Newsletter January 2024

Hi everyone,

Belated Happy New Year. What a wet, blustery, cold January it has been. I hope you have all survived without any flooding, fallen trees etc. Hold on in there, signs of spring are popping through the soil. I just love snowdrops. 

Update re Oscar the Owl book:

·        I was able to send the Willow Foundation a donation of £40 at Christmas time from those who donated for signed copies of Oscar the Owl.  Do look up Willow Foundation if you know anyone between 17-40 years of age going through Cancer treatments as they offer a lovely day to remember during difficult treatments etc. https://willowfoundation.org.uk

·        Statistics – from the end of August to December 2023 approx. 100 copies of Oscar the Owl have been sold by Amazon and myself, including two e-books.

·        Reviews on Amazon: Did you know that you don’t need to have purchased Oscar from Amazon in order to review the book? As long as you are a regular customer of Amazon you can post a review even if you had your copy from me direct, either by post or from a stall.  You will see the difference next to the stars on reviews. 

If you haven’t already got a copy but would like one as a present here’s the link: https://amzn.eu/d/bqy7S7x or email me and arrange one to be posted to you (sueflint13@hotmail.com).

·        I recently took Oscar and my tree of home-made owls to Sutton Coldfield for a National Trust meeting. There were a few stalls in a big hall and over 100 guests listening to a very interesting talk about women in aviation down the years. I sold a few copies of the book and had some lovely chats with people. I hope to visit again in October.

·        Promotional work – Writing a book is not just about writing and getting published. There is a lot of ‘admins’ to do as well as venues to arrange. Those of you who are on social media will see me often on Facebook – Sue Flint, Author page; Twitter/X @tweetsue13 and occasionally on other platforms that I haven’t quite got to grips with: Threads, Instagram, Linked-in etc. I have written to 4 schools, two W.I groups, sent out submissions to a few publishers with 2 more children’s books and still working on acquiring an agent/publisher for my novel. Phew, I feel tired just typing all that. How do I fit it all in you may ask? Well, this week I have blocked out a whole page in my diary to tell myself to knuckle down to it and am doing well thus far. Other times I try to have two days a week or 3 mornings in which to do all these things related to and actually writing, editing, researching etc.

·        Novel update – I have a zoom with SWWJ International Feedback Group 29^th Jan and I will discuss my first pages and perhaps a change of title with them. I’m considering going to the London Book fair this year in hope to make good connections. But that will be a challenge.

·        Another challenge I have is to attend the 130^th Anniversary of SWWJ (Society of Women Writers and Journalists) also in London. At the HOUSE OF LORDS, no less! Baroness Floella Benjamin, who is president of SWWJ, will be in attendance and it would be so lovely to meet someone I have admired since she presented Playschool on television all those years ago.

·        I continue to attend Tamworth Writers Group which, over the winter, is just one evening a month in an award-winning town centre pub called The Tap. Although some of us find the stairs to the top floor quite a feat, we have a lovely time together listening to any work we want to share, discussing writing topics and having a laugh or two. As a group we have again contributed to a 2^nd anthology being put together by Tamworth Castle. Watch this space for further news next month.

·        I have booked to attend Swanwick Writers Summer School again in August, my 8^th year and their 75^th anniversary. This is held at The Hayes Conference Centre in Derbyshire and I am there for the full board experience again after going part-time only since the pandemic years. If you are a writer at any stage, from beginner to experienced, of any genre, fiction/non-fiction, poetry, scriptwriter, song writer etc. do look them up. So many courses to attend, great food and entertainment. Or just a cosy room to retreat to write in, lovely grounds to walk around. Then talking the talk at breaks and meals is so encouraging being with like-minded people. Seek me out if you book your place. www.swanwickwritersschool.org.uk

·        Writers often read a lot of books too. I read two Christmas books by two of my favourite authors: Cathy Bramley Merrily Ever After & The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft. Both very enjoyable, as all of their novels are. See my reviews on www.goodreads.com.

