Atsitsa Bay - The Place by Kate Shore

In a place where the waves sway soothingly against the rocks,
Where the silky rhythm tunes into your heart,
Where the calm is inhaled from within,
There is no anguish
There is no sorrow.

In a place where the sun reaches into our soul,
Where the light shines through our hearts,
There is no darkness
There is no hollow.

At dawn, the wind breathes into our bodies,
Exhaling any insecurities,
Cleansing our souls from deep within.
At dusk it settles our hearts,
Renews our strength,
And gently eases our sorrow.

In a place where the past is history,
Where the future beckons us on and moves us with force,
Where nature is at ease with itself,
Shining on as an example,
Leading the way to move on.

In a place where my wound is healing,
Where my judgements and decisions are clear,
Where no past can haunt the future,
But the unexpected shows us no fear.

Atsitsa Bay – the healer and the journey,
Beckoning us and believing in us to encompass what lies ahead.
The gate,
The path,
And the way.

Kate Shore
Written 29/09/10, Skyros Island, Greece

Kate visited Atsitsa Bay for a holiday in late September this year where she had the opportunity to choose from a wide range of activities including personal development, windsurfing, painting, singing, dance, sailing and yoga. For more details about Atsitsa Bay or any other Skyros holiday visit www.skyros.com.

My Skyros Centre Adventure by Sara Withers

I went to the Skyros Centre on Skyros island in Greece to facilitate some jewellery making for the Music and Arts part of the programme. I didn't really know what to expect, but had decided it was time for a little adventure. My husband came with me and we were both in need of a holiday as well as a change, and normally we would have gone to Greece to collapse at this time of year!

What an adventure it was - we were both captivated by how Skyros works. We arrived mid session and were so impressed by how supportive and welcoming everyone was. We met so many interesting people from many different countries. There is a real feeling of the community working together to create a space where participants can rethink their lives, learn a new skill or relax in a proactive way.

There is lots to do, a great yoga class first thing, classes in the morning and early evening and some evening activities. But there's always time for the beach, a walk or just time on your own as well. And wonderful healthy food. The jewellery making was a pleasure, it was great to be working with such interested and interesting people and the beach had just the right sort of stones to make into pendants!

Our second week was Arthur Smith's comedy writing course. I don't think I have heard so much laughter for years, again a positive, caring group was quickly formed from the participants.

How does it happen so fast at Skyros?

Sara Withers

Sara came to the Skyros Centre in September with her husband Nick to teach jewellery making as part of the Music and Arts programme at the Centre. For more information about the Skyros Centre or any of the other holistic holidays offered by Skyros Holidays visit the Skyros website or call 01983 865566.