Mothers Day 2012...

Little Minnie Minnie Mou has changed so much since her operation.  She is still a fiesty little madam at times but has become very much more loving - she particularly loves John but then he does spend more time with her and he is the one that dispenses the treats (her affection is easily bought!). 

Last night she took it upon herself to spend the night on our bed and snuggled very firmly down squashed between John and I purring away as I tickled her tummy which she loves.  She did not look to move until about 6.30 this morning when her bladder was obviously talking to her!  There were times in the night when I thought John might turn over and squash her so I kept my arms round her to make sure she was safe.  I am now, apparently her new BFF (best friend forever) and it being Mother's Day she brought me a little treat by way of a thank-you...

...I doubt there are many of you who received a tail-less freshly slaughtered skink as your Mother's Day present!  John had to remove it from her mouth and even though I surreptitiously chucked it away we found it brought back into the house when we returned from going out with Mum and Dad for lunch.  It has now been very firmly lobbed as far as I can throw it over into the field.  If that one doesn't get brought back then we can be certain that we will get plenty of others in the future.

As I said today was Mother's Day and my sister Kaye and I were paying for Mum to go to Lunch.  She had decided that she wanted to go to the Blue Olive down at Coral Bay not least because it is run by her next door neighbour Keith and she wanted to support him on the first Sunday he opened for Sunday Lunch.

Although we were treating Mum to her lunch we didn't feel we could pitch up empty handed so we drove down to Emba via Kissonerga and Kissos nursery.  It was the most beautiful drive down today as, for the second day in row, we had wall to wall sunshine.  

After great deliberation we decided on a very pretty cyclamen.  This should live quite happily in their garden and would be 'more better' in the shade!!  The girl at Kissos wrapped it up beautifully and explained that today was not Cypriot Mother's day - that is apparently some time in May.  I think Mum was pleased with it - it's hard though - what do you buy someone who really wants for nothing?  except the winning lottery numbers but then don't we all??? and that is a joke because we can't do the UK lottery living over here!

I was a good girl and made Mum her card and we sat outside with a coffee enjoying the sunshine before setting off to the restaurant.  

I have inherited many things from Mum not least the Coate ample bosom as demonstrated in this photograph!  I tend not to sit outside street cafes just in case someone uses me to park their bike!  I have never understood why the likes of Jordan have had enhancements which take them up to some horrendous size - madness!

Anyway enough of that - as I said it was a glorious day today and the drive to Coral Bay was beautiful.  I have always loved this view of Banana Bay as you come down the hill from Kissonerga and today the sea was a number of shades of blue and flat calm.  I know that the photograph has a bit of a list and that was before any of us had had a drink but I did take it through the windscreen as we were moving!  As we got to the junction where the old Banana Bar is on the left we saw that it has now been fully refurbished and had quite a number of cars outside - sorry Keith and John you are too late to experience the delights of what used to be a shady and notorious night spot!

We used to go to the Blue Olive several years ago when we wanted something a little different - the menu used to be quite small but special and as they could only do a limited number of covers it was quite an intimate dining experience so we were keen to sample what it had to offer now.  

Keith has only fairly recently taken the establishment on and up until today had not opened for Sunday Lunches.  The three course menu was small but very nice.  I am always hopeful that a small menu means that the food will be cooked to order - I am always wary when there is a vast choice - that smacks of 'ping' food to me.  The starters were Carrot and Coriander Soup, Mussels or a Chicken and Pork Terrine.  This was followed by a choice of roast Beef, Lamb or Pork with superbly roasted potatoes, yorkshires whatever you ordered (a BIG PLUS in John's book) and fresh vegetables of carrots, broccoli and red cabbage.  The sweets were Lemon Cheesecake, Strawberries, Apple Pie and Blueberry Trifle served with cream, ice-cream or custard where appropriate.  A half carafe of wine per couple was included in the price and you could opt for either two courses or three courses.  It was all very nicely presented and 'clean' rather than dumped on the plate.  The plates by Cyprus standard were relatively warm i.e. not stone cold as is the norm!  Our one small criticism was that the extra gravy and mint sauce were a little late in coming to the table and hot gravy always helps to keep your meal warm but that was a minor point as we all enjoyed our meal and wish Keith the best of luck with his venture in what is a very difficult time for restaurants.

We returned to Emba to take advantage of the afternoon sunshine and our traditional cribbage best of five.  How fantastic to be able to sit outside after all the rain and cold of the last couple of months.  We are very hopeful that the men will be with us this coming week to complete the conservatory so that Laura will be able to take advantage of it.  We are on countdown now to her arrival on Saturday and making some plans as to how to entertain her!  

We understand Jane may have been ever so slightly squiffy when she left us yesterday - bet she slept on the plane home!