Mysterious Girl...

There are some key footie matches on today and poor Bill is going to miss his team's match against Arsenal because we are off out tonight to see Chris Andre (Peter Andre's brother) at the Farmyard.  I know this is poor management on my part but I didn't know when I booked the tickets that this would be the case.  John's beloved Blades have a 5.00pm kick-off which just about leaves us enough time to shit, shave and shower, and that is just we girls!!!  We hadn't bargained for bloody VAR almost ruining our plans but that is another story.

I had planned a quiet morning and a little light brunch but that all went out the window partly because Wendy and I fancied a bit of fresh air to try and clear our heads and Wendy and Bill had wanted to take us out for lunch anyway.  I was a bit concerned that eating lunchtime and then again in the evening (which was to be a Farmyard Thai Buffet which is always cracking) would be too much so we decided to head off down to the coast and have a bit of a walk and then a light lunch before coming back and relaxing.  So we set off down the hill only to be detained by a traffic jam caused by goats/sheep/shoats/geep making their way across the road.

We decided to head down to the Camp Site to see if the beach bar was still open and then do a bit of a walk.  The bar was sort of open but running down its stocks as it it going to close shortly so we sat in the sun on the beach drinking what they could rustle up.

John get himself a new friend.  This super cute little girl trotted up to him and just jumped up and got herself comfortable.  She was a cutie and we hope that her fabulous condition meant that she was, like us. a local who was just taking in the lovely surroundings and catching a few rays.

We made a group decision that we would park up in the car park just past Porto Latchi and then walk to the Souli for a light lunch which is what we did.

Wendy and Bill were amazed that they had never been to the Souli before and were well impressed by the location and the views and the food.  Although the hotel is a little old fashioned it is clean and tidy and the staff are so friendly - we always make sure that we get there before any of the jeep safaris come for lunch.

We ordered far too much food - we always do but it was so lovely.  Poor Wendy looks like she is praying for room in her tummy to accommodate it all!!!  This was simply a selection of starters which included toasted village bread with olive oil and oregano, dips and pitta bread, green olives, village salad, chips, halloumi and calamari.  We did our best and managed to eat most of it but had to wave the white flag when it came to all the dips!!!

We returned home so that John could watch the Mighty Blades playing Arsenal - it was a controversial game marred by VAR but ended in a draw and so they moved up to fifth in the league.  The delay from the VAR meant we had a quick turnround before setting off for Kathikas where we had booked tickets to see Chris Andre playing and this was to be accompanied by a Thai buffet.  It was a fabulous evening.  Hats off to the Farmyard for going the extra mile with regard to Wendy being a vegetarian.  The chef came to speak to her personally to check that she could eat the vegetarian food he had already prepared and if she could not then he was happy to make anything she wanted and afterwards he returned to make sure she had been happy with her meal and still offered to make her anything she wanted.  We all agreed that the food was excellent and they have got the service down to a fine art as they staggered the starters which were served at the table and staggered which tables could go up to the self service counter for the main course.  This ensured that people weren't rushing to eat or all trying to go at the same time.  It was relaxed and dignified and the food was excellent.  John was over the moon that one of the dishes was the green Thai curry that they had served when we went to Reggae Rockers because that was delicious as was the sweet and sour pork (also served at Reggae Rockers).  Wendy said that the vegetarian curry was absolutely excellent.

We all agreed that Chris Andre is a fabulous musician - his singing voice is a little weak but by god he can play a guitar, bouzouki and electric violin and the music was not intrusive so we could have a little chat, have a little sing, have a little eat - it was a really really great night - I was nursing my cold/throat whatever it was and decided I would drive which meant we could leave when we wanted.  The boys got well into the swing and were a little socially confused I think.  We got home in time for John to put on the Leicester City game on catch up which pleased Bill no end even though he knew what the score was.

the Naan's have it...

