If It's Nine O'clock, Then I Must Be In Spain

One of my stories, "If it's nine o'clock, then I must be in Spain," has been published in the August issue of Practical Boat Owner.
Also, I won a portable VHF radio for another story that will be published in the September issue of Yachting Monthly.
And thirdly, I made the news by donating a copy of Salt Water In My Veins.
So, it's been a good month.

My Writing Assistant: Scrivener

Thanks to Kevin and Sandy Chilvers from s/v Tiger Bay who were moored in Vathi Marina for a few days, I am now the proud user of Scrivener writing program. The only thing I wish more than this is having had discovered it many years ago. 
Kevin is also a writer, who is working on his next crime adventure thriller and he was so enthusiastically gushing about it, I was initially taken aback. I am a bit of a conservative cynic (ok a lot) and so was a bit reluctant to try it. 
But after the second visit to Tiger Bay and another pitch by Kevin, I decided to give it a try. Free for 30 days, what have I got to lose, right? Besides, my writing had come to a stop for the past several months and I couldn't get myself motivated. 
So, today is the fourth day that I have been writing and copying old drafts of forgotten manuscripts to Scrivener and I just paid my 46 Euros for the license to use it forever.  I highly (enthusiastically, gushingly) recommend it. 

Writer's Retreat on Ikaria Island?

One day, as I was browsing online, I found a one acre property for sale near the village of Karkinagri on Ikaria island. It had a small house on it. I fell in love with it, contacted the broker, Eleni Mazari and a week later flew from Rhodes to Ikaria with a one day layover in Athens because my connecting flight was cancelled due to force 11 winds over Ikaria. Flight and ferry cancellations due to weather seem to be the normal and accepted conditions of life in Greece.

Landing on Ikaria

Yiorgos

Yiorgos, a handsome man with a beard and smiling eyes, who was referred to me by Matina Tsamoudaki, the owner of the Karkinagri Studios where I would be staying, met me at the airport and drove me to Agios Kirikos where I had already stayed for a month in March of 2017. 

Agios Kirikos harbour

From there, I boarded the small, coastal ferry that luckily was running and two hours later we arrived in a small harbour of Karkinagri. 

Arriving in Karkinagri. The harbour is to the left side of the centre of the photo.

The harbour of Karkinagri is quite small with a concrete ferry quay that also acts as an additional breakwater protecting it from the west and an inner harbour for small fishing boats.

Karkinagri inner harbour.

I checked the depth and it looks like Eidos at 10 m. LOA and 2.5 m. draft could fit in without much problem. A few days later, there was a force 9 wind from the south with large breaking waves over the rock breakwater, but the next day the fishing boats were still there undamaged. The harbour is also safe during north winds. It is quite small though and I wouldn't recommend it for big yachts.

Karkinagri harbour during a southerly gale.

Karkinagri hard standing.

Just outside of the harbour, there is a small hard standing for fishing boats which are hauled out on logs. However, it doesn't look suitable for yachts.



Eleni, the manager of Karkinagri Studios and Apartments got me settled in and then I went to the only restaurant that is open in winter for some fried smelts with greens and a glass of wine. It had been a busy day.
We had rain on Saturday but on Sunday, Eleni, the manager told me that Nikos, the owner of the property that I was interested in, could show it to me. I was entranced by the beauty of the land and the surrounding area and didn't want to leave. I tried to play it cool, but when we returned to town, immediately  emailed Eleni with my offer. 
On Wednesday, she took me back to see it again and to answer my many questions before finally agreeing to call Nikos with my offer.

***

The land is located near the mountain hamlet above Karkinagri. It is where people used to live to avoid pirate attacks - their houses made of stone and sometimes even built under a big stone, to blend into the rocky background.
 

Road from Karkinagri to property.

Road from Karkinagri to Trapalo. Turn left in front of the motorcycle to go to Karkinagri Pano.

From Karkinagri we take the road that heads east in the direction of Trapalo and after crossing a culvert over a rushing creek, turn left and head uphill following the creek. 

