We have a barbie...

Not such a good night with Chivers last night - not really anything to do with him, more to do with me not settling.  I so want the vet to say all is ok with him on Monday but I think he isn't himself, maybe a little depressed because he cannot go out and his coat looks a bit ragged compared to the others.  So determined is he to get some fresh air that he actually managed to get out of the catflap this morning before we had time to lock it.  We got him back but poor boy is bewildered.  Also his remaining staple looks to have come out on one side and is stressing him and he keeps licking his wound and bald patch.

Today was a bit of a nightmare from start to finish.  There was a key football match later this afternoon (the less said about that the better) and this morning we realised that we had an issue with our internet so that we were only getting half of our 20Mb.  A call to CYTA confirmed that there was a fault that would require an engineer - fortunately it did not affect John watching the game - maybe it would have been better if it had.

Due to poor Chivvies' confinement we haven't really been able to get back to normal after Kenna's visit.  The house has felt like a right old shit-tip so today I wanted to get all the floors washed and the rugs cleaned.  It was rather too warm in the conservatory but with Chivers around we have to keep the doors and windows shut.  It did feel good to get the floors clean and if the good weather continues we will be able to dispense with the rugs soon which makes cleaning easier.  We are due to have Nicky and Mark here for the weekend so I am hopeful that they aren't going to have to share the spare room with Chivers and his cat litter.

I had to collect a parcel yesterday from the main post office in Paphos and the girl with the fabulous hair who previously said I could have a job with her as I was able to spot my parcels easily.  I had ordered a clothes airer/dryer so that we do not have to have our smalls on show when the weather is damp outside and we need to get things dry but have visitors.  The girl with the hair was super impressed by my package - so much so that I had to give her the details of where I had got it as she thought it was a brilliant idea.  John put it up today - for once something went up as planned and he too is impressed.  This contraption should hold up to 28Kg of laundry although I don't plan to test that out.

I was desperate to get out in the garden today - not least because the pathway to the outside shower was completely overgrown with Californian and wild poppies - nice but in the way and there are plenty more growing in the garden.  I also wanted to give one of the Solanums a massive haircut to encourage it to put on new growth.  John stayed in with Chivs and I enjoyed a couple of hours warm fresh air outside.  I couldn't believe that I heard the distinctive sound of Bee Eaters - poor buggers I doubt they were expecting such cool temperatures here in Cyprus when they packed for their summer holidays!!!

I got the pathway to the shower cleared - there were a couple of Gazanias that I couldn't bring myself to dig up and I cut the Solanum that Eileen gave us back to about a third of the size it was - only trouble is that means the early flowers have also been cut off but it will be better for it.  My jasmine which was a gift from Elena and grown by her Aunt (Aunty Friday) is about to burst into bloom with its heady smell which will make it almost impossible to eat under the gazebo without a headache!

The goats were out in the field next door today which was great as it meant that they could eat the garden waste I had lobbed over.  I can't believe that the whole week Kenna was here and she wanted to see them that they didn't come.



We needed to make some space in the freezer so we had decided to have a little barbeque outside for our main meal - this was before the football match obviously as John was full of enthusiasm and expectation in this picture - this was dashed by a last second extra time equaliser by Milwall.  The little barbeque was much more successful that the football and we have vowed to try and do this more often this year.  We are not good at eating outside!!

I left John to the football to go up to the Cemetery to visit Dad - not having been to art for the last couple of Mondays I hadn't been for a while.  For many months Dad had been the last plot on the new row and it looked a little forlorn.  Now he has company and the grave to the left of his has its completed marble surround which is very grand.  Hopefully Dad's will be started soon.

Chivers improves...

I am pleased to report that we had a second good night with Chivers - he is settling into a routine although not one he really likes.  He is fairly happy to use the litter tray for a wee but is less than enthusiastic about doing anything else and so he feels duty bound to let us know that he would really rather be going outside somewhere for more serious business.  Nevertheless he has used the facilities provided and now seems to be happy to sleep on our bed or the spare bed during the night until nature calls which is about 6.00am.  His waking, protests and ultimate bowel evacuation wake the others and so then we are forced to get up and feed them all, let Charlie, Boris and Minnie Mou out and then secure the house so that Chivers can have a bit of a run. 

