A Lovely Walk at Smygies followed by a Superb Steak

Although it continues to be very hot during the day I was walking with Liselotte today and I had chosen to go to Smigies on the Akamas because it was the most likely place for us to get some shade.  We were meeting at the Picnic Site so it was cool under the trees and the cars could remain in the shade whilst we were walking.  This was a different walk to last week but hopefully just as nice.

This walk took us closer to the coast around the top end of the island - sort of Fontana Amorosa way and the views were incredible.  There were signs that in the past there had been a fire here at some point although thankfully nothing as devastating as what took place near Limassol a few days ago.  We had plenty of areas where we got shade and where we got a cooling breeze as it came off the sea up one of the valleys.

We had plenty of WOW moments as we turned a corner and were presented with a fabulous view and never more so than when we suddenly realised that in the distance we could see two huge birds of prey (this is not my photograph) circling in thermals.  These two birds were the largest which Liselotte and I have ever seen - we don't know exactly what they were as my phone just captured a speck in the sky but what we could see was that they were huge, and I mean huge, and that they appeared to be black and white.  This photograph is of booted eagles, the colouration of the plumage is right but the size is too small so other suggestions