Panic Visit to Polis...

This morning we had a panic visit down to Polis to visit the bank.  Over the years we have accumulated a number of accounts with the Alpha Bank but split between Paphos, Kissonerga and Polis which causes difficulty particularly as Dad's name steadfastly remains on our current account despite us trying on a number of occasions to get it removed.  Anyway the reason for the panic was that we could no longer see our savings account when we accessed our accounts via tintyweb.  You must appreciate that early retirement means limited income because (a) we did not win the lottery and (b) we are not on some police witness protection scheme so losing an account is a bit of a worry.

This is the road which takes you through Prodromi, round the back of Polis and to the bank.  It will give you some idea how much rain we have had as this road has only just been reopened and I wouldn't really want to try and pass through with anything smaller than a 4x4!  We have been reading about hosepipe bans back in the UK.  No such problem here at the moment as the reservoirs are fit to burst and in some cases have.  New housing developments situated in areas where water once ran and has been diverted must be under threat as water generally finds its way back - to be honest a little bit of bubbling plaster and paintwork at ours is quite a small price to pay - we have heard that others have come off a lot worse.  One lady at the Droushia Ladies Lunch Club was telling us that her guest bedroom en-suite has moved two or three inches away from the guest bedroom where the footings have been undermined.

Anyway back to the bank - a pat answer to most things in Cyprus is 'No Problem' so we shouldn't have been surprised when we pitched up at the counter and they looked at us incredulously and said that there was 'No Problem'.  In fact they were right - there was no problem because (in the words of Jethro) what happened was... ...the savings account had matured, we hadn't given instructions to the contrary so the bank had reinvested it and because it had a new account number we couldn't see it on the internet.  Silly us!!!  We have to say that our experience with the bank here in Cyprus is pretty impressive.  The staff remain the same so that they recognise you when you go in, the service is very personal and the bank manager comes out and shakes your hand.  They might be in the shit ratings-wise but we have nothing but praise.

Panic over we returned to Droushia via the post box and were chuffed to bits to get a parcel from Sharon.  She had very kindly sent some kitty treats which Chivers and Minnie Mou absolutely but absolutely LURVE and, more importantly, she included a bar of Turkish Delight (slightly controversial when you live in Cyprus granted) -  and I don't know if I have ever mentioned to her that Turkish Delight is one of my absolute favourite bars of chocolate but it is!  John tried to persuade me that it was cat chocolate - who does he think I am???  All I can say is THANK YOU Sharon you are an absolute treasure xxx  Both John and I have a sweet tooth and we both love chocolate - there is nothing quite like our evening coffee with a bit of chocolate to put the world to rights.

Today being Wednesday I was going to Sheila and Klaus's for Art although today it was going to be art with a difference as Sheila wanted to learn how to create something on the internet to showcase her talent.  As I have said I am not a web designer but with the aid of Blogger I think I have created a relatively decent blog and I thought I could help Sheila do the same.  We had fun putting ideas together and ending up with an embryonic blog that will develop over a period of time and hopefully do justice to the paintings that Sheila produces.  If you want to check it out then go to http://sheilaknips.blogspot.com/ - I can see that Sheila and/or Klaus have refined what we did today already - go Knips!!

I have to thank Klaus for a wonderful lunch as I thoroughly enjoyed the stifado, rice and salad that we had for lunch - it was a shame that John was unable to join us!  I have come home with homework for next week.  I am hoping to be able to produce a pastel picture in sepia (only five colours used apparently) and I want to try and do a picture of East Portholland which was my Dad's home and where we spent many a childhood holiday!

The weather deteriorated today and it will come as no surprise that we have no more glass installed which is such a shame as I cannot wait for the conservatory to be in place - I bloody hope that it is somewhere near finished by the time Laura arrives next Friday.  Anyway as I got out of the car having been Chez Knips I noticed a little ginger and white kitten outside Gregoris and Theodora's house which is in front of ours.  I cannot be certain that it did not shelter above a wheel arch or something when the car was parked at Sheila's but poor little thing was getting absolutely soaked.  I ran in to get John to help me try and catch it and it disappeared into George's garden and shot up a tree.  John tried desperately to catch it but it was absolutely bucketing down and we were all getting soaked.  We contacted Irene so that she knows there is a new kitten around and we know that if it is sensible then there is food and shelter up at Sharon's.