Today being Friday we were off down to Mums before going to pickleball.  Normally Mum plays on a Friday but she has been troubled with Trigger Finger on her right (playing) hand and so she went to see the specialist on Monday and he agreed to give her a Cortisone injection - she has had two previously and they seem to work for her although the time between injections is getting shorter and after this one then her options will be to grin and bear it or surgery.  She had the injection and played pickleball on Tuesday.  She might have been better to have rested it but she wasn't advised to do so and it seemed to be ok but subsequently it has been giving her a bit of discomfort so she sensibly decided to give today a miss and hopefully by doing so she will be fine for her games next week.  I know she like coming on a Friday but better to rest it now for one week than do something major that prevents her from playing for a while.  She said the injection hurt a bit as they put the needle in and having looked at the photograph above I can see why - I am rather glad that my trigger thumb seems to have sorted itself out without any intervention.

It was warm today on the court - this is the first time I have seriously contemplated needing to have the fans on and Liselotte was back after her trip to Denmark and on fire!  We all played like demons so it was probably for the best that Mum was resting!!!


We went down and spent some time with Mum before pickleball today instead of afterwards.  It seemed sensible to do this as then we could be back home early to spend time with Chivers.  Just as well really because in our haste to get away this morning we had forgotten to open the cat-flap so although Chivers had the run of the house and access to his food and cat litter so did Charlie and Boo and poor Minnie Mou was shut outside - although she didn't seem bothered.

Chivers is so desperate to get out poor thing but his wound still has an area which has yet to heal and it looks a bit red so we hope he hasn't got an infection there - we have tried so hard to keep it clean.

As a result of this confinement we really haven't been outside in the garden as much as we would normally so it was with some surprise that I realised we had a beautiful iris in full bloom in Wendy and Bill Corner.  I love that, with spring flowers, one minute there is no sign, then they appear from nowhere and then just as quickly they are gone having provided a welcome splash of colour when the garden has been looking pretty sad.  The last few days of warmer weather is having a beneficial effect though and things are now beginning to wake up.  The gazania and osteospurmum are looking brilliant.

The other week in Lidl they had pyjama shorts bottoms for sale.  John likes to have a couple of pairs of those so that he has something to wear when we have visitors so as not to put them off of their breakfast.  Mum had kindly gone and got him several pairs as a thank you for sorting out her network cable to the sun room and for replacing the sealant outside where it had weathered and a million other jobs he does for her.  I bet she didn't realise that when she got them they have a little anchor motive on the bottom - well you know what they say...

"...you can take the boy out of the Navy but not the Navy out of the boy!!"

I think I must have been inspired by our lunch at the Japanese in Polis yesterday because this evening for our supper I cooked sesame chicken with noodles.  I haven't cooked this sort of food for ages and ages possibly years and it was a resounding success - John was pleased there was enough to freeze for him to have on a Monday when I am at art.

I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so!!!

It was with much relief that Chivers had a very settled night last night.  In fact he slept on our bed all night (save for comfort breaks) without a murmur.  That meant I got a good night's sleep but I am not sure about John who had opted to sleep in the spare room after watching a late football match and to keep Chivers company but Chivers had other ideas and only went in there to use the cat litter - lucky John got the full experience - surround sound and smell!!!  Chivers is improving although we still have concerns about the area of his wound where the stitch and the staple came out as there is a pea-sized hole which seems to be getting smaller but that may be wishful thinking.  He is due back to the vets on Monday for stitch removal so hopefully it will have knitted together by then.


