Sunday out - lunch with Lilian

I know that we shouldn't complain but it is so bloomin' hot at the moment that we are melting.  At this time of year we fleetingly consider the merits of air-conditioning and then dismiss it as a bad idea.

We have always thought if we had it, we would get used to it, and then over use it.  There are only a few weeks of the year when it gets this bad and to be fair it is only really at night that it is a major problem and then only really for me - not John who could, at a push, sleep on a washing line - any possibly has!!!

I am also not entirely sure that it is just the elevated temperatures that are causing me to feel so uncomfortable at the moment - age and hormones are probably playing a part too!

We have, for the last couple of nights, gone for a late swim prior to going to bed in order to cool down.  It is fabulous at that time of night and we play a stupid game of getting in, getting out and getting cold and then going back in and marveling at how the water feels like a bath.  Childish I know but fun all the same!!  We do feel cool for a while but the bedroom temperature is currently 29 degrees so it doesn't last long.

We are thrilled that at long last the box of face masks which John's sister Janice made for us has arrived.  There were six in the box - all beautifully hand crafted and with the material carefully chosen and two of them for Mum if she wants them.

Currently there is less requirement for us to wear them - there are a couple of places we have been (like when we went to the Accountant to pay Mum's tax) where they have been compulsory but in the main it is a matter of choice.

Obviously that is the situation at the moment but we are under no illusion that if we get a spike we may well need to wear them more regularly and I have had a real problem with the ones we have had up to now as they get spidery fibres which get in your nose and mouth so these are the Rolls Royce as far as I am concerned.

We have read in the paper that there are localised lockdowns in force in the UK, Spain and Australia and as borders are relaxed and people travel we are sure there will be more to come.  So big big thanks Janice they are fabulous.

We had been invited with Mum to have lunch at her friend Lilian's house today.  Lilian lives in Peyia and has this fabulous rose in her front garden - I am not sure I have ever seen one quite like it - the roses are all shades from white through to deep violet and they have a fantastic scent.

It being so hot today we were having lunch indoors with aircon for which we were so grateful.  It was a really really nice lunch - we had an avocado, mozzarella and tomato starter with a balsamic vinegar dressing to start.

Our main meal was something called Bobotie which I have had before and which is a South African take on moussaka in that it is a savoury mince dish with an eggy souffle topping which was delicious and which she served with new potatoes and salad.  John and I enjoyed it so much that when it is a bit cooler I shall be trying it for myself.

Her piece de resistance though was her pudding which she bravely made whilst we were there and this was passion fruit souffle served in the shells.  I fancy having a go at making those as well one evening when we have friends round.  She kindly gave me the recipe and I have stored it somewhere safe for the future!!!

We got home safe and sound and John was pleased to find that he could watch the Sheffield United match he had missed on catch up so he had carefully avoided all news and sports reports so that the result could remain a mystery.  He might have regretted that decision as it was a 1-1 draw!