Day 7&8 FREE PALESTINE.

Hello my lovelies,

Another double blog today, as I’m still finding it so healing to spend time alone and balance activity with rest and contemplation.

Saturday

After a late night on Friday, I was delighted to wake up at 10.30 am—another glorious 8.5 hours of sleep. I’m sleeping like a baby here and feeling all the benefits.

I’d already decided Saturday would be a day for myself, and I stayed in my pyjamas at the house. Normally, if I do that at home, there’s a nagging voice telling me I’m wasting a day or that I “should” be more productive. But here? I don’t care one bit. I gave myself permission to do nothing more than some gentle yoga and reading on the terrace. No writing, no overthinking—just being. And I loved every minute of it.

I’m really starting to tune into myself and listen beyond the constant mental chatter—it’s powerful stuff. Being here is also forcing me to face my fears in many ways: the fear of silence, the fear of crowded places (the festival has begun and Scala is packed with lesbians from all over the world), and, of course, my lifelong fear of fast drivers, tiny cars, and winding mountain roads.

The taxi drivers here—elderly or not—drive like Lewis Hamilton. My last driver, who looked about ninety, was doing 75kph in a 30 zone! Most people barrel along the middle of the road and just drift aside if something’s coming the other way. I’ve also braved mountain roads in a small car covered in paw prints, and I look forward to more adventures with Anja in the coming weeks.

Saturday was also my late, beloved friend Pete’s birthday. I spent some time thinking about him, and talking to him. Whenever I think of Pete, I’m reminded that we never really know when a goodbye is the last one.

The last time I saw him, he was walking up Lord Street with his then-partner who was not my biggest fan. I sensed straight away, knowing him as I did, that she wouldn’t want him to stop and chat. I could see the panic behind his Ray-Bans. So we both pretended not to see each other and walked on. At the time, I thought, “No worries—we’ve gone months, even years, without contact before, and we always find our way back.” Pete was one of those friends where no matter the gap, when we reconnected, it was as though no time had passed.

But I didn’t know that would be the last time I’d ever see him. If I had, I wouldn’t have cared about what anyone else thought. I would have thrown my arms around him and told him everything I never got to say: how unique, clever, funny, talented, and beautiful he was. How he always made me feel safe, was the funniest person I ever knew, how he accepted me exactly as I am. How much I loved him. But I walked on by.

I never saw him again, just months later, he was gone.

Rest in Power Dear Friend

So please, my loves—take every chance you get to tell the people you care about how much they mean to you. Don’t assume there’ll always be time. There won’t.

The day stayed quiet until about 4, when Anja popped over on a moped with four cans in her backpack (I love this image of her). She’s lived here for years but is still so quintessentially German—though honestly, I think she’d fit right in in Fleetwood too.

Later, I headed down to Scala to lend support at Stacey’s bar, in case the neighbouring homophobe decided to stir up trouble again. Thankfully, none came. The place was full of English and Greek friends standing in solidarity, and I had a lovely evening listening to live Greek music before heading home.

Sunday

The morning was the usual—yoga, coffee, terrace time. Around 1, Anja came by and we went into Eressos to meet Gwen, who’d just flown in from England. She’ll be sharing the house and helping me run workshops over the next couple of weeks.

After Gwen settled in, we went down to Scala—she to catch up with friends, and me to join the Palestine solidarity march.

Just because I’m on holiday doesn’t mean I’ll turn a blind eye to injustice. Gaza is enduring unimaginable suffering right now—famine, displacement, relentless violence. Over 70,000 Palestinians have been forced to flee in the past week alone, cramming into already overcrowded camps with dire shortages of food, water, and shelter. I saw a video recently of a father picking through rubble, trying to gather enough of his children’s remains to bury. Please just sit with that for a moment.

I make no apologies for including this in my blog. We can’t close our eyes. I’ll add some links at the end if you want to donate or get involved.

Please watch. There is English translation. Whilst you are watching in your comfy home. Humans just like you are fleeing a Genocide

The march was moving—people of all ages and nationalities walking together, chanting in solidarity. Local businesses and tourists alike clapped us along. A powerful speech (with English translation) kicked it off, and the energy stayed strong throughout.

Afterwards, I met up with Gwen and we returned to the house for a simple, beautiful evening—finishing the fasulakia on the terrace under the full moon and lunar eclipse. The Pisces energy felt both powerful and gentle, all about releasing emotional baggage. After a week here, I truly feel lighter, calmer, more grounded.

Today though, I’m leaning into being a proper holidaymaker—let’s see how that goes.

As always, thank you for reading.

Much love and bright blessings,

Bex xx

Here are some trusted UK-based organisations where you can thoughtfully support humanitarian and peace-building efforts for Palestinians.

Islamic Relief UK – Palestine Emergency Appeal

A long-standing charity delivering vital humanitarian aid—over £46 million in assistance and 71 million hot meals since October 2023. They provide healthcare, clean water, and emergency relief in Gaza and the West Bank.

Islamic Relief UK

Islamic Relief Worldwide

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)

A UK-based NGO delivering immediate and long-term medical support. In 2024, MAP reached nearly one million Palestinians with essential healthcare.

MAP

British Red Cross – Gaza Crisis Appeal

Supporting the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the ICRC, this appeal funds food, water, medical services, and sanitation efforts in Gaza.

British Red Cross

UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency)

Delivers education, health, and emergency cash assistance to Palestine Refugees across Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Donations can be tailored to support specific needs like school meals or psychosocial aid.

UNRWA

Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) – Middle East Humanitarian Appeal

A coalition of major UK aid organisations providing food, shelter, and medical aid across Gaza and neighbouring regions.

dec.org.uk

UNICEF UK – Children in Gaza Crisis Appeal

Every £10 monthly donation delivers a week's worth of therapeutic food for malnourished children in Gaza.

UNICEF UK

Oxfam GB – Gaza Crisis Appeal & Campaigns

Offers a direct donation route and enables advocacy actions such as signing petitions for a permanent ceasefire, urging the UK to end arms sales to Israel, and supporting fair-trade Palestinian farmers.

Oxfam GB

Welfare Association (Palestinian Welfare Association UK)

A UK-based charity providing emergency relief and sustaining development projects; they accept Zakat donations, which are eligible for Gift Aid.

Welfare Association

Children of Peace

A non-partisan UK charity promoting peace and reconciliation through arts, education, healthcare, and sports for children across Gaza, Israel, and beyond. Over 125,000 children served since 2004.