BLOODY FREEZING...

Well if we thought yesterday was bad enough we were WRONG today has been even colder...

This morning outside it reached the dizzy heights of just over two degrees and now at 3.15pm it has dropped still further and is just over one degree with a bloody great wind chill factor.

The workmen can't come again today because it is too windy to safely handle large pieces of glass so we still have the gap between the buildings which is acting like a wind tunnel - the way the wind takes you off your feet we could be selling tickets so that people can experience zero gravity.  This is not what we signed up for - where does the retirement brochure mention frost bite?  Someone needs to tell prospective purchasers at the Med-Life centre across the road from us that they could be taking part in a cryogenics experiment rather than luxuriating in their dotage!

It being Wednesday it is my craft day and as Jeanette is still away I am lucky enough to be getting my art lessons Chez Knipps and their very welcome central heating.  I can't believe I walked there last week enjoying some very nice sunshine.  Today John kindly dropped me off.

Today I completed my apple picture as Sheila had ensured that my muse was still in one piece!!  Its not too bad as a first attempt but I am going to have to go some to get anywhere near the quality that Sheila produces.

Sheila has asked me to help her use the internet to give her somewhere to display her work.  I am not that proficient at web design so I am suggesting a blog because once we have it set up it will be easy to update and keep current.  We aren't crafting next week as it is the Droushia Ladies lunch which is being held at Yiannis in Kathikas but the following week we can make a start on Sheila's blog - this will give her a couple of weeks to think about what information she would like to present.

I nearly shed a little tear at lunch today when Klaus produced some absolutely beautiful schnitzel and I was transported back to my childhood and the lunches produced by Aunty Margaret when we used to stay with her and Uncle Gordon in Frensham.  Weiner schnitzel and Austrian potato salad followed by pancakes filled with John West tinned black cherries and jaffa cakes later if we were lucky.  Schnitzel cooked in full fat butter and she wondered why she could never lose weight - god bless her - Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh Tante Margaretha.

Anyway I digress, Klaus is a fantastic cook and also a bit of a romantic at heart it would seem as Sheila had this beautiful orchid for Valentine's Day.  At this point I need the expertise of my lovely friend Joani to tell me exactly what sort it is.  Joani has been a real help this week as she has been able to give advice to my neighbour Marian about dealing with the effects of wheat intolerance.  


Although I am no longer a member of a Soroptimist Club (although I know they are trying to form one in the Paphos area) I reckon that once a Soroptimist always a Soroptimist and I recognise the benefits of a strong 'sisterhood' for sharing advice, experiences and expertise.  They say that women are the backbone of a strong society and I guess men wouldn't argue with that!

The weather deteriorated as the morning went on to the point where we were treated to some pretty full on flurries of SNOW - real snow - and so when John picked me up and brought me back to 10b we had little drifts up against the front gate and in and around the garden.  The wind chill is dreadful and this must be one of the most miserable days weatherwise we have had here.  

Mum has phoned to say that they don't have all their electricity and they are due out at friends tonight and cannot get a shower.  Our friends Sharon and Sean are leaving today - they have had a right old mixed bag of weather and I expect they will find it warmer back in the UK.  Let's hope that when they return in April it will be a whole new world here with settled hot weather.

My final picture for today is one of Chivers experiencing his first snowball.  Let's hope that it is also his last!!   He gave it a good old sniff and a bat around but remained unimpressed and shot back indoors to snuggle up on his self heating bed.  Minnie Mou is bang in front of the wood burner as close as she can make it.  I will have to turn and baste her shortly!  Roast cat anyone?