John's New Best Friend...

I was a bit of a muppet last night and didnt shut the shutters properly so that the sun came in and slapped us round the face at about 6.00am!!  We didnt actually get up then but we were up early ready to tackle a million and one jobs on our 'to-do' list. 

It has been exceptionally hot up here today for September with a clear clear blue sky and very little breeze.  I was detailed off to paint today so I painted the two concrete umbrella stands and the concrete plinth that the barbeque sits on as well as staining the new doors for the storage space under the barbeque.

John was pool cleaning and had disappeared off next door to take a look at their pool when we had a phonecall from the man in Paphos who was making our ladder so that we can get up onto the terrace easier.

John shot off down to the village on the bike to guide the man up to our house and the man arrived bearing a gift for me - a home grown melon which he told me would be ready at Christmas!!  A tad random but that is what we have come to expect from living here!  John says that this man is what Cyprus is all about - he works out of a really old building in the centre of Paphos crafting metal objects with no regard for health and safety!!

John thinks his name is Andreas but as neither of us can remember we could be wrong.  What a fab man - he made the ladder from the drawing that Dad had made from our measurements and it fitted like a dream.  Once 'Andreas' was satisfied with his handywork then John offered him a beer which he accepted even though it was only 10.00 - to my mind that is the rocky road to ruin but who am I to comment having slugged back a tumbler full of neat brandy last night!! Anyway the two of them sat down and chatted (in their own way) for about an hour and John has been told he has to call in for coffee in the workshop when he is next in Paphos!  We are going to draw up some plans for some railings around the terrace and ask Andreas to give us a price for those - if the cost of the ladder is anything to go by then the railings should be quite reasonable and will finish off the terrace so that we can use it with no fear of anyone falling off.

Builder Tim arrived at 12.00 as we had recommended him to George next door.  We had forgotten that he hadnt seen the house since early May when he and his helper were up here insulating the lounge ceiling.  He was well impressed with what we have managed to achieve and we are hopeful that he and Heather will come up one day for a meal.

We have done so much today it felt really constructive even though it was so hot - a dip in the pool to cool off was well in order and at a comfortable 82 degrees was so refreshing.  Have done my good neighbour deed and been round to Ollie and Trish's to check the house, water the plants and John thought a tablet in the swimming pool would help to keep the water fresh. 

More to do tomorrow before we head down to Paphos for a crazy golf competition - what an action packed social life we have!!!

Just to let you know the next lot of visitors have arrived Aunty Joyce and Uncle David who are staying with Mum and Dad - Uncle David also shares the same birthday as Dad and John - how strange is that???