Droushia/Drouseia Dits: Soggy Sunday...

Apparently according to the internet, on average, Cyprus enjoys 326 days of sunshine a year which leaves just 39 days (or 40 in a leap year) when it might rain. Well let's just say that during those 39/40 days it bloody well makes up for the other 326 that are dry. Apparently the reservoirs are fit to burst, there has been localised flooding (our front garden is a case in point) and everyone is telling us that they have never known a winter like it - boy aren't we lucky? This has been a bit of a baptism of fire but we reckon if we can survive this we can survive anything. The house is standing up remarkably well under the circumstances.

We have had some right old storms in Droushia and we must have brought one with us last night down to Emba because there was torrential rain, strong winds, thunder and lightening all through the night. Welcome to our world Emba!

As we had left the cats home alone for the second time in three days we set off early to get back to Droushia. This is the view of the main road at about 7.30am this morning - it would normally be daylight but today it was grey wet and miserable. In places the roads were quite flooded and rounding one corner the car slightly aquaplaned which was a bit scarey.

On arriving in Droushia we were greeted by SNOW - Philippos in the Bank had been correct - we couldn't believe it - not much admittedly but snow in Cyprus and not just on the Troodos. Talking of which we cant see the Troodos today but we are betting that they are pretty covered - you couldn't get up there except with snow chains last week so lord knows what the situation is now.

I text Nicky to tell her - she said it was unlikely that we would be skiing in the morning and sunbathing in the afternoon and she is bloody well right! John is dodging storms to keep pumping out the swimming pool as we cannot afford for it to overflow.

There is nothing for it today but to batten down the hatches and take a hit on the electricity and gas and be warm and cosy. Poor Mum and Dad are without TV as a massive thunderstorm has knocked out the satellite dish and their internet - fortunately we are ok up here and John has managed to watch Match of the Day and is having a laugh at a film called the Guard whilst I tip tap at the blog.

Mum and Dad eventually got their Christmas post from my sister Kaye yesterday although it was sent early in December - ours is still to arrive. Kaye had sent their cat Missie a little present which was a fish filled with catnip which scared Missie to death so they suggested we might like to give it to our cats to play with. As ours both love toys we had high hopes but the fish got a stiff ignoring whilst the plastic wrapper was an instantaneous hit!

When we were out shopping yesterday we picked up some new throws for the lounge as they were on offer in Paps. At the moment we need to cover the seats from the cats because when they have their mad half hour they are all over the place and their claws would rip the leather to shreds, and they are a nightmare at the moment with the weather because they don't want to go out and get their paws wet.

I really wanted to try and get some fitted covers but they are horrendously expensive - throws are fine but generally they don't stay in place so I decided I would take the time to put some stitches in so that they fit a bit better. Minnie was mesmerised by it all!!

I had to cut off the tassels that were on the corners as they proved just too much of a temptation for Chivers. We were really quite impressed as we had three throws for under €40 - the only trouble is I am not convinced that the cushion covers go with them.

I am guessing that this will be our Sunday until it is time for bed as not one of us fancies going outside - not least Minnie Mou and Chivers who are snuggled in bed - well Minnie is in bed - Chivers must be feeling the heat as he is stretched out onto the carpet - and this is in front of an electric heater - what on earth are they going to make of the wood burner?