Referendum Day and Whip snakes

It is EU in or out Referendum Day in the UK - it has been a bitterly fought and dirty contest and I guess voters will never really know the true cost of either decision.  We have voted and whichever way things turn out I hope that we will be able to continue to live here in this little corner of the island as we had planned and saved for.

It is exceptionally hot so early in the Summer and we are all wilting.  Charlie is clearly feeling the heat as he moves from spot to spot airing his bits or at least where his bits used to be.  I have tried damping the cats down but they are not impressed.  I have wet mats for them to lie on but they give them a stiff ignoring.  We find them in the most unexpected places flopped out panting - I don't like it and I am guessing nor do they.

We had a trip down to Polis to stock up on some food - we try hard to buy only what we need and when we need it so that we are not throwing things away.  En route we stopped off at the bakery where they have a Chino machine and treated ourselves to one each to cool down.  I was too enthusiastic with mine and ended up with severe brain freeze for about 5 minutes.  I never learn!!  John sensibly wears a hat to cover his head - the sun is so strong at the moment.  I had to collect the dress I am having altered.  Anastasie said it was too hot to try it on in the shop but said she was sure it would be OK even though she had to restructure the top of it and only stuck a pin in each shoulder when I went to drop it off.  She was spot on though when I got it back and tried it on at home it fitted perfectly - I shall definitely use her again if I need anything altering as she only charged me €15 for the work she did.

We also called in on C&A Apartments to pay the balance of John's Mum and Stepdad's holiday which will be on us before we know it. Eva was looking well having joined Weight Watchers and lost a little weight.  We didn't hang about down in Polis it was far too hot and humid but on our return to Droushia our temperature gauge was showing nearly 40% but with low humidity thank goodness.  John had a number of jobs he wanted to get done today but all of them had to wait until it was just that little bit cooler.  In the interim there was nothing left for us to do but cool down and take advantage of the pool which we moan about but on days like today is an absolute godsend.

So this is me taking full advantage of the Roman Steps which were a really good addition and below is John doing the same thing and using his I-Pad!!! 

We stayed in the pool for quite a while but when you have jobs niggling at the back of your mind you don't really settle so we waited until after later in the afternoon before starting the various tasks we had in mind.

You can see that by 5.30pm the temperature had only dropped to 31 degrees outside but remained exactly the same indoors.

We are walking around the garden at various times of the day to see what the shade situation is like with a view to what we think we may need to do for our party.  The gazebo area at the front of the garden is the worst affected in the late afternoon so I decided it would be better to have the curtains put back on just in case we need them.

Things are coming together but the exceptionally hot weather has taken its toll on the garden and lots of things have given up even though I have been watering them.  The lemon tree looks like something from Chernobyl and my beautiful geraniums look like they have been poisoned.  It is all a bit disappointing as there isn't enough time for things to come back before our do.

It was a beautiful evening to be sat outside having tea. Mercifully it was relatively fly free which makes a change.  Nothing too exotic just a good old halloumi salad accompanied by a little glass of vino and once that had been digested we took a dip in the pool by night - bliss!!!

We had been out earlier in the day looking at a house that Sonia was interested in but found that it had been sold.

We got chatting to the people who were in the middle of moving in next door to the house that was for sale.  They have been in the village for only three weeks so finding their feet - they had been regular visitors to the island previously.

So welcome to Angela and Ian - we hope you really enjoy living in Drouseia as we do and there is always space on the village clean if you fancy ensuring that your surroundings are in top top condition!!!

We called back via Elena just to see how she was doing and then as we drove home Linda from down the road was walking her dog and frantically pointing at something - we thought it was one of our cats until we realised it was two black whip snakes 'dancing' - have seen it on video before but never expected to witness it myself and bargain - I had the camera with me!

Misery Tour

Today we were playing tour guides and taking Diana and Rob on a little misery tour.  It is so very very hot that we wanted to distance Rob from his DIY and give him a bit of a break.  I had said I would drive and I think the promise of a visit to the Brewery probably clinched it!!!

After a bit of a drive we ended up at our lunch destination - the Magic Garden - somewhere we could guarantee that neither of them had been before and somewhere which we love (thanks Sheila and Klaus for introducing us).

Having checked that Michael and his wife would be open we made our way to the restaurant and sat under the shade of the umbrellas for a long and leisurely lunch.

We have only been on a Sunday before when the menu is pretty extensive but were amazed that mid-week there is even more choice.

John was more than happy that the slow cooked shin of beef was once more on as a special and Diana and I were spoiled for choice when it came to salads.

We managed a starter and a main course but passed on a sweet because we were moving on to Tala and taking the Veasey's to sample the carrot cake after a bit of culture walking round the monastery.

I have a feeling it was nearing 4.00pm by the time we had eaten and finished our drinks - taking down to the lower garden and sitting under the shade of the terabynthe tree which Michael says has been there over 300 years.  It was so lovely I could have stayed longer and had tea!!!

When we got back into the car the temperature was 46 degrees!  I know it has been sitting in the sun but bloody hell that is hot and made for a sticky ride to our next destination which was Tala Monastery.

