We have been adopted

Today we were becoming ambassadors for Cyprus and in particular our little corner of the island as we were meeting up with John's Mum and Stepdad's best friends Stan and Jackie who are over for a week with family.  Staying at the Helios Bay Hotel Apartments with family, as they have done previously, family like to lounge around the pool and sunbathe, Stan and Jackie like to explore so today we were their tour guides.  Pick-up was at 10.00am sharp for a whirlwind tour.

Our opening gambit was morning coffee at Baracas Lounge Bar which is walking distance from where they are staying - we had thought about Green Hills but it didn't look open as we drove past.  I don't think I have met Jackie before although Stan looked familiar and they were easy company - happy to go anywhere we suggested.

Baracas was a good choice as they plan to walk there again whilst they are here.  It is a little more expensive than some places but our morning drinks came with lovely little crispy croissants and a view to die for.  It was clear it was going to be a hot day - it was scorching at 10.00am - at least it would be a little cooler up our neck of the woods.

After breakfast we stopped at ours for a look around and a sit down.  Charlie could be found asleep hugging my solanum!!!  We were unprepared for Stan's reaction to our home - he just LOVED it and kept on saying that if he won the lottery he would make us an offer we couldn't refuse.  That is so satisfying when you have put blood, sweat and tears into the last almost 6 years turning a holiday home into a quirky home.

Next stop was Latchi and a walk from La Plage along to the Marina which suited Stan as he loves boats.  They were really taken by Latchi - they couldn't get over how peaceful it was and loved the sea walk and the marina area.  They had told us that the six of them had been out for a very nice Steak in Coral Bay last night but their bill worked out at around €50 per person so they were gobsmacked to have lunch on the marina with a drink and for the bill to be less for the four of us than they paid each last night!

We had chosen to eat in Molos because we know that the food is good and very reasonably priced particularly if you chose from the specials board.  They loved it - nice freshly prepared baguettes and wraps were the order of the day and we had a very pleasant couple of hours on the harbour-side.

We slowly walked back along the path to La Plage stopping for a photograph opportunity at the old boat which is now looking very shabby indeed but has become a landmark in its own right.

There were a few people in the sea swimming and a few people catching rays on the sunbeds but actually it is very quiet now - just how we like it!!!  The weather for October has been fantastic and I felt somewhat overdressed in the linen frock I had chosen to wear!

Next stop was the Hotel and a drink on the terrace and an opportunity for them to take in the view.

They were well impressed by the hotel, in fact they were impressed by the whole day so far and there was still more to come.  We had an hour or so sat in our garden just chatting away before we went to our final destination.

We decided to catch the sunset from the terrace of the Vasilikon Winery but chose an evening when there seemed to be a lot of dust in the atmosphere so the sunset was not as spectacular as it could have been.

It didn't really matter because it was a lovely evening sat drinking a little wine and eating meats and cheeses from the sharing platter and it didn't even feel cool once the sun had gone although I had been prepared and put a couple of throws in my handbag!

We delivered them back safe and sound to their apartment and made our way back home with John suddenly developing a head cold, sneezing like a good 'un and with a hanky pressed to his nose - he couldn't wait to get into bed so I knew he was feeling poorly.