We were going to Polis today to do some shopping and I had arranged to meet Gillian to swap our fold-up table for some of her lovely home-made moisturiser.  John used to go to the football in Polis with Gillian's husband David before I paid for him to watch the Mighty Blades on the TV so John was coming along and we were going to have a coffee and a piece of cake at the Art Cafe until I realised that the new Japanese Fusion restaurant in Polis had opened - yes JAPANESE - who would have thought it and it is located in the beautiful old building that is in Polis square and which had been left to go to rack and ruin.  Apparently underneath is the restaurant and upstairs there is accommodation for holiday lets.  We suggested meeting for a light lunch and they were up for it.

The restaurant has only been open a day so it was not without a few teething problems - minor but for a start they need to invest in a few more brollies for people who want to sit outside because two in that large space was not enough!.

The eating area inside is cool and stylish but after such a miserable winter we were wanting to get some sun on our bones so we waited in the courtyard until someone vacated their table and we moved so that we had the choice of sun or shade.

The menu is a mix of sushi and fusion Asian food similar to Chinese..

We chose to have three starters between us,  the fried noodles with chicken in the picture on the left, with some duck filled spring rolls and some chicken and vegetable dumplings and then two main dishes, the crispy chicken in the photograph on the right and lemon chicken.  This was more than enough to feed four of us for lunch.  I wasn't so keen on the lemon chicken as it was a little too subtle with its flavours for my taste (I prefer a bit more punch) but all the rest of the dishes were beautiful and I would have the noodles with chicken on my own for a lunch anytime.  The drinks prices are a little higher than we normally pay particularly for wine but being lunchtime we just had a couple of large bottles of wine and the bill came to €42 between us.

We did the table/moisturiser exchange like a drug-deal in the carpark before going on our separate ways!!

We went on a bit of a mystery tour before returning home - we had been asked to go and look at a property that was for sale and as it was a nice day and the property was in Goudi which is across the valley and we could take a cross country road back home we decided we would go today.  John and I used to go on a road we had never been on before on a regular basis - particularly when we had the moped - but we haven't done it so much recently.

Poor Polis is in danger of being cut off soon.  The main road from Peyia to Polis has collapsed and there is a diversion through Droushia.  The main road from Paphos to Polis has also collapsed - there is not a diversion as yet but looking at the extent of the damage it doesn't look like it can be repaired without one.

It was an interesting drive up into Goudi village - we haven't been into the village before, simply skirting round it on the main road.  The village is quaint and traditional and is built clinging to the hillside and the property was located on a new development above the cemetery which made it easy to locate although not quite so easy to drive to.  Above is the photograph of the property on the Estate Agent's website.  It is semi-detached and this photograph has been taken from the valley looking at the garden.  Looks lovely doesn't it and the price is very reasonable...

This was what we saw - taken from the approach road - the house next door has real issues - it is abandoned and damp.  Looking at the particulars on the website we reckon the video and photos were taken some time ago and carefully so as not to show any issues (obviously).  The whole development is tired and shabby which is a shame because the internal photograph make the house for sale look fabulous.  Still this is exactly why we are happy to go out and take a look for people. 



We made our way back home passing through some stunning countryside - enjoying the blue skies and the warmth from the sun.  Let's hope that shitty weather is firmly behind us now.  It felt like a Saturday which was all a bit confusing!!

Chivvies comes home...

We were so ecstatic to have Chivers back home that we had forgotten just how difficult it is to keep a cat confined and happy so we were both exhausted this morning after little to no sleep.  The main problem is that he really really really wants to go outside for the toilet so he wails and wails at the door before finally giving up and using the litter tray.  We have shut the bedroom area off for him so he has the run of the rooms and his bed, litter tray and food are in with him.  The three other cats who are excluded whinge to come in and he whinges to go out!!  John decided he would sleep in the spare room with him and within a short period of time Chivers had burst one of the two staples in his wound and it had started to bleed - I was up doing my Florence Nightingale bit but the suture stuff we had wouldn't stick and we are concerned about him getting an infection so in the end we bathed the open area with a saline solution and put on a quick smear of barrier cream and hoped he wouldn't bleed everywhere.  He did not settle all night and half way through John and I swapped so that I kept Chivers company.  No sooner had I got him settled than he would hear something and start getting restless and then crying at the door - it was a long night!

