So many good things all in one day...

We have finally said goodbye to our ancient swimming pool pump and control panel.  Something which John has been wanting to do for a while but whilst they still functioned we couldn't seem to justify the money it would take to replace them.  Of late though the pump has been making some very funny noises and over the past 9 years various parts have had to be replaced on the control panel - latterly we were thankful that Lakis had his system replaced because John was able to salvage some spares from Lakis's outgoing equipment.  We reckon this kit is approaching its 20th birthday, if it has not already reached it so we are hoping the the shiny new replacements are quieter and more efficient.  We had gone to ShipShape to see Mani as he had done all the pool work at Lakis's and seems a reasonable sort of chap and we agreed a price.  The workmen were scheduled to arrive yesterday morning which they did earlier than anticipated and having rung first to say they were coming which is quite refreshing and they arrived, got on with the job, were polite, neat and tidy and tested everything before they left making sure that there were no leaks so hat's off to ShipShape for exceeding our expectations.  We now have a quiet pump and a timer that comes on and goes off when we expect and a bank balance which is somewhat lighter but, as John says, we cannot take it with us.

We woke this morning to hear the fire helicopters returned to various locations nearby - there were apparently at least 7 fires started in the area which they believe were most likely to have been done so deliberately.  This is scandalous - I know that there are people who feel aggrieved that they own land which they have been prevented from building upon when other similar land has been developed seemingly via the brown envelope system which has been rife here but the destruction caused to the fauna and flora is unimaginable and devastating.

Today we were meeting up with great friends of my cousin Michelle who came to visit us back in September.  Linda and Graham have been to the island on many occasions so much of it is familiar to them although possibly not our neck of the woods.

We had arranged to meet them at the Droushia Heights Hotel.  It was an overcast and muggy day so the view was not as spectacular as it can be.  We have been forecast rain for today - a 30 percent chance and then again tomorrow but with a 50% chance.  As it happens it didn't rain until the evening and through the night so at least when we were driving them around it was dry.

They are keen to explore the island and some of the more rural areas to get a feel for the real Cyprus which you can miss when you are staying down on the Hotel strip.  They are rather unimpressed by their hotel - the Louis Phaethon but are quite happy to jump into their little hire car and see where they end up.

We recognised them straight away thanks to social media and they us - they are readers of the blog and we sat and got acquainted over a nice coffee on the sofas of the Hotel.  They liked the atmosphere and the furnishings and I think they were rather surprised to find such a nice establishment in a such a small rural village.

They were actually working on the roads in the village today - well two of the three men were manoeuvring heavy plant machinery and the third was supervising - it was right by the museum/Marios's/Bambos's so, as they had not closed the road off, was causing maximum disruption.  I am thinking that it will be a right mess after the rain now and we have a village clean planned for Saturday!!

We thought we would have some lunch together - we certainly had not expected to be treated so thank you very very much Linda and Graham for being so kind.

Where better to go to show people 'real' Cyprus than the place where you get possibly the biggest pork chop known to man - namely Fitos???

Linda said she would eat anything and wanted us to chose for her so we opted for a mixed kebab on a plate which gave her pork and chicken souvlaki  and sheftalia with chips and Graham got a mega chop and was delighted.

It was a very pleasant couple of hours and it was lovely to meet these lovely people who are such great friends to Michelle.  Isn't it strange how you can meet people and feel that you have known them for a very long time even though this is just your first encounter?

On our return from Fitos we said our goodbyes to Linda and Graham - they have a couple of days left to their holiday but we know we will keep in touch and no doubt see them again.  We noticed that Nicky and Mark's car was on the drive of the house opposite and that could only mean one thing - they had their keys at long last so we now have new neighbours - well sort of - they have a refurbishment project in front of them to create their forever home but they can do it siga siga (slowly slowly) as they still have their house in Emba, although this is on the market.  We cannot believe how our lives have become entwined as their house in Emba was the one which Mum and Dad had built.  We have known them now for a fair few years and it is great to think they will be up here in Droushia - I think they may still need to sleep over with us now and again until their home is sorted though!

I had a phonecall tonight from a guy called Stephen Haughan who is an author and who is currently on the island and who has agreed to come on our village clean on Saturday.  I am about to embark on reading his books which look right up my street and reading about him he seems an all round nice guy so I am thrilled he accepted my invitation to come to Droushia.