My delight in knowing that children are enjoying Oscar the Owl cannot be put into words. I have had a number of photos sent me, but I have permission to share these of my great-niece. 

Imogen aged 4 reading, clever girl. Photos taken from a film clip.

Wash Day Blues....

I remember when .....

Monday was washing the clothes day, but today is Tuesday and my washing machine is on. What's to write about, you may ask? But as I loaded the whites into the drum I remembered days when I would stand on a stool and watch Mum's large washing machine swish the water around to make the soap suds foam. Then I'd help her feed the clothes through the attached mangle. Did she even rinse them? I think individually they went into cold water in the kitchen sink, then back through the mangle.

Then I remembered my early married years with a twin tub machine, it seemed like a luxury at the time. But again, just soap powder went into the tub.

THIS is today's experience:

Pods, not powder into the drum.

Stuff for avoiding a build up of limescale in the machine.

Fabric softner. 

Smell booster pellets. 

Whitening sachet and after all is washed, rinsed, spun to an inch of dryness, there is disinfectant to kill any germs left in the machine!  What a lot of 'stuff'. 

No doubt some people use drying machine stuff too. 

When did doing the weekly wash become so complicated? No wonder OH finds it mind-blowing - what goes where? Pods (1 or 2), whitener (1) and smelly pellets (measure a cap full) into the drum, Calgon and Comfort in the drawer (use caps to measure) in slot 1 & 2. Then when the cycle has finished, take clothes out and run a rinse with the detergent. Simple - not!

Then there's the cost: A box of washing powder to do 65 washes is £13.50. The above collectively cost approx. £32.00. Ok, the pods are supposed to do 33 washes and the fabric softener 83 washes. But even if the other items do 10 washes, its still more than 20p a wash that the one box of washing powder does!

Plus electricity and water costs of course. And what of all that packaging for recycling or disposal.

Give me back my twin tub and a packet of Omo! 

Out & About with Oscar the Owl (2)

 Happy New Year Readers .....

How very remiss of me not to have posted pictures of Oscar's launch into the world. I had two events locally and another in Cannock.

Author and Artist , Sue & Rosa Brown,
at No 18 Coffee Shop
Tamworth
Launch event 1

Authors together - Kim Nash & Sue Flint
at Christopher's, Tamworth
Launch event 2

Book event at Press Bookshop,
Cannock

Then Oscar went to Craft stall events (see Newsletter Dec23/Jan24 blog).

Newsletter - December 2023/January 2024

Oooops, apologies for last month’s newsletter, you may have received by email, having my ‘to do’ list attached! Life gets so busy sometimes and mistakes are made. And no doubt, like me, you are busy this month with Christmas cards, wrapping paper, presents, shopping, baking etc. But somehow, all gets done and we have a new year, new start coming soon.

As well as all the above I and Oscar the Owl have been out and about at various Christmas Craft Stalls.

Firstly, at Coton Green primary school, then with my sister at Whitacre Heath Hall and on 9^th December at the 3^rd Wilnecote Scout Headquarters. The first two were outdoors in very cold weather! What a luxury it was to be inside the Scout HQ – such a lovely building and tables, chairs and hot drinks were available so no carting my own equipment. Each event was a different experience and though the weather was against all events Oscar flew off to new homes, as well as some of my home-made felt owl tree decorations.

Books have also been signed and posted to members of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists https://www.swwj.co.uk and to friends near and far. Signed copies have also generated a £40 donation to https://willowfoundation.org.uk. Thank you to those who generously contributed. I have received photos and videos of children reading my book which has made me so happy, and two boys named Oscar will, I hope, be thrilled by their book. If you wish to receive a book this way for a special child aged between 2-8 years, or for a birthday present for a relative, do email me. Otherwise, still time to get a copy from www.amazon.com for Christmas. Here’s the direct link -https://amzn.eu/d/bqy7S7x

I’ve now got Christmas gatherings with two Tamworth Writers Groups, friends and relatives to see, singing of carols and dodging the rain (or snow!) in the lead up to Christmas day and New Year. I wish you all joy, peace, good health and warmth and I send with this newsletter, grateful and heart felt thanks for all your support and encouragement.

