The Big Adventure - 12

Tweeting has become a daily habit, it takes time away from other things, but is a total pleasure when you connect with another budding author who is on the Greek Island you are about to visit for a writing course.  I am connected to several authors and a publicity manager via facebook and twitter.  Not a bad few months work.  It is very encouraging to read their tweets and postings about writing etc.

My latest 'connection' via a tweet from Mandy Baggott, an accomplished author, is Dunster House Ltd., as I recommended them to Mandy as she was looking for a writing space cabin.  I have had mine for 5 years now and when Dunster House asked for photos I pinned all I had of the cabin to a board on Pinterest.  I had fun doing it and seeing the journey from the dream to reality.  The hard work it took of grafting the garden area, the concrete base being installed, the erecting of the tongue and groove wooden slats, the complicated roof.  I christened it 'Greta's Place' as an Aunt had left me some money and I was at a point in my self-employed career where I could not afford to pay office rent any more.  (You can see these photos on Pinterest - just search for Sue Flint, then see my Garden Cabin Board).

Going back on my story a little more, whilst living in Cyprus for three years,I had two dreams - one was to be involved in a Retreat House and the other to be a writer.  Whilst living in Cyprus I lead quiet days and a ladies retreat, and as a qualified professional counsellor did what little I could using my skills with ex-pats.  I also co-founded a Writer's group in Paphos with the lovely Joyce Sehmi, from Read Mediterranean.  Little did I know then that I would live the dreams.  I returned to the UK and together with my husband, managed a Retreat House in Lancashire.  I also took private clients for counselling and later rented an office in High Bentham to begin what became 'Soul Friend Services'.

My Private Practice business continued back in our home town of Staffordshire a decade ago now.  SFS continued, hosting Craft and Writing Groups too.  Renting a room in the library for card making and writing on a weekly or monthly basis became a little too costly and so, when the Cabin was available, the writers, being a small group, would huddle into the garden room and read our set pieces of work and improve our skills.  Craft Group still meet at the library and I have now retired from counselling and SFS no longer exists.

Seeing the journey of the cabin in pictures, especially the fun fund raising times, has made me proud of the expense of erecting a garden room.  I have had one or two ladies who came and used it for Quiet Days and, should I need a quiet space, it is only a few steps away from the house (great when there is football, cricket, rugby etc. on television!)

I am hoping that my big adventure will have the same result.  It is an expense, an effort, scary even, something that will be enjoyed for such a short time, but I hope, like my cabin, it will give me great joy and a purpose to continue to bring about the second dream.

The Big Adventure - blog 11

Twitter is becoming very useful.  Having avoided it for so long I now feel I have mastered using it over and above Facebook.  I have connected with accomplished and would be authors on Twitter and exchanged tweets.  Yesterday, a tweet appeared from someone on the island of Skyros, beginning their writers course, and attached a photo of her view from the accommodation.  It was a sneak preview of things to come.  It fired my happy and uplifted my spirit.

Of course, I replied to her Tweet and 'followed' her.  She was encouraging and I hope to read more of her time there.  It is crazy to believe I am doing this, technology and my persistence to keep up with it makes it possible - to see how someone else enjoys the very same holiday venue that I will be at in 31 days time.  Not that I am counting down!

My new tweeter gave me a glimpse of the island and that led me to do a bit of on-line research.  I know it will be beautifully breathtaking, all Greek islands are.  But a little insight prior to my travels can only be helpful. 

Skyros is home to a population of approximately 3,000 inhabitants who mostly live around its capital town of Chora.  It is famous for the burial site of Rupert Brooke, English Poet.  Pictures of typical whitewashed buildings, windmills, ruins and lots of sea put me in mind of the film Mama Mia.  Note to self : pack good walking shoes and seasickness pills!  I guess there will be a trip or two but otherwise lazy slow living nights, interesting workshops and restful afternoons will be the order of my time there.

Also yesterday I did an early morning airport run to drop a friend off on the first leg of her journey to USA.  We set off at 6.30 am expecting the roads to be quiet, but where does all that traffic come from and go to at that unearthly hour.  She arrived at her destination at what would have been 1 am UK time.  Travelling alone and in need of disabled assistance that is some journey and if she can do that my 3.5 hr flight to Athens will be a doddle in comparison.  Seeing the planes close up and taking off was really exciting, they pass by our house so high up that they are hardly noticeable, but being in the airport grounds amazes me that so many are flying every minute of every day.  Up, up and away.....

The Big Adventure - 10

So Greece have made an agreement to stay in the Euro zone but they are not out of the woods yet.  It is really quite strange seeing Athens on the TV news each evening and thinking I will be there soon.  I have been there before, many years ago when I stayed at Marathon, when the marathon was being run.  I remember a really old man being the last runner and admiring his determination.  Runners are really inspirational people.  They probably don't realise it as they pound the track, looking ahead, keeping focused on the end line.  But the message they give to onlookers, supporters, cheerers, reporters etc. is something you can't put a price on.  Admiration, wonder, a stirring emotion, a 'willing' them on to achieve the prize of completion.  It is an emotion hard to describe, it is a memory that lasts a very long time.  They are an example to us.  The runners show us what determination looks like, what pains can be overcome with joy.  They remind us that all things are possible if you put your mind to it and that self-discipline has rewards.

