Fab week with Tricky and Jane included drinking the last bottle in our champagne stock from our wedding and leaving party. But they had earnt it with a mammouth adventure to get to us.

Hired a car to see Homers Tomb (supposedly!!) and the rest of ios. Deserted beaches mostly. But did find some beautiful speckled purple crocus, more lilies and the intrepid beach narcissi, plus some bright purple thistle flowers all amongst the brittle brown shrubs.

Persuaded two taverna owners to fed us fab kalamari lunches despite being shut. Chilling, sunsets with a view and yes you guessed it we taught them to play cucumber... to keep the tradition going. Jane managed to win the first game despite being tiddly and therefore not understanding the rules properly. Clearly that's the way to play....

Met a lovely Italian couple from Rome. Plus English couple leading diving including one couple in morning suits and wedding frock...why? Very nice port police not charging us a bean. Late birthday present of some XO Marmite. One whiff takes you right back to childhood...

Looking forward to moving on from Ios now which is closing down around us, with Richard and Phillipa next en route to Kos and then Chica Kathryn; ex boss (stand by your beds) Paul and finally Liz and Nic in Turkey....


Oh and martyn made me cut his hair and he cut mine.. ha ha what larks...