 Blessings from Sue Flint, Author 💝

 

Teachers

 I'm a child of the 1950's.

Numerous decades have gone by and, though I take my hat off to teachers coping with such large numbers of children in a classroom every day, I still hold a disappointment of the teachers of my early life. So why, you may ask, am I so disillusioned with the education I received.

"Could do better" was often written on my school report. I was 5, 7, 10 or 12. A child. I was doing my best. I had no idea HOW I could do better. No-one told me, no-one showed me how. They just did their job of offloading facts, numbers and words that I didn't understand. For instance: 'who was King in 1830?' Did I even know that was a year? All I knew was who the current Queen was. Perhaps from the television I heard of her father's reign but information about other Monarchs did not stick in my brain. 'What's the capital of Algeria? I only knew London was the capital of the country I lived in, I had never travelled further than Cornwall or Wales! I don't remember having a globe or atlas shown me in school which may have helped. 

I know now that I am an experiential learner - SHOW me things I can see, feel, hear, touch, smell, taste and they mean something. Logarithms and algebra - what were they for? Have I used them since? No never.

However, stories I could do. I could read, write, draw and paint. I liked dancing, skating, sewing. The latter I was shown in class, step by step how to pin material, how to use a sewing machine, how to 'show off' my 'makes' in a school fashion show, and feel proud of my achievements. Cooking too was a step by step process which I understood and enjoyed (except that we were made to eat our products and the Domestic Science teacher stood over me making me eat cheese on toast and drink a cup of tea - two things I hated, ugh!) We had a mock flat in the DS room and we were shown how to polish, use a carpet sweeper, clean a sink and bath and how to wash up. Does this still happen? I doubt it, but it made me a capable homemaker later on (mother taught me to do the ironing!).

When I was in the 3rd year of senior school I came 2nd in the class for English. So the teacher deemed it necessary to 'put me up' to the 'A' stream; whipping me away from friends into a class where I knew no-one and the other pupils had all done 2.5 years of French lessons! So I had to sit those out as they realised I would never catch up.

In this new class we did music too - lots of five bar paper with dots and dashes to write on. I never did learn to read music. But the singing was lovely and I joined a choir and we sang on stage at Birmingham Town Hall in front of the Queen Mother. The teacher was lovely and encouraging telling me to 'just do what you can'. How kind.

The new English teacher however, made pupils read out aloud in class which I struggled to do and on two occasions I embarrassed myself struggling to read a sentence without getting words wrong. I was banished from the classroom. 

"Stand outside in the corridor until the end of class" 

and another time, 

"go and walk around the playground 10 times." 

I felt eyes on me from other classrooms and being laughed at.  

Yes, I was a weak student and a target for stronger characters to poke fun at or bully. Later I was told by a Commerce teacher I would not pass my exams which made me determined to try to prove him wrong. I studied harder and passed. Not with flying colours but it taught me a life lesson - perseverance pays off. It taught me (at last) I could do better.

Then I was suddenly out in the working world, a young 15 year old with little self-confidence in this new situation. After a year working in a management committee office of a major Birmingham hospital my parents decided to send me to full time secretarial college. I think my cousin's achievement of 120 wpm shorthand may have been part of it; she had a good job at the law courts. I had spent hours at home on my toy typewriter and later a second-hand Olivetti typewriter. At college I gained 'distinction' in Pitman's Typewriting exams and reached 90 wpm shorthand. No matter how hard I tried my hand and brain would not go any faster during exams.

