Day 109...

Well what a busy couple of days it has been...

Yesterday we were calling into the Athena Beach Hotel to pick up Barry, Lyn and Joseph to take them up into Paphos for lunch - we had decided to go to Scorpio's Taverna which is by the market and has commanding views over to the sea and has been there for years - you are always guaranteed a warm welcome there and the food is reasonably good - it has a nice vibe there and you can always go for a mooch around the market afterwards (which we did).  It was good to see the Robson family again although it has only been about 10 weeks since we saw them at the Imperial Beach.  We had a good old catch-up over lunch and have arranged to see them again on Monday when we plan to go to the Last Castle for lunch and then go on up to Lara to see if we can see the Turtles as they are being released back to the sea.

Joseph is a real cat lover so he was fascinated by the woman who feeds all the cats near the sunken car-park.  She was telling us that she has hundreds that she looks after and so Joseph gave her €2 so that she could buy some more food for them all.  Unfortunately cats can be a real problem here in Cyprus and they dont always get a good life so it is good that some people like this lady and Irene in Droushia take it upon themselves to look after them.

Talking of cats Mum and Dad's cat Missy (Ugly Betty) is still around and has taken to finding a cool patch on the step which is right on the turn of the stairs.  She has now become the biggest trip hazard and I can see either Mum or Dad coming a cropper down the stairs because she refuses to move.

I guess you are all waiting to hear how the mighty Spiro's Neighbours got on last night...

...Well after a fantastic start - we won the first round and the third round (two bottles of wine or drain cleaner as Ray calls it) things went steadily downhill.  In fact there was one round where we just didnt have a clue and struggled to get 5 points.  In the end I think we came in about third or fourth.  Still a fun night though!

This morning sadly I took Mum and Dad to the funeral of their friend Thelma.  Thelma was a real one-off, such a lady, she and husband Frank spent many years in Kenya - right up until the end Thelma would insist on being a wonderful hostess.  Her grandchildren described her as 'Cool' and she was - a cut glass accent and a wicked sense of humour.  I know she will be sadly missed - as will her legendary victoria sponges that were always skyscraper high.

We called into Kissos nursery on the way back to Droushia to buy Alkisti a plant to thank her for her help in organising the ambulance for Ollie on Wednesday.  He is now back home having had his dislocated shoulder put back.

Alkisti's taverna is filled with pots so we know she loves flowers.  We chose a hanging basket with fuschia pink and white petunias and called in to drop it off - she was so pleased with it and at least now we know that there is always someone in the village we can call on in an emergency.

On returning to 10b we noticed that our neighbours George and Pam have arrived from London.  They are here for five and a half weeks.  They called round for a drink to catch up on all the news.  We shall no doubt see more of them and their family whilst they are here.

Saber the Egyptian who was clearing gardens up the road pitched up this afternoon to help John put the barbeque together which was fantastic as John so wanted to get it up before we go to England.  It just needs painting now and the inside tiling and it is all systems go - cant wait until we can try it out.

Quick 'shit shave and shower' and we headed off down to Latchi to catch up with Simon, Lou and the kids.  They had been off on a boat again this afternoon.  We decided to take them to Mosfilos for a meal but werent sure if it was open at night as we have only ever been for lunch.  Fortunately it was open although we were the only one's in there and that is because we eat so bloody early - all the locals came in from 9.00pm onwards and by then the place was heaving.  Everyone agreed it was a good meal - finished off with complimentary ouzo's.

I had read that there was free entertainment down in the square so we went down to Polis square to check it out.  Polis square was packed and had a lovely atmosphere - reminds us of all the things we love about where we live.

The Poole family are visiting our house on Sunday before they go to the airport and back to old Blightey - I dont think it will be too long before we see them again though.