Laura's Holiday - Day One...

Amongst the many things which Laura brought with her she seemed to bring cloud - "Laura's Cloud" John has named it and it took a bit of a time to burn off this morning but burn off it did and when it did we had another glorious day.  This prompted me to show my legs and get out the flip-flops - it looks like I have been sunbathing with slippers on as my toes are very white for some reason!  Still how nice to give my bunions an airing - God must have been having a right old laugh when he created feet because they are pretty weird things aren't they?  I don't know if anyone else moving over here suffers with dry and flaky nails when they first come?  John and I both certainly have so my feet are in pretty bad shape and now that the weather is improving I really must give them some TLC.

We had a loungey old morning - Laura catching up on her sleep after a week of nights and then her flight plus the clocks going forward for good measure.  We had breakfast sat outside watching the world go by - all quiet on the western front as today is Independence Day here in Cyprus.

As we waited for the solar panels to do their stuff we relaxed in the conservatory - the cats just LURVE LURVE LURVE the space and were playing their most favourite game of poke your paw through a gap and see if your buddy tries to catch it - this can provide hours of endless fun and we never tire of watching their pointless antics - can't imagine our home without them now - bless x

John spent ages yesterday cleaning the pool and made a fantastic job of it.  It looks so inviting but is only in the mid 50s which is way, way too cold for me or anyone else in their right mind for that matter!

We have started to put the cover on overnight to try and retain any temperature increase from the sun but I am guessing it is going to be quite a while before we are using it on a regular basis - I will let John try it out first but I know that he will say "it's lovely when you get in" whilst keeping his fingers very firmly crossed - he is such a joker - ask Marian about the biscuits!!

Amongst the things which Laura produced from her case was some cheese with mango and ginger.  I had to rack my brains as to who had mentioned they liked it and then I realised it was Mel (of Simon and Mel fame) so I had contacted them and we had arranged to call in this morning for coffee.  

This is Laura sat in their courtyard with the two dogs enjoying the sunshine.  We enjoyed a lovely hour or so sat outside and discovered that Mel and Simon had got married at the Grange in Oborne which is just outside Yeovil and is where our friends Chris and Katie had their wedding reception.  I know I keep saying it but, bloody hell, it is a small world isn't it?  Simon comes from a small village in Cornwall called Gorran Haven and went to the same school as my dad albeit about fifty-odd years later, he and Mel live behind Mum and Dad in Emba during the week and up here at weekends and Simon has played in a band with our friends Keith and Hils!

We left Mel and Simon and decided to go for a walk - Vix will recognise this as it is almost the same walk we did with her but we cut this one a bit short leaving out the loop that takes you to the lookout post near Pittikoppos.

What a beautiful day and tonight Laura looks like she has been here for weeks as she really caught the sun today!  John was desperate to see an orchid and although we saw plenty of lovely wild flowers the terrain here isn't suitable for orchids although he kept spotting some old weed or another and declaring it an orchid!!

Walking back through the village it is good to see what grows and what does not, it is clear that both grape hyacinths and anemones survive up here so next time I am near a garden centre I will invest in the same as those blues are just fantastic.

The village was buzzing - probably because it was this national holiday for Independence Day (apparently there are a number of streets all over Cyprus called March 25th Street) - lots of the kids were out playing football and at one point John joined in - his heading skills have not deserted him even now!

It was lovely to see that Christos' taverna was open although I think it was probably mainly for family and friends but we went in for the first time in months to have a well-earned drink after our very warm walk.  

Alkisti was pleased to see us and even gave me some cuttings from her hydrangea plants - she did tell me the Greek name but I am blessed if I can remember it!  I am pleased that the cutting I had of her deep deep purple geranium is one of the few things that managed to survive the horrendous winter.

On returning home we chilled and Laura was brave enough to put her feet in the pool!  It has been a lovely day and we are trying to plan how to spend the rest of the week.

We are now watching crappy Sunday night TV and I am catching up on the blog.  I have to thank John for most of today's photographs as he was the person behind the lens for most of today.

I have had a bit of a nightmare as my microwave exploded today and now the convection part seems to work but not the microwave.  I shall have to get it sorted as I can't live without it.