The Island

If you want a good read this summer, I recommend The Island by Victoria Hislop.

You don't have to actually visit the island of Spinalonga, just a stones throw from the island of Crete cos I've taken some photos for you.




From 1903 up until 1957, the Cretan Government established a leper colony on Spinalonga. There was no known cure and since the sufferers had nothing more to lose (no bad taste jokes please) some became guinea pigs and tried out various injections, administered by doctors and ultimately a cure was found.




In the meantime, the people of Spinalonga lived as good a life as was possible. The mosque was converted into a hospital and the old buildings constructed between 1881 and 1930 offered homes for the sick. The colony grew crops, had markets, schools and all cared for each other.




Plaka was the nearest village on the mainland and so close...




Spinalonga from the mainland.




On a happier note, if you have to suffer some horrible illness, I can't think of a more spectacular place to be.





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Silly knit

Having become a Grand Mother, I have started doing what all Grand Mothers do, knitting. But I only knit for people of discerning taste and Elena who can't say "enough already" yet.

So she has an aubergine hat

A Bean hat


A watermelon hat


And loads


And loads


And loads


And loads


And loads of toys



And you know when they like them...

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friggatriskaidekaphobic?

Friday 13th coincides with a full moon – and it could be more dangerous than you think.

If you're a selenophobic or a friggatriskaidekaphobic it might just be best to stay in bed.

For the first time in over a decade two of the great Western superstitions will combine bringing potentially a double dose of dire luck.

Not only is it Friday 13th, but it is also a Full Moon. The last time this event occurred was in Oct. 13, 2000.

Throw into the mix factors such as late licencing for the World Cup and soaring temperatures, and the more nervous among readers may just choose to stay under the covers and avoid the potential carnage.

But why is Friday the 13th considered unlucky, and what's the truth behind the superstition? And what of the Full Moon? Why do we fear it so much and does it really affect our behaviour?

Origins of the myth...
The origins of the idea that Friday the 13th is unlucky are unclear.
Some have suggested that it relates to the fact that the number twelve is considered the number of chronological completeness: the twelve Apostles of Jesus, twelve months in a year, twelve hours of the clock day etc. Thirteen is therefore considered irregular and incomplete.

Oddly Fridays on their own are considered unlucky. The fact that Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus on the Friday before Easter adds to the idea that Fridays are unlucky days. In other biblical origins Eve is believed to have tempted Adam with the forbidden fruit on this day.

Traditionally it was also the day that prisoners were hanged in Britain before the abolition of the death penalty.

So, what of the full moon?
Some theories suggest that the moon influences our behaviour in the same way in which it affects the tide. It exerts influence on the water in our bodies through gravitational pull.

Others have suggested that it's the light of the moon that has influence. One study found an alarming increase in the number of animal bites on a full moon.

And even worse in Brighton
So prevalent is the idea that the moon makes people behave in a bizarre way (hence the term lunacy) that in 2007 extra police were called in to patrol the streets of Brighton when the moon is full.

Research by Sussex police concluded there was a rise in the number of violent offences that take place when the moon is full.
Police compared crime statistics for Brighton and Hove with lunar graphs to discover the trend.

Police officers or staff in hospital emergency departments insist there are more accidents, violent incidents and psychiatric admissions on a full moon.

Given that today, Friday the 13th falls on a full moon, also during the World Cup, and with extended opening hours (both of which are likely to affect the numbers of arrests and accidents), correlations between the date and the lunar activity and unfortunate events are unlikely to be put to bed soon.


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Born on the fourth of Ju...ne

Elena Cristina Lavarello

Born 04.06.'14.

2.54kgs, Cadiz Hospital

'Not sure I like it out here.'

'You my mum? Corrrrrr...'

'Just grabbing forty winks'

Proud Mum and Dad

aaaahhh

And a very proud Granny

and hot off the press, 11.06.'14 the sleeping Elena

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Knitted knockers

Only in America...

http://theknittingexperience.com/knitted_knockers_program/


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Great Granny's garden

And her Great Granddaughter,


Elena Lavarello, born 04.06.2014
Phew!

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Knitted dogs?

What do you buy the woman (my mother in law) who has everything she wants, for her 91st birthday,?

Absolutely nothing. You make her something you know she will love.

A knitted Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

I had to ring Battersea Dogs home to find out where my staffie knitting pattern was. They have a great campaign called 'softerthanyouthink' which encourages people who know nothing about staffies to give them another chance.

Anyone who knows Bull terriers cannot really understand why anyone likes any other dogs. Find out more: softerthanyouthink@battersea.org.uk

I have another order from 'she who also must be obeyed' as she is currently in labour and what the pregnant daughter wants is:


How can I deny her? She tells me it has been requested by Bean... Womb service.

Good thing she has inherited my marvellous sense of humour...

That was another joke by the way.

I have been getting my exercise by watching Murray v Verdasco in the French Open and everyone is complaining about the players wearing exactly the same and they can't tell the difference.

Well, one of them is Spanish and drop dead gorgeous and the other one's Andy Murray.





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