We checked the wound first thing so that we could make a decision as to whether he needed to return to the vets to have the gap closed.  Another clean with saline and another smear of the Dermagel barrier cream and it looked to have calmed down - the one remaining staple was hanging on in there and the original stitches looked fine.  Although the scar itself is relatively short the vet said that whatever had caused it had gone in a long way and down into his thigh so the internal injuries were much worse than we would have realised and he was bruised from his chest all the way down poor thing.  This injury was also a couple of days old but he gave us no indication that he was in any pain - had he not been licking the wound and his side was all wet we might not have noticed it for some time - particularly as we had a visitor in the house and Chivers would have kept a low profile.

We had a delivery of fresh eggs today from Savvas the Tyreman's wife Eleni - they keep a whole range of birds, ducks, chickens, guinea fowl so the eggs are all different sizes and colours.  Savvas must have got a whiff of the fact that I had a puncture yesterday and the man in Paphos said that the tyres on Kenny are all due a change!!!  These will end up being very expensive 'free' eggs once I have paid for four new tyres!!!  Anyway it was very kind of her and John and I sampled two for brunch.  I am not sure if he had the lovely pale blue duck egg or I did but whatever I had was lovely.

I had made an appointment this afternoon to take Mum to a tax consultant to deal with her income tax.  The changes in her circumstances and the strange way HMRC taxed her initially plus the fact that there are alternatives to her taxation here and I am not entirely sure which will be most beneficial coupled with the fact that I hastily did a return for her last year meant that I really needed some help making sure it was done correctly.  We had been recommended a woman in Kissonerga and so that was where we were going.  I had trawled through all mum's files and picked out as much information as I could find but despite HMRC saying that they would send confirmation of Mum's right to be taxed over here twice we had still not received it.

John had come with me and was doing some jobs around Mum's house.  Firstly he wanted to complete the outstanding job of getting a network cable into the sunroom so that mum's TV box could run directly from the router rather than via wi-fi.  We had got an electrician in to do the job but he let us down time and time again and then we realised he had taken on a job that he didn't want or know how to complete.  John did it - he said with the help of a YouTube video he got it sorted.

Mum has also be troubled by ants getting into her kitchen although we are not entirely sure where they get in so John sealed the sunroom externally with some new silicon and now if they continue to get in they must be getting in from somewhere underneath.

The visit to the tax specialist was successful and I handed over responsibility for mum's tax returns happily knowing that in the future the returns will be correct and she will be paying the right amount and at just over 100 euros a year for someone else to do it Mum and I are more than happy!!!

We returned home to find that Chivers hadn't moved from our bed and was bright eyed and happy which was good and then later on Mum text to say she thought the TV was perfect so that was good too.

Comings and Goings...

Today Kenna was leaving so we needed to be a bit organised so that she would be at the airport for 12.00.  I was a bit concerned because there was no record of an incoming flight from Bournemouth (that is where she was flying back to) but in this instance the plane was originating from Cyprus so that was ok - for a minute I thought we had the wrong day!

The cats are always aware of changes so Boris and I were having a battle with the rugs.  For some reason today he suddenly had a thing about the non slip matting underneath so everytime I straightened things out he had a different idea.  I wonder if some little creature has been in the conservatory and took cover under one of the rugs and Boris is looking for it.  By now I would normally have these stowed away for the next Winter but the weather hasn't been settled enough so on a day like yesterday it is super toasty warm in there and still warm in the evening and then on a different it will be chilly in there at night.

Last year some of the rugs got damp in the shed when we stowed them so we will need to be more careful this year.  I plan to get those professionally cleaned as they seem to have some residual staining on them and there are several companies who do it and it is very reasonable.  I also plan to get the suite cleaned at the same time - we have toyed with the idea of changing it because it looks tired and acts like velcro where the cats hairs are concerned but having seen some of the work done by these cleaning companies it looks like that might be a doddle - anyway it is worth a try.

