Oia Santorini

After a restful sleep and a poolside breakfast including a scrumptious Greek omelet made with olives and feta, we were driven to our original hotel  ~ The Kirini Suites and Spa, a member of the Relais & Chateaux, in Oia, Santorini.
















Remember I mentioned "upgrade"!

Our own white cave and private pool...I don't even have words to describe it!  

We walked to the village every afternoon.  We took advantage of the spa and enjoyed an evening of Kirini wine tasting and a special White Cave Dinner Experience,

but the dinner I will remember the most was at the restaurant on the harbour of Amoundi Bay, 

"The Sunset"

Only one way down.....

.... a couple of choices going back up!  We took a cab! 

Delicious fresh seafood.....

and another incredible sunset!

I don't think I will find a more relaxing, peaceful place on Earth!  

They might agree! 

The magical Greek island of Santorini

Every picture is a postcard!  

and I can't think of a more romantic place to spend our 35th Wedding Anniversary!

We were greeted at the airport by warm, dry air, a driver, and the beautiful hotel manager Eva, with news that we were going to spend the first night at one of the sister hotels in the center of the island, GRACE, and the next day we would have a driver take us to KIRINI and.... 

"Mr. & Mrs. Mayfield, you have been upgraded to our best suites!"

Well alrighty!!!

~I have grown to love that word "upgrade"!~

an infinity pool and a breathtaking spot for breakfast! 

We felt like exploring so walked along a path, about an hour to the village of Fira, 

where many of the cruise ships dock.

It was busy, with lots of small shops and restaurants along winding, narrow paths.

Our private hot tub was waiting for our return..........

After a fantastic dinner of Greek salad (the freshest tomatoes I have had all summer and yummy Feta) and fresh grilled fish drizzled in olive oil, lemon juice and fresh oregano, all complimented with Santorini wine, it dawned on us as the sun was setting that our journey back to GRACE was going to be uphill 

and 

dark!  

  

Friends bring us back to London!

It's the end of summer and this is what we came back to .....
what happened to my quaint, quiet, picturesque Chester Row?  There is construction and scaffolding on every block in Chelsea.  That's no exaggeration, it's amazing! They say, London is recession proof, and we believe it.

The dust and the noise...........

And that may be a dead body in our back garden .....

BUT THIS NOT WHAT BRINGS US BACK TO LONDON,

'FRIENDS' BRING US BACK TO LONDON! 

Friends who make the rain go away and invite us to a back garden barbecue

on a lazy Sunday afternoon.  

I brought the margaritas!

Cheers!  It's good to be back!  

Great Nawth Rivah Race

It's that time of year again - the annual North River Great Race!

(Yes, this is my back yard!) 

Starting line is the Union Street Bridge, just across the road from our own Rivah Cottage.  

The race course is 7 miles up river

so the start always depends on the tide.  

One of sponsors this year was the 

"Spit Dudes ~ Beach and BBQ" 

http://spitpermit.com/?p=6071

And they're off .... paddling right by our dock! 

first the canoes battle it out.....

and then the kayaks ..... not as serious! 

Only one great casualty and rescue....

better luck next year!  

One fish, two fish.....

some are old and some are new.....
It was a revolving door at the beach for the Fourth of July,
   and we loved it!

Water sports....

Beach sports.....

babysitting sports....

Flora-Bama sports.....

Cooking sports.....

Eating and drinking sports.....

Fireworks.....

and, every night, a beautiful sunset!