I was up early today because I had a lot to do for our meal this evening and we were going out to play pickleball, and to see Mum, which left only a short window of opportunity to have a shower and get the food sorted before Wendy and Bill and Di and Rob arrived.  I wanted to get the Naan's prepared so that all John had to do was cook them because he is the master of that!  This is about one of the only times that I like the fact we have granite work surfaces - it is fabulous for making pastry and dough but in the winter is so cold it is like a mortuary slab.  This recipe is a tad messy as it calls for the mixing to be done direct on the work surface!

After activating the yeast and mixing all the ingredients together I managed to get my dough all nice and smooth and put it to bed in the conservatory where it would be warm so that it could do its stuff and rise - normally I would not leave it for so long before cooking but they are always better freshly cooked so this was the best I could do.  Naan breads, if you can find them ready made, are expensive and actually apart from being a bit messy they are really easy to make so we prefer to do that.

We left the dough safely tucked up in bed and went down to Paphos for our regular game of pickleball.  This week no Liselotte so not much by way of rest between games and it was exceptionally hot for this time of year!!!  We had full fanage like we would need in July and we were still all dripping!!!  Still it was good fun and my foot is holding up reasonably well although I cannot believe how long it is taking.

We went back to Mum's for a well earned cuppa and a catch up on the week's events and to do any little jobs she needed.  She has a new friend.  A cat who looks not dissimilar to Boris has taken up residence outside and sits and stares at her.  I am guessing he is a boy although I didn't get a good look.  I went to take a bowl of water and some biscuits outside and he disappeared just around the side of a shrub - far enough away that I could not touch him but just stared at me and waited until I had gone back in before he gingerly made his way to the bowls for something to eat and drink.

I keep going on about how lovely November has been so far - it really has and as we made our way back home (earlier than anticipated because I realised I had not turned on the slow cookers before leaving) the sun was beginning its descent into the sea.

Driving back via Banana Bay we are treated to spectacular views all along the coast road.  Tonight was exceptional and it was so warm - it was even warm when we arrived back in Droushia.  As we walked along the path to our front gate the walls were radiating the remains of the heat they had absorbed throughout the day acting like night storage heaters they wrapped us in a warm blanket as we made our way indoors trying to avoid the cats who were ready for their tea and wrapping themselves around our legs.

My first job was to put on those pesky slow cookers - perhaps we should invest in an Alexa or something and some smart sockets so that I could have set them going remotely.  As it happens they still had a couple of hours on high and were fine.

Second job was to get the dough out of bed and onto the mortuary slab so that we could ensure we had freshly baked Naan to eat with our meal.  The first Naan is always the 'tester' as it takes a while to get the pan to the right temperature so that they cook and fluff, fluff and cook.  John has this down to a fine art so before too long we had a dozen perfectly cooked breads ready and waiting.

Wendy and Bill arrived and got themselves settled in and then very shortly afterwards in came Di and Rob.  I must thank Di for the fabulous Mary Berry pudding she brought - it was absolutely delicious.

We had a lovely evening although sadly both Wendy and I felt we were coming down with something as we developed earache and sore throats so I got out the Snips out ready to stem the tide.  The currys went down well and I was particularly pleased with the pomegranate and mint raita which was delicious.  I didn't actually get to the meat curry - the black bean was really good so that is what I stuck to.

I think a good time was had by all - it certainly seemed like it.

Now we are estate agents...

Today I was mainly getting ready for tomorrow night when we have Di and the Bobster and Wendy and Bill coming for a meal.  Wendy and Bill have recently returned from a long weekend in Israel which looked absolutely fascinating so I will be interested to hear all about it as they did it so easily and cheaply from Paphos.  In fact I know that Dip and Karen are interested in doing something similar when they are next over.

The menu for Friday is a black-eyed bean vegetarian curry - mainly with Wendy in mind but I like that too and a chicken passander for the meat-eaters which will be served with lime and coriander flavoured rice and home-made naan breads.  There will be poppadoms and pickles to start and Di has very kindly offered to make the pud as I don't do puds or at least I don't do pud very often - it just isn't my thing.

I had also sort of forgotten that I would need to do lunch on Sunday for Mum and that having Wendy and Bill here for the weekend I really ought to have that in hand - I settled for a sausage and apple casserole which I would serve with mashed potato and peas and got that going too.  The kitchen looked like carnage!!!

