More Food...

This morning we were going around to Marian and Chris's house so that John could help Chris put up an arch for his vine.  I was just going as tool carrier and to sit in the garden and take in the sunshine whilst the workers worked - this is what I do best!

It was a beautiful morning - still with a bit of a breeze - but it was very pleasant sitting beside their pool.  It didn't take too long for the arch to be put in place and the vine to be encouraged up and over it.  It will provide Marian with a very pretty view from her kitchen sink.  Whilst there I took the opportunity to help myself to some seeds from the poppies and Californian poppies that she has in her garden I am hoping to encourage them to colonise our garden in the same way.  We couldn't stay too long because we had arranged to take Gregoris and Stavros to find Bambos so we were going to see if he was in Stathmos and failing that go to Palates.  We found Sylvia in Stathmos and she directed us to Palates.  I have been to Palates once for a meal but never really had a chance to have a good look around.  Originally there was just the one building where the restaurant is located but subsequently they have built a second building which houses the reception.

Palates is currently full - which is good news for Bambos and Sylvia!  John and I were really very impressed by the style and decor inside - it retains a traditional feel with all the natural stone but with a contemporary twist using colours of chocolate and burned orange. The website gives more details and has more photographs  http://www.droushiahotelapts.com  Gregoris is hoping to persuade his son to come up over the summer and decorate Villa 10a.  Gregoris said that Stavros was unfamiliar with the area and needed to find some life to encourage him to come more often.  We think the girl behind the bar in Palates was a good start as he gravitated from our table to the bar and engaged her in conversation - we are sure there was a little flirting going on!  Maybe he wont need too much persuasion after all!

I had to decline lunch with Gregoris and Stavros as I was off to my Greek Lesson and John had jobs to do - I swear Gregoris is trying to fatten me up!  We did call round to have a coffee with them before they returned to Nicosia.  We were amazed that both Chivers and Minnie Mou pitched up in their garden whilst they were there.  They do normally play in there a lot and it was where we found Chivers but neither of them like strangers.  Fortunately both Gregoris and Stavros love cats and it wasn't long before C and MM felt comfortable with them around.  I can see that if they are not careful and leave the bedroom door open MM will make herself at home on their bed!

This afternoon we all got together at Kathikas for a barbeque Chez Thomas/Godfrey.  They did very very well under unfamiliar surroundings although Richard did burn his finger at one point.  Once again I left the camera at home but still had the bloody blackberry with me - and it would appear that the lens needs a bloody good clean as the photos are a little out of focus or greasy looking (maybe it was the barbeque!!) - so there are some snaps recording the event!  The Villa is one of three which is called Kathikas Breeze and it is obviously called that for good reason as the breeze was strong and fresh and the evenings up here are still not balmy enough to really sit out comfortably.

The food was excellent - has off to Kaye for her Austrian Potato Salad - Aunty Margaret would have been proud of her and hats off to Vanessa for her lovely little roasty pototoes - delicious!! We were ok outside whilst we were eating and John moved the barbeque round the corner so that we could take advantage of the remaining heat and then we got the table top patio heater out as the sun went down and it got cooler.

Eventually we had to move the tables around the other side of the villa and snuggled up together to play nomination whist with an elite table and a duffers table - the three highest scorers of the duffers moving up to replace the three lowest scorers of the elite each time.  It turned into a noisy but good natured competition although John maintained that the rules did not comply with Navy standards - he just had to follow house rules on this occasion.  Rosie was victorious as she maintained her seat on the elite table and I seem to think that Kaye was a duffer throughout!  Mum and Dad probably learned a few choice phrases that they hadn't heard before but a good time was had by all.