Road to abandoned hamlet.

It is a rough road, best navigated with a 4WD vehicle, on a donkey or by walking. Eleni's car manages quite well for most of the way, but due to the recent rain, the road developed ruts from flowing water and in one place on a corner, we encounter a huge boulder that recently crashed from the mountain above. Eleni however is a skillful driver and manages to drive around it and is able to make it almost to the end of the road at which point she turns it around to point downhill.
"The battery is old, I need to get the car going on a hill," she says.
 

Eleni's car gets stuck in a rut. Good thing it's on a slope.

However, before she can move the car to the side of the road, it gets stuck in a deep rut and so we leave it where it is.
Within shouting distance, there are a dozen or so other stone houses, the last one marking the end of the road with rusted road equipment parked on the side of the road.

A stone house in Karkinagri Pano.

Another house in the hamlet.

Road building equipment on the side of the dirt road.

From here, we will have to walk.

The Ionian Magazine - visit to the past

Almost eight years ago, in winter of 2010, I needed a job and decided to create one instead. Thanks to a generous angel seed money from my younger son, Justin, The Ionian magazine was born.For the next five years, the magazine hit the streets of the Ionian islands and neighbouring coastal mainland every month for the six or sometimes seven months between April and October.

However, in 2014, I became ill and after recovering, decided to change my priorities - it was time to go sailing again and focus on my own writing. My older son, Ryan took over the publication in 2014 and the October issue of that year was the last one published.

Enjoy reading.

Still searching for my home on land.

After Athens, I decided to head over to Rhodes because it's warm and sunny in winter. I also had hoped that it would be less crowded than Athens (it is) but more bustling than Ithaka (it is). But it is a city and I am a small town girl. Can't help it. It has a nice waterfront all around the north-eastern end (great for walks or bike rides), beautiful old town (shops and restaurants closed in winter) and a lively downtown. But it is expensive. There are designer clothes in the shops and land for sale very much out of my range. I rented a car for a day and drove around but did not fall in love. Maybe because it's winter... I think I'll head back to Ikaria.

I found my dream home in Greece

With a small piece of land on Ikaria Island. I saw the photos just recently on www.ikariarealsestate.gr and now I want it. Badly. Almost as badly as I wanted my boat, Eidos 15 years ago. I would be there right now if I wanted it more, the heck with the month worth of rent I just paid for here on Rhodes. I want what I want. 
But, a part of me calls for caution. I have been in love with land before - a piece on southern Crete in Saktouria. View, fresh water spring, olive trees, room for a garden. And when I finally saw it, I still liked it but not as much. Not enough to put my money down. The surrounding area was too dry, the road too close, the land too steep. the nearest village too dead and the nearest town too touristy. I don't know, it just fizzled out. 
So, this time, I'm being a bit skeptical and if I hadn't just paid for a month worth of rent, I would fly there immediately, just like I did on a one way ticket from France to Florida (for $1500 last minute price), when I first saw Eidos' photo on the www.yachtworld.com website. I don't regret it, but now I want to take some time to be a bit rational. 
Just like when meeting a man I am very attracted to, I need to wait to see if the feeling is mutual and not rush in. Yet, with property, there is no need for the land to like me back, or is there? It just offers itself to me and I can have it. 
But this piece of land is remote. A half hour walk from the village - no road access only a path for goats, donkeys and humans. The run down cottage on it needs a new roof and everything else. It's basically four walls. But it's made of stone and it's a start. I could make it livable for summer soon enough and besides, I still have Eidos to live on before I sell it. Or not. So many things to think about, but I am committed already without seeing it. I wish I could buy it now. 
So, I'm looking at www.aegeanairline.com for flights. The earliest I could go is this Sunday but the price is higher than later this month or in February. There are only two flights a week - Sunday and Thursday from Athens to Ikaria. Both days are predicted to be windy, so the little ferry from Agios Kirikos to Karkinagri won't be running or will be delayed. And yes, there is no road from Agios Kirikos to Karkinagri either. It doesn't matter. I want to be there. 
There is a road but from the town on the north side, which has the expensive hotels. As it is, it will cost me 25 Euros to stay in Ag. Kirikos. And money is an object because I want to have as much as possible to buy the land. 
If I rent a room by the month in Karkinagri, it will be cheaper.  
Just booked my flight to Ikaria for next week. I'm sure this is my home. Can't wait to go there.

