Memories...

Regular readers will know that I had a Memory Bear made after Dad's death - when I saw that my friend Laura had had one made in memory of her grandfather, using material from his pyjamas I had thought it was such a lovely idea that I would see if Mum had anything remaining that was Dad's - in the end she managed to find a small selection of handkerchiefs and I found a fabulous lady called Chrissy Sodden who took up the challenge to produce Mr Ron for me.

John's Mum is keen to have a similar bear made for her in memory of Hadge and so today I was meeting up with Chrissy down in Polis to hand over the treasured shirt and the sparkly material which we hope will be fashioned into a waistcoat.  Hadge was a larger than life character with a love for lairy ties and waistcoats!

I was to meet her at Kings Cafe where she and a number of other ladies with nimble fingers hold surgeries for those of us requiring their services.

I left a little early because I wanted to get some shopping in Paps.  It is another Bank Holiday here in Cyprus - this time, May 1st, it is Day.  In some of the towns and cities this is not a major bank holiday but in Polis it meant that most of the businesses were shut!!

I managed to get a few bits in Paps.  Outside the front door they have a fabulous display of flowers, real ones and the Amaryllis are absolutely stunning.  I had quite a shopping list but I am guessing that Paps have been short of a delivery or two because it was sadly lacking in fresh bread, fruit and veg so I will have to go again because I am cooking on Sunday for Mum and my Aunt and Uncle who arrive tomorrow!

I had hoped to get some items in Glykkis the DIY shop but unusually it was closed - I am guessing this is the complete opposite to what happens in the UK on Bank Holidays when the DIY shops probably make more profit than at any other time of the year!!!

So shopping done I made my way to the square to catch up with Chrissy...



I like Polis Square but actually I don't have any reason to go there which is a bit of a shame because they have done quite a bit of work around there recently - the front of the Japanese Akakiko opens up onto the square - although today it didn't look to have much life, if any, there.  Mad Maria the hairdresser has Kings Cafe which is actually a very nice building and the food coming from there looked fabulous.

I met with Chrissy and handed over the material and know that she will do a good job - I have told  her there is no rush as John's mum doesn't come out until September.

About the only other shop open in the whole of Polis was That Nice Shop where Sheila works (although not today).  Today Tanith was on duty so I stopped and had a chat with her and had a little look round - it is, as it says, a Nice Shop with nice things and I particularly liked the birds on a string which gave me ideas as to what I could do with the clay I have and some of the drift wood I have picked up!!

I returned home just in time to pass the baton on to John who was going to help Rob with some DIY.  Mum and Kaye were coming up and we had initially thought about going to the Japanese but it hadn't looked very open and then I had bumped into Nakis from Yiallos in Paps so thought that might be a better option.

We had thought about going along the coast for a bit of a drive which we did but the weather was looking quite threatening so we got down to Latchi and it was spitting slightly but by the time we got to the Baths of Aphrodite it was hoofing it down!!!  We decided to give up on our walk to see where Aphrodite did her ablutions as (a) there was nowhere to park and (b) we would have got soaked into the bargain

We decided to lunch at Yiallos because there is a new indoor/outdoor space and the food is good.  In fact we had an excellent lunch for which I have to thank Mum!!  I had Chicken Caesar Salad - but why wouldn't you when they do the best around???

We returned to Droushia via the Hotel - it was chaos as it was full and because of the inclement weather everyone was in the bar area and the noise level was eardrum perforating!!  Our cuppa at home was much more civilised!!!