Lin and Richard, like so many people, dreamed of a life in the sun, away from the pace and problems of their stressed lives as teachers.
Summer holidays in Europe were always over too quickly, and they began to feel the attraction of life in Greece.
After an 'accidental' holiday on the small Greek island of Nisyros, albeit having been badly organised by a tour company which promptly went out of business, the spell was well and truly cast.
After several more visits to the island during the holidays, ill-health caused a change in their circumstances in England. Whilst enjoying the freedom to walk, read and generally slowdown, they felt that now was the opportunity to seek their dream.
Packing an elderly Landrover, Richard and Garry, the son of a friend, drove to Nisyros, whilst Lin and their daughter Sue, took the more obvious route and flew.
Speaking only limited Greek on an island where so few of the inhabitants spoke little or no English, created both frustration and hilarity
Sue and her friend Amy stayed for a part of the summer, their presence causing a significant stir amongst the people of the small mountain village of Nikia where Lin, Richard and Garry had made their home.
From killing the pig to burying the donkey; from cleaning rooms to repairing doors; from washing in well-water inhabited by several species of aquatic life, to dancing at the festivals, their life was filled with a variety and richness of experiences which have to be read to be believed.
This year was the beginning of the realisation of their dream.