I can already imagine it all renovated. Love at first sight.

Buy or Rent?

Here is a nice place for rent in Vathi, Ithaka for 350 Euros a month. 

Very nice, but only in winter as during the summer it is rented out for much more to the visiting tourists.  Maybe I should just go back to Ithaka and rent it instead of buying a ruin? Tell that to the romantic in me...

Athens

Sometime in mid-November, the rains came on Ithaka where I was living onboard and Eidos was no longer the comfortable magic carpet that she is in summer. So, I decided to do some traveling. I wasn't sure where to go, but I needed some culture so boarded the ferry to Astakos and then a bus to Athens to continue my search for a retreat.
I had sailed all summer and published a book, so now was time to do some chilling. Yes, winter arrived in Greece. It's not as cold as in Canada, but cold enough to turn the heat on and sip a hot chocolate in the evening. 
For a few days, I thought that perhaps I would like to live in Athens during the winter and run a writers' retreat here, but the city is too big for a small town girl, and after a few weeks, I was ready to move on.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

As an alternative to Christmas cards, I would like to share with you this article on Astronomy merging with the Biblical Christmas story:

Celebrating Winter Solstice – The Sun is on the Southern Cross

For thousands of years, carvings on temples, cave walls, monuments and artefacts have honoured the sun: bringer of warmth, security, life and light.  As the days grow shorter in the period leading up to the winter solstice, December 21st, the sun appears to stop moving south or north and stays still for three days (in the northern hemisphere) – the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of December. This is the meaning of the word ‘sol-stice’ – sun standing still. To our ancestors this period symbolized the death of the sun god (son of god) and when three days later on the 25th of December the sun started moving again, the sun was reborn – hence the birth of Jesus at this time – the sun god or son of god, the saviour of mankind. It is no coincidence that our principal day of worship is called Sun Day.

The Bible tells us that three wise men came from the east, following a star that led them to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Jesus the Messiah.  Sirius is the star in the east, the brightest star in the sky, which on December 24th aligns with the three brightest stars in the constellation of Orion (Orion’s belt). The stars were referred to by many ancient cultures as the Three Kings.

During this three day period, the sun resides in the vicinity of the Southern Cross constellation and appears to ‘hang’ on the cross, hence the story of the crucifixion. However the resurrection of the sun or son is celebrated three months later at the spring equinox when the nights are equal to the daylight (Easter) and when once again the forces of light ‘defeat’ the forces of darkness, and the days grow longer than the nights. (Author: Stella Woods)

“May the long time sun shine upon you, all love surround you and the pure light within you guide your way on.”

Barbara

Look inside and read on Kindle for free: Salt Water In My Veins

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You can now look inside my new book, Salt Water In My Veins as well as read it for free (today only) on Kindle. What a great deal! Feel free to leave your review after reading!

Just do it

I finally found a way to discipline myself to write for at least an hour every day.

You know that brushing teeth is not something we long to do each morning or evening. But we don't think about it, or ask whether we feel like it, or are inspired to do. We just do it. It's a habit that doesn't allow input from the mind.

Since I love early mornings and prefer to write then, I decided to treat writing the same way I treat brushing my teeth: I wake up, get dressed, put the coffee on and open my laptop. And then, I write for an hour before doing anything else such as checking my email, reading the news or making breakfast.

So far, it's been easy and I have been very productive, often working much longer than the one hour with pleasure.

