Socially Distanced Walking...

The weather continues to amaze and delight us.  Warm sunshine makes everything so much easier to cope with - particularly with us awaiting the announcement of whatever the new restrictions are going to be - we are fully expecting lockdown like we had last year we just need to know for how long.  We aren't overly bothered as long as we are still able to exercise and, to be fair, this has never been banned and currently we can walk as long as we do so in twos and socially distanced.  This morning Nicky asked if I would walk with her and then a bit later John would walk with Mark on the little circular route we did on Boxing Day as she is keen to ensure Mark has exercise as often as possible as part of his rehabilitation after his stent operations.  I was happy with that - I know that they will adhere to the distancing and we all agreed to take masks (even though they are not needed during exercise) in case we encountered anyone en route - which was a good idea as we were nearly bowled over by a party of 30-40 Russians (about 6 families- no masks and no social distancing) who were presumably staying at the  Droushia Heights Hotel and who were under the impression that they were immune from Covid up here in the hills and on the occasion of Epiphany.  I hate to disillusion them but the virus is here in the village and has no bloody idea which religious celebration it is nor which nationality it is infecting.

Apart from the pesky Ruskies the remainder of the walk was very pleasant.  We meandered past the lovely house on the edge of the village owned by George Nicolaides who engaged us in a long distance conversation and invited us to join him for coffee when all this madness is over and then down past the donkey which is tethered next door but one and skirted through a small section of Inea coming out along past Dionysos House which is owned by George and Pam's friends Gregory and Elena whose son Paul has the extreme cycling company.  Sadly no sign of Gregory and Elena but their four dogs were bounding about in the garden.

One thing we have all learned as a result of walking is that you see so much more of your local surroundings and there are some absolutely beautiful buildings which defy gravity and remain standing and need more than a little TLC but would fabulous if someone could just spare the time and the money and the hard work.

We said our long distance goodbyes to the Kirbys and went back home to settle down for the remainder of the day starting with a coffee and a piece of the lovely little Christmas Cake Nicky had made for John.  I am not keen myself but John was more than happy - his only criticism was that there wasn't enough marzipan!!!

I have got out of the habit of reading since living here - when we came on holiday I used to devour book after book!!!!  This Christmas Eve we did a book gift for Nicky and Mark and they for us and the book on the left is the book which Nicky chose for me.

I decided to start it as she would be asking me soon what I thought.

Well I started it and I could not put it down - it was an excellent read and has got my reading mo-jo back on track!!!  As a 'murder mystery' this had a nice twist and was well written so thank you Nicky - I hope you enjoy the book I chose you as much as I have enjoyed this.

We had the remains of our sausage casserole for supper and settled down to start a new series - we have started Ratched which got rave reviews - the start was bonkers but held our interest so we will be watching more and soon!

No idea whether Epiphany was celebrated around the island - I am guessing it was and probably not very safely - we are happy to lock the gate and be tucked up safe and sound with the cats.