School had given me the silent message that I wasn't good enough, but college and many, many years of Further Education, helped me believe in myself. I was good enough at the things I enjoyed.  Teachers/parents of today, I implore you to encourage your little ones, teenagers/young adults. Find their best subject, skill or passion and praise their enthusiasm, knowledge and achievements. A simple "well done" boosts confidence. Tell them they are 'good enough' and have something special to grow into, improve, make a living with. 

I had many office jobs, all of which I enjoyed. In my 50's onwards I retrained and, after years of studying, practice at the Samaritans, CRUSE and other organisations I passed the required exams and became a professional counsellor and supervisor of counsellors. Here, with the encouragement of excellent tutors and course companions, I grew my self-esteem, self-confidence and purpose in life. I took a leap into self-employment and had my own private practice alongside volunteering at a local service. It was the highlight of my working career. Such a privilege to be with those bereaved, struggling at work or with relationships etc. With new found skills, I saw others grow, learn about themselves and make changes towards being happier or more able to cope. 

On my retirement I did a number of school terms as a playground supervisor. One boy would stop and tell me about insects with great knowledge. I told him he was the next Chris Packham from the television and he would smile and go on his way. Then one day he came to me in tears. 

"Whatever's the matter?" I asked. 

"They are not teaching me what I want to learn about" came the reply. 

It squeezes my heart to this day. I knew exactly what he meant. I often wonder how he's getting on in senior school now. I do hope he recognises his strengths and determines to get a career he enjoys.

You may think that children having excellent knowledge about the makes of cars or types of dinosaurs are irrelevant to the curriculum; that being able to sing or dance is not an attribute to obtaining good marks in key subjects for the OFSTED report, but each child is unique with its own future to create from what it is good at. My brother was an avid stamp collector as a child. After working in a bank and travel agents he finally took the plunge to become a stamp dealer. It has served him very well. 

Looking back I wonder where I would be if that English teacher hadn't moved me up a class; if I'd gone to college to do creative writing or journalism; I could have been a newspaper or magazine writer. And it wouldn't have taken all these decades to write a book. I could have done better.

However, my motto of perseverance pays off give this blog a happy ending. I AM A WRITER. I AM AN AUTHOR. I have achieved my dream. My love of books and children have come together. My teachers have been those who have written books. People I have met and learned from, both on courses and by reading their works, have inspired me. Authors I've met have been encouraging and SHOW me 'all things are possible'. 

'NEVER give up hope' is also a mantra I have. ONE DAY, before I'm too old, I hope to be an author of a novel or two and a few more children's books.

Available from Amazon

https://amzn.eu/d/bqy7S7

Help for Writers

Do you write? ✍

Are you looking to get published in any form? 📑📖📘

In this blog I'll share my experience of the kind of help that I have availed of.

Firstly, I have lead or attended a local writers group for many, many years. It is a safe space to practice writing from prompts, reading out your work and receiving encouragement, praise and constructive criticism. Friendships form and connections are made. My local group, Tamworth Tap Writers, have inspired me - Debbie Murphy with her book 'An Unfashionable Cancer,' Patricia Pitt with numerous romance novels and Wanda Pierpoint and Anne Parsons with their children's books. Without the Tamworth Tap Writers I would not have a Children's book published, I would not have beautiful art work by Rosa Brown, and would not have the help of an independent publisher, Andrew Sparke.

Having said that I have put in years of working on my writing via other ways too. For eight years I have attended Swanwick Writers Summer School - a week staying at The Hayes Conference Centre in Derbyshire where one can choose workshops to attend and meet lots of other writers and well known authors. I must thank Sue Moorcroft, Della Galton, Hazel Prior, Julia Patterson, Pam Keevil, Leonie Martin and many others I meet there for their friendship, guidance, inspiration and encouragement.

I have accessed on-line/zoom workshops too with Joanna Barnard and Leonie Martin, both Authors.