Today was nowhere near as nice as it had been yesterday - we certainly chose the right day for a tour of the island but it was warm enough to sit out at Bona Mare and have a coffee before dropping Kenna off at the airport.  Bona Mare is minutes from the terminal so it is no hardship to get off from Droushia and find a seat there to while away the time before bag drop off - it is less stressful than getting caught on the 40 minute journey from Droushia and arriving in a snotty heap!

Work continues on the Ro-Ro vessel next door which is undoubtedly going to be some sort of night-spot and as you can access it directly through the garden at Bona Mare guess it must be connected physically and financially.  It will be fascinating to see how this progresses - it is a massive structure and the workers look a bit like ants as they are moving around the structure.

We dropped Kenna off and later heard that everything went smoothly and the flight was on time and arrived safely back in the UK to rain.  There had been some sunshine around but on our way home we too encountered rain as we passed though a very heavy storm on the motorway.  It was brief but must have been doing the rounds as we could see very black clouds rolling around and the roads were wet when we got back to Droushia.

Yesterday Chivers had been moved from the main vets where they had been keeping an eye on him over the weekend to the vets in Prodromi and they had phoned to say he was making good progress.  We hadn't been able to let him recuperate at home because the only place we would have had to keep him in was the room where Kenna was sleeping.

We prepared that room for him in case there was a chance we could bring him home and went down with a basket.  The vet was very pleased with his progress but she had not been able to put a collar on him because he had freaked out and he would not eat unless she sat with him (he has lost the ability to eat once before and that was scary).  Apparently he sustained a very nasty injury which was worse internally than it appeared externally and was several days old when we had discovered it.  He had a number of stitches and had just burst one so needed that area stapled - one was successful the other was not and he lost that shortly afterwards.  She agreed that he could come home with us if he was confined indoors, kept quiet and had his wound cleaned daily.  Obviously we wanted him home but these conditions are difficult to meet with three other cats needing to go in and out and Chivers desperate to go outside.  His confinement ultimately led to a dreadful night's sleep - or lack of it as John and I took it in turns to be with him and try and settle him down.  He does not like using a litter tray so there is a thirty minuted yowling session before he gives up and uses it.  His crying disturbs the other cats who then try and come in to his room to see what is occurring.  Charlie and Boo have been up close and personal without any fighting, Minnie on the other hand has just hissed at him.  He is not due back  to have his stitches out until Monday - I hope he settles as I cannot cope with another 5 nights of broken sleep.  He seems ok - his wound is a bit unsightly but she didn't have to stitch into muscle which is a good thing.  We just have to be patient.

We managed to nip out and get some food at Fitos.  John said I was relieved of cooking duties having had a visitor for the past week although to be fair I hadn't done that much cooking.  We had also hoped to catch up with Les before Clare returns from Hong Kong at the weekend - originally we were going to go to the Pizza Box in Kathikas but Les said he would prefer Fitos which was fine by us.  We had hoped Di and Rob could join us but unfortunately they were busy so it was just the three of us who went to enjoy the fabulous food but the not so fabulous sunset - it looked like the world was about to end!  Nevertheless it was a good evening.  Fitos was in fine form and had we not wanted to get back to Chivers (and I was driving) we could have probably sat that there all evening and got slowly sozzled as he had the brandy bottle out!  I stuck to black coffee - maybe Fitos thought I was disadvantaged by being the driver and sent me little messages on the sugar!!

Old School Friends Reunited!

We certainly chose the best day of Kenna's holiday to embark on our Yooli-Mou tour and mini school reunion with Sheri who was travelling from Paralimni to Pissouri where we were to have lunch together at the Captain's Bay.  I had decided to take the old coast road rather than the motorway so that we could take in some of the fabulous scenery en route.

Our first stop was at the picnic site that John and I had discovered some years ago where you can walk down to the beach below and basically have it all to yourself.

This is located opposite one of the turnings for Aphrodite Hills and has been much improved since we went there several years ago.  There are picnic tables and toilets and the pathway down to the beach is just about passable by a car although I wouldn't want to try it myself.

