A British holidaymaker who disappeared from her sunlounger on a Greek beach while her husband was napping is “accustomed to cold water swimming,” according to her neighbours today.
Michele Ann Joy Bourda, 59, is also known for spending entire days wandering and exploring the countryside, her acquaintances revealed. They provided insights into her character and lifestyle, offering hope as the search for Michele enters its fourth day.
Michele, now retired, had been enjoying a swim at Ofrynio beach in the city of Kavala, Greece, around midday on Friday before she went missing.
The targeted land and sea search for her has now been called off, says the central port authority in Kavala, but Michele’s neighbours remain hopeful. One stated: “She always dresses in walking gear with a fleece and boots or a cagoule. She is really into the outdoors.”
This follows the news of a Brit who disappeared in Paris being found safe after two weeks, reports The Mirror.
A summer sports instructor reported seeing someone fitting Michele’s description swimming near the beach on Friday. He said the woman didn’t seem to be struggling in the water.
Michele, whose belongings were left on her sun lounger after her disappearance, was described as very adventurous and active today. Her Glasgow neighbours said she enjoys hiking and cold water swimming.
One neighbour told Mail Online: “They’ve got bikes, and are quite active. They like to go walking, they like to go wild swimming.
“They would go, and they would often be away for the whole day in the summer, and then if we saw them coming in and out and they would say, ‘oh, we’ve been somewhere up north and we were swimming’. And I would see her sometimes sit and reading in the garden.”
The friends noted that Michele and her husband Christos are frequently seen embarking on walks with backpacks or preparing for another day trip into the wilderness.
Another neighbour added: “They’ve couple are very private and keep themselves to themselves. She is very quiet and timid and he is a bit more commanding. They moved to Glasgow about six years ago because their son is studying here.”
“They are retired and tend to go everywhere together even though they have two cars. They are quite guarded and private but I’m very shocked that she has gone missing.”
Christos, who hails from Greece, had been asleep and woke to find Michele had disappeared from the beach. He reportedly enquired with the proprietors of a nearby shop if they had seen his wife, but his search proved fruitless on Friday.