I am a member of the Society of Authors and Society of Women Writers & Journalists. Both of these organisations have been a great help. SoA helped me with the wording of my publisher's contract and their zoom workshops are excellent. SWWJ have a zoom meeting which I attend where we book a slot to share our work and get constructive feedback. I have recently been co-opted to attend their Council meetings and am looking forward to learn more about the organisation and welcoming new members - particularly those who write for children. Both organisations produce magazines and I have had one or two book reviews published in the SWWJ Journal.

I can recommend Jericho Writers too. 

Then there are magazines and books that are particularly helpful: The www.writersandartists.co.uk handbooks are a writer's handbook/bible. They help you apply to publishers or agents and have helpful tips too. Ideal birthday or Christmas presents for a writer or illustrator.

'Writing' Magazine has many useful articles available at good newsagents, delivered by subscription or on-line.

Reading books in the genre you like to write about is key. Enjoy escaping into the pages of your favourite authors and connect with them on social media platforms - tell them you enjoyed the book, like the cover, have their book on your 'to be read/TBR' pile. Do a review for them on Goodreads, Amazon or your blog, Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram etc.  Here, other than the authors I have already mentioned above, I have to thank Kim Nash, who has championed so many other authors in such lovely ways, through social media and in person. She introduced me to Carole Matthews, Cathy Bramley, Milly Johnson, Tilly Tennant, Erin Green and so many other novelists through events in person or by promoting their books on-line. I occasionally read books outside of my normal genre too, and autobiographies. 

Notebooks and pens are in great supply around my home - always have one by the bed for those 'middle of the night/last thing at night/first thing in the morning' thoughts about your writing, or anything else for that matter. 

Don't be shy. We are our own worse critic and usually work is well received by the listener or reader if published. Be proud of your craft, your skill. Be brave, have confidence, go for it. You will never know what you can achieve if you don't step out of your comfort zone.

Oscar the Owl
Wise Words for Children 3-8 yrs
Available on https://amzn.eu/d/bqy7S7x

 

Out and About with Oscar

 NEWSLETTER 

OSCAR THE OWL ON TOUR

21.8.23        Book Launch with other Tamworth Writers and artists at No 18 Café and Wine Bar. 10 am – 12.30 pm, Lichfield Street, Tamworth, Staffs. Pop in for coffee or a bite to eat and chat with local authors, artists, poets and Tamworth Castle rep. Oscar’s artist, Rosa Brown, will be there too.

13.9.23        Book Launch for those who were away in August. Come and hear Sue tell of how Oscar the Owl book came into being. At Christopher’s The Peel Hotel, Aldergate, Tamworth. 10.30 am – 12.30 pm. Grab a coffee and toasted teacake, or tea and a slice of something nice. Meet Rosa Brown, Artist. Get your book signed. Bring a friend.

14.9.23        Author Sue has an Owl experience morning at Rosliston Forestry Centre, Swadlincote, Derbyshire. Watch out for owl pictures on Facebook and Twitter.

23.9.23        Author Sue off to N.Yorkshire, book in hand, to promote in Holmfirth (last of the Summer Wine Country).

14.10.23      Independent Bookshop Week & Bookshop Day.

3.11.23        Book reading and interview at Press Books and Coffee shop, Market Street, Hednesford, Cannock, WS12 1AG.   2 pm Interview by Kim Nash, Author and Publicity Manager for Bookouture publishing company.

4.11.23        Oscar getting in the Christmas spirit at St Leonard’s Church, Wigginton, Tamworth. A pop-up sale with stalls, cakes, raffle and tombola. A family event from 2.30 pm.

If you can’t get to events where Oscar the Owl will be but would like a book please visit Amazon https://amzn.eu/d/bqy7S7 Children will love the pictures with much to see and hear about life skills in Oscar’s friendly and wise words.

Hope to see you soon. 

Cloud 9

It has been the most joyous week of Oscar the Owl being out in the world. He has flown off the Amazon shelves to all corners of the country and winging his way to Cyprus and Mexico too, I believe. He must be tired, I know I am, but so very happy.

