July 21st...

We had promised ourselves a lie in and a peaceful day today and had decided on a takeaway from Fitos for tea to round off our Wedding Anniversary weekend as there was still money in the pot (thanks Mum and Dad).  In fact the thought of some Fitos takeaway had the juices flowing particularly if there was some Kleftiko on offer!

The new Polis Exhibition Centre was opening today.  It is a venture that involves several people that we know like Kate Fessas, Jeannette and Graham and Claire Brooks to name a few.  Vicki and I had decided that we would go down and show our support and then maybe grab a tea and sticky at Tina's afterwards.

There was a good turnout and there was some equally good art and craft items being displayed and available for sale.  

This can only be a good addition to Polis and a brilliant place for local artists to showcase their work.

Hopefully it will turn out to be the Polis equivalent to En Plo in Paphos.

I was particularly taken by the work of Claire Brooks who makes customisable clay hangings which are in delicate muted colours and with inspiring messages.  She will be working out of the centre if anyone wants to go and see what she makes and exactly how she does it.

The jewelry was lovely too - handmade and delicate and very reasonably priced.  Brilliant for little gifts for tourists to take home or for locals to purchase as birthday/Christmas presents. 

There seemed a good mix of items on show with Jeannette's mosaics, Graham's paintings, some handmade cards and some wonderful skin products.  We have our fingers crossed that this will be a great success for everyone concerned.

Having had a good look round Vicki and I walked round the corner to have a look in Maria Fessas shop (yes she is related to Kate - aunt I think).  Her little shops are a treasure trove and Vicki had not been in before.  Maria told us that she has retired from teaching jewelry making in Paphos and will be spending more time in Polis and is moving the haberdashery part of her business round the corner to bigger premises which is good news.  She also said she might be holding some courses up here which is also good news.  Tina's wasn't open so we went for a drink in the square sitting with Helen and Al and Helen's mum Cynthia who returns to Malta on Monday.  

Back home the exertions of the previous day and the late nights caught up with me (and Charlie it would seem) and I took a snooze on the sofa.  Our plans to have a takeaway from Fitos had gone out of the window as our lovely neighbours Gregoris and Theodora wanted to take us out for a meal as they do everytime they come up here.

This time they took us to Petradaki for a meze.  Unlike we Brits who tend to eat at 7.30pm or thereabouts the Cypriots like to eat much later so our meal didn't start until 9.30pm which is quite late!  Gregoris bumped into someone he knew at the restaurant - apparently he is the Cypriot guy who brought Wang computers to Cyprus and who was insisting we go round to his house after our meal for cocktails.  Fortunately Gregoris politely declined as he thought it would be quite late by the time we finished eating - good man because I nearly feel asleep in my food!