It's just another day for you and me in Paradise...

We were out for lunch today - a thankyou from Mum and Dad for the things that we do for them - we don't expect it because that is what we are here for but it is nice to be appreciated all the same.  So we traveled down to Emba mid-morning to start our 'game' then we would be off for lunch and then back to see who was winning-most and who was Charlie!!  The roads were quiet - the tourist areas and the Mall are open as usual but everywhere else is closed and I kind of like the fact the Sunday, in general, remains a day of rest.

This is the Fredster, Mum and Dad's cat of unknown age or origin, but who adopted them and fell on his feet.  This time last year he was a shadow of his current self having been beaten up not once but twice by a neighbouring feral who didn't like him.  He spent a lot of time before during and after Christmas recovering from his wounds and had since become a house-cat.  He may sometimes enjoy the novelty of the great outdoors but he has only escaped a couple of times and then returned.  He is normally to be found very firmly attached to Dad's lap and Mum said he pined like nobodies business yesterday when Dad went walking in Arodes and left him home.

We were dining at the Paradise in Chloraka today - I don't know that John and I have been there before but Mum and Dad used to frequent it years and years ago.  They had been recently for lunch and enjoyed it so Mum had decided (as it was her turn this week) that we should all go en masse for lunch.

We were a little concerned when we arrived that it said CLOSED - it was only because we had arrived just before 12.30 in readiness for 1.00pm and as we walked towards the steps the woman came out and greeted us - panic over!!!

We were the first there but then that comes as no surprise as we are always early!!!  We had a table by the window right next to radiators - we swapped with Mum and Dad because John rarely feels the cold and neither do I depending on circumstances!!!  It was also furthest away from the entertainer which makes conversation easier.

We were entertained by a guy called Joe Mac - John and I agreed that his music would be right up John's mum's street as it was easy listening with a bit of country and western thrown in.

We joked with Mum and Dad that John and I probably reduced the average age of the clientele by about 20 years but we didn't care - this was about family time and it is good to see Mum and Dad still wanting to go out and enjoy themselves.

We knew a couple of the other diners as Carol from pickleball was there with her sister and a guy which I guess must be her sister's husband or partner or maybe just a friend.



We didn't pay the bill so I cannot tell you exactly how much it cost but the price of the set Sunday Lunch (1, 2 or 3 courses) was very reasonable and if you are planning on going one word of warning you need to pre-book if you want chicken - not sure why but rules is rules!!

The photos above show you the starters we chose, John had a nice fresh salad with tomatoes and feta and I had a selection of fishy dippy thingies!

Mum, John and I had pork for our main course and Dad had beef - the mains came with a big old plate of roasties, yorkies, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower.  Too much to eat in two courses to have a sweet!!!

We returned to Emba to finish our game before a very quiet and uneventful trip back to Droushia.  It had been a lovely day all round and we had enjoyed it and we would be back home in time to unwind and spend some time with our four felines before retiring to bed.

We were greeted by Mrs Minniver on our return - she was clearly hungry as she couldn't wait for us to get in and get the door opened.  The other three were all sat waiting glad to have us back home.

It had been a lovely long weekend - good weather and a chance to get a few jobs done, to socialise and to spend time all together.  I haven't said it for a while but I will say it now - ain't we lucky?  yes I think we are - exceptionally so!