Out with Sonia

It is the first week of September and it is ridiculously hot.  In fact the forecasters have tipped that today the island will record its hottest temperature since records began and I don't doubt it. 

Yesterday when I got up early there was a coolness to the air that allowed me to do a couple of hours gardening before the real heat of the day.  Today right from the start there was an intense heat leaching out from everywhere.  Poor Charlie (with his one eye that never shuts and ear that never moves) has found refuge clinging to the back of the sofa directly under the fan which we put on even if there is only him inside needing to cool down.  He has really struggled this summer and looks to be about half the size he normally is in the winter.

I am feeling tired as the heat and lack of sleep is really beginning to take its toll oh and age I guess and I am eternally grateful that this week there is enough food in the fridge and freezer not to have to go down into Polis to shop - I just couldn't bare fighting my way round Paps in a face-mask.  I am, however, conscious that this week Mum hasn't had much social contact and she struggles with this so I have arranged to go down one morning next week to have a cuppa and a biscuit and chat with her.  It's difficult when she hasn't done anything and I haven't done anything to find much to talk about but I will take the opportunity to get the picture of Chivers framed whilst I am down that way.

I haven't seen Sonia for a while so was thrilled when she contacted me for a catch up and then suggested we take a trip down to the Herb Garden in Akourdaleia where we could sit in the cool of their verandah and have a drink and a snack.

When we arrived we were the only people there so had the pick of the tables and even though we were sat in the shade with the fans going overhead it was still so hot and you could feel the heat bouncing off the pathways as we walked in.  I havent been here since before my birthday - in fact I remember we went and it was pouring with rain and freezing cold and Natalie was serving wearing fingerless gloves!!!  It is good to see that they are surviving as it is a lovely spot but I guess it must be a real struggle for them at the moment.  A little later on another couple arrived and I recognised them to be Catherine and Ray from Neo Chorio who, many years ago, bought our little Suzuki Jeep.  We had a conversation about the car which Ray said they had sold on to an enthusiast who stripped it down and completely rebuilt it so that it is still on the island but now looks like a brand new car - great news as it did Dad well when he used to go fishing, us well before we traded it in for something a little more practical, Catherine and Ray well during the time they had it and now someone else is enjoying it.

We actually decided to stay and have a little snack to help boost the profits so opted for a sausage and caramelised onion sandwich in a freshly made ciabatta with straw chips and coleslaw which was perfect.  Actually they have a good range of snacks at reasonable prices and I know, speaking to Natalie and Dave that, where possible, everything that can be, is homemade.

It was great to catch up with Sonia who is now firmly ensconced in her little home and says she feels so safe in Droushia which is fabulous news.   Interestingly the only thing Sonia hasn't been able to find since her move is the key to the lovely old clock she has hanging on her wall.  The only thing we never found when we moved was the key to our lovely old clock sitting on the mantelpiece.  We are both absolutely certain we put it somewhere safe!!!  Luckily we had friends with the same 1950s clock who had a spare key but in the interim I ordered one which I thought might fit from tintyweb - it did not but it just might be worth trying on Sonia's and, if it doesn't, it has a size on it so we may be able to work out which one might!