The island is experiencing phase two of the migration of the Painted Lady butterflies so we were surrounded by them making their journey.  It was a beautifully warm and sunny day and the sea was the most fabulous colour and so very clear - it made you want to just run in and enjoy it although I knew it would not be very warm!!!



We then travelled a couple of hundred yards up the road to where there is an installation of living frames which was part of an initiative in 2017 when Paphos was one of the European Cities of Culture.  There are a number of rectangular 'frames' through which you can see different coastal vistas including Aphrodite's Rocks.  It is modern and structural and I liked it although I could have done with being a little taller to take full advantage.

We then motored a little further up the road to stop and take photographs of the Rocks but from the other side and now the view was at its absolute best.  I have rarely seen the sea so blue and so clear.

Kenna and I were stood on an unofficial viewing point just off the motorway.  I had stood there before to take photographs so new it was a good spot.  As I turned to my left I saw a man and a woman stripping off to go for a swim - I thought they were crazy as the water would be cold but then I realised that the man was completely naked.  Kenna thought he was just wearing flesh coloured trunks but I could clearly see his bum cheeks as he dived into the water and could clearly see some dangly bits as he strode back out although I am convinced they were probably somewhat smaller dangly bits coming out than had been on show going in!!!  He and his partner had probably not expected to see Kenna and I pitch up with our phones to take photos.  He should think himself lucky I didn't have my camera with telephoto lens.  This is not the first time I have been confronted by a man on the beach in the all together - it happened once before at Blue Lagoon - maybe it is the same couple!!!



We moved on to Pissouri and drove through the village to the Bay where we met Sheri as arranged at the Captain's Bay restaurant.  It was great to catch up - she and I try to do it once a year before she starts her seasonal work.  Last year we did it in the UK when we both returned for our 40 year reunion.  We had lunch and managed to confuse the staff because we started at a table with a mix of sun and shade but it was right next to the children's play area and none of us 'do' children so we moved to a table in full sun which was great for about an hour and then we had to move again into the shade!!!  After lunch we took a stroll along the beach from one end to the other before it was time to go our separate ways.

Our homeward journey was a bit fraught - we left Pissouri planning to do the return trip along the old coast road and then head down to Paphos to see the more touristy part and stop at the harbour for a drink.  We got so far then found the road was closed and we were to be diverted onto the motorway but in the wrong direction heading back to Limassol so I had to take a very old road back to Pissouri and go beyond and pick up the motorway from there.  I managed to avoid being clocked by the traffic police but when I stopped for petrol in Paphos got told I had a puncture which I think I picked up in the rough old carpark in Pissouri.  Our trip to the harbour was cancelled as I headed off to a tyre place to get the tyre looked at - the only one I could think of was the one Dad used to use and luckily I drove straight in and they repaired it but then told me that pretty soon all four tyres would need replacing - the punctured one because of the location of the puncture, the opposite one so they matched and the two fronts because they are getting worn - deep joy - soon the tyres will be worth more than the car!!

Once fixed we were back on the road again - our drink at the harbour had been shelved but I thought we might be able to pick up an icecream somewhere so as I headed back down to the coast I came through Lemba where we stopped to take some photographs of the lovely little place they use as a wedding venue and the weird and wonderful art college that has been there for years.



Kenna was fascinated by Lemba - it is a funny little place - a sort of cross between St Ives and Glastonbury but on a much smaller scale.  The college building is such an eclectic mix of 'things' that you see something new every time you go there.

As it was such a beautiful afternoon I decided that we should take in the last of the afternoon sun at the beach bar called Sea You at Potamos Bay - we call it Banana Bay - it is here that they have been planning to build a marina - it has been off and on and apparently is off again.  I am not too disappointed because I love this stretch of reasonably unspoiled coastline but I expect those people who bought in the posh development at the other end are not impressed by yet another delay.  Anyway we both enjoyed a non-alcoholic Mojito in the sun before returning home.

It had been an action packed final day for Kenna which we rounded off by picking up John and going for a quick early visit to the Pizza Box in Kathikas for a lovely meal before returning home - not too late a night for us as Kenna has to be at the airport for 12.00 tomorrow - we plan to leave a little earlier than necessary and stop at Bona Mare for a drink - then we will be right by the airport.