I needed to get myself organised because I was meeting up with my friend Sonia Demetriou today (she of the Androula's Kitchen Cyprus on a Plate fame).  I had mentioned to Sonia that there was a house up for sale on our estate, previously she had expressed an interest in living in a village, and she thought it would be worth just having a look at what was available.  Marilena's house has a nice feel to it but it needs work doing to it, not least to the outside where there is a patchwork of finishes and levels and it was most definitely designed as a holiday home because the eclectic kitchen arrangement is really not practical for someone living there permanently.

After doing that she had suggested going down to the Herb Garden in Akourdaleia to have a light lunch which is what we did.  It was an absolutely idyllic spot to spend an hour or so catching up and the weather was just superb - it was warm, unusually warm with a real strength in the sun.  It was lovely to be able to sit down and have a chat.  We first met through Elena and then Sonia came out to spend an extended period of time on the island with a view to moving here (her family roots are in Cyprus).  After a lot of thought she decided that this was for her and she sold her house in the UK and came over to get organised and eventually buy a little village house to see out her days.  Well the best laid plans as they say often go awry and they certainly did for her as ill health and subsequent accidents pushed her plans back several years.  She has made a tremendous recovery and is back driving and now ready to sort out where she will live having been in a rented flat in Polis.  A very nice rented flat but not exactly what she would like as her forever home.

Getting our sofas cleaned...

We were up early this morning as we wanted to protect George and Pam's front garden from becoming the local cat toilet.  We had got some weed suppressing membrane which was just about big enough to cover the bare earth.  This will provide some protection for a while hopefully, although I can imagine that some sneaky bugger will lift up where there is a join and make a deposit!!!  Anyway for the time being at least it is looking clean and tidy.

We had arranged to have our sofas and lounge rug cleaned today over the years the sofas have suffered from sweaty heads and hands, a dribbly cat and more ginger fur than you can shake a big stick at.  They were so grubby that we had contemplated replacing them.  No amount of cleaning product we had purchased had made them anything like acceptable but I decided that we should give the cleaning company at least one chance to bring them back to some sort of life.  We had removed all the scatter cushions and throws save for one last night because Chivvy likes to sleep on the sofa given the chance and he was doggedly (or is that cattedly) hanging on till the last minute.

For some reason I had it in my mind that the cleaning company was located somewhere around Coral Bay but in fact they were coming from Anarita so had much further to come than I had thought and they had miscalculated how long it would take so we were expecting them at 10.30 but they actually arrived at 11.10 but had let us know they would be late so we were able to get on with a few things before they arrived which included finishing the footrest/side table which is going in my Gin Palace.

Quality Clean arrived and set about sprucing up the suite.  They worked on what they could outside because it was (a) a warm and bright day and (b) it meant that the damp cushions etc would dry quicker.  There was no way that the frame of the 3 seater (which turns into a king sized sofa bed) could be dragged outside so that and the frame of the 2 seater had to be tackled inside and so were going to take longer to dry - although John had the foresight to put the dehumidifier in with them to speed up the process.  I had to leave John as it was Ladies Lunch at Fitos today.  Quality Clean had estimated it would take them 1.5 to 2 hours - in the end it took them four because they were both so particular and there was so much bloomin' cat fur stuck in the fabric.

We were a large group for Ladies Lunch and it was such a lovely day that although we were in the shade outside it really was very pleasant sitting there.  Poor John had planned to eat a sandwich at home but because the cleaners were there and he was helping them get as much of the suite in the sunshine as possible i.e. up on the roof terrace where it could take advantage of full sunshine, he didn't get to eat so text before we left asking for a takeaway which I got for him.

Di had very kindly driven and as she pulled up to drop me off Quality Clean were just leaving - John had given them a bit extra for all their hard work and because he was amazed by the finished result - the sofas, all bar the bits at the ends of the arms which have lost some of the fabric pile and so look a bit shiny, looked brand new.  As I said the frames needed a little longer to dry as did the rug so we shut up that room with the dehumidifier on and spent the remainder of the evening in the conservatory and watched TV out there.

