Friday 28 September 2012

Rhodes Town and the Butterfly Valley Revisited

Hello again, this is my 3rd and final post showing my photos from our recent wonderful holiday on sunny Rhodes. If you are looking for my card challenge it is at the bottom of this rather photo laden post!

We hired a car for 3 days in the middle of our holiday and drove up to Rhodes Town. This is the most amazing ancient city to visit. It is the largest inhabited medieval city in Europe and is a UNESCO World heritage site. The main shopping streets are pretty touristy but if you wander around the back streets it is like stepping back in time. We never take a map as it is pretty difficult to get lost and eventually we emerge at one of the gates to the city.

The houses have buttresses between them and like Lindos only motor bikes and feet can wander around  the side streets.






Lots of the doors had different knockers and I love this hand one..the finger even had a ring on it.














There was also welcome shade from the heat.



















The quiet side streets were so different from the main thoroughfares which were bustling with tourists.

Rhodes has always been an important harbour since ancient time. The Colossus of Rhodes is thought to have stood across the entrance to it. There is no evidence of it now but we were amazed to see that the Queen Elizabeth had just docked and decided to walk down to have a peep at her.




She is absolutely gigantic and dwarfed all the other vessels moored in the harbour. Mind you we did spot some rather amazing vessels moored there.

How about this for a toy? It was under heavy security and we googled it's name, Carinthia VII. It turns out that this is the 12th largest such vessel in the world and is owned by the widow of a German entrepreneur.  It was just the height of luxury. There were also some smaller boats moored in the harbour



We also revisited our beloved Butterfly Valley at Petaloudes which again is a wonderful break from the heat. You almost forget that you are in Rhodes as there is running water and deciduous maple trees. The majority of trees found  in Rhodes are conifers.


As you wander deeper into the valley the butterflies (they are accurately a variety of the Jersey Tiger moth). They rest just everywhere. Every surface is covered with them.

Here is one in close up, there are just millions of them which come to mate in the valley between June and September every year.






One was even resting on the postcard stand at the entrance to the valley.
We walked the length of the valley up to the Monastery of Kalopetra which is another landmark to visit as again there are views of the whole valley.

It was also the perfect place to sit and drink some cool water.















It is so beautiful inside too.










So after a welcome rest it was time to head back down through the valley and then "home" to our apartment.



And that night we toasted our wonderful day with another meal under the stars watching the sun set.





I just have a feeling that we may well be heading straight back there next September ;0)


So my card challenge today is inspired by the dawn to dusk sunshine on Rhodes. I used really bright sunny colours and lots of different punches. She is for sale here in my Etsy shop




I have used a Saturated Canary stamp called "Thank You". I hand coloured her with my Promarkers and highlighted with my Prismacolor pencils. The backing papers are from the Prima Jack and Jill collection. Both sentiments are from Lili of the Valley. You can see I had lots of fun with some new punches. I don't own a die cutter...it's a thought I have to ask for one from Father Christmas ;0) You will see I rarely have circular images as I can't cut them. I have to buy all my die cuts on line.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;
Card Crafter's Circle Vintage #42
Whimsy stamp challenge Anything Goes 2nd entry
Sassy Cheryl Photo inspiration #134
Bearly Mine add a sentiment #54
Simon Says Stamp anything goes
The Papershelter anything goes #83
The Squirrel and the Fox Celebrations #27

Another week has passed by and it seems like the torrential rain that hit the country is easing, thank goodness. We have escaped lightly here in the south east but the north has suffered severely. Many poor souls have lost their homes, the weather can be so cruel sometime. On a brighter note though the weekend ahead is looking sunny. This is great news for me as I am holding a little birthday party for my Dad who was 80 years young on Wednesday. I do love a party. I must dash then, food to sort out and time to get the house ready for the family. Enjoy your weekend too everyone and I hope you get a peep of the sun too.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x











35 comments:

  1. Beautiful card...it did take a bit to find it. I loved the pics you posted. Thank you for joining us at THE PAPER SHELTER! Good luck and I hope we see more of your lovely work in our next challenge!

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  2. You have me longing for some Hot sunshine Jane. Your photos are beautiful and I just love those butterflies!!!
    What an amazing ship the QE is !!
    Love the sunshine coloured card too. :)
    Have a wonderful weekend and many, many happy returns to your Dad!!!
    Vivienne x

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  3. Hi Patty Sue...my posts always have my cards at the end and the card usually ties in with the theme, glad you found it!
    Jane x

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  4. Hi Vivienne,
    The weather is looking good for tomorrow, fingers crossed as it would be a real bonus to get outside for my Dad's little family party. It will be great to get together, I just can't believe that he is 80!! Enjoy your weekend too,
    Jane x

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  5. Beautiful photos as always Jane! You missed your calling as a tour guide :) Cute card too!

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  6. Lovely image, beautifully coloured. The punches are also quite nice. Thank you for entering this week's challenge at Card Crafter's Circle.

