I returned to a freezing cold, windy and very wet Skiathos and unable to locate my key-holder … Continue reading
So sorry not to be joining in the celebratons of this very special time on Skiathos but I’ve only just returned from Egypt, where I travelled high into the arid mountains of the Sinai Peninsula to visit the remotely-situated St. … Continue reading
Here I am, still in London and I’ve just heard I couldn’t have timed it better; it seems that the weather has been awful ever since I left – I must have taken the good weather with me!
Oh dear, with all the pre-Easter preparations well underway for the annual kite-flying and picnic on ‘Clean Monday’ and the colourful Carnival and parades the following week, I hope the weather forecast is more promising………..
So, here’s a little distraction to remind my friends on the island that spring and warm sunny days lie just ahead, and to remind me to hurry back (all the flowers on this video were blooming in the garden when I photographed them – just before I left):
Today is the Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday and, as I’m still in London, I’m so sorry not to be sharing it with all my dear friends In Skiathos. I’ve been watching events unfold on the live webcam but that’s no substitute for actually being there and witnessing the traditional festivities first-hand; following the processions, eating the ‘Avgolemono’ soup and sharing the traditional spit- roasted lamb feast & almond cakes – and making merry with the many families who are gathering together, all over the island, to celebrate this most important day in the Greek Orthodox calendar.
I’m anxious to hear how the Art exhibition went yesterday and see the photos taken on my behalf (I’ll be posting them on here for all to see as soon as I can).
So, sending Best Wishes to all my wonderful Skiathos friends, too numerous to mention all by name here but especially: Theo & Ireni Kandarakis, Despina Mtselou & Gail Stathakis (and all my fellow artists), Nikos Kondylis (my very patient builder), Elias Stamelos & Sam, Maria from ‘Maria’s Pizza’, Kostas & Giorgos from ‘Infinity Blue’ restaurant, Magda from ‘Alexandros’, Elizabeth and Steve from ‘Stathis Taverna’, Rosemary & George from ‘Varelli Taverna’, the Papas brothers from ”Victoria Cars’, all the girls in the ‘Saturday Morning Hiking’ group (you know who you are!) and last but not least, my wonderful friends & neighbours; Geoff & Lida from ‘Zorbades’, Geoff H, Richard R, Matt & Keys and Maggie & Ken.
‘Ευτυχές Πάσχα!’ ‘Happy Easter’ to all! and see you soon!
Hi Everyone,
Well after 8 long weeks of camping out on a dusty (too often muddy) building site, I’ve come back to the UK for a short but much-needed break(and, at last, a HOT shower – Bliss!!). Happy to report the building/renovation works are going full steam ahead though it has been SO frustrating at times. With bad weather, general strikes and a seemingly constant stream of public & religious holidays, work hasn’t progressed as quickly as I’d hoped – but every thing’s on track and finally starting to come together.
The swimming pool is almost complete:
the house still has some way to go before it’s habitable again and unfortunately the accommodation isn’t likely to be ready in time for the first guests arriving on May 18th but there are plenty of suitable alternatives nearby, 
and the Art studio is all set (the shipment of art materials & equipment arrived on schedule and I’m only waiting for the electricity connection now) so I’m really excited about the prospect of classes finally getting underway mid- May.