While I was at Ladies Lunch I was persuaded by Luscious Lynda to organise another village clean.  We haven't done one for a while for a number of reasons, not least because we have had a constant stream of visitors and I had thought that whilst the village works were underway it was a bit of a waste of time but I am thinking that if I wait for that to finish we will be knee deep in detritus.  The road from the Hotel down to the Museum is awful as is the road where, this time last year, we found all those drugs which had been thrown out of a car.  It is disappointing that locals and visitors alike are so lazy when it comes to their rubbish and the island is suffering because of it.  I am no Greta Thunberg but something needs to be done.  How can you refer to this island as 'beautiful' when around every corner and in every culvert there is crap?  Plastic bottles, wet wipes and tins make up a huge percentage of what we find and just take forever to decompose if they can and I am not sure wet wipes can.  Anyway there will be a little group of us on Saturday week doing our bit for the community.

Discovering somewhere new...

November is turning into a really beautiful month and this morning was just gorgeous.  The sun was streaming into the garden first thing and this was good, very good, because we had arranged to have George and Pam's garden sorted.

Lisamarie, Darren and their boys, who actually live in Droushia and who have a gardening and landscaping business, were coming to cut back all the shrubs in the back garden and clear the front completely.

In the back the bay tree is now double John's height and then some and is the home to at least one wasps nest that we know of and as John found out to his cost when we last tried to give it a haircut!!!  and in the front there is a cactus which is about 6 foot tall with vicious spikes. 

We have tried to keep on top of it for George and Pam but we have now waved the white flag - it isn't so much the cutting back that is a problem it is the getting rid of the rubbish - we would need a truck and we would need somewhere to put it without getting into trouble.   It is also something with George and Pam simply do not need to worry about.  We will get it cleared and then when they are able to come out they can decide what they want to do with it on a permanent basis.



The gardening crew arrived at 8.30am - good job we were up as they had said they would be with us closer to 9.00am but that was better really because we were going out at 12.00 to go and see Dip and Karen down in Universal. 

They worked like Trojans and were very neat and tidy.  In fact it is the best I have seen the back garden look in a long time.  The bay tree is now manageable and a uniform shape and in the front everything has gone and been replaced by two massive cat toilets.  We shall get some black membrane to ward off the cats and suppress the weeds because they will, given half a chance, return with a vengeance.

We set off for Universal and were surprised to see that the horse is back but still with a broken tether so we don't know whether she has just wandered back of her own accord or the boys brought her back but haven't tied her up - we reckon on the former.  She recognised the sound of Kenny and came trotting down to poke her head through the window to have a cuddle with John and then having slobbered all over the window she wandered back up the path and back to the area she was in before the bloody hunter came along last Wednesday.

It was great to catch up with Dip and Karen - they return to the UK shortly and have been here a while but this was the first and only opportunity we had to get together.  Opposite where they have their apartment in Universal there has been a big holiday complex built called Elysia Park and it is where Andy and Nicky stayed the other week.  It is impressive and has a nice restaurant.  That particular area of Universal was a little lacking in amenities when they bought a couple of years ago but it has improved no end and the complex is actually a very positive edition.

It was very very pleasant sitting out on the terrace and the menu is very extensive and the food is a bit more upmarket than most regular tavernas.

Ok so it is a bit more expensive than we normally go for but it is in prime tourist area so you expect to have to pay a bit more.

I had a cocktail - it was called a Hugo and was a mix of Prosecco, Elderflower cordial, mint and lime and it was lovely.  There really was quite a range in the menu - Dip had a meal of sea bass and sea bream fillets on fresh veg, Karen had a pork dish, John had tandori kebabs and I had a special burger.

Before we knew it we had whiled away 3 hours, eating, drinking and chatting.  They will be back in the Spring and we will endeavour to make sure we do not make it only the once when we see them.  We had planned a trip to the Mall but by the time we said our goodbyes we were conscious that the cats would be ravenous and nothing was so desperate that it could not wait so we made our way back home.

