So, we’re well into May now and most of the hotels, bars and restaurants in the Greek islands are now open for the new season. Facebook has come alive again with pictures of tables groaning with food, colourful cocktails and the obligatory feet on the sunbed photo!
I love this time of year, the pre-cursor to, hopefully, a long hot summer. Unfortunately, this is likely to be interspersed with cold spells, rain and wind, but this is the English summer we’re talking about. For those of you lucky enough to be able to go abroad for your holidays, hopefully a week or two of unbroken sunshine should await you.
Although saying that, in Zakynthos last year we witnessed one of the biggest storms we have seen in years. Stuck in Zante town with deafening thunderclaps and lightning strikes that were frighteningly close, we walked the length of the harbour in the hope of getting a taxi back to our hotel in Kalamaki. Unfortunately, everyone else seemed to have the same idea and we waited, for what seemed like an eternity, to finally get out of the rain. By the time we got back we were soaked to the skin and jumped in the shower to warm up before getting changed and having some well-deserved lunch in the hotel restaurant. The storm lasted all that day and well into the evening, even throwing up a twister at sea that could be seen from our balcony. This year we will be taking a mac and umbrella – just to be on the safe side!
Talking of Zakynthos, my latest book, which is set on the island, is progressing nicely. I’ve not written quite as much as I would have liked to but, when you have a full time job to hold down, plus housework, ironing and shopping, it’s difficult to find the time to write. It’s also hard to write when you don’t have a designated writing area. My newly decorated office should have had the finishing touches to it weeks ago, had it not been for a certain carpet company that promised a delivery date that they couldn’t keep to. We finally have our carpet but now find that our fitter is on holiday! Fingers crossed I may have an up and running office before I go to Skiathos – you never know your luck!
Debbie Ward 