The weather today was odd - big black clouds amassing overhead and the threat of a thunderstorm. Not good if you are, like our neighbours, travelling up to the mountains for a few days. We, on the other hand had been invited to join Melanie and Simon and Jasmine and Frances for some time at the beach.
We said goodbye to our neighbours as they were packed up early and set off and we got our beach things together and left shortly afterwards. We hadn't gone more than about a minute, turning off to go down the hill from Andreas's house when we spotted Lakis's car on the side of the road. We were concerned because he had taken it to the garage yesterday for a check up on an oil leak and previously had had an incident where it got very hot. We pulled in to make sure they were ok only to find that Argy had spotted some fabulous figs and was 'cutting' them as a gift for Lakis's brother. The only trouble was the good ones were too high for her so John came to the rescue climing the tree and pulling the branch down so that Argy could get a bumper crop to take with her.
We were meeting the Rogers' family at Tsakkas Bay which is a favourite spot because it has a nice large airy and shaded taverna above the beach where you can sit and have a pretty good lunch. It was quite busy when we arrived - we tend not to go to the beach peak season so it is a something of a surprise to see the carpark full.
On arrival it was quite bright and sunny. Melanie was relaxing on the sunbed and Simon and the girls were coming in from a swim. Shortly afterwards however the dark clouds started to gather. Fortunately the wind changed and although it was overcast the choppy seas calmed and it was quite pleasant on the beach as it wasn't too hot.
The girls kept asking why Granny Mo wasn't coming for a swim and a go on the Kayak. That I would like to see as Mum doesn't like the sea at the best of times although I reckon the girls would have persuaded her to have a paddle at the very least. They are charming and engaging and a credit to Melanie and Simon.
Melanie and I left John to go and entertain the girls with Simon whilst we relaxed and had a chat. We were approached by a diver who asked if we would look after his weights whilst he took a couple diving which we were happy to do as long as they came and reported back what they had seen - Melanie was a marine biologist so this is very interesting to her. John, Simon and the children came back with reports of seeing a puffer fish - not native to these waters but growing in numbers unfortunately. The diver came back having seen a fish he had not encountered before saying it had 'wings' but was not a flying fish - Melanie reckoned it might be a Gurnard and looking it up I would say she was probably right.
John took the kayak out and the girls, without any hesitation, decided they wanted to hitch a ride so good old Uncle John paddled them out to the buouy, Jasmine got off to swim with her Dad but Frances remained with John treating him like he was some old pal she has known for years. It is so endearing because we really don't see as much of them as we should. I know they are contemplating plans to enable them to spend more time up at the village house but their lives are busy and the children have so many activities down in Paphos that I know it makes it difficult which is why we are happy to make time to be with them when they are here. Hopefully tomorrow they might call round in the afternoon as I know Jasmine is a cat lover although this is normal the signal for our four to be scarce!
We had lunch at Tsakkas and it was lovely sitting up on the verandah overlooking the sea - simple fresh food eaten outside cannot be beaten. We filled the table with salad, dips, halloumi, chips and a sea bream and it was delicious when topped off with some perfectly ripe and chilled water melon. Thank you for the invitation Rogers' Family and hopefully see your tomorrow.
Meanwhile back in Spilia the weather was not so kind as I had a message from Argy to say that they were taking coffee accompanied by heavy rain. I feel so sorry for them because they had delayed going to Spilia for a number of reasons and it is beautiful there but when it is raining there is nothing much they can do. They are keen walkers but Lakis has been nursing a back injury and is being treated by Marios the physiotherapist. Fingers crossed the weather will have improved for them.
We said goodbye to our neighbours as they were packed up early and set off and we got our beach things together and left shortly afterwards. We hadn't gone more than about a minute, turning off to go down the hill from Andreas's house when we spotted Lakis's car on the side of the road. We were concerned because he had taken it to the garage yesterday for a check up on an oil leak and previously had had an incident where it got very hot. We pulled in to make sure they were ok only to find that Argy had spotted some fabulous figs and was 'cutting' them as a gift for Lakis's brother. The only trouble was the good ones were too high for her so John came to the rescue climing the tree and pulling the branch down so that Argy could get a bumper crop to take with her.
We were meeting the Rogers' family at Tsakkas Bay which is a favourite spot because it has a nice large airy and shaded taverna above the beach where you can sit and have a pretty good lunch. It was quite busy when we arrived - we tend not to go to the beach peak season so it is a something of a surprise to see the carpark full.
On arrival it was quite bright and sunny. Melanie was relaxing on the sunbed and Simon and the girls were coming in from a swim. Shortly afterwards however the dark clouds started to gather. Fortunately the wind changed and although it was overcast the choppy seas calmed and it was quite pleasant on the beach as it wasn't too hot.
The girls kept asking why Granny Mo wasn't coming for a swim and a go on the Kayak. That I would like to see as Mum doesn't like the sea at the best of times although I reckon the girls would have persuaded her to have a paddle at the very least. They are charming and engaging and a credit to Melanie and Simon.
Melanie and I left John to go and entertain the girls with Simon whilst we relaxed and had a chat. We were approached by a diver who asked if we would look after his weights whilst he took a couple diving which we were happy to do as long as they came and reported back what they had seen - Melanie was a marine biologist so this is very interesting to her. John, Simon and the children came back with reports of seeing a puffer fish - not native to these waters but growing in numbers unfortunately. The diver came back having seen a fish he had not encountered before saying it had 'wings' but was not a flying fish - Melanie reckoned it might be a Gurnard and looking it up I would say she was probably right.
John took the kayak out and the girls, without any hesitation, decided they wanted to hitch a ride so good old Uncle John paddled them out to the buouy, Jasmine got off to swim with her Dad but Frances remained with John treating him like he was some old pal she has known for years. It is so endearing because we really don't see as much of them as we should. I know they are contemplating plans to enable them to spend more time up at the village house but their lives are busy and the children have so many activities down in Paphos that I know it makes it difficult which is why we are happy to make time to be with them when they are here. Hopefully tomorrow they might call round in the afternoon as I know Jasmine is a cat lover although this is normal the signal for our four to be scarce!
We had lunch at Tsakkas and it was lovely sitting up on the verandah overlooking the sea - simple fresh food eaten outside cannot be beaten. We filled the table with salad, dips, halloumi, chips and a sea bream and it was delicious when topped off with some perfectly ripe and chilled water melon. Thank you for the invitation Rogers' Family and hopefully see your tomorrow.
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