Sunny Holiday 2012 - Crete

Just home from a lovely, lovely holiday in Hersonissos, Crete, with my sister and her fabulous family.

I haven't been abroad for about 5 years and always loved a sunshine holiday and this was a great one.  I really hope I'll be asked to go again !

We stayed at the Royal Belvedere, Hersonissos

- perfect location, on a slight hill with the mountains behind and the sea in front. 

The view from the patio.  Beautiful.

The town of Hersonnissos was easily within walking distance with a great selection of shops, bars and restaurants.  We were 'All Inclusive' so didn't need to visit the town but we did take a stroll a couple of times and thoroughly enjoyed having a 'nosey'!

John and the kids one of the nights we walked into town.

The Belvedere complex was brill, about 5 pools, lots of sunbeds, bars, snack bars

This was our favourite pool, with 'proper' steps into it so I could get in and out with ease.

That's me in the boat !

and in the pool.

Our favourite pool from a different angle.

There was also an Olympic sized pool - Kyle was the only one brave enough to try it !

Massive pool!

Food was very good - plenty of choice, 3 meals a day and snacks (chips, pizza slices, toasties and ice cream ) available at the swimming pools. 

                                  Kyle and his several empty plates!

Delish choc cake and choc mousse.

There were a couple of theme nights - Italian and Crete - this is the Italian flag cake - a lovely centrepiece - initially no one wanted to cut it but that didn't last long !

Kelsie sitting on the patio at our room with the restaurant just behind her.  I loved sitting here in the evening watching everyone arrive for dinner.

Sitting under a palm tree on the patio - brought my Slimming World magazine to try to keep me on track - it didn't work !!

At our dining table in the restaurant.

There was entertainment every evening -

Kyle and Kelsie watching 'Grease'

                                             Mel, me and John.

                               All that having fun is just exhausting !

Rehearsing for the evening entertainment - huge bar area.

The girlies hitching a lift...

                                     and the boys sneaking in too !

                                                 Playing pool,
there were a lot of card games in this holiday too and from now on 'shuffling' the cards will be known as 'muddling' !

Another one of the swimming pools

We had so much fun with that boat !

A little bit of nature.

We all had a fab time!

(just click on any of the photos to make them bigger)

Simplicity - Photography class

My photo for this week

a lovely chair made from willow at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

Family photos

Just before I go to Crete for my sunny holiday I transferred some photos from an older memory card - good memories.


November 2007 - a weekend away - staying in a lovely cottage in Cookstown.  (yes, kids the one with the mouse !).  We went to an indoor laser quest play area - love these photos.

13 July 2008 - day out with kids to Armagh Planetarium.

making and firing 'rockets' !

Then my annual Halloween Parteeeey - 30.10.08

These next ones are dated 19 April 2009 - my birthday get together.

gorgeous photos of Ellis - aged 1

and his big brother Mason aged 3 and 3/4

Photography Class - Field Trip to Lady Dixon Park

Last night was another outing with my photography class - this time to Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, Belfast.

Typical Northern Ireland weather, hail stones when we arrived, then torrential rain then weak sunshine, it is a lovely place to visit but too cold for me last night so I just stayed for a short time and took a few photos.

Solitude - photography

Theme this week is Solitude.

I went to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and took a few photos -

I submitted this one - tutor said good composition and colour!

The lady was very gracious and allowed me to take her photo.

I enjoy visiting the Museum and took the opportunity to take a few other photos -

this is a stunning sculpture made from willow - I think.

The next one would have suited the theme too I think.

I just liked this one.