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  7. Oh my, what a wonderful place! I loved all the antiquity of the side streets and the flowers and.. the QE! I can't imagine the luxury of that big yacht owned by the widow! What a cute card! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  8. I just love taking photos Linda and I love sharing them with you ;0) Rhodes is an awesome island. Have a great weekend,
    Jane x

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  9. Teresa we spent hours just wandering, it was like stepping back in time.That yacht was quite incredible!
    Jane x

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  10. how sweet is this darling card! Love the vibrant colors of fall and your fun design!
    thanks for joining us for the Sassy Cheryl inspiration challenge this week!
    Judy

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  11. What a lovely post, Jane..such gorgeous photos of your restful place away from home. Wow, those are amazing (the Jersey moths). It's wonderful that you and your hubby have found this and get to enjoy those lovely dinners outside to sunsets. Wonderful!! What a lovely card too..you do such beautiful work, Jane! Thank you for your sweet comment today..and for your kind support - it means a lot to me my friend!

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  12. Hi Jane, What beautiful pictures of your trip to Rhodes. I need my Greek husband to take us there one day! I've been meaning to stop by your blog earlier but life has been so hectic since my school year started up again. Thanks for your kind comments. Hope your weather has been less dreary than ours has been today.

    Jane T

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  13. Hi Jane and thank you for a wonderful trip to Rhodos!
    Hapy Birthday to you Dad!
    I'm sorry to hear about the rain. We have still too hot, over +30.
    Happy weekend my friend! x Teje

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  14. Hi Shirley it is like home from home and we just love watching the sun set there. Hope things all work out with your competition..have a restful weekend,
    Jane x

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  15. Jane you must get your husband to take you. .all the Greek Islands are stunning.It's a gorgeous day here just perfect for our family party,
    Jane x

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  16. Hi Teje the weather has come up trumps today....it is a glorious sunny autumn day. Just finishing off all the bits for my Dad's party it will be a wonderful celebration. Enjoy your weekend, keep cool!
    Jane x

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  17. Thank you so much for sharing these images, Jane, all sunny and pretty is definitely needed here as it's been...well..you know! Surprisingly it's not raining as I type, yippee, and sun is out for second too, so I am sending you a lot for your Dad's big day! 80 years young, that's quite something, I wish you a wonderful party together!

    Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend, and many greetings from autumn-y Finland again!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  18. WOW. . . what fabulous photos!!
    And your card is a stunner. Super gorgeous.
    Thanks for playing in the Inspirational challenge this week at Sassy Cheryl's.

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  19. Thanks for visiting Shirley,
    Jane x

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  20. Hi Mia it's a lovely sunny autumn day here, a bit chilly but perfect for a happy family party ;0) Sending you sunny thoughts.
    Jane x

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  21. Thank you Cheryl I'm glad you enjoyed my photos and my card ;0)
    Jane x

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  22. Lovely photos of Rhodes, Jane! (and amazing to see the QE as well!) Happy Birthday to your Dad....I hope you have a wonderful weekend celebrating!
    Helen x

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  23. Hi Jane,

    I'm still getting caught up on old blog posts.( I'm back from my niece's wedding) Thanks for "sharing" more of your visit to Rhodos!
    Three cheers for your Dad's birthday.

    Happiest weekend,
    Anne
    PC22

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  24. A very sweet looking card, with lovely design. Thanks for joining us in our sentiment challenge at the BMC challenges this week.
    Love n hugs
    Marie

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  25. My goodness Jane your photographs are stunning!...I have so enjoyed catching up on your last 2 posts. I do remember reading about Butterfly Valley the last time you visited and it really is so beautiful.
    My hubby has just been looking at Billy in your last post and said just what I have always thought...he looks like the male version of our lovely little stray 'Kitty' who is sadly no longer with us and I still miss her dearly!
    Happy Birthday Wishes to your dad..I hope you all have a wonderful day celebrating,
    Still raining heavily here Jane!
    Susan x

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  26. Hi Helen, we had such a fab tim. My Dad was very touched to be with his family.
    Jane x

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  27. Welcome back Anne, I have missed you here. Enjoy catching up and thanks for your kind wishes,
    Jane x

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  28. Hi Susan, if Kitty was anything like our dear Billy she must have been a sweetie. He really is the sweetest most gentle cat..we love him to bits! We have managed a dry weekend here, hope it cleaup soon for you,
    Jane xx

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  29. Hi Jane,
    What a place Rhodes is. Thank you so much for the pictures, I know I will never have the opportunity to vacation there, but now I have an idea of its lovely appeal. How exciting to see the QE and the other little yachts! Hope you are have a great week
    xoRobin❤

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  30. Glad you enjoyed your virtual visit there Robin,
    Jane x

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  31. Jane your card is absolutely gorgeous, I love Krista's cute image and your colouring is fab hun.
    Your piccy's are beautiful, I couldn't get over all the Tiger Moths.
    Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp
    hugs Mandy xx

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  32. Thanks Mandy for your kind comment about my card. The Butterfly valley is quite spectacular.
    Jane x

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