Day Two of Lockdown

Here we are on day two of lockdown and it is Monday.  I am not entirely sure how I used to fill my days previously but we seemed to pack an awful lot in and when I looked at the clock it was only early afternoon!

So it being fine this morning we had earmarked to re-weatherproof the roof terrace - John wanted to paint some of the waterproofing Nanopro stuff over the tiles and the grouting and the surrounding area so make sure that no rain can seep in and under and cause problems.  In the past we had issues with the flat roof but since tiling and subsequently treating it has been absolutely fine.

I removed as much of the furniture as I could and whilst John did the remainder I swept away any debris so that we could start.  It was really glorious up there with views across to the Bay which were shrouded in a heat haze!!!  Normally at this time of the year we can see the snow sitting on the top of the Troodos but this year so far there has been none.

I set about painting on the Nanopro, covering the grout lines and the tiles (for good measure) and up onto the plinth upon which the railings are attached.  John has it in mind to tile the top to doubly ensure that rain cannot seep in.  We agreed that putting the terracotta tiles around the outer edge had been a great success leaving the outer walls of the kitchen cube much cleaner than they used to be.

We only have a couple of outside jobs earmarked during lockdown, mainly because the weather is set to deteriorate and we don't want to start something and not be able to complete the job.  Anyway with it being such a lovely day the waterproofing was quickly done and in no time at all the furniture was able to be put back in situ.

I fear that the garden is in for a shock as today marks the start of a five day coptic gale which has not arrived as yet but as from Wednesday the weather is set to get much colder and stormy and the first snows forecast on the mountains.  Having said all that my lovely little Narcissi are valiantly flowering adding a bit a cheer to the corner of the garden where they reside.

Our second outdoor task was to revist the cargo net sails we had over the outside area - John wanted to have just one and attach it with wires so that it was more stable - he also wanted short wires one side and long wires the other so we could easily 'flip it over' should we need to adjust the area where it gives us dappled shade.  It is a bit hard to judge because of course the sun is quite low and in a different place to where it would be when we start really needing to use it and with the weather supposedly turning windier it won't be staying up there long!  Anyway Charlie came to check out our handiwork and give it his paw of approval.

All this excitement clearly took its toll on Charlie who was exhausted and retired to the warmth and comfort of the conservatory for the remainder of the afternoon.  He is loving the company and is with us nearly all day.  His ear is slowly healing but I fear his youthful good looks have now gone what with his dodgy face one side and shredded ear the other.

Boris seems to be recovering nicely from his abscess although he is still very whingey if you touch his rump near the scab but he has never liked having the area around his back end and tail touched so maybe not much change there.  

We spent a quiet afternoon sitting in the conservatory reading which is a bit of a novelty for both of us but I like the companionable quiet that it brings and I am getting into the book I am reading which is one that Hazel left the last time she was here - it is called Nine Perfect Strangers - so far I have only met three!  John is reading the Paddy Kenny autobiography which I gave him for Christmas and enjoying that then he has the book which Mark chose for him when we exchanged on Christmas Eve (books not husbands!).

We seem to have a lot of odd bits of food left in the fridge at the moment and I like to try and use up whatever I can so this evening we were having a pasta bake with some chicken and bacon in a sauce which I threw together and then some nice cheesy breadcrumbs on top and we were having a salad with it and I was so excited because I love a salad and we haven't had much of late.  It was absolutely bloomin' delicious - even if I do say so myself and there is enough left for tomorrow woo-hoo!!!