Holidays - I love 'em!

This week my thoughts are turning to the warmer months and the holidays we've got planned. I used to work term-time, so we were forced to take our breaks in the school holidays when the aircraft was full of excitable children, the beaches were jam-packed and the weather was stifling. Not any more. Since my husband and I went part-time, and I changed from secondary to HE, we can plan our holidays at a time to suit us.

This year we are returning to a little resort called Agios Georgios North on the beautiful island of Corfu. We discovered Corfu last year after a recommendation from a friend of mine who has a holiday home there. This quiet resort lies about 39 miles from Corfu Town and is accessible down a long, winding, twisty road.  Getting to and from the resort is not easy and even the Thomson bus had to give up and transfer us all to a smaller mini- bus.  Last year, fancying a change from the beach, we caught an old clapped-out bus to Corfu Town which took about an hour and a half to reach its destination. On the way back we were puzzled as to why the bus driver stopped several times to pick up children en route, but then it all became clear.  Yes, we had inadvertently managed to catch the SCHOOL bus. The Greek kids were extremely well behaved but we did wonder why they kept pointing repeatedly to the side of the vehicle, and shouting to the driver. Eventually, it turned out that one of the windows was falling out of its frame, so another half a dozen stops were needed to adjust this. We never left the resort after that, and this time, if we decide to have a wander, we will definitely hire a car.

Later in the year, we are once again holidaying on our favourite Balearic Island, Menorca. Last year we had a change from our usual routine of lying on the beach, and started to walk the Cami De Cavalls, which is the walking circuit of the island using the perimeter path. We were staying in the quiet resort of Santo Tomas and one particular day decided to turn right to walk part of the path to Cala Galdana. Now, Menorca is extremely picturesque, but unfortunately for us on this particular day, the views we stumbled across turned out to be a little different from what we expected.  The route started off like any other. The day was warm.  The sky was exceptionally clear. The still, calm sea was a perfect shade of blue, but as we turned a corner around the headland, we spotted the naked bodies. Lots of them. Oops.

Of course, as well as spending time with my dear husband, the best thing about holidays is that I can get lots of writing done. My trusty ipad follows me everywhere. I've even been known to write on the aircraft.. There's no housework, no cooking, no shopping and no distractions. Whatsoever.

 Marvellous.

 Until next time.

 Kim x

I quite like February.  For quite a few reasons.

Firstly, it's my birthday month and that's quite exciting in my book.  My birthday falls the day before Valentine's Day so I get two cards from my husband in quick succession.  We've been married 35 years this year and my lovely man has never missed a Valentine's Day (or a birthday) in all of that time.  We're not mushy about it - I'm not talking bunches of flowers or boxes of chocolates - but a lovely romantic card really makes my day.

Depending on when Easter falls, of course, there's also Shrove Tuesday, and let's just say this conjures up oodles of delight for the men in my life.  We never eat pancakes ordinarily, and I detest them, but Shrove Tuesday every year sees me standing by the stove in a haze-filled kitchen cooking the little blighters to order (the pancakes that is!).  The men folk line up in an orderly queue, surrounding me, with their plates clutched tightly in their hands, until a steaming hot pancake gets slapped on their plate.  For probably about thirty seconds they disappear to the table, and then they're back, clamouring for more.  A bit like Oliver Twist.  This all has to be done in strict rotational order.  I'm sure all hell would break loose if I got mixed up and one of them had two in a row.

Shrove Tuesday or Pancake day is the last day before the period Christians call Lent, and always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday.  As Lent is supposed to be a period of abstinence or giving things up, Shrove Tuesday is the last day to indulge yourself and use up the foods that aren't allowed during Lent.   Not in our house.  Every year, I find myself buying the flour, extra eggs, chocolate sauce, sticky syrup, lemons and everything else that we need for the indulgent feast.  What's that all about then?

Finally, February is supposed to be the last month of winter, when hopefully the weather is on the turn.  I think the birds in our garden are already under the impression Spring has arrived, for I've heard them singing again in the mornings.  We live on the crest of a large wooded area, so we are lucky enough to see lots of them.  My favourite though, by far,  is the owl that hoots in the dead of the night.  I've never seen it, but sometimes I hear it just as I'm falling asleep.  What a lovely sound it is.

Until next time

Kim x