Day 83...

I have just been looking at photographs of Catherine and Steven Wilson taken at last night's Summer Ball both scrubbed up nicely and Catherine looking very elegant and I was remembering a time when I used to wear something other than flip-flops and shorts!!  In fact I am panicking that I wont get the new shoes on that I have bought for Ellie's wedding at the end of August - who in their right mind buys brand-new court shoes without breaking them in???

Anyway back to today and we have our Cypriot neighbours coming round for a drink this evening which will be challenging!!

Our first job of today was to finish the shower screen and to prove that it now affords privacy you can see just my feet and the very top of my head!! 

I think John has made an excellent job of this and apart from a catch to stop the wind making it bang when it is folded back and not in use it is finished and ready to go.

We decided that we would do some exploring today on the bike and John was keen to go to a taverna he had seen advertised in the local PALS magazine at Miliou called O Pangratios. 

We took the road out of the village and headed to Kritou Terra and across country - we never saw another car until we got to the main Stroumbi/Polis Road but we did see a Black Snake which was crossing the road and we were tootling along by the side of it before we realised that is was a snake and not just a black mark on the road.  It must have been 5-6ft long!!!  Black Snakes are fine (apparently!!) but even so this one was a little too close for comfort.

Turning off the main road and heading for Miliou takes us past the new and very exclusive Ayii Anargyri spa and resort.  It is all but hidden from the road but the little bit that we could see looked absolutely fabulous - who knows perhaps if we win the lottery we might get to see inside (not likely as we dont do the lottery!!!).  Anyway if you want to know more check out the website http://www.ayiianargyrisparesort.com/

We made our way up the snaking road (bit of a pun - do you like that???) to the top and the village of Miliou and found the taverna which was all laid up for Sunday lunch and inside was all hustle and bustle.

It was a really really lovely place which we are determined to go back to for a meal one evening.  I was peering through the window because I could see that there was some sort of football match on and the 'landlord' came out to tell us that it was Chelsea playing some Far East team.  He introduced himself as Neofytos and told us that his day job was Marine Police at Latchi - not busy but has the best veranda in Cyprus!!! His wife came out - she is called Katarina and she explained that they had taken on the Taverna around Christmas time - her day job was working for her father George who made double glazing in Paphos - in fact the same George who made our double glazing and it transpires that she had been up to our house in Droushia to measure-up so knew exactly where we lived. 

They were the most welcoming couple who have two young boys Charalambous (Harry) and George and they all currently live in Kissonerga but are hoping to rent out their house so that they can move and be closer to the business.  Two beers cost us €5.00 which is the going rate - John and I are going to keep a journal of tavernas, their hospitality and the cost of two beers so that when we have visitors we will know where is good and where is not!!!

We slowly made our way back via Kato Akourdalia where we came upon the Amarakos Farmhouse.  Ever on the look-out for places for people to stay if they cant face staying with us we called in and had a drink - it was a lovely courtyarded building that had letting rooms and a villa with pool for rent.  We would have recommended it for location and ambiance but having checked it out on the web see that cost per room per night is quite high or at least we think it is €92 per night for a double room B&B - sounds a lot to us but then perhaps we are out of touch??

Just taking five minutes to finish this before getting ready for our guests and we have just had a lovely phone call from Laura and Mark - it was good to hear from them and they both sound chipper - let's hope that they are able to come out and see us - there are so many places we would like to take them and experiences we would like to share.

May not have time to do the blog tomorrow as I am going across to Ayia Napa with Nicky who is photographing a wedding.  I am going along for the ride and to see a part of the island I have never seen before.  It is going to be a long day and I think it is unlikely I will be back very early so may stay over at Mum and Dad's.

You never know John might feel inclined to do a day's Blog for me!!