A cloudy summer

Metaphorically speaking.

Our little island is slowly filling up with holiday makers from all over the world. Most of them looking for a well deserved rest and some sunshine to relax in and of course some good food which we are doing our best for to serve. Many, if not most, of our customers come back year after year and every day we can greet some old friends back.

As every summer, I am so concentrated on work that there is little time for anything else, except of work, my daily swim and of course the bottles . Not watching any news or reading any news papers. But this summer especcially it is impossible not to be confronted with what is going on in this beautiful country.

I have been thinking about it very much and have just now decided not to give in to this all depressing atmosphere and stay as positive as possible.

Therefore I changed the old header picture, that reminded me of the heavy clouds hanging over us for a brighter one with lots of sunshine.

Because that is what we have to look at.

All is going to be well and I sincerely believe that.

First two pictures taken with my new mobile. One is outside my mother in law's house and the second is of the garden (totally off topic but who cares...)

A scary experience

I have written before about the Green Fox project and although I had promised not to write on this blog about it anymore, I just have to because it has become such a major thing in my life. The project is going extremely well and we are collecting bottles galore.

The last few days we have had a lot of publicity. Newspapers and blogs have been writing about us, which is good because the Green Fox gets more known.

And then today a TV channel came and filmed and interviewed us. And this was the scary experience. I was dreading it anyway but when the camera zoomed in on me and the interviewer asked me an question....I just blocked and stumbled and turned red and that was for sure the beginning and the end of a tv career for me. They will have to cut out my contribution , at least I hope they will. But as long as the message comes across, it's ok with me.

And the lady with the camera didn't look scary at all....until she turned her camera on me!

First full moon this summer

Every year in May I am looking forward to the full moon. It is such a spectacular view from where I live and work.

There is this saying that a picture is worth more than a thousand words. In this case you will have to draw the picture in your mind because my little camera would do no justice to this truly amazing sight.

Overlooking the dark blue sea, in the distance are two tiny islands and from behind the left island rises a gigantic orange ball. It is bigger than the small island. It rises so fast that you can almost see it move. In a few minutes it will reach its highest point and slowly change in colour from orange to yellow and throw a beam of light over the sea. It is breathtaking.

There are not so many guests dining at the taverna at the moment, it is only the beginning of the season, but I know for sure every one of them feels blessed to be able to admire it.

And that is how I feel too.

Have a good summer or Καλό καλοκαίρι!

When it comes to season's greetings, in Greece there are more than just Christmas and Easter wishes. I wrote about it before. We can add another one since this is the time of year where everybody wishes: "have a good summer". And that is not only for businesses that are dependant on the tourist season like my work. And around October it will be: "Have a good winter". Somehow spring and autumn are not in the picture for this kind of wishes.

I am still not quite sure if I am superstitious or not. But Friday the 13th has a certain sound to it, that to most people - myself included- reminds of disaster, doom and mishap.

Nevertheless it didn't stop us from opening our taverna for the summer season 2011. This means from now on until October: work full time and a view from my desk that is as follows:

Oh no I am not complaining.....

Instead wishing everybody a good summer...Καλό καλοκαίρι.

It has arrived!

Etsy is wonderful, especially for impulsive shoppers like me. Just as well that I don't have so much time these days for clicking around on Etsy because it would get dangerously expensive...not good at the end of a long winter with no income.

The Wayfarer purse, made by Pesky Cat designs

But this really was love at first sight. And I just had to have this beautiful bag. It arrived yesterday in the post already and I keep picking it up and admiring it. Well. actually I hugged it and tonight it is coming out with me. I can't wait.

My royal contribution

It has nothing to do with the royal wedding of last week but it has a little bit to do with Netherland's national holiday, or Queen's day as it is called.

It is a love declaration someone made on a beach in Halkidiki, Greece.

I haven't been in Holland on Queen's day for at least 27 years and now I am reading on my favorite blogs about how it was celebrated, I have to say I wish I was there.....

Picture taken by Ariadne

So much happening

These last few weeks that there is no time for blogging which is a pity because there is a lot to tell.

I'll have to keep it short and therefore just show a few pictures of the past days.

View from the bedroomwindow, the morning of Easter sunday

Roast goat, kokoretsi, salads and more food but most importantly: good company

Saint George's day is officially on the 23rd of April but if Easter is after that date, it is celebrated on the monday after Easter. And that was yesterday. On that day there is also the traditional horse race. There are two categories. The first category is the race with horses and the second category is the race with mules and donkeys using the traditional wooden saddle.

This is Yorgos (George) and the mule he rode with the wooden saddle. He has all reasons to be happy: It is his nameday and he made the 3rd place in the race which is not bad at all.

Congratulations Yorgo!

And here comes the over-all winner of the day.