Not everyone can run, or cycle or swim or walk even.  Not everyone feels the need to raise money for charity in this way.  But each one of us has something inside that 'calls' us to do.  We have two choices - ignore it or go for it.

Seeing a runner cross the line at the end, whether 99 years of age or their first race at nursery, just fills me with pride for them.  Cheers, clapping and joyful tears from the crowd as the runners near the end and then takes breath of stillness. Smiles from ear to ear knowing they have won their own race regardless of place or timings.  Then they look for someone in the crowd for acknowledgement from someone dear, hugs are given, pats on the back, handshaking, drinks.  Its an electric moment.  Surreal.

I am taking part in my own race, its not a sport but an inner need that needs honing, practising and putting out there for all to see.  It is breathtaking and scary, but like the runners unless you join the race you have no idea of what you are capable of.  Into the unknown of whether you will get cramp and have to give up or whether your body will carry you to your goal. My goal is to be a published writer; one day I will hold a book in my hand with my name on it and I will have crossed the line.  It will be awesome.  Friends are already lining up and cheering me on and this writing holiday is all part of that journey.

The Big Adventure - Blog 8

At least I won’t turn up on the Greek island looking like a lily white tourist.  The sun is out and so am I. 

Today I am wearing shorts and T-shirt, sunglasses and suntan lotion. I am away from the phone, Internet, television, household chores and all other distractions.  I have nothing to do at the caravan save for reading, writing, eating and sleeping.  In between the sun-lounger is being well used.

Excuse me now, I must catch some more rays!  Afaristo.

THE BIG ADVENTURE - BLOG 7

‘The News’ is doing its best to put the fear of God in me.  Two major issues – a terrorist attack in Tunisia where 30 Britons murdered on the beach, and the Greek monetary crisis. 

Tunisia was terrible, horrendous for those involved and survived.  The families of the dead must feel such shock and turmoil right now.  Imagine, one minute you are laying on a sunbed soaking up the sun, just sinking into a much needed rest.  The sea waves are lapping on the golden sands, straw umbrella’s shading you from the glare.  You smother yourself in suntan lotion and pick up your novel unaware that a madman is striding along towards your area.  Then, in an instant, you are gone.  Others around hear the piercing sound of gunshots, screaming, shouting.  Terrified adults ‘play dead’ face down in the sand, hardly daring to breathe sensing their end may be imminent too.  No time for goodbyes or ‘I love you’.  A terrorist in black clothing wielding a gun is your only concern.  He moves on and away.  Carnage is the sight that greets your eyes now.  No beauty, just bodies and blood.  Crying, weeping, and wailing.  People running away, people running towards to help.  It is like a scene from hell.  A dream moment has become a nightmare, one that will last forever.  You would never be the same again.  Cups of tea for shock, clothes – get dressed.  Hospital visiting or home is the only place for you now.  Holiday over.  Living with loss or trauma will take forever to overcome.  Like many here in UK, all we can do is look on, weep inside, and carry on with living not allowing this horrendous act change our habits or daily routine.  It is beyond our comprehension. It is devastating.  It has us all ‘on edge’ a little.  But feeling helpless we live on and do what we have to do. 

The Greek financial situation affects me also.  Advice is not to use the banks and to take loads of cash, which I am sure, will make me anxious.  Having lots of Euros will no doubt trigger a spate of holidaymakers being robbed, although being on a Greek island away from the mainland will help settle me of this fact.   The travel company have sent an email assuring us of their care which was hugely appreciated.

With only seven weeks to departure I am still looking forward to this adventure.  Of course, all the worst case scenarios pass through my mind most of which I am sure will not happen.  And then I think of Tunisia and all the people affected by that tragedy.  My mood and excitement is lowered and I have to remind myself why I am doing this in order to carry on with the plans.  This voice in my head is the voice of reason and brings my mood to an acceptable level again.  I think of all the lone travelling my daughter has done, that my gym buddy does now she is a widow and tell myself I can do this.  I will do this.  I must to do as part of my desire to write.

The Big Adventure blog 9

The Big Adventure creeps ever nearer.  The title makes it sound as if I am going on safari, or parachuting, or going into the jungle and testing my survival skills.  When in fact I am merely taking time out to learn more about writing skills and no doubt, more about myself as travelling abroad alone is out of my comfort zone.

 

The financial crisis continues in Greece but strangely I am unphased by this.  I am looking forwards to the experience.  Money will not spoil that.  As long as I take enough Euros to see me through - buy a few drinks and perhaps a memento or two I will be fine.  Meals are inclusive.  I have clothes and essentials, what else do I need?  The citizens of Greece are having to stretch their cash out, they are limited to what they can withdraw at the bank, if in fact there is any money to withdraw.  What a terribly worrying time for them.  Surely tourists money will be very welcome, spent in shops, restaurants and tavernas.

 

We take our wealth for granted, much like our health, until such disasters occur.  One minute we are muddling along on our wage or income, another we could face poverty.  We never have enough until we have so little and then we realise how rich we were.  When pension pots disappear or benefits are cut, life changes beyond our control.  It is a scary place to be and brings many a different reaction from individuals.

 

So in comparison my big adventure is very small indeed.  It is a fortnight of difference, of change and new learning, it is a luxury to mark the end of my 60th year and what a year it has been.  How lucky and privileged I am to be having this adventure, how blessed and grateful I am to be me.  How random is good or bad fortune, life or death, health or illness.  With that thought, the whole of life is one Big Adventure.