Day 2 - Hazel's Visit

A week simply isn't long enough for Hazel's visit and although she wants to return with a bit of a tan she is being sensible, infinitely more sensible than on previous visits when she managed to burn!!!  Today we had decided to go out for the morning and to have some lunch and then spend the afternoon and evening at home in and around the pool that way we could regulate the amount of exposure she was having to the rays.

Hazel has set herself a routine so that she goes in for an early morning swim, doing one hundred lengths of our pool and then we have breakfast which we take under the vine.

We then meandered down to Polis so that Hazel could have a look at the various nice gift shops that are in the square.  She actually bought a very pretty floaty summer dress from The Arches 'Mooch' collection which she plans to wear out one evening this week.  It was a bargain at 16 euros and the colour was perfect for her so she was well happy.

We noticed that the little church in the square had its door open - I have never been inside before so we ventured in.  This is apparently the church of St Nicholas and is used for catholic masses.  There isn't much information about this church on the tintyweb but apparently we shouldn't miss the church of Agios Andronikos which is near the municipal gardens as the walls are covered in 16th century paintings.  Had we known that at the time we would have gone.

Polis square is quaint - never overly busy but currently buzzing with a holiday atmosphere and tourists.  There is a bit of an issue at the moment as there is a dispute over the 'rough' carpark that just about everyone used to park near the square - it is currently blocked by huge boulders because the owner doesn't want people to park there - or at least not free of charge.

Our lunch destination was the Souli Hotel so that we could sit in the shade but looking out to sea.

It was a good job we went early because we got about the last non-reserved table right on the front and shortly after our food was served the restaurant was swarming with the poor people that are packed like sardines into the jeep safari vehicles.

We had a lovely lunch (although pescatarian Hazel was unsure about the calamari!!).  Our greek salad, tzaziki, tahini, pittas, halloumi, calamari, olives and chips with drinks to wash it all down cost us just 45 euros and actually was meant to be 'light' but we all felt stuffed and John didn't actually eat anything else for the rest of the day!!

No matter how stuffed though there is always the obligatory stop at the Gelataria by Porto Latchi to peruse the massive selection of icecream flavours.  I passed on this but would have had the cinnamon and orange had I partaken.  John plumped for cherry and Hazel for Mars.

We spent the afternoon as planned relaxing and dipping in and out of the pool which is a godsend as the weather is very hot at the moment and we get no breeze in the garden because of the wall.

As I said John declined any further food today but Hazel has a great appetite and so when asked she thought she could manage a little something so I made a salad with large croutons covered in grilled goats cheese and topped with my lemon pickle.  It was delicious!!!

We spent the remainder of the day watching the last of the sunshine up on the roof terrace where we could see the sun go down and watch the colours of the sky and the mountains change as a result.  It was a beautiful evening.  Still and warm and no condensation - idyllic until we were joined by heavy farm machinery...

The farmers had come to move some of the grain with a digger - it was noisy but that wasn't too much of a problem it was the dust that was being kicked up that caused some discomfort particularly for Hazel who has breathing problems.

As a postscript I am finishing with an 'only in Cyprus' anecdote - Mum went to get cash from the cashpoint on Friday and the machine ate her card - she had to wait until today to return to the bank to have it returned.  Apparently it wasn't her fault - there is an issue with the chip and she was advised to give it a clean with Zivania!!!  Well apart from being a drink it is used for insect bites and bruises so why not dodgy chips!!

Second postscript is that I managed to talk to George and Pam today - they may not make it out this year - it will depend on George's progress but their son Andrew and family are coming in August and we will make sure that the villa is presentable when they arrive.  Fingers crossed for George and we hope they will be over as soon as they are feeling up to it.

Third postscript - my aunt continues to make positive progress after her operation.  She is taking each day as it comes and will hopefully be well enough to attend her granddaughters wedding which is very soon.