Oh Blog I have neglected you!!!

It's been busy to say the least! We're still camped out while we do up our place, but it's going well. Rather than mess about, moving the odd door opening, and making a new one here and there we gutted it! then replaced the walls where we wanted them, and swapped the living and bedroom in the process.

We will brick-up the old front door, making the little hallway into a walk-in wardrobe and replace the window on the side of the house with a new front door, then we can open up the ex-bedroom window into double doors into the new conservatory - which they threaten to start tomorrow!



The ceilings and walls are now plastered, and painting will start next week. First fix electrics are in as is plumbing and heating and the lads have started tiling - shower room, kitchen area, little wc and hall, the rest will be carpet. We hope to be back in by the end of April. .

Health-wise I'm well though still awaiting the op to reverse the colostomy - best guess is June! but which year?

We still need to get over to Crete to get the car - and it's contents - sometime . . . . .

Moved at Last!

At last we've moved, we thought it would never happen! - there's got to be a better way!

Everything is still in boxes as we're 'camping out' in our new place while we wait for our temporary digs to become available, we hope on the 18th, then we'll move there while we do up our place, and then move in properly in a few weeks time.

Does it now become - 'Builder's Blog'??

Christmas 2010

Well we didn't think we'd be here last year!

Christmas morning swim at Kalives.

I used to visualise swimming here when they were sticking needles and drips in me, or trying to fix a canula into a man with no veins! Last Christmas day we really didn't think I'd be this together - and feel enormously for those who didn't make it - this swim is for you!!

Have a great day and a peaceful & safe new year. Thank you for your support and love - we couldn't have done it without you!

Sno fun in the Sun!

After a few poor days the weather has swung around to come more from the south and it has perked up a bit - the mountains look great with some snow on them - we've just been for a swim - bracing I think it's called - still now I'm awake!!

We went to a quiz last night - only came 3rd but won a bottle of wine for best team name - 'Merry Quizmas', mind you we were only the 2 of us, some had teams of 6!! - another on Monday - we'll recycle the name!

At last I've found a Yoga class - we start Tuesday, they seem like a nice crowd but then Yogies usually are.

Flights are now booked for the 11th - too dear before - so we won't have long to pack if the move on the 20th is still on - can't believe how long it takes to buy and sell a house!! - there's got to be a better/quicker way - come on Tesco!

We're Back!

Well, we're back and can you believe it, it's cold!!! yes only 5 degrees!!! The cold snap came in from the North on Wednesday and is said to be here for a week - still it's bright.

On Wednesday (8th) I had got as far as the Aegean Airways web-site to book flights back for Friday when Mr Farouk, who is doing the reversal, called (not him of course - but a minion!) to offer me an appointment for Friday at West Berks Hospital near Newbury - is that spooky or what - 5 minutes later and we wouldn't have been able to keep the appointment and it would have put everything back another couple of months!?

We went to see him and he is happy to do the reversal in the new year but as I have 2 large hernia - are they like sheep? .1 hernia, 2 hernia? or is it 2 hernias? anyway! he wants a plastic surgeon alongside him, trouble is the plastic surgeon is based at Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, so we will have to go see him there first - it will take longer to organise the op as they both have to be available at the same time, so it could be April, but at least, afterwards, I might look more normal - get the 6 pack back - well I can always put it in the fridge!!

We were only home for two weeks but we seemed to get a lot done - signed loads of papers with the Solicitor for the house and hope!!! to move on the 20th Jan.

We will fly back around the 6th to finish off packing, though we got a lot of clearing out done last week. Driving back in Jan/Feb is not a runner due to the weather conditions over the Alps - we'll wait till the spring to bring the car home.

Meanwhile we going to re-charge our batteries!

*by the way it was George Peppard's character John 'Hannibal' Smith in 'The A Team' who always said at the end of the show - "I love it when a plan comes together!" - last Blog

Clear at Last!!

We saw the Consultant this morning (Weds 1st Dec) following a scan on Monday and he said it's all CLEAR !!!!!! that's CLEAR !!! yes CLEAR !!! no cancer or anything else dodgy and he doesn't want to see me until June. Meanwhile he will organise the reversal for February after, if all continues to plan, the house move.

So, we will fly back to Crete next week and drive back to the UK early January, with a view to moving mid Jan.

"I love it when a plan comes together" (who said that?)

All good things must end - says who?

Well, we've been here since 5th Oct and now have to return! albeit briefly. It's going to be a shock! from 29^o today to 2^o !!! brrrrrrr! (see the sea monster testing the temperature!)

We get the 7am flight from Chania to Athens then pick up the London flight at 9am getting in - with the time difference - at 11pm at LHR then RailAir to Reading. I expected it to be more expensive being schedule flights, but it was only £226 incl. taxes for us both! Whether we'll do as well getting back, nearer Christmas, remains to be seen.

Thankfully it's only for a few days - I've got a scan booked for Monday (29th) and I'm seeing the Consultant on Wednesday (1st) for the results - a bit watch this space!! if I'm clear I hope it will be "See you next year!" - if not!! - don't start any serials!

The house is progressing - s l o w l y - so we'll have to return when we complete - would packing now be bad luck? surely a bit of chucking out can't hurt?!

We're booked for Christmas day lunch at 'Spirit in the Sky' an English eatery at Drapanos, up in the hills, so we're committed to returning - we've even got the crackers!

We've met some nice people here - there's a big ex-pat Brit community where we are. Had a meal in one of the local tavernas on Wednesday evening - which was full, not bad for mid-week! - ALL Brits!

We won't get to see you on this trip - flying visit - but will see you in the new year - by the way - has anyone experience of driving in southern France / northern Italy in Jan/Feb - is it viable?

I'm just going to put out another 10 layers to put on in the morning before going to the airport!!!