Our weather continues to be appalling for this time of year. Rain, rain and more rain and chilly temperatures. This is having an adverse affect on the buildings, the gardens, our electricity production and our moods!! For the first time since we had PV panels we have had an electricity bill for February and March which was more than just the standing charges and normally we have had sufficient units in credit to cover our requirements - having said that we are quite frugal because our heating in the lounge is gas or wood-burner.
The properties on the estate which were repossessed by Alpha Bank are slowly being released for sale. Sharon and Sean have bought 9A and Sharon is in the process of doing it up in readiness for visitors in the summer. She is less than thrilled by the weather as it is stopping her getting on with the outside jobs, having said that what she has done so far, clearing and painting has made a real difference and it is nice to see at least one of those properties being given some TLC. Apparently the remaining ones owned by the Bank will be cleared and soon. Whether or not anyone will buy is subject to some debate - certainly if you visited on a day like today, grey, cold and wet you wouldn't be tempted. As we have said, we know exactly what it takes to make these houses liveable so it is less daunting than if you see them for the first time having been 'abandoned and unloved' for the last 8 years or so.
Once again the excessive rains have created a 'swimming pool' as you come out of the estate. We have been keeping an eye on the backs of 3A and 3B where Mohammed in his infinite wisdom cut off the roof overhang. You can see where the rain now cascades off the roof and straight down the back wall - I think Angela and Philip are in for a nasty shock when they arrive which apparently is sometime soon. Methinks that particular design 'feature' is going to be nigh on impossible to rectify without huge expenditure!
We were down at pickleball this afternoon - everyone seemed to be suffering with aches and pains - John's knee was bad, Mum has a dodgy shoulder, Di was suffering with a tight Achilles tendon, I have a bit of a 'pinched' nerve in my bum so only the other John seemed to be fit and healthy!!! It was dry whilst we were down there but shortly after we left Mum reported that they had thunder which moved our way and we had rolling mists and heavy rain to accompany it. I need to get washing done in readiness for Kenna's visit but looking at the forecast I have no idea when that is going to be.
We stopped at Paps bakery to pick up a chicken for tea and to make a curry for tomorrow's tea. They are getting ready for Easter which is a week later here than it is in the UK. Some of the cakes look fabulous. Cypriot cakes and confectionery used to be exceptionally rustic and sweet but now the bakeries offer all sorts of delicious and refined cakes to suit every palate. I thought that these cupcakes looked fabulous although I am not sure what effect that injection of 'E' numbers might have on a small child!
We embraced our Mediterranean lifestyle by having a pitta tea tonight with chicken and a fresh salad served with dips and olives and some double cooked chips! It was really nice and easy to do as the chicken and the chips had come from Paps - I just re-cooked the chips to crisp them up as they tend to go a bit soggy on their trip home. I had only just said to John that I was betting on a power outage tonight because of the thunder when I was proved right - fortunately it was only a 'blip' and nothing long term this time.
I will end with this photograph which popped up as a memory on social media posted by my friend Tsui (in the middle) and taken in the grounds of Salisbury Cathedral when she, Hazel and I attended the wedding of Paula and Jerry in 1986 (I think). I am not sure why Hazel and I had adopted "Dinner Lady Chic" for that occasion - it was obviously fashionable at the time but we ended up looking like Mrs Overall from Acorn Antiques - what were we thinking? One can only hope that when I attend Hazel's son Jordan's wedding in June that both she and I have chosen more wisely!!! Tsui you managed to look stylish!
The properties on the estate which were repossessed by Alpha Bank are slowly being released for sale. Sharon and Sean have bought 9A and Sharon is in the process of doing it up in readiness for visitors in the summer. She is less than thrilled by the weather as it is stopping her getting on with the outside jobs, having said that what she has done so far, clearing and painting has made a real difference and it is nice to see at least one of those properties being given some TLC. Apparently the remaining ones owned by the Bank will be cleared and soon. Whether or not anyone will buy is subject to some debate - certainly if you visited on a day like today, grey, cold and wet you wouldn't be tempted. As we have said, we know exactly what it takes to make these houses liveable so it is less daunting than if you see them for the first time having been 'abandoned and unloved' for the last 8 years or so.
Once again the excessive rains have created a 'swimming pool' as you come out of the estate. We have been keeping an eye on the backs of 3A and 3B where Mohammed in his infinite wisdom cut off the roof overhang. You can see where the rain now cascades off the roof and straight down the back wall - I think Angela and Philip are in for a nasty shock when they arrive which apparently is sometime soon. Methinks that particular design 'feature' is going to be nigh on impossible to rectify without huge expenditure!
We were down at pickleball this afternoon - everyone seemed to be suffering with aches and pains - John's knee was bad, Mum has a dodgy shoulder, Di was suffering with a tight Achilles tendon, I have a bit of a 'pinched' nerve in my bum so only the other John seemed to be fit and healthy!!! It was dry whilst we were down there but shortly after we left Mum reported that they had thunder which moved our way and we had rolling mists and heavy rain to accompany it. I need to get washing done in readiness for Kenna's visit but looking at the forecast I have no idea when that is going to be.
We stopped at Paps bakery to pick up a chicken for tea and to make a curry for tomorrow's tea. They are getting ready for Easter which is a week later here than it is in the UK. Some of the cakes look fabulous. Cypriot cakes and confectionery used to be exceptionally rustic and sweet but now the bakeries offer all sorts of delicious and refined cakes to suit every palate. I thought that these cupcakes looked fabulous although I am not sure what effect that injection of 'E' numbers might have on a small child!
We embraced our Mediterranean lifestyle by having a pitta tea tonight with chicken and a fresh salad served with dips and olives and some double cooked chips! It was really nice and easy to do as the chicken and the chips had come from Paps - I just re-cooked the chips to crisp them up as they tend to go a bit soggy on their trip home. I had only just said to John that I was betting on a power outage tonight because of the thunder when I was proved right - fortunately it was only a 'blip' and nothing long term this time.
I will end with this photograph which popped up as a memory on social media posted by my friend Tsui (in the middle) and taken in the grounds of Salisbury Cathedral when she, Hazel and I attended the wedding of Paula and Jerry in 1986 (I think). I am not sure why Hazel and I had adopted "Dinner Lady Chic" for that occasion - it was obviously fashionable at the time but we ended up looking like Mrs Overall from Acorn Antiques - what were we thinking? One can only hope that when I attend Hazel's son Jordan's wedding in June that both she and I have chosen more wisely!!! Tsui you managed to look stylish!
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