Back in the days when meaningful communication was mainly written out by hand, I always managed to leave my postcards until the last day of the holiday. And even then they were lucky to escape without a UK stamp, sheepishly sliding onto the doormat a couple of days after I’d got home. In this digital age you’d have thought it might have been easier to stay in touch. I never actually meant to be quite so absent from the blog over this past week or so. But then I suppose that is the sign of a good holiday.
So here it is, our last night in Crete, and I find myself reflecting on the days we have spent here. On turquoise waters and dramatic clouds, on delicious food and wine and impeccable hospitality.
For me, the standout moments have been those when I have dived into the bracing sea, catching my breath after a few determined strokes to turn and gasp again at the snow capped mountains overlooking the beach.
The weather has not always been perfect, but Arthur has been undeterred from his ongoing stone-throwing mission, the skills perfected on the Devon coast making him at home on Cretan beaches and providing the ideal topic of conversation to bond with his fellow toddler travellers.
Leigh has excelled in making sandcastles. A talent that has lain dormant for many years, but one which I think we will all enjoy this summer.
We all took to Chania, with it’s ancient harbour and winding streets spilling out delectable seafood – quite literally at one point when we had to pause to allow an octopus to cross our path en route from water to table.
The list we had compiled in late night chats and perusals of the guide book of places we wanted to explore lay almost entirely untouched, but whilst there’s much we didn’t get to see we loved what we saw.
There will be more posts to follow once I’m back and settled into reflective mode, but for now suffice to say that the little corner of Crete we have experienced was well worth the travels. Hopefully we’ll make it back some time to see some more, but in the meantime here are some of the many moments we have enjoyed this time round.
This week my word of the week is holiday.
(I might have been back for a few days now, but I’m still there in spirit)
Sophie is... 
Sounds like you guys had a brilliant time, and you took some beautiful photos! Guess where we’re going next month? Can’t wait xxx
It’s gorgeous there! Whereabouts are you going? Next time I’ll do way more exploring, but it was lovely to just relax as well… Xxx
Looks so beautiful, I enjoyed your IG feed from there, too 🙂 Glad you had a lovely break and that photo of you laughing with Arthur is fab x Thanks for sharing with #WotW
It was lovely – good solid family time 🙂 xx
Lovely photos! I spent one day in Crete when I was 13, en route to a cruise liner taking us around the Med. I loved what I saw there and have often dreamed about going back there one day.
I’d recommend it! I hadn’t been since I was Arthur’s age but it’s definitely worth a visit 🙂
Looks beautiful, glad you all had a great time 🙂
#WotW
What lovely photos, it looks like you had a great time. I have never been to Crete but your post has made me want to go x
It sounds like you have had a lovely holiday!
Gorgeous photos x
Awww the scenes are stunning but my fave photo is of you smiling, laughing. Looks like a fun holiday! #wotw
I love that one too 🙂
Sounds (and looks) lovely. You’ve clearly had a good time, and surely the point of the holiday is to have a break including from blogging.
Yes you’re right – we definitely did need a bit of a break! 🙂
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