After the most beautiful of days we had a stunning sunset to watch as we drove home.  We were prepared for a chilly evening as the sky was clear and the stars bright but it wasn't cold at all.  We managed to watch a bit of TV but have another early start tomorrow.  We need to get the lounge sorted because I have arranged to have the two sofas and the rug cleaned.

A new week begins...

I am pleased to report that my Gardenia is looking fit and healthy and is now in bud.  This was a gift from JJ&A at the end of their holiday,  I have only had one previously and it turned all yellow so I am trying to make sure I do not make the same mistake (whatever that was) again.  I would just like to point out that his was not as big as the one which they gave to Di - not that I am jealous or have Gardenia envy or anything!!  Anyway fingers crossed that it continues to thrive in the way it has done so far.

We have amassed quite a collection of gin bottles - it has been a bugger of a job consuming the contents I can tell you!!!  They are simply too nice to just consign to the recycling bin so I have turned them into lamps by adding a string of LED solar lights with a 'cork' top and put them into the conservatory where they still get sufficient sunshine to recharge at least for the next few days or weeks.  So far November has been very kind and apparently the weather is set to be even better of the next few days.

I was off to art this morning and John had set aside the morning to clean our pool only to find that there was an issue with power getting to the pump.  This is a bit of a bugger really because he isn't certain at this stage exactly where the problem lies but it is safe to say that it isn't going to be a cheap fix.  He took me down to Sheila's but not before calling in to see Dad.  Mum said that she thought the plants looked a bit straggly and she is right because they could do with cutting back - which I will do next week when I am there.  I left John to go home and ponder the pump problem whilst I had a couple of hours colouring!!  I am enjoying my current picture of the House Leek and it is now beginning to really take shape.

John picked me up after I had had lunch with Sheila and Klaus (for which many thanks) and we shot off down to Polis so that we could go to the bank to get some living money.  If I had thought on I should have asked if there were any incoming payments pending as Di had text to say she and Rob had received their Winter Fuel Payment.  I checked at home on tintyweb but there was nothing.  I do hope we haven't dipped out for some reason as the money will come in very handy as the evenings are beginning to get quite cool.

We had a quiet evening in.  We have to be up reasonably early tomorrow because we have arranged for a local gardening company to come and cut back George and Pam's back garden and completely clear the front as they have plans to tile it.  We shall ensure that in the interim we keep the weeds down as much as possible so will get some membrane to put down.

As I said the evenings are now much cooler and as a result all the cats come in at night which is a bit of a relief to us but they do commandeer the sofas so poor John was relegated to the floor.  On that subject I have arranged for the rug and the two sofas to be cleaned on Wednesday so I am glad that the weather is set fair so that they get time to dry.  Charlie and his dribbly chin is leaving his mark on the arm rests and we really don't want to have to replace the suite any time soon.  

Just a normal Sunday...

I don't know if it is a sign of old age but, blimey O'Riley, Sundays seem to come round faster than ever.  My lunch repertoire is getting seriously taxed but this week I didn't have to think too much as mum was providing the meat element of the meal.  She had got a rolled, boned and stuffed chicken joint from Lidl, on closer inspection it was not one but two joints but as they had been frozen and defrosted I needed to cook them both.  They were stuffed with cheese and onion apparently which was a bit challenging when I wanted to check it they were cooked through as the filling oozed out and I couldn't be entirely sure whether it was done or not - I erred on the side of caution otherwise mum might just have got more than she bargained for - Sunday lunch and Salmonella is not a good combination!!

Anyway I digress - it was a warm, dry and bright start to the day.  Lunch was in hand and would only take an hour to cook so before mum arrived John and I set about making the base of the rocking chair waterproof.  We have clearly been watching too many episodes of Money for Nothing as we armed ourselves with a staple gun and some material.  The main cushions get put away but the base was covered with fabric and so I got some wipe clean stuff from Lemba as a temporary fix.  Fortunately the base was only secured by two screws so it was easy to remove and easy to put back.  At least now if there is heavy condensation or rain it will be better protected.

