Lambsios

At the Far Out beach club celebrating Judy's birthday. It's a beautiful sunny day and quite a few old faces are gathered here. It's so good to see old friends #April2017 #lambisstory #iosisland2017 #faroutbeachclub #myios2017 #springtimeonios (at FarOut Beach Club)

My Easter eggs - I dyed them naturally in water, red cabbage and vinegar and this is the result. Quite pleased with them really as I like the random patterns the cabbage made. Better get myself together and get ready to walk to the beach. Happy whatever you're celebrating! I'm celebrating the rebirth & renewal of this year #April2017 #Easter2017 #lambisstory #iosisland2017 #myios2017 #eastereggs #easteronios2017 (at Lambi's Studio)

Entrance to the traditional village of Ios with its rabbit warren of streets & numerous churches. The church bells will be ringing mournfully throughout the day, think I might escape them by walking down to Mylopotas. The notice on the gateway tells people about the traditional custom of "The Swings" which will be celebrated here on Easter Sunday evening #April2017 #lambisstory #iosisland2017 #ioschora #myios2017 #iosvillage #springtimeonios (at Ios Greece Island)

Sunset from Panaghia Gremiotissa - was magical up here, took a lot of pics. Sitting in the square now, feeling a bit chilly - think I'll head to Lord Byron #April2017 #lambisstory #gremiotissa #iosisland2017 #myios2017 #springtimeonios #sunsetoverios (at Ios Greece Island)

Don't know why I'm feeling so down lately, must pull myself out of it. A few businesses are opening up in the port & there's a certain vibrancy in the air. I must say I miss the old palm tree (murdered by the evil weevil), but love the pebble mosaic in the centre of the square. Back in the village now, think a trek up to Gremiotissa is on the cards for later #April2017 #lambisstory #iosisland2017 #portofios #myios2017 #iosport #springtimeonios (at Ios Port)

And then the sun came out .... down in the #portofios. Had a coffee in Allo and a briam at Aphrodite - will catch the next bus up to the village #April2017 #lambisstory #aghiairini #iosisland2017 #iosport #myios2017 #springtimeonios (at Ios Port)

It was very difficult to get motivated today with the grey & gloomy weather. Went for a coffee & had a wake-up call looking at Mark's beautiful freshly painted white lines. He makes the area outside his shop look so pretty. Then a friend from London phoned, he was sitting in his garden in bright sunshine, but was envying me living on a Greek island. Yes, I am very lucky 🍀 So I'll walk down to the port & make the most of the day #April2017 #lambisstory #iosisland2017 #oioigeezaretroclothing #iosvillage #myios2017 #ioschora #springtimeonios (at "Ios oioigeeza clothing")

The sun came out just before it was due to set. It was very welcome. Had a drink in the Fun Pub for their opening night - the clientele was a who's who of the usual suspects. Good to see everybody. Grabbed a souvlaki from Yummie's before heading home #April2017 #lambisstory #iosisland2017 #myios2017 #springtimeonios (at Ios Greece Island)

The sun didn't even attempt to come out through the clouds. Just as well I did the white lines today in case tomorrow's better. This is the first year I have no plans for Easter at all, which I find a bit unsettling. I feel I should be celebrating somewhere. My mother always made a big thing about Easter - in our home it was bigger than Christmas and Uli also used to make it a special day once he found out it was also my nameday. Maybe those of us with no plans can join up & do something together #April2017 #lambisstory #myios2017 #ioschora #iosisland2017 #iosvillage #springtimeonios (at Ios Greece Island)