The monastery is beautiful and peaceful and a haven of calm to wander round although by this time we were wilting rather a lot!

It is a working monastery and as Diana and I were in strappy dresses we didn't go anywhere that might cause offence just sticking to the general pathways and taking in the scenery.

We rewarded ourselves with a drink at the Monastery and a piece of the fabulous carrot cake although to be fair we were still all rather stuffed from the lunch we had had earlier.  We felt like tourists and we were enjoying our little holiday.

Diana and Rob wanted to see where the Monastery Cats are looked after so we did a slight detour - it is closed to the public in the afternoons so we just parked up outside and had a little wander giving a bit of love to those cats who chose to remain outside.  Sadly I read on the internet later that it had been so hot they had lost a kitten due to the extreme conditions.

Our next watering hole was the Brewery - good to check out the new bar which is now to the right as you enter and the old one is now the sales shop.

Even Mrs V partook of a pint - so glad that they do the natural apple juice from the apples used for making the cider as that was my tipple whilst we were there.

Ok so the last leg of our day out was to finish off up on the roof terrace watching the sun go down with the cats for company - well the boys at least - Minnie had taken herself off elsewhere!

We had a fabulous day - good food and good company if not a little too hot!

Tuesday

John said that as I had posted a picture of Diana in the gym the other week where it looked like she had either expired or was taking a crafty 40 winks he was going to get me and as I collapsed on the bench after a rather strenuous round of situps in soaring temperatures he was true to his word and he got me!!!  Our exercise was somewhat curtailed today because of the weather and although we do plan to continue we are going to be sensible as there is little point killing ourselves when all we are supposed to be doing is getting a bit fitter.

The anticipated heatwave is with us and even in Droushia the thermometer is rising although fortunately the humidity is remaining low.  We were off to Emba this afternoon for more sport so had a quite couple of hours at home in the cool (relative cool) of the lounge before setting off.

Charlie suddenly appeared at the window - he is a little out of sorts at the moment but I think it is only the sudden increase in temperature.  I hope that is all it is - he is a bit off his food - not eating anything like as much as he would normally and he is looking almost svelte for him.  John does keep giving him a good grooming and we get handsful of fur out of him each time so I guess he is going to look thinner after all that.  He is the one that spends the most amount of time around the house and loves to be with us - hence he is staring in at the window wanting to be included in whatever it is that we are doing.  Bless his little face and his permanently perplexed expression.

My Mum had her dress rehearsal today for the fashion show she is appearing in on Saturday and which we will go and see before setting off for the airport to pick up Dickie and Sarah who are staying in Latchi for a week.  So looking forward to catching up with them again - can't believe it has been a year since they were here last with their son.

Anyway it was too hot for Mum to practice with all her changes of clothes but I am sure she will be fine and look amazing as she normally does.  She said the other ladies weren't overly friendly which is a bit of a shame but sometimes here people get set in their own little cliques and don't want or need anyone else to join it for whatever reason.

Mum and I went off to the Mall whilst John was at badminton - I had a few things I needed in Jumbos and Tiger and then we sat down for an afternoon cuppa - no cake as there were none of the nice pain au raisin left - just as well I suppose but you can't beat a good old pain au raisin with a cup of tea!

John finished early - too hot and too many people and he said he started to play like a donkey so time to go!!

Tea tonight was one of our favourites - we could eat salad all the time but everything is so fresh now and I have to thank Stacey for the lovely home grown organic tomatoes and spring onions which were amongst the vegetables she gave me the other day.

I also had some village halloumi left from the kilo which Diana and I shared and having soaked it for several days it was light and fluffy and absolutely delicious - chucked in the pan with some leftover chorizo and smokey bacon - heaven.

John came over all arty with his meal - he had the addition of a jacket potato and did something very Jackson Pollock with his sweet chilli sauce and salad cream!

Feeling pleasantly full and with a little glass of vino in hand we settled down for an evening of The Tunnel which we are really hooked on.  So glad there is a Season Two as we will feel bereft when this one finishes.

It was a special Strawberry Moon tonight - summer solstice and full moon occurring on the same day.  How on earth can we be at the shortest day already?  It was a still and clear night thank goodness - pleased to report that all fires in this area are out but the massive one in the Troodos is still being fought and some firefighters have lost their lives - it was started by someone playing with a lighter and now a vast vast area of beautiful pine forest has been decimated.  Tragic.

Bank Holiday - WLB

It is a bank holiday today in Cyprus - the island celebrates the Great Flood known as Kataklysmos and it is a day to avoid driving through the village as you may well get a balloon filled with water lobbed at your car!

We have taken it upon ourselves to help Louise and H to achieve a better work life balance WLB so we persuaded them to meet us at the beach today once we had emerged from our bed after the long and tiring day we had yesterday.

Louise almost managed to observe the Bank Holiday - just one dog done at their house this morning and only a couple of phone calls during the day - You ain't nothing but a hound-dog ringing in your ear as you are dozing in the sunshine can prove to be less than relaxing!!!