Finnlay and Amelie were so very excited to receive their copy in Scotland. Imogen, my great-niece was too. Adults have let me know their order has arrived and sent photos too. Reviews on Amazon are starting to appear. It is all very lovely. (Photos used with permissions)

Twins Amelie & Finnlay in Scotland

Imogen, Birmingham

Josie & Sophie

Carolyn, Near Holmfirth, Yorkshire

Kim Nash, Author, Staffordshire

Review quotes: 

"This book blew me away" JFT

"gives children the feeling that Oscar really cares about them" CG

"lovely book for young children" DRR

"highlights kind and useful tips for children" JPM

Thank you to everyone who has purchased a copy and for the reviews. If you know anyone who might like a copy here's the link: Oscar the Owl 

Maybe it's a child's birthday, or you want to give them a back-to-school/starting nursery or school present? Any time is a good time for a new book. 📗🦉

Newsletter 3

 

My book has arrived! I can’t tell you how excited I was to receive it and to know it is just fab. The anticipation was great, the joy complete.

So, my friends, family and followers, it is now available on Amazon. Your little ones will love the vibrant, bold pictures which have more to talk about than the words say. Rosa, the artist, made me very proud.

News of my first book events will follow shortly. Enquiries have been made at other venues and if you know of any book or craft events I might be interested in, please contact me on this email address: sueflint13@hotmail.com

Just type in’ Oscar the Owl’ on Amazon if you would like to buy a copy or two.

NEWSLETTER 2

 

NEWSLETTER 27.7.2023

OSCAR THE OWL BOOK for 3-7 year olds.

Progress has been hotting up this week. Here’s an update:

·        All artwork completed and in the publisher’s hands, along with all the words for the pages.

·        Contact with the publisher has been a daily occurrence as we agree page colour, the font and size to use, whether to be centred on the page or at the left margin.

·        Amazon pricing for printed versions has risen by £1 I’m informed. However, I bought a child a comic this week and it was £7.99, albeit had plastic toys attached. So a book of that price, in comparison, is what is to be expected.

 

The above is the practical part of becoming a published author but the joys come in many other ways. We don’t know what our little ones will grow up to be when they complete their learning at school/college/university but many show great potential in these early years.

During the initial stages of my process to publication I enlisted the help of young people in collage studying art and also with children in the age range the book is intended for. Most interested were twins Amelie and Finnlay who live in Scotland. We have only met a few times but through their Great Aunt and Mums they heard the words of my book and saw early pictures from college students and digital artist Rosa Brown. They gave me feedback for the latter via a video call.

Finnlay drew this picture from Rosa’s fantastic art creations. He then spent time colouring it in. The pictures moved Rosa and I to teary eyes. That such a young person can be inspired to draw and want to know more about how a book is made, is of great joy. Thanks to Christine Haig in Worcester for sharing this with us, GAC as she is known to the twins.

 

STOP PRESS: Oscar the Owl will be available to pre-order next week, details to follow.

 

Book Review

 

Google Image

The Collaborator’s Daughter

by Eva Glyn

Published by One More Chapter

ISBN 978-0-00-855327

What an evocative start to this book – a man holding a new born daughter and cherishing the moment. It’s 1944 and war is ravishing his country. But soon the reader is in 2009 at a father’s funeral with family members at loggerheads and a truth is revealed.

This is Fran’s story – if you enjoy Long Lost Family on tv you will enjoy the journey she takes. Through grief she makes enquiries regarding her heritage. The antagonist is a sister with a lifelong grudge and causes Fran much angst. Her brother though is much more understanding and supportive of her need to know more about her roots, as is her son.

I have not yet visited Croatia but it was easy to imagine the streets, the buildings, shops, cafes and homes that engulf Fran on her visit there. Eva Glyn’s description of places and people draw you into the mysteries that Fran is trying to unravel on her brave and adventurous trip to the country of her birth. With a name, a place and a necklace as the basis for her retirement project, we step into another world as the pages and time slip chapters grip the reader’s interest.

