A Barbeque for Friends...

We are beginning to wonder whether we should ever invite anyone round to ours for a barbeque because we woke this morning to leaden skies.  The clouds were fast moving and periodically we did get a little sunshine but it was cool and blustery and not conducive to sitting outside and eating - we would all have been in danger of getting smoked out.

As we prepared the house for guests we decided that we would have to eat indoors and that John would cook the barbeque regardless of whether he had to cart it into the gazebo like he did when Mark, Gemma and Archie came last week.  What is it with us and barbeques?  We are the kiss of death to the weather!

Chivers was in complete play mode today and hardly left our sides all morning.  It's not easy to clean the floor when you have a cat sitting on your feet - for some reason he loves bare feet!  He also found the top of the gazebo this morning which was an absolute nightmare - he thought this was a brilliant new toy and was leaping about on top ignoring John's calls to come down.  We can just see him falling through the material as it ages.

It was only a matter of time before he realised that if he lay between the roof supports the swag of material made quite a nice hammock so he lay there keeping an eye on proceedings from his vantage point - just out of arms reach!

As the day progressed the weather began to improve and although neither of us wanted to put the mockers on things we both were secretly thinking that it was 'brightening up'.  John had got the pool cleaned (and put in the concrete block on the drive which is going to be needed for the metal supports Sofoklis is bringing on Tuesday), I had got the house clean and tidy and a burr-free zone for a little while, the food was all organised so we had time to sit and relax before our guests arrived at 3.00pm.  The weather really bucked its ideas up and John took time out on our newly decked bit of garden - this is something we seem to do so very rarely actually sit down and take advantage of the space that we have!  Both cats came outside to play and be near us - I think because we had been out quite a bit yesterday they were making the most of having us around.  As we sat sheltered from the wind in T&V corner John decided that it would be a good idea to rearrange the furniture in the conservatory and the gazebo.  That would mean we could relax under the gazebo and eat in the conservatory which was a great idea.

It didn't take us two minutes to move things round and, as we have people coming for a meal on Sunday, we have decided to leave it like that as it is much more practical - in fact for the summer this might well be what we do and if we have Kaye's party up with us for a meal when they are over we will be able to seat a large number easier as we can add Trevor the Table to the end of what we have already got.

About ten minutes before Marian and Chris and Sheila and Klaus were due to arrive the goatherd brought the goats through the field next door.  Brilliant!  they fart (the goats not our guests) bring flies and ticks with them and, more importantly, Chivers HATES them and both Chivers and Minnie Mou were over in the field.  Minnie gave the goats a stiff ignoring but Chivers set off after them with that funny open-mouthed expression he has when he is excited/scared/hunting.  I am always so worried that he is going to get too close and get a hoof in his head.  As the goats walked down through the field he was off in hot pursuit - mouthing and panting - it is quite extraordinary to watch.  John went up onto the roof terrace to watch out for the cats and was promptly joined by Mins who is unimpressed by these great big lumbering smelly beasts.  John could see Chivers and eventually Chivers did return and joined John on the terrace where he could watch the goats from a safe distance.

Just to prove how close the goats get this is a picture of Marian in the Gazebo with them directly behind her!  It was nice that we were able to sit outside and have a drink whilst the barbeque was being prepared.  It was my job to make sure that the salad, dips and potatoes were ready and I am checker in chief when it comes to ensuring that everything is cooked through as we don't want to give anyone food poisoning.  Marian had kindly brought with her some homemade Sheftalia which were delicious and prompted her to declare at some point during the evening that she 'couldn't live without a mincer!'  Sheila knowing my weaknesses had brought chocolate (After Eights yummmmm - I was in two minds as to whether to just bury them in the fridge and bring them out when I was on my own!!!) and a bottle of our favourite red wine Agios Onoufrios.

Why is it that the men always do that standing round staring at the barbeque thing?  We girlies left them too it and whilst I was flitting in and out of the kitchen Sheila and Marian had a chance to relax and catch up in the gazebo - although periodically I think they were subjected to a right old swirl of smoke as the wind changed direction.  Eventually though everything came together and we were able to sit down in the conservatory and enjoy our meal.  I have to admit that John got everything spot-on and more or less at the same time which is always a challenge.

The afternoon flew past with a wide range of topics covered in conversation some serious and some not so - the winner being Marian's Greek Fly v French Fly observations that had us in stitches (along with the declaration about the mincer of course!).  What a very sociable way to spend an afternoon, good food, good company and good wine!