Ladies Lunch...

Today was Ladies Lunch day and I was up early - I had been given some passion fruit on Monday when I went to Sheila's and I had decided to make a small pot of jam with them and then to convert some of the carrier bag full of lemons from Aunty Persephone's into some pickle (a jar of which will be for her).  Passion fruit jam is lovely and can be used either as a jam or an accompaniment to vanilla icecream or yoghurt.  Passion fruit jam doesn't just rely on the seeds for the flavour it needs the pulp (not the skin) which also provides pectin.  You have to scoop out the seeds and then simmer the skins until the pulp softens and you can remove it from the outer papery skin.   The liquour is full of flavour and takes on a red colour so you combine that liquor with the pulp which you have extracted from the skin, the seeds which you scooped out previously, some sugar and then some lemon or lime juice to add a little tartness.  I have a right nightmare because when I was boiling up the mix to ensure it would set I had a goldfish moment, went off and did something else and it bloody well boiled over leaving a right old sticky mess all over the hob.  The lemon pickle faired little better as this too made a bit for freedom from the jug when it was being boiled in the microwave although this was easier to clean up than my hob!

I was having a look around the garden before getting ready for Lunch and noticed to my surprise that the Bird of Paradise plant has flowered for a second time.  It has only taken 7 years to get a bloom and now it has done it twice in the same year.  Only one bloom granted but it is still impressive.  The Bird of Paradise can stay - the same cannot be said for the bloody agapanthus which has flowered once and was then moved because it says it needs full sunshine - I get a few leaves and then nada, zilch, tipota!

The weather is still beautiful and I walked down to the Lunch which was at Stathmos in shorts and flip-flops - my one concession was a long sleeved but thin cotton top just in case!!!  There is rain forecast for the end of the week and to be fair the garden could do with it as I ceased watering weeks ago but now think I should be reviewing that decision as several of the pots are rather dry.  We had clearly recently had a visit from a herd of goats as I had to pick my way carefully along the road so as not to put my foot in it if you get my drift.  As I approached the Peyiotis' house I was greeted by three dogs, a hunting type, a Cyprus poodle type and a Pincher type who all seemed to be having a whale of a time but set off running in the opposite direction when they saw me - I guess they must belong to someone as they seemed to know where they were going.  The two hunting dogs which appeared to be living up near Andreas's house seem to have disappeared - they haven't been around for a while - I don't like to think what might have happened to them but hopefully they have found a home somewhere.

I caught up with Lush and her group of ladies, and walked with them through the village to Stathmos where our souvla chicken was already on the go - our table had been set up inside as the courtyard is mainly in shade and the wind was a little chilly today.

I have never bothered to ask, but often wondered why, Bambos has a fairground horse in the courtyard - I guess it was a slot machine ride for the kids many years ago and is probably worth a fortune!!

Apparently his wife Sylvia is off to Bulgaria presumably for some new procedure as she seems to have a habit of disappearing off there for some work!

When we first came to the village their children were two little tearaways but are now growing up and Spiros is learning to drive.  He was here today to help his dad.

Sheila is suffering with Klaus's cold poor thing.  She had done a sterling job organising this lunch and we actually got what we were expecting and it was all very nice, particularly the roast potatoes.  We had salad and dips and toasted bread with olive oil and herbs and then the souvla chicken with roast potatoes and some veggies and afterwards some coconut cake and fresh fruit.  It was a good turnout and there were some faces that haven't been for a while so it was nice to see them.  Next will be our Christmas get together which is going to be an evening meal rather than a lunch so as to make it a bit more festive as we will be having mulled wine and a secret santa.

I went down to check the post and had a parcel waiting for me.  I know this is cheating but I had ordered some artificial plants to go in the vases that Di and Rob bought us.  I actually have this succulent growing in a trough in the garden but because these vases have cut outs it would be impossible to grow anything living inside them so I thought this was the next best thing and they look really good and they wont need watering!!!

John had been all day sanding down the wooden tables - he will probably have chronic RSI as a result but they are looking much better - they just need a good coating with teak oil now to bring out the colour and grain of the wood.

We are having a day of errands tomorrow and a bit of gardening hopefully and I have to pop down to Judi's to try and set up her new phone and laptop.  It's all go here!