Mum arrived safe and sound.  She had thought she would be having a bit of a boring Saturday but in the end went out to lunch with her friend Lilian and they checked out the new Phil's Grill down in Coral Bay which is next to the big Philippos Supermarket.  She said it was busy and the food was good, cheap and plentiful so I suggested maybe we could go one Sunday - we could meet her there as it is straight down the road for us.

The weather had turned cloudy and slightly chilly so we sat down in the conservatory before having our lunch.  Mum had to share the sofa with Charlie.  Charlie has started to put on his massive winter coat so it looking even chunkier than usual and he LOVES his blinkie which was a bargain auction item from the shop where Mum works.

Lunch turned out pretty good - I got the chicken cooked and not over-cooked and served it with some carrots and beans and dauphinoise potatoes which were all oozy and cheesy and lush!

For pud I had made a traditional bread and butter pudding with a bit of a twist in that the fruit was poached in Christmas Spices and a bit of brandy.  It was fab too, in fact it must have been super fab as Mum said she would be more than happy to have that served up any time.

After Lunch she and I retired to the day bed.  The old quilted blanket provided some additional warmth for Mum who tends to feel the cold and then the addition of Mr Boo provided even more heat.  He loves to snuggle and I am pleased to report that finally the big old scratch across his nose is clearing up and new fur is covering the scar.

It was a nice place to sit and relax and let our food go down.  Mum returned home armed with some food for tomorrow and arrived back safe and sound which is always good to hear.  For some reason I was really, really tired today and we have a busy week with several early starts so I went to bed early armed with my tablet whilst John was watching the footie.  His beloved Blades sit in sixth in the Premier League after todays' games. 

Rugby disappointment...

Today could have been, and should have been, the England Rugby Union Squad's finest hour - save for the fact that the Springboks got in the way!!!  John went to the Gin Bar in Kathikas to watch the match and was joined by John from Arodes and then subsequently by his wife Liselotte and her Dad.  I on the other had went down to Paphos to get a hair cut.  I don't mind watching Rugby but it isn't high on my list of priorities whereas my hair is and lovely Lumi had offered to cut my hair for me even though it was technically her day off.  I could have waited but was quite glad that I didn't have to and it gave me the opportunity to run some errands in Paphos whilst I was down there.

We had to be up early this morning because we had organised for an estate agent to come and value a house nearby - it is the first one on the estate which belongs to Marilena who lives in Nicosia and who rarely manages to get across here.  For a number of reasons she wants to sell, in fact she has had it on the market previously but with no success.  Anyway in the last couple of weeks her alarm has been going off and she sent down a set of keys so that we could see what was going on - which was nothing as it happens - someone hadn't secured a window properly so when it was windy it had triggered the alarm.  She then asked if we could show an estate agent around so today was the day. John let him in and showed him round - I don't know what he thought - that is between him and Marilena.

Once the agent had been we were having a look around our garden making a list of 'things to do' when we heard voices.  Now when you live on a development where you are one of the few couples that live there permanently strange voices are enough to gain your interest.

I went up onto higher ground to see if I could ascertain where it was coming from and encountered Chivvy Pops who had found a spot in the sunshine - you cannot blame him as it was really lovely up there and the view today was spectacular.

The voices were coming from 3A - Mohammed (the master builder) had brought a team to build a cover over the pool area.  This hadn't surprised us as we had seen the property advertised for rent either with or without the pool but we always said that if anyone took it without then something would need to be done to make sure that area was made safe.

We were then somewhat surprised to see that they had ripped out the kitchen units for some reason.  I cannot believe that this house has been empty since January and it is only now that the owners decide to have some work done - now when we are expecting rain any minute and there is a good deal of moisture in the air with our without it.

Although the rugby result had not gone our way John had enjoyed going out to watch the match and this afternoon/evening he was even more pleased that his beloved Blades played out of their skins to secure a 3-0 victory over Burnley.  I had been uncertain as to what I would cook for supper so we had taken out a pork tenderloin from the freezer and I had found a recipe which required it to be baked - I have never done this before but it was so easy and ended up to be so delicious I shall certainly be doing that again.  The recipe is here and will also feature on my food page.

All in all it was a lovely Saturday and I got myself ready for lunch tomorrow when Mum will come up from Emba.