Fran is a caring person, a worrier and often thinks the worst of any situation, doubts herself and her decisions. She keeps in touch with her friend Parisa back home in the Uk and makes a new friend in Croatia, Jadran, who helps keep her on track with the reason for being there.

She finds she is attracted to Jadran but constantly talks herself out of getting too involved. However, given time, there is a deep romance, one which is sweet and caring for two retirees even though scars and judgements pepper their relationship. Opening wounds, searching secrets and visiting places that hold memories and answers, test them both. Watch out for a tear-jerking end as many of the conundrums are solved.

NEWSLETTER

 

WELCOME to my newsletter. Although I have been blogging for many years, had various magazine articles printed and self-published a children’s religious book 33 years ago, I have more recently written a women’s contemporary fiction novel, some children’s books and short stories. As many debut authors will agree, getting an agent or mainstream publisher is very hard and very time consuming. Retirement is a wake-up call - I’m not getting any younger!

Therefore, I have opted for Oscar the Owl to be published via an independent publisher and the book is now on its way to being available. It is hard to contain m my excitement. I am like a child in a sweet shop.

I have been working together with local artist Rosa Brown to bring Oscar to life. Her colourful interpretation of my work has moved me to tears of delight as each picture portrays just what I believe will enhance the words and bring about further discussion with children as the book is being read.

 

©

Do you like the cover?

Friendly Oscar has wise words to impart to children aged 3-7 years of age. Teachers, childminders, parents, grandparents, librarians etc will find life skills explained and useful tips for every day occasions for our growing young ones. Early learners will love the vibrancy and clarity of the pictures and simple wording.

Hopefully, next month I will be able to let you know how it can be purchased. 

 

Lemnos

How I love Greek islands: So rustic, villages of stone houses with empty food cans for planters and cats on their doorsteps. Wooden window shutters shading the rooms inside, painted blue to highlight the whitewashed walls. 

We booked with Sunvil Travel and stayed at Afrodite Villas, Plati, Lemnos. We had a room in the new apartment block on the first floor with a balcony and sea view. The room was nicely furnished and the bed was exceptionally comfortable; so much so we wanted to bring it home! (We were told it was an orthopaedic bed). Fully airconditioned, cleaned daily, towels, hairdryer, plenty of coat-hangers and a nice fluffy white dressing gown.

It was our first holiday abroad together since Corfu in 2017 - life events and lockdown preventing the luxury of doing nothing but stare at the vastness of the ocean, soaking up Vitamin D and making simple decisions of where and what to eat, then watching the sun set.

We booked 7 days half-board which we could take the evening meals at the hotel as and when required during the 14 day stay. This enabled us to sample local tavernas too. A very satisfactory arrangement.

Having lived in Cyprus for 3 years (2000-2003) we had taken two cruises from Limmasol port. From there we visited many Greek islands - Lemnos being one which captivated us 21 years ago. It took us a long time to revisit! The hotel was a good 25-30 minute walk from the town and port of Myrina. Walking along 'the old road' in the heat of the day is uphill and no footpath; I had to stop for a bit of shade, drink of water and a sit on a wall. But the trek is worth it. 

Myrina Port

My Mama Mia moment

Myrina shaded shops and market place

Needless to say after the walk and exploring the shops and coffee cafes, we sat watching the fishermen mend nets and share their catch. A huge ferry came into dock and did a three-point turn in the mouth of the harbour, reversing to off-load passengers, cars and lorries. Maybe they have come over from Athens? (It reminded me of my solo adventure to Skyros, 8 years ago now! Scroll down the contents page to see 'The Big Adventure blogs posted June to Oct 2015 ) Then lunch which was in STO KASTRO restaurant (see my review on Trip Advisor). The food was magnificent and personally, the best meal of the fortnight, though a prawn spaghetti dish and the fish dishes at the hotel were wonderful too. There were nine plates of various salads and dips to go with the meal and, of course, always, a basket of local bread.

