Gifts...

Boris/Mr Boo/Bo-Bo is a flopper - he likes to sleep legs akimbo and often barely balances on wherever he has flopped - in fact a couple of days ago he flopped by the side of the pool and during a sleepy rollover he ended up with his backside in the water.  That shocked him I can tell you!!!  He has two states - asleep and dead to the world or awake, vocal and hungry - I prefer the first!

John was spending the morning down in Polis and I was at home getting some birthday presents and cards made.  Janet had bought a plain balsa wood type box from Jumbos which I was going to decorate for Eva's birthday which is next week - Eva is the matriarch of the family which runs C&A - she is a warm, funny and generous lady even with all the troubles she contends with as so many of her family members suffer from ill health - in fact she is not so well herself and looking forward to comparing notes with my mum with regard to sugar and leaky heart valves.  We ascertained that her birthday is on 3rd September so although I had a while to get it completed the itinerary is getting pretty booked up.

The next gift and card was for Elaine who celebrates her birthday today 26th August  - John had spotted a plaque which he thought she would like so I started to create it - thanks Lynne for the pretty tissues which I have used around the edges - it is just the sort of thing that Elaine will love.  I need John's help to complete the present - I am not qualified to use his beloved Makita tools!!

I had done as much as I could with my projects so decided to go round for a cuppa with George and Pam.

George is very excited because the plant which had seeded itself along the solid wall and which we had left when we did a bit of gardening because we thought it looked quite attractive even though we didn't know what it was has turned out to be a water melon growing from a seed that someone discarded last summer.  We know it is a water melon because it has borne two fruit so far which grow at a rate of knots.  Apparently you should only water these enough for the vine to survive - overwatering reduces the fruit's sweetness.

Whilst I was around George asked me if I knew where he might get a photograph enlarged to have it framed - the photograph is of  his family home in the North near Salamis which they had to abandon when they became refugees as a result of the conflict in 1974.

I told him I could do it.  When I got the photograph home I thought it would be nice to make a little more of it and used some software to give it the appearance of a water-colour.  I wasn't sure he would like it as he had asked for a photograph and George is a man who knows what he wants!  but when I took it round he was blown away and thrilled with the end product - he looked at it with tears in his eyes - he is off to get it framed - one happy man.

This evening we had been invited to join John's folks down at C&A for an evening meal along with my mum and dad.  We had a great time not least because Kumar was manning the barbecue when we got there and producing some very delicious pork chops!

C&A is a truly unique place.  Everyone is accepted into the 'family' no matter who you are, where you come from or what disability you might have.  The atmosphere is warm and inviting - no wonder people return year in year out renewing old acquaintances and making new - it has been a revelation to us and we are so glad it is on our doorstep.