Billy No Mates thanks to Covid-19

We think the last of the people from the UK we expected to see this year are about to make the decision to postpone until next year and we think it is sensible to do so because the situation regarding travel to and from Cyprus is so fluid at the moment.  First of all you have to endure the test which apparently involves tickling your tonsils with a giant cotton bud so that you gag and then shoving said bud as far up your nostrils as you can.  Really?  that's the start to your holibobs?  I preferred the good old days when it was a couple of G&T's in the executive lounge - much more civilised.

Then, unbelievably, you can test negative and travel on an aircraft with people who do not have to test negative beforehand but can be tested on arrival and then, if they test positive and you have been sat within three metres of them, they will track and trace you and you have to quarantine for two weeks.  This really isn't a nice relaxing state of affairs.  Once here things seem ok but it isn't pleasant shopping masked up and it is annoying if you are playing by the rules and others choose not to do so.  We try and keep our 'bubble' small but members of our bubble have a different bubble and so, apparently we are never more than six feet from a rat!!  I joke but it is not a joke - it sometimes seems like the life we knew and loved might never be quite the same again.

This week's challenge is "Something Inspired by a Song" and I have realised it maybe too wide a subject as I normally have entries coming in by now and that this has just stumped people.  Inevitably over time, as people's circumstances have changed, I have had a varying number of submissions but I have learned that quite a number come from a little community art group in Nottingham Rise Park Art Group which is a local community group run by volunteers who have been locked down since March.  Many of the members are aged in their 70s and 80s  some of whom have major illnesses.  They are in contact through a WhatsApp group and then one of the volunteers forwards their pictures to me and she says this this has lifted their spirits during a difficult time.  Knowing that has made me determined to continue irrespective of how many people join in.  These pictures are mine - I am playing around with pencils for a change.  I don't like the first one "I've got the Music in Me" but am quite pleased with the second "Never let her Slip Away".

Our lovely friends Bobby and Di were off on their mini-break today up in 'them thar hills' and to prove they had made it they sent a photo to confirm their arrival with a view from their room looking across to the mountains and then later enjoying a little snifter together over-looking the pool enjoying a cracking bottle of wine.

I do hope they enjoy themselves and can't wait to hear what they thought of the accommodation and the food.

We can remember going to check it out with Mum and Dad years ago when they only had about 7 rooms and now they have 27!!!  It has grown quite a bit since then but is still what you would term a 'boutique' hotel.  Anyone wanting more information can click the link Paradisos Hotel, Lysos.

This evening we were going to 1A to have a 'Welcome to your New Home' drinkie with Sonia.  We have known her for several years and I think she is the first to admit that her retirement journey in Cyprus has been less than smooth but now she has found her forever home and put her own stamp on it she looks relaxed and happy.  We always thought that Marilena's old house would make a fabulous home for the right person and we have been proved right.  Sonia still has things to unpack and ideas about more improvements but as it stands it is light, bright and welcoming and the table and chairs nestled under one of the olive trees made the perfect place to sit and share a bottle of wine.  She is easy company and I am so happy she has been able to put down roots.