The rest of the day, I allow myself to do anything else I want: nap, read, surf the Internet, knit, go for a walk, talk to friends and family on Skype or reluctantly, write or edit. I also need time to contemplate, let my mind wander and absorb my surroundings for the creative part of me to have something to use in my work, so I try not to write any more in the afternoon unless it's quick notes for future reference.

And guess what? The book I have been trying to write for years is finally complete!

Writers' Co-operative, Co-housing Retreat on Ithaka, Greece

 Be inspired. Be amazed. Be surprised. And write all about it. Ithaka, Greece. Homer wrote about it and it's a place of pilgrimage for all writers.

You know how expensive most writers' retreats can be. You save your money all year and go for a week or two and by the time you get oriented and familiarized with everything, it's time to leave and you haven't even began to write. 

Here is an opportunity to stay for up to five months, yes, five months on the island of Ithaka, Greece for the price of a three week retreat elsewhere.

You will have time not only to write as much as you want to but also to see this beautiful island, hike its many paths, experience its history and enjoy its festivals. Spend Christmas Holidays in Greece.

We will share a villa with as many bedrooms as needed for the participants, socialize together (when we want to), cook together, read parts of our manuscripts to each other (if desired) and share the expenses of rental (cheap in winter) and food. 
No one will make a profit, and there is no overhead costs to consider. A two bedroom villa can be had for E600 Euros per month in winter. It will sleep four, so price per person is only $150 Euros per month. If we have more participants, we will rent a bigger villa.
Your participation for the retreat requires a commitment between December 1 to April 30 for at least a month to take advantage of this low price. Participation limited to eight people and the deadline for your application is November 15. Non-smokers only.
Please use the contact form to the right for more information.

Stormy Weather on Ikaria

Watch out for the waves

 I pulled a ligament or pinched a nerve or something in my back, so have been staying close to my home on Ikaria for three weeks. Bother! 
And then, just as my back was feeling better, we had a storm several days in the row and then my month was up. So, it was either pay for another month or head back to get some work done on my boat in the Ionian in preparation for sailing this summer. I checked the weather and it was 5-10 degrees warmer in Preveza. Then I found a cheap airfare and that helped me make my decision. 
Also, the hot springs wouldn't be open until May or June, so I decided to come back again sometime perhaps with my boat in summer. The storm also didn't help. Ikaria is a wild, rugged island. I will always remember my visit here.

Smart move getting the cars away

Even the inner harbour was not that safe.

This is where the mid-sized ferry docks. Not today!

A river flowing down the stairs. Ikaria does not lack water.

Statue of Ikarus at the airport.

So, as far as living full time on Ikaria, and running a retreat here, I don't think I could. The island is too big to see without a 4-wd car and there are no safe harbours for my boat during the winter. But I'd love to come back during the summer.
Good bye Ikaria, hope to see you again.

View of Evdilos harbour and the mountains from the air.

If you want to see what I'm up to next - check my sailing blog.

Walk to Glaredo on Ikaria Island

More stairs...

There is no getting away from climbing stairs or going uphill nearly everywhere I want to go on Ikaria. And so when I decided to go for a walk to a nearby village, the first thing I had to do was climb some stairs...

Agios Kirikos Church

At least I could find out which way to go. Or could I? All the roads signs, if any, on Ikaria are only in Greek. Good luck!

I love these old cottages. Many look abandoned.

Oh, but what a view after you get there...

Abandoned, unfinished hotel near Glaredo.

Bee keepers collecting honey.

Monday, 9 November 2015

Things that inspire and moments that take my breath away

Have you ever thought about the two phrases? Inspire means to breathe in. Something that takes my breath away is breathing out. Breathing is what keeps us alive and so being inspired and witnessing breathtaking moments is what keeps us spiritually alive.
So what inspires me and takes my breath away? Here are a few examples:

• Sunrise
• Sunset
• Bonfire
• Wood burning in a fireplace
• Walk along a sandy beach
• Planting seeds in a garden
• Listening to a live concert 
•  

So, what inspires you?

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