Power Outage...

We had to resort to some good old technology today in order to have breakfast - our power went off around 5.30am and didn't get restored until around 8.30am by which time we were all desperate for a cuppa!!!  It went off again in the afternoon - John is blaming the new petrol station - he reckons it was probably being connected to the grid!

Anyway John dug out the good old gas burner ring and we had plenty of hot water for a drink and to wash up later on.  We have contemplated having a gas hob - we didn't before because we didn't have anywhere to hide the gas bottles but now we could put them in the little alcove which we call 'John's Shed'  they would be safe in there and out of sight and, when the current gazebo gives up the ghost John has plans for something a bit more permanent which would provide a 'roof' over where the gas bottles could be stored.

We shall see - fortunately nowadays power cuts are less frequent than they used to be - that is until we get a thunder storm and then you can guarantee the power goes.

We had breakfast outside - it really has been beautiful weather for this time of the year and it is good to get the fresh air - we are guilty of not doing this unless we have visitors which is a shame and when visitors go home we kid ourselves we will continue to do it and then we don't.

In spite of the 'sickness' that has affected the vines, and seemingly the fig trees, John had been successful in finding sufficient ripe figs to provide Aunty Joyce with breakfast today, tomorrow and hopefully a few left over for her to take home.  After breakfast John took a walk up to the cheese factory with Uncle David to buy some halloumi for our barbeque this evening and a pack which Aunty Joyce hopes to be able to give to Mum' neighbour Effie who told her that Droushia makes the best halloumi.

Once we had cleared everything away we took an emotional trip to the Cemetery so that Aunty Joyce could see where her big brother has been laid to rest.  Although they had wanted to come for his actual funeral the weather at the time was terrible and Mum had wanted them to come now as they normally do when she would have been able to make the most of their visit.  I had sent photographs but they don't really give you any real idea what the cemetery is actually like.  I had warned them that it was obviously not like they would be used to in a country churchyard in England and although it is not our cemetery in Droushia is peaceful and calm and they felt it was a beautiful place for Dad's final resting place.  Amazingly his is still the last grave in the row - he only has a neighbour on one side and amazingly the osteospurmum which we put there immediately after we removed the funeral flowers is alive and flowering all these months later.  Aunty Joyce wanted to get something so we earmarked an area where we could put a plant and went off down to Polis to get something.

We had not expected to bump into John's mum, Stan and Jackie but they were heading to Tina's Art Cafe at the same time so we got a table together and enjoyed a drink and a piece of cake.  The cafe was really busy which is good to see for what is quite late in the season here.  Fortunately there was enough cake to go round!!  We shall be meeting up with them again tomorrow when we are all going to lunch with Mum to Fitos's.

We called by the cemetery on our way home to put the pin cushion chrysanthemum at the foot of the other flowers.  The florist had cut out the bottom of the flower pot so hopefully this will take root like the osteospurmum - we cannot do anything permanent to the grave until the spring so we can at least try and ensure a steady display of flowers in the interim.  The chrysanthemum was the most beautiful coppery red colour and there is now no room for anything else.  I removed one of the pots that had held Gazanias as it was past its best but they have self seeded and are flowering directly in the ground so that is good.

We each had our own quiet recollections, silent thoughts and prayers before we said goodbye until the next time.  I expect they will want to go back again next week and that is absolutely no problem.  I am not at art tomorrow and that is the day I generally go and pay him a visit.

No-one wanted any lunch when we got back - the cake had filled us up and so we spent a quiet afternoon in and around the house.  I was getting food ready for tonight's barbeque and John and Uncle David were getting ready to watch the Mighty Blades.

The Red and White Wizards were victorious and as a result went top of the league which made John a very happy chappy - Uncle David is a Reading fan really and unfortunately their result was not so positive!  I think John enjoyed having the company to watch the game and they sat together companionably with a beer and some nuts and crisps!

Because the footie didn't finish until 7.00pm we were late eating our barbeque - in fact it was dark outside when we were ready but I had done most of it in advance so it was only a question of John finishing off the meat.  We had sausages, burgers, chicken kebabs and halloumi with coleslaw, salad and dips and wedge potatoes - even though my Uncle says his appetite has reduced as he has got older I am amazed at how much they do eat - it is a pleasure to cook for them as they eat everything and with enthusiasm.

We none of us had a late night - the food, fresh air and football had left us all exhausted!