Sunday - sunshine!!

We actually had another bright start to the day and today we were lucky that the weather remained dry and fine all day for once.  With that in mind John cleaned off the outside furniture and put the umbrella up so that we could sit outside and enjoy a bit of warmth.  We actually got the new cushions out and the ones which Mum bought me look really nice - got to love a flamingo (or two!!).

Mum was coming up for lunch today as she normally does on Sunday and I had cooked a Stifado in advance and was busy getting the potatoes sorted - Hasselback today and some minted garden peas which were to be followed by a Greek Filo Pastry Orange Cake served with cream and/or strawberries - not bad really for an amateur.

Kenna has not had the best of weather whilst she has been here well at least not what we would normally expect for this time of year so the opportunity to spend the morning outside was very welcome so whilst I was busying myself in the kitchen she and John spent some time enjoying the fresh air.

Mum arrived safe and sound - it is always a relief when she pitches up although there is rarely much traffic to trouble her which is good.  She is having an issue with trigger finger on her right hand but has arranged to go and see a specialist tomorrow to see what her options are - ideally she would like another injection but doesn't know if he will be prepared to do it again and she really doesn't want an operation.  Fingers crossed that she will get some good news tomorrow.

So here we are all enjoying our Sunday lunch - we decided to err on the side of caution and eat indoors.  I had to do a clothing change midway through as I managed to cover myself when my peas shot of the plate loaded in red wine gravy which made a bit of a mess.  Stifado is always my go-to meal and it meant that Mum could take a dinner home with her for in the week.

It was so much more spring-like today - the temperatures don't lie but there is such a difference depending on where you are sitting.

In the lounge it was a heady 19.4 degrees but compared to recently that was positively balmy! whilst outside the kitchen it was  24.4 degrees and in the conservatory it reached 32 degrees and we were moaning that it was too warm - well I was but Mum said it was just comfortable.  Mum was going out this evening to see Sleeping Beauty being beamed from Russia to the Multiplex cinema in the Mall so as she left earlier than normal so she could get herself ready and apparently it was the best one that she and her friends have been to see so that is good.

Kenna took the opportunity to check out Wendy and Bill corner and give the Steamers their first occupant of the year (save for the cats).  She will at least go home with a little colour on her face from the sun rather than rust!

It is always lovely to have visitors but our 'normal' life gets put on hold so I am conscious that I haven't done any cleaning for a few days and the garden is getting overrun with weeds and if we are one hundred percent honest our little house is really not big enough.  We have one shower room and one toilet so when we have visitors it would be much nicer if we had two bathrooms.  We could do it but Wendy and Bill corner would have to go and that would be a bit of a shame and in the future when there is just the two of us we only need a shower room and that is what we have got.

This makes me think of the lovely Trish and Alan who sadly passed away together (as they had been in life) shortly after Dad died.  They used to invite us to go and stay at their home in the North East at any time but, as Trish would be at pains to emphasise, only for two days.  We used to ask her why and she used to say she could only stand sharing her house with visitors for two days max.  It was a bit forthright but you have to admire her honesty.  God bless them both - may they rest in peace.

Our house seems a little strange without Chivers but some of the cats are making the most of John's vacant lap.  Mr Boo is Mr Flop - he just gets on your lap and makes himself comfortable!!!

John was trying to finish his Chris Wilder biography which was a Christmas Present and Boris wanted to be close by.  He is one cool cat!!!  He tickles me when he comes onto the bed in the morning and lifts the duvet cover and then gets into bed and snuggles up with me - he generally drapes himself as an arc over my body and snoozes - he is calming and gentle and any angst you might have disappears as he gives you his unconditional love and attention - why do people cause these animals harm?

After Mum had gone home we cleared the kitchen and had some quiet time before we watched this evening's film which was Kenna's choice - A 2007 American spy thriller film which is based on a true story about Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent convicted of spying for the Soviet Unioin for more than two decades.  It was a very good film.