It is so good to be back in the clear bright light of Greece again after over a month of grey skies and mist in Derbyshire.The only ray of sunshine was the success of my exhibition. A real surprise given the tight economic situation. Hopefully my pictures can add some cheer. Now back in Spetses I can relax in the sunshine after a lot of hard work on the printing press. The weather is warm enough to sit ouside for coffee on the Dapia and open my Christmas cards which arrive at the coffee shop. It makes me smile when the waiters bring them out on a tray. We still have lots of roses in bloom on the terrace and the bulbs are pushing up early. We do however desperately need rain. There has been so little since Spring. I have prepared my olives but they are very small this year due to lack of water. We went to pick Clemantines from a friend's orchard and they were small too, but oh so sweet and fragrant.The island is looking particularly clean and tidy at the moment. I put this down to our new mayor and his team of workers. I have never seen such a lack of rubbish strewn around before. We even have plastic bottle recycling now which is a cause dear to my heart. Christmas is coming in a very gentle and uncommercial way here .Christmas Nativity on Dapia 2011On Saturday the school children performed a Nativity play on the Dapia to a large crowd.They did so well telling the story and singing Christmas songs.The Mayor lit the illuminations to an enthusiastic countdown from the children. Afterwards there was mulled wine and souvlaki for all. A lovely way to start this years festivities.