My turn to be Tour Guide...

So today I was taking Michelle on a whistle stop tour of this corner of the island whilst John was trying to brush up on his golf by going down to the 9-hole on the Tombs of the Kings and whacking a bucket of balls.

We started off with a quick trip down to Latchi so that Michelle could by a gift for the person looking after her beloved cats Esther and Faith - nearly all of her cats have had biblical names but not for any religious reason.   Anyway there was a newish gift shop that I hadn't seen before and we went in there and it was a successful visit - present got!

We made our way slowly along the coast so that Michelle could see just how beautiful it is and just how reminiscent of the Cornish coastline.  It is now very quiet on the beaches - just look even though today was very very warm.  We called into various spots on our way to the final destination which was Pachyammos and the church.

It is hot and thirsty work being a tour guide so we stopped for a frappe in what must be one of the most beautiful places to grab a drink and a sandwich.  We sat there long enough to decide that this would be a good place for a snack - we wanted something light as we were going to sample the delights of Fitos later on - John's idea, I had been happy to cook but he thought Michelle might fancy some swordfish and she did and John had checked with Joanna that it would be on the menu.

We ate our snack, drank our frappe and just marvelled at the view before we headed off to Pachyamos but not before I did a little detour where there is a sign in Pomos for the Dragon's Cave.  I have heard about it but never found it.  You cannot drive down to it - you can pull in off the road and then walk to that bit of beach and the caves below.

We got to Pachyamos - it was cool and quiet in the church and I took the opportunity to light some candles for loved ones no longer with us.  I do hope that Elena, Hadge and Dad are kicking up their heels wherever they are - although with Hadge's disabilities that might be a tad difficult for him.

That church with all its murals never fails to amaze me - I am not a religious person but there is a feeling in that space that fills me with calm.  I understand that faith is important to many - I have no problem with that just so long as I am free to make my own decisions on that score.

At the back of the church, overlooking the beautiful beach at Pachyamos is the tree with 'eyes'  I think it is a weeping fig by the looks of the leaves - generally kept as an indoor plant in the UK and grown outside here.  This one must have been here years and years by the size of the trunk and I think the 'eyes' are scars from where branches have been removed.  It appears to watch over you as you sit on the wall underneath and take in the view.

It is here that we discretely scattered some of Hadge's ashes.  There is an icon in the church that people touch - it used to be surrounded by sticks and crutches - presumably from those who had suffered but no longer did so, having visited the church and paid respects at that icon so it held a special place in our hearts - maybe if we had been just that bit more accepting of the miracles that god's chosen are said to perform we too might have been able to leave behind a pair of crutches but it was not to be.

Stood outside the church with all the paving and concrete reflecting the heat we were in danger of overheating so got back into the car and made our way back to Pomos.

We took a walk around Pomos harbour and we had told Michelle about the occasions when we had been lucky enough to see and swim with a turtle.  She was just asking where she might catch a glimpse when we heard a large 'plop' in the water and saw a silvery white fish being flung into the air and then deftly caught...
...by a turtle!!!!  We watched it for ages until it took its game further afield and headed out the mouth of the harbour.  I was so pleased that we had been successful and Michelle was over the moon - even more so when she got home and discovered she had managed to capture the turtle on camera.  It is a little distorted but we know what it is!!!

John had booked so that we would be at Fitos for the sunset and we had our regular table in the corner with the best view and the windows so we could regulate our own temperature.  After sunset it begins to get a bit chilly and damp.  Fitos was wonderful - Michelle really enjoyed the experience which included a drink on Fitos afterwards - poor Michelle seems to have had her normal year's alcohol consumption in just a few days!  She said the swordfish was superb and I opted for salmon and it was the biggest fillet I have ever seen - I had to take half home which pleased Charlie no end!!

We were joined by Eva in waiting for the sun to set.  Actually Eva had eyed up our arrival and realised we were going to be soft touches when it came to getting a morsel or two to eat and the fact that we had fish meant it was like Christmas and her birthday all in one.

We were not to be disappointed by the sunset which was probably one of the best, if not the best, I have witnessed from Fitos's - the sun sank down like a ball of flames and then the sky turned the most fabulous shades of red and pink and orange.  Even Arianna Grande who was serving us stopped to have a look because she too said it was the best she had seen.

Another great day - tomorrow more properties to view...