Shrimps in cream sauce

Full to bursting after the meal the owner was kind enough to call a taxi for us to get back to the hotel. A swift journey on the 'new road' took no time at all.

Days on the beach, which was a short walk across the road from the hotel, were so lovely. Sun beds placed in front of beach bars where you buy a coffee or other drink and maybe lunch or an ice cream enables you to use the beds, shades etc for free. A changing unit, WC and shower were also free to use.

Plati beach is surrounded by mountains. They rise and dip, mostly barren but for a lone concrete building (a shaded shelter for goats perhaps). Other hillsides sport holiday flats at its base then staged up the slopes, topped with a phone and tv aerial. The bay is about 1.5 miles long, yachts sail on the slight breeze and I listen to the rhythm of the ebbing and flowing tide. A seagull soars above and a couple paddle in the shallows before walking their way into the sea to plunge into the coldness of the salty, clear water.

The hotel gardens boast many ornate trees, flowers that are nameless to me and is visited occasionally by a feral cat or two. One night a week the hotel open its doors to others who want to experience 'Greek Night' where there is a buffet meal, music and plenty of happiness as guests clap along to familiar Greek and English tunes. It gets a little loud (or am I so very tired - how does that happen when I'm doing nothing but resting?) and I leave a little earlier than everyone else. But how very lovely to lie on my bed listening to the night's activity below.

 

There is a lane, very steep road up to Plati village next to the hotel. We climbed it twice. The second time we stayed for a village meal. We ate a starter of beef in filo pastry with tzatziki followed by moussaka. The setting was lovely 

Plati Village

The taverna was decorated with a yellow bike, red & yellow wellingtons and flowers.

We were sorry that Sunvil had not been able to run two of the three trips we would have liked to attend due to it not yet being the main holiday months and so fewer people in their two hotels. Pete especially would have loved the vineyard trip and Greek cookery lesson trip. However, on the very last day we had a fab Island tour in a lovely mini-bus. We stopped for coffee at Kalithea, saw converted windmills (now holiday residences) at Romanou, an archaeology site at Poliohmi, a church on a high point at Zoodochos pigi that had 64 steps down underneath to a deep water supply and a meal enough to feed an army at Giannakaros, Moudroa, just a short ride away. It was a grand end to our time in Lemnos.

All good things come to an end. We had made holiday friends and had to say 'goodbye'. I was amazed that so many of the hotel residents had been revisiting for 12, 16, 20 years. There is a 'family' feel to the place, a community of 'regulars'. I'm sure that is due to the staff being so friendly, helpful and charming.

 

The owner Afrodite and her son George in the reception area.

The bar ladies, the lovely Kiki and Angelina 

At Limnos airport the four check in desks were not very busy, unlike the huge expanse of Gatwick where we flew from (only one flight a week by Enter Air, a Polish airline). Check in is so much less stressful at smaller airports and soon we were seated and flying. The ground we had visited became a patchwork quilt of cream, green and brown fields below as we banked across the island that had captured our hearts. Saying a silent 'goodbye' to the sea and 'hello' to the clouds the plane rises and the restless passengers relax at the 'ping' of the 'ok' sign to be able to undo seatbelts heralding our now smooth passage homeward.

Children cry/scream, adults struggle to soothe them, amuse them, rock babies to sleep. Inaudible messages come over speakers and airhostesses do their patrolling up and down the aisle. The mountains disappear from the window view, only clouds hanging like cotton wool balls below us as the metal machine speeds across oceans and countries, occasionally shuddering in turbulence. Three hours and fifteen minutes and we see the green, green grass of home. Thankfully the sun has followed us.

Would we go again? God willing, Yes. Recommended for those who like peaceful, restful, holidays outside of the main season of July and August when I feel, the temperature would be unbearable.

June 8th - 22nd 2023