SCOTLAND OR CRETE....Hmmm, CRETE OR SCOTLAND

Is that a tough question?  Well, in a way of course, but for me, I have the answer. I am setting off for Crete tomorrow, sadly to pack everything up ready for shipping back to Scotland .

And it will break my heart to leave, yet I know its the right decision.  I am happy being back in Scotland, despite the weather.  I am happy to be going back to Crete too, to see all my friends, to experience the soulfulness, the depth, the magic of this island.  Magic which goes back thousands of years, and which somehow is imbedded in my heart and soul.

However, I am happier having modern day culture, concert halls, (Perth was host to Jethro Tull earlier this year, as well as welcoming many other well known names.) theatres, and lush green parks with the River Tay in all its glory rushing on its way to the sea.  The dog is so very very happy, and its great meeting all the other dog owners (with dogs) out for the evening stroll.  People out jogging, cycling, and couples walking hand in hand. And the shops.  And supermarkets.  I feel suitably indulged and spoiled for choice.  Even the rain doesn't get to me as it used to.  Now I know it rains everywhere, lots of the time, not just in Scotland.  I also know its expensive everywhere too, all across Europe.  Not just Britain as the moaning minnies would have us believe.  All over Europe, I discovered that most things cost the same amount of money regardless of the currency.  Now that Sterling and the Euro are almost pence for cent, this makes Crete a very very expensive place to live.  I can get double,or more, the amount of groceries in Tescos than I could for the same money in Crete.

My dog is called Pippa.  My friends already know this story, and unfortunately because this is a public site I cannot go into detail, but after three months strolling on the beach in Havania, Agios Nikolaos, calling out Pippa, with the suggestion she might like to come to heel, one day when two Greek friends were with me, they collapsed first in horror, then in hysterics when they heard me calling.  Confused, I turned to insist they tell me what was going on.  Then they explained what pippa meant in Greek.  How embarrasing!!  But nobody queuing up either, so dilemna - did I continue, or did I confuse the dog by changing her name at the grand old age of 14!

Crete will always be special to me, I am already in love with this island again, and many of the cherished friends I have the honour to know.