Day 5 of lockdown

It was a beautiful day today so there was no hardship to be at home.  We have decided that we are going to consult John's 'To-Do' list and tackle those jobs that we can tackle, particularly those where we have already bought the items we need.  That being the case today's little job was to put the wooden 'skirting' onto the paneling in our bedroom.  This was the first room we paneled and we didn't do it and I learned pretty quickly that joins in the tongue in groove harbour an inordinate amount of fluffage - like the stuff that you find in your belly-button and it is gross so I was having to get on my hands and knees to remove it with a toothbrush and that isn't fun.  It was a quick job and with the bedroom upside down it gave me the opportunity to give it a deep clean and it became an oasis of calm.

Having got the mop out I decided that I would give the conservatory a good old clean - I am in two minds as to whether to put the rugs away but it is still pretty chilly at night and I had planned on having them all cleaned before I did so.  Today they got taken out and beaten and were then hoovered to within an inch of their lives once I had swept and mopped the floor - John thinks his wife has been abducted by aliens and replaced by an impostor.  The cats are not impressed because they don't like the hoover.

Once peace was restored, and with the welcome sunshine streaming in through the window Mr Boo decided to self-isolate on the sofa.

We are conscious of the fact that Mum is on her own down in Emba so I am video calling her a couple of times a day so that she gets to see me.  Although freedom of movement has not been stopped altogether we have been requested to stay indoors by the Minister of Health and if people don't try and do so as much as possible then more severe measures will be implemented.

At the moment on a daily basis up here nothing feels hugely different and with better weather we can at least potter around in the garden to get some fresh air.

We realised that some of our Nicosian neighbours are up here.  I text to check they were ok and learned that, sensibly, they are self-isolating here having returned to the island recently from London.  We will keep in touch by text with them to ensure they have everything they need.

The upside of knowing that we would be at home for our meals we sorted out a menu for several days ahead and bought accordingly.  Sirloin Steak was on offer in Paps - I don't normally by sirloin as we prefer fillet but that slab cost us less than 10 euros and will feed us numerous times.  John cut off two largish steaks and then I cut up the remainder and marinaded it in order to do a hot and spicy beef noodle dish for supper.

This was the result and it was bloomin' delicious although about on the cusp of spiciness for us.  It was just nice to sit down for a while have our supper, a glass of wine and watch some TV and shut out the horrors of what is going on around the world.   I had such a sad text from a friend of mine telling me how the knock-on effects of the virus has affected her and her family and her fledgling business.

To all my readers, be kind and be safe.  Keep in touch with friends and family - more now than ever before.