One of the features of Cycladic architecture are the white lines (dámés)painted round the flagstones in the streets. Very picturesque they are too. I've been told that back in the day they weren't only decorative but served practical purposes. Painted with whitewash, they helped to guide your way pre-electricity days & also deterred the bugs. Nowadays many people use a water-based enamel & it's mainly decorative. Problem is: they don't paint themselves .... Neighbours take it in turns to paint the lines in the streets outside their houses & businesses. On the main drags through the village the lines are supposed to be painted twice a week. Those of us in backstreets can get away with only painting before big feasts. Haven't done it for a few years, so decided it was my turn & spent the afternoon doing just that. It's a backbreaking job & I find it difficult to bend because of arthritis, but I'm glad I did it. There are certain traditions for the days you do certain preparations for Easter: I managed to ascertain Holy Wednesday & Thursday are for dámés & Thursday is also for dyeing eggs. Mission accomplished early. Although I'm not a believer, I like to follow some of the traditions. Fun Pub is opening tonight, I should follow a tradition & go #April2017 #lambisstory #iosisland2017 #preparationsforeaster #greekeastertraditions #myios2017 #ioschora #iosvillage #springtimeonios (at Lambi's Studio)

The windmills of my mind. It's rather a grey day today & I have no plans. Will go for a coffee later and see where life takes me. I should do some work in the garden, but let's see #April2017 #lambisstory #iosisland2017 #myios2017 #ioswindmills #springtimeonios (at Ios Greece Island)

After having a drink with Nikki and friends for her birthday, I met up with Robbie in the main square. We went for a meal at Thai Smile which was most enjoyable. Back home now & calling it a day #April2017 #lambisstory #iosisland2017 #ioschora #myios2017 #iosvillage #springtimeonios #twilightinios (at Louis Café)

Sitting with Robbie in the Far Out raising a glass to my mum who passed away 17 years ago today. It's strange to see so many people around .... feels like the summer has started or never really ended. The place opened for the season today & is the first (& only) place open in Mylopotas. Soon other businesses will open up also & a new season will have begun #April2017 #lambisstory #iosisland2017 #faroutbeachclub #myios2017 #springtimeonios (at FarOut Beach Club)

#throwback Malcolm took this pic of us in the square. It was the last time we were in Ios together for Greek Easter. It had been possible to come over because the doctors had given Uli an extra week break in his treatment. Also the ferry strike had ended. So many memories are flooding my head these past few days. It was only 3 years ago. Easter was Uli's favourite time on Ios & he always tried to get over for it as well as persuade me to come too. It was a bit early in the year for me back then as it wasn't really beach weather, but I'd come over & have a fantastic few weeks. Now this time of year has become my favourite #memories #lambisstory #lambanduli #iosisland2014 #springtimeonios #imissyousomuchmylovely (at Ios Greece Island)

Failed at most of attempts I had of doing things: failed at dying my eggs blue although I used the same red cabbage recipe as I used last year. Ah well, different eggs, different cabbage. I also didn't get my hair to turn out the way I wanted it to. Never mind, it fades fast here. Decided to give myself a treat & went for a meal at Lord Byron. The bouillabaisse and garlic bread were divine as was the cheesecake with fresh strawberries. Nicely replete, I'm calling it a day #April2017 #lambisstory #lordbyronios #iosisland2017 #yummyfood #myios2017 #bouillabaisse #springtimeonios (at Lord Byron)

Manganari, Long Beach, yesterday. After a perfect day at Manganari we went to Aphrodite for a late lunch. Simple, traditional Greek food .... well cooked, with friends & a sunny day - it doesn't come much better. Today I'm feeling a bit flat , having problems getting it together #April2017 #lambisstory #manganaribeach #iosisland2017 #myios2017 #springtimeonios (at Maganari Beach)

Went over to Manganari with friends. What a magical place. Uli & I always tried to get over here at this time of year while it's still wild & wonderful. The others walked over to the furthest little cove, but I decided to stay on the first one as my joints aren't doing too well with the humidity & scrambling over rocks is difficult. I'm so grateful I can still enjoy things I used to do with Uli thanks to my friends #April2017 #lambisstory #iosisland2017 #manganari #manganaribeach #myios2017 #springtimeonios (at Manganari Beach, Ios, Greece)