Power out..

People say that "you don't know what you have got until it is gone" and that it so true.  Over the past week or so we have had a number of lengthy power outages which for us are simply annoying and inconvenient but they make us realise just how dependent we are upon electricity and how much we take it for granted.  You think you have all bases covered and then you realise that although you have a great gas fire it requires electricity to provide the spark to allow it to light!!!  So we were glad when the outages seem to have come to an end.

Last night before we went to bed our water pressure went from low to zilch and we realised that we, along with others spread across the village, were without water.  Now here in Cyprus our taps deliver hot, cold and drinking water.  The drinking water comes direct from the mains so this is what we use to ascertain whether or not we actually have water - as the water which comes from the hot or cold taps is fed from the big tanks that are refilled from the mains so you can turn on the tap and get water and think everything is ok but the tank is not being refilled so when you ask someone if they have water it is normally better to ask if they have mains drinking water!!  There seems to have been a massive issue with water supply across the island for one reason or another and it seems incongruous that the welcome rain and the full dams have brought with them problems of their own.  Water supply or lack of it is inconvenient at the best of times but when you have visitors it is even worse - news in the village was that it might take several days to be restored so toilet flushing was going to have to be restricted or down to water from the swimming pool.  Nicky and Mark returned to Emba after breakfast of Breakfast muffins and coffee but no shower!!!

It being Sunday Mum came up.  Today she was bringing with her, her friend Lilian and we were all going off to The Farmyard for a Sunday Carvery which I was really looking forward to because not only does it mean I don't have to cook but I really like the food there - the choice is amazing.

January and February, historically, are Cyprus winter months - so you will find, in the tavernas which are open, that there are massive fires to keep you warm.  Today we got a table right next to Savvas's massive pile if you pardon the expression!!!

There were, as there always is, four courses on offer today starting with a piping hot leek and potato soup and the impressive array of salads which included a very tasty spicy chicken dish which I could have eaten hot or cold - clearly influenced by the chefs who produce the fabulous Chinese and Thai food on the regular menu.  To follow there as the hot carvery with so much to chose from - I plumped for the beef and the lamb which was fabulous but there was pork and gammon and chicken and turkey I think with all the veggies and trimmings you could think of.  The puddings are incredible and you are not limited to one although by the time I get to the puds I am pretty full but I managed to squeeze in a smidge of bread and butter pudding and a creme brulee which were just two of the dozen or so choices on offer.  Delicious - really delicious and a big thanks to Mum for paying for us all.

I know Mum hates having her photograph taken so I always have to do it super quickly hence this is out of focus but this is Mum and Lilian before we started eating.  They returned to our house for a chat, we had hoped the water would be back but sadly it wasn't.  Mum was thrilled to get a phone call from my sister informing us that she was thinking about visiting in April for a week if it was convenient which it was so that will give Mum something nice to look forward to just before her special birthday.