Today’s Covid figures for Greece 31/1/22 19.731 New cases 119 Deaths 576 Intubated 1620 New cases on Crete Chania 465 Rethymnon 221 Heraklion 765 Lassithi 169 ****** A poem written by my mother who is currently showing the strength of her inner core as she fights to comeback after a stroke. The Shell It’s a brisk, cold day on Goring beach, Where I search for solitude, solitude. Time for myself. Low. Low tide. Look out to sea and listen to the rhythm of the shore: The wind sings in the ears, And the seagulls cry a simple descant as they glide And weave a lacy veil across the sun So sharply glinting on the dancing waves. Breathe deep the air, the damp and salty air, Experience the symphony Of moving water, seaweed, pebbles, sand. Along the mark of the high tide I walk amid the storm-tossed debris of the sea – Fishing net and line and rope and string, Shoes, sandals, plastic bottles, cans and drums And skeletons of fish and birds And stark white cuttlefish bone. A mermaid’s purs