Barbara3d
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I'm new - helloHi everyone,
Just a quick hello to you all.
I no longer live in the UK but have retired to the beautiful island of Zakynthos in the Greek Islands. It has been my dream for many years and having reached the grand old age of 60 came to live here in June of this year. I am now free to live the "good life" and fulfil my passion for gardening. I did have an allotment a few years ago, grew lots of veggies and made my own wine etc., but never really had time to do all I wanted. Now I can. Its great.
Love the site and all the useful topics. Although I dont live in UK I still find most of it really helpful.
Hope to "talk" to lots of you in the future.
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Aqui
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Hi Barbara
Sounds like a lovely life!
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Barbara3d
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Hi Aqui,
It is so far. It was too hot in the summer to do anything so didn't start doing much until October but it is amazing how everything has taken off. I have only got two beds underway at the moment but try and do a bit each day. I think each day how lucky I am.
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Cabbagepatch
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Hello Barbara and welcome into The Shed.
It sounds wonderful there.
I say, you didn't do a midlife crisis thingey did you like.....oh flippin eck, can't remember the name of the film 
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Aqui
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do you mean Shirley Valentine CP?
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Cabbagepatch
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Yes, thats the one! 
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Barbara3d
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Yes they all called me Shirley at work before I left (my boss actually bought me the DVD as a leaving present). I got comments from "your're very brave" to "I think you are mad" and "wont you be lonely". So far I have no regrets. My children are all grown up and gone and I have two grandchildren who all visited in the summer so I have the best of both worlds. - beats working!!!
I have found though that I have to radically change my ideas of gardening as from June to October it is too hot do do much of anything and the main gardening season is from October up to June. Weird really as in England December January and Early February are quite dead months in the gardening calender whereas here I think I will be really busy. It's all a big new learning curve but as they sday - "You're never too old."
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Jojo
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Welcome to the Potting shed,sounds like you have got it made out there
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Cabbagepatch
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Wow, I am impressed. "You go girl"
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Barbara3d
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I hope so. I have worked all my life and brought up my three kids on my own so maybe now I can have a little time to enjoy my life. I only have my pension to live on but it seems to be doable here. I do feel very lucky to be doing this. I live in a rented house in the middle of a vineyard and next door's turkeys visit me each day for their bread. I have a large garden which is a bit of a nightmare at the moment but as they say in Greece "slowly slowly" I have two kittens which I got the week after I arrived here who are lovely and do feel very privileged to be here - If only I could speak the language!!!!
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Kathy
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Welcome Barbara, what a wonderful thing to be able to do, the best of both worlds as you say. It'll be interesting to read about your gardening, what works for you, what doesn't and how it compares with here. We need another winemaker on here as well, what's your favourite homebrew, oh and don't forget to post photos of your kittens!
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Cabbagepatch
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Wow, sounds fantastic. Am quite envious!!!
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Barbara3d
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I'm actually quite new to the forums so will try to post pictures and things on the right places if I can. Please forgive me if I get it wrong.
the last time I made wine (some years ago) my favourite was blackberry and apple. It was lovely. At the moment I dont have anything going but have brought some demijohns and all the equipment out with me and hope to get started soon. I have lots of grapes (obviously) but think I will be hard pushed to find any blackberries here! Hope by next year to have some soft fruits etc. Will keep you posted.
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Becki
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You are most welcome
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nanny
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and a welcome from me
well done on your new life.....
yes you were brave but you did it...the first step is always difficult but once you take it the rest seems to flow
look forward to seeing some pictures of your life and your garden
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Jellycat
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Welcome Barbara I too am looking forward to hearing about your wonderful new life in Greece (now where's that 'I'm green with envy' smiley.... )
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Becki
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Barbara, shout at me if I'm being nosey, but how did you find us here?
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Barbara3d
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I really cannot remember. I think I put growing vegetables in Google or some such search engine and found you. I have had you on my "favourites" before I left England but really did not have much to contribute till I came here. Glad I did though.
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Becki
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