The years seem to be passing too quickly the older I get. I can't believe I will be signing my pictures 2012. It is a beautiful sunny day as I write. We have been able to join our friends most mornings since Christmas for drinks on the Dapia. However Christmas day was another story. Really chilly with a strong north wind and only eight degrees. I did manage a walk on the beach after our turkey blowout but didn't see a soul about. We had a treat on Boxing Day evening with a ten piece string ensemble from Athens playing a medley of carols and then classical music by Mozart, Bach, Hayden and Bochereli. The finale had twenty or so little children on the stage singing carols and banging their tamborines, triangles and bells in time with the orchestra their gazes fixed on the conductor. It was magical. Friends arrived from England and Australia in time for a lovely party on New Year's Eve with singing and dancing. It has become an annual event but some of our usual company was sorely missed this year. Tomorrow we are off to the mainland to a village high up, to get our year's supply of olive oil. Some of the best from the region and so delicious to just dip freshly baked bread into. It will be a good day out too as eating in these villages is terrific and so much cheaper than Spetses.Then I must settle down to painting again. There is always inspiration for me on this lovely island. Who knows what this coming year will hold for us all here. We are wondering how on earth the economic crisis will be solved. There is an air of gloom where the average person wonders why they are being clobbered when it is not their fault. We are hoping K's pension will not be cut. We need a future based on fairness, responsibility and equility. So on that note I wish you all wherever you are health and happiness in the coming year.