We had arranged to spend the day at Takkas Bay and have a spot of lunch at the beach side taverna - it is also a great spot for snorkeling and there is plenty of shade for John who doesn't do sunbathing.  However Lou and H arrived before we did and said it was chocker so we opted to go to Latchi and chose a spot in the quiet bit the port side of Yialos.

Sadly we were entertained by the water planes that had been called into action because of the horrendous fires that are ravaging the island.  The latest big one which has unfortunately claimed lives is somewhere up in the Troodos.  It is sad and scary and reinforcements have had to be called in to cope with what is proving to be a very dangerous situation.

We chose to eat at Yialos as we could walk along the waters edge to get there.  It has been extended considerably since we first started going there and although it is a beautiful spot it has lost a little of its charm as a result but you cannot beat the view whilst you are eating and to be fair my chicken kebab and haloumi on a plate was fine.

Lunch over and done with and snoozes done and dusted we went back into the sea the Giolou-Droushia Synchonised Swimming Trio...  Not sure we are going to win any prizes for artistic merit or even technical merit come to that!  By the time we went back in you can see that the wind had got up and it was quite choppy but so lovely and cooling.

John opted to snorkel - he said he saw a couple of fish but this stretch of the coastline is probably not the best for seeing aquatic life.  Another snooze so we dried off and then we declared our Bank Holiday over and went our separate ways home for a swill off and a lazy evening - before I left John screaming at the TV and the England squad run by Woy of the Wovers

Sunday - Louise and Martyn get married

So a very very busy day helping Elena at the wedding of Louise and Martyn.  We first met Louise when we hired her to sing at a family gathering we held at Orexi HQ and she sang at Mum and Dad's Diamond Wedding Anniversary.  It was the hottest day of the year so far - very very hot and very very windy at their home where it was all taking place so we struggled for shade and we struggled to keep drinks cool and all anyone wanted for the first couple of hours was iced water!!!

It was not surprising then that Louise's arrival at the ceremony was a musical one as she sang Skyfall from the upstairs balcony before coming downstairs and singing as she walked through the crowd and throughout the day there was music all round finishing with Davey Woodford entertaining the guests.

Anyway as I never want to give too much away about people's weddings on my blog because it is, after all, their own personal day and I am absolutely knackered after what was a long hot day so I shall keep this brief and leave you with a few snaps of the day - taken from a distance as I was manning the bar!!!

The happy couple

The final photographs are of the sky this evening- the first was taken at about 5.00pm - another huge fire was raging nearby around Marathounda and the smoke had filled the sky turning it a strange colour.








A couple of hours later the Moon rose and the atmospherics caused it to look exactly like the sun - weird.

Saturday

The heatwave is well and truly on - at 8.33 this morning outside it was over 30 degrees and only going to go one way and that way up!  We had nothing particular organised for today but I had kept myself free to help Elena if she wanted it and then this morning we had a phonecall to catch up with Simon and Melanie and the children for coffee.

I had earmarked the day to gardening and started out by giving the olive tree a prune.  We don't want the olives so we are happy to give the tree a haircut as and when it needs it.  Today it got a short back and sides - neat little pompoms of growth at the end of each branch.

The solanum that Eileen gave us got a sever pruning too - got a bit carried away so one side has a rather bald appearance but as we know these are great survivors and within a week or so it will begin to green up again.

I am concerned for two plants we have put in the front garden as, despite watering, they don't look awfully well - the flame vine and the wysteria are struggling - I think this extreme hot spell is taking its toll so we will have to try and keep them going.

It was hot and sticky work and the pool was calling us so before setting off for coffee at the Rogers' house we had a dip - it is chilly to get in but once in it is fabulous.  According to the thermometer that Diana gave us it is well into the zone where we should be enjoying the water!

The addition of the Roman steps was a really great idea as they are a great place to sit and cool off and look so much better than the old ones.

We walked to see Melanie and Simon and Jasmine and Frances who were all out in the garden playing and having lunch before going off to a birthday party in Latchi this afternoon.   The girls have grown up so much since the last time we saw them and that wasn't that long ago!  Jasmine's hair has grown and Frances's has turned really blonde.

Whilst we were there I had a call from Elena to ask if I could go and help out with preparing some food so after our coffee I walked on up to give a hand.

Hadeel was giving a masterclass to Amoura and Rabia or maybe it was the other way round!  It is great to have Hadeel back again and between us we managed to get done what needed to get done but time had ticked by and by the time we were ready to finish it was early evening.

John had phoned to tell us to go and look out from the Orexi HQ as there was a massive fire raging over towards Argaka.  It was really bad and the smoke was turning the sky a funny colour and you could smell it in the atmosphere.

This fire raged long into the night - it was a really bad one which was apparently started inadvertently by two people burning some old shrubs.

The water helicopters worked until it was too dark for them to continue and at one point they were thinking of having to ask for help from Israel.  This is terrible.  Some people had to be evacuated.  A huge area was affected - sadly this will be the first of many - we have moved into fire season - people never learn.