Feeling old...

Oh my god my legs ache this morning - this is a direct result of (a) getting old and (b) carrying out a village clean on a long road which has a long, sharp descent so plays havoc on the old calves!!!

I staggered out of bed having heard John talking to Mike and got our breakfast which we ate outside and then we spent a quiet hour or so relaxing in the conservatory before Mike headed off to the Droushia Heights Hotel to check in for the next three nights - this is his final move before he heads back home on Wednesday.

It has been a pleasure having him to stay - he is easy company and John will be making sure they meet up next year when John returns for his annual visit to the UK and unofficial school reunion.

It is chaos out in the estate today - the builders pitched up and started work just after 7.00am (ON A SUNDAY!!!!!) apparently the work is to finish in 3 weeks time which looks a bit hopeful to us but if enough hands are thrown at it then I guess they will finish although what the end result is going to be like god only knows - there have been some interesting choices made in the construction of the extension and there are no plans that people are working from.  Smoke and Mirrors spring to mind - we reckon it will look fine to the naked untrained eye but then it will have to withstand the ravages of a Droushia Winter which can be savage as we have learned to our cost.

Mum arrived on her regular Sunday visit and we had decided to go to Steni for lunch today because we know she likes it particularly as they do a half portion of their famous spare ribs and we had been given a voucher by the lovely Melanie and Simon which meant that it wouldn't cost us too much.

Before we set off Mum had a lesson on her smart phone.  She is coping really well this this and loves the WhatsApp App because it means she can have video calls with various members of the family in far flung corners of the world.  It tickles me that Mum, Aunty Joyce and Aunty Val are all using their phones like teenagers - sometimes technology is just a wonderful thing.

We were all a bit foxed as to how her DORO phone forwards messages but eventually we found it and she mastered taking a photograph and sending it so that was enough training for one day!!

I drove to Steni - it was a lovely run - the weather is absolutely glorious at the moment and long may it last (or at least until all our visitors have returned home!).

Thank goodness we had booked today because the seating area outside was exceptionally popular and we benefited from the shade of a large tree.  Mum had offered to drive home as she was familiar with the route so John's decision to have a shandy was very welcome.

We all opted for ribs with Mum and I having what they call a half portion although it is still a big old plateful and very nice too.  When Janice and co were here a few weeks ago they had eaten at Steni - they had enjoyed their food but the service had been shoddy - they didn't say anything although they weren't overly impressed so I had quietly had a word and the Watermill were glad that we had and clearly the problems had been addressed as today we couldn't fault the service.   There are lots of cats at the restaurant but they are looked after and have a designated feeding station in the carpark so diners are asked not to feed them - this doesn't stop one or two chancing their paws!!!!

It was a nice lunch and Mum and I sat outside under the gazebo whilst John watched a little football - he is catching up when he can!!  It's probably a good job we didn't pay for IFollow this year because so far he certainly wouldn't have got his monies worth!!!



After mum had returned home and text to say she was safe and sound we nipped round to George and Pam's to make sure the house was all ready for Louise and Malcolm who arrive late tonight (as it happens it was early tomorrow as their flight was delayed).  We had put some food into the fridge along with a couple of beers and a bottle of Prosecco and cut some flowers for the lounge so it all looked welcoming for them - I am guessing they probably didn't take a lot of notice at 3.00am but I am sure Louise will have been glad that she didn't have to make the bed!!!