I love getting on the boat in Mytilene and crossing the Aegean sea to Ayvalik. I went again yesterday it was another day trip and again not long enough. Next time I am staying overnight, there is just so much to enjoy there and I always come back inspired.
Walking around the village I am struck how the colours of nature are reflected in the fabric of our homes. My Greek Island Home http://www.penguin.com.au/lantern/authors/claire-lloyd
So exciting, on my dog walk today I saw the first poppies of the year! Whilst those of you in Northern Europe are freezing your sox’s off, here on ‘My Greek Island Home’ we are getting some lovely sunny days and at 18 degrees outside I can walk without a coat. In the garden hyacinths and camellias are opening up and along the track, leading out of the village there are tiny, tiny, delicate, deep mauve, wild flowers bursting up through the soil. Spring is here. I won’t shout to loudly as you never know when there could be a change. I don’t expect we are over the winter quite yet but I am enjoying these days a lot.
We took a trip up to the north of the island yesterday, the weather was so beautiful. We visited our friend, Stratis’s, land. It was the most beautiful place in the world. He has goats, sheep and a donkey and they all love him. He treats them with such love and respect and they respond in the same way. He gave Matthew 2 skulls. Matthew was thrilled. A photo of Matt in our garden this morning with his new treasures, another beautiful day.
Heaven! I’m in heaven, I have just received the most wonderful parcel from London, via Matthew. My love of all things sensual is no surprise to most of you, especially those familiar with my first book Sensual Living. My dear friend Louise Barnetson, http://thestanleysupplystore.com is one of the wonderful people I met when I was putting together the book, and I have always been a HUGE fan. Louise has just finished putting together her fab collection and it can be found in the new concept area of Selfidges in London. What a treat you can actually go in and not only see the collection, but, touch, smell and buy it. All her quality products are handmade in England with wonderful attention to detail. There are large pieces, a dresser, a tressel table and smaller gems, handmade brushes, napkins, leather and fabric cushions and floral scented candles. The fabric design on the cushion has been created by artist, Matthew Usmar Lauder and is a sophisticated and subtle organic design, which fits in with the collection perfectly. The napkins are made of my favourite fabric, linen and are generous in size and soft to touch. My favourite thing if I had to choose though, would be Louise’s scented candles. Louise’s favourite smells are of garden flowers and she has not been tempted to stray. The two scents I have are jasmine and rose geranium and there have been no corners cut in their production. The smells are rich and honest and I have to say the best smelling candles I have ever burnt and I have burnt more than the average person I assure you. They are also beautifully packaged in matt white glass with the simple, The Stanley Supply Store logo. My advice, get into Selfriges and visit The Stanley Suppl Store or go on line http://thestanleysupplystore.com, you won’t be dissapointed. Thank you Louise for sharing what you love and care about most and doing it with such style.
Todays dog walk was bliss. It was just like spring but without the spring flowers. There was so much warmth in the sun that I could sit on a rock and take off my jacket. The dogs loved it too sniffing everything in sight and taking their time to stop and take in the view. I felt so lucky to be living here in beautiful Greece.
clairelloydloves 