July 12th...

As I have said before Charlie knows no fear and knows no boundaries.  We worry about him, of course we do, but he is as hard as nails and we know that we are not going to be able to keep him confined in our garden until he is bigger.  As a case in point today he could be seen sitting on top of the fence between us and Paul next door trying to see what Minnie was up to.  Minnie was unaware thank goodness because she would have disappeared but she seemed very interested in something in the yard so didn't take any notice of Charlie.

His descent was quite ungainly!!!  It is a bit of a stretch for him to use the wooden panels that are there but he isn't bothered!!

Before we knew it he and Chivers and Minnie were running around the Green area.  Minnie didn't play for long and disappeared over the wall of number 3a for some peace and quiet.  Chivers remained.

In this picture Charlie is proudly sporting his bright green elasticated collar - about half an hour later this was missing - god knows where - we searched the Green area but couldn't find it but did manage to find a very old collar of Chivers' and a magnet - RESULT.

We were a little concerned about Charlie today as the heat seemed to get to him and his poo hasn't been too good.  This might be a result of the first inoculation he had a week ago Monday but as the second part is due this Monday and the vets like them to be fully fit we will be monitoring and until we are happy we wont let him go. 

Tom and Jerry did go today - we were prepared as we had said our goodbye's yesterday but I think Irene was a little sad.  We thought it had been a great success story when we think back to how tiny and how feral they were when we first rescued them.  I am sure that Lucie will have years of joy from the pair of them.

A small amount of progress is being made with the 'mummy' slipper but it is still only a small amount and every morning Charlie bounces up the bed in search of my armpit - I can assure you that I am desperate to try and wean him off because it is getting to be quite painful!  He is very much a mummy's boy!!

We were meeting up with my sister Kaye and husband Richard and Mum and Dad today and were going to have lunch at Viklari (the Last Castle).  It is one of the most stunning venues I have ever been to with regard to eating (and I have been to a few) and whether you rate their food or not you cannot deny that the view is spectacular.

We decided to go the main road way and drove down along the Peyia by-pass and then turned right along the coast until we took the turning signposted to the Akamas and past the White River taverna which overlooks a little beach which used to have nothing on it and now has sunbeds and a road-side snack bar.

Those of you familiar with Viklari will recognise the huge barbeque that you pass on the way in with the spits of pork and chicken slowly turning.

The food at Viklari is just that, pork souvla or chicken souvla served with humungous chips, salad and bread and, if you order in advance fasoulia beans for those not wanting meat.

We greeted Papou (Grandad) who was tending the spits and

walked up into the dining area and that unmistakable view across to the sea.  Breathtaking - simply breathtaking and I have been going there for years!!

It was lovely to meet up with Kaye and Richard - they are only here for a week and have both been having a bit of a time of it and were looking forward to the rest.  We shall be seeing them all again on Sunday when they are coming to the Smeaters picnic at Livadi and staying over (chance to use our sofa bed at last!!).  Mum and Dad will go back to Emba on Monday morning and Kaye and Richard will stay a bit longer as they fancy going to the beach up here and we will go with them.

We had a lovely lunch and I got my Fasoulia which was great and the taverna had a constant stream of eaters - those who had booked were lucky and those who had not learned a lesson and will probably return another day but not on an 'off chance' of a table!  We said our goodbye's and slowly made our way back home.  I wanted to stop on the coast to take some photographs as the sea was really quite rough and kicking up some impressive spray.  As we were taking photographs we had to move quite quickly back to the car as we were in the path of some pretty determined goats and sheep who were probably en route for the White River taverna.

Once at home we settled down for the third day of the first test - don't shout at me ladies but I have been gripped by the match so far so John doesn't have to ask twice to put it on and watch the 10 or so hours of coverage there has been each day so far!  I am actually looking forward to the resumption tomorrow - David Lloyd's commentary is hilarious and it's good to hear from fellow Yeovilite Ian 'Beefy' Botham!