Visitors...

It would appear that this is the year for people to be visiting Cyprus as we had an urgent email last night from our old neighbours Pete and Helen to check if we would be around next week as they were taking advantage of a cheap deal at the Pioneer Beach Hotel.  We used to live next door to one another when we were in Glenthorne Avenue and we left there in 2001.  Shortly after we purchased Villa 10b and at that time it was rented out during the summer by the Droushia Heights Hotel.  One summer a couple of year's later Helen and Pete asked if they could stay at the villa which we were more than happy for them to do but we reckon that must have been about 2005 or 2006 - they might remember better than we do.  Anyway this is a photograph of our then palatial dining area!!!!

When we had the wood burner installed we changed that area to our lounge - you can tell from the two small windows!!!  Just goes to show how much the villa has changed since Helen and Pete were here - can't wait to show them the rest of the work even though the garden will not be looking at its best.

On the subject of visitors we shot off this morning to go and check out another villa for Janice and Mick - this time in Latchi which we think would be the best location as they will have Nathan and Alicia with them who, being teenagers, might just want a bit more life than we do!!!  This villa is located next door to the Eliofos Centre where our friends Matthew and Sarah have been for two years and absolutely love because it is on the edge of Latchi so quieter but in walking distance to all amenities.

We always reckon if somewhere looks nice in February well out of visitor season then by the time visitors come it should look fabulous so we weren't surprised to find the garden a bit untidy and the pool looking a bit green.  The location is great - a small cul-de-sac of just six villas with the one they are interested in set well back from the road and with and established garden - we think it will be just right for them and have told them so.

Diana came to Pickleball today - Friday is a much harder session and with Liselotte away we would have only had four and we worry that sometimes we forget Mum is in her 80s and push her too far or she pushes herself too far so the introduction of another player makes sitting out and getting your breath back easier.  I think she did really well and enjoyed the session - she would be more than welcome to join us on a Friday any time!

We went to the Mall afterwards as Mum was trying to get the tickets for the ballett which is being beamed from the Bolshoi on Sunday.  We had a cuppa at La Croissantarie before a quick trip around Jumbos where it is currently full of costumes for carnival.

We thought that Diana looked particularly fetching in a pair of bright pink deeley-boppers!!!  She took a photograph of me in Minnie Mouse ears that I have yet to see!!!

John was back from Badminton and chatting with Dad when we got back from the Mall and so we set off back to Droushia and had a cuppa with Roberto on our return.

We had a second Valentine's evening as I had put the remainder of the pork dish John had cooked in the slow cooker so it would be waiting for us on our return.  It was even better the second time round as John wanted to improve on the sauce with the addition of some cream and mustard which proved to be a good move.

For our big Friday night in we accompanied our meal and a couple of episodes of First Dates Hotel with a bottle of wine which Roberto had brought for us to try the other week.  This cheeky little Chilean number was delicious so we will be adding this one to the list - so far Roberto has scored three out of three with the different wines he has brought for us to try - he obviously knows our tastes well!!!