From Raffina, Greece

A bit of me is still so sad that I am not singing in the Sea Symphony tonight. It was rearranged after a large number of orchestra and choir went down with Covid. I didn't. But they had to cancel. It was a real blow to find they had rearranged it all for tonight, the day I was flying to Greece for a postponed (for 2 years) holiday with my Headwater friends.

Ah well, as someone said, at least I was doing something amazing instead....not having a hospital appointment or something. 

I have to say I am also rather sad to miss the funeral tomorrow. But no doubt I will catch up on it with my iPad in our hotel on Naxos tomorrow night. 

We had a good trip to Heathrow this morning, parked the car and got an immediate courtesy bus to the airport, where we dropped our bags....alll automatic these days! .....and had time for a coffee and a croissant, before going to our gate. Just as well....as BA these days merely give you a packet of crisps and a bottle of water. At least here in Greece we are 2 hours ahead of you, so it won't be too long before our evening meal. 

Shortly, we are to meet the group and our (French) guide for an information sesssion before dinner. The hotel is by the sea and tomorrow we have a very early ferry to catch to Naxos. It's a 5 hour trip! But it is lovely to be here and by the sea, and looking forward to exploring our three Greek Islands, and having a good day's walking on each.

So far we have net 4 women who are joining us. We will be a group of 16. Two ladies are from French speaking Canada. So there will be lots of finding out about each other while we travel around the islands. I'm looking forward to it.

What we saw on the way from the airport was desperately dry. But it is good to see all the rows of olive trees. Looking forward to my Greek salads! 

In other news, Holly is safely at Sheffield Uni. I do hope she has as good a time there as I did in Hull all those years ago! 

Dank and cold.

Church as usual and today I am on PowerPoint, and singing...though there are only two hymns.Part of our circuit are strictly keeping services to 45 minutes, and the preacher was from that area. His style of more extemporary prayer is not my favourite but it suits others well.  And his sermon was well delivered and passionate, but his theology wasn't mine. 

Anyway it all seemed to be done quickly. But the weather did not inveigle me out, and I was pleased to find Ann had a free afternoon and we struggled through another cryptic crossword together on FaceTime. We had to look up quite a few. Didn't know what Tyro was or oriflamme! Just ignorant I suppose! Anyway it was companionable and kept our brains active. 

I have started doing the daily wordle! Like others I am glad there is only one a day or I could become hooked. I failed with the first one I did but have got them all since. Any of you found it? No? You probably have real lives!!

Had a nice email from my Joe who has exams this next fortnight. I hope he avoids Covid long enough to take them all...otherwise he says he would have to resit in the summer which is hardly an attractive alternative. He and a friend went for a cycle ride to the New Forest when he got back. An adventure!

A week ahead with a bit more e-learning.....in the evenings. I don't usually like to book up my evenings with such stuff. But I am watching far too much telly at the moment! Maybe in January, one is allowed?! 

A strange day.  For New York and for us in Britain I think. Emotions have ranged from tears on hearing the emotional rendition of the Barber Adagio written for strings and voices at the Proms, to the nerve wracking but genuine delight in the performance of Emma Raducanu winning the US Open. What a girl! And what a match! 

There have been other reasons for it having been a rather melancholy sort of a day. Hugh's house has gone on the market, and to see the pictures of it on rightmove has been a poignant experience. Wendy had asked me to pop down and put the bin out, sort out a collapsed curtain rail and take a couple of things to the tip. Soon it will be sold. It feels sad. Only just over a year ago he was feeling fit and healthy. And I think as life begins to 'get back to normal' I miss him more. He was a great companion and such good company. 

I also took some stuff of mine to the tip. It was a seminal moment as I bravely got rid of the cot and the high chair. The high chair was made by Richard. It has seen us through some of our own children as well as grandchildren. But it wouldn't be considered a safe design now. But loss has seemed to be all around me today. 

I think I should have organised myself some company this weekend. Sometimes it's hard to do when you are feeling a bit lethargic. Ah well these times will pass and we'll move forward again.

......but there's a cold northerly wind! Though this evening has been clear and rather beautiful.

Fely pretty pleased with myself for delivering stuff to Manna House, Age Concern and the Tip. And  taking my winter duvet to the launderette. And was back home in time for a catch up chat with Ann.

Came back via the back roads and as always my heart is lifted by the beautiful pastoral scenes. I have to say, though, that I am not enamoured of the black crows that have been sitting on the fence posts at the bottom of the veg garden. I walked down there today and have discovered the reason why. One dead rabbit. Of course it is all part of nature, and the crows eat the flesh which is all to the good. But I don't want to see the sad results. Anyway, my gardener drew the short straw and buried it for me!

But what I do love about Mother Nature is the swallows nesting in my porch. I spent a long time struggling to record a piano piece today, and was aware of the swallows swooping in with food. After a long while, I managed to snap them with their little beaks open. Precious!

Good chat to Sam this evening. Ash has just got a merit for his grade 5 trumpet exam. Impressive! 

And Margaret is home from hospital, and though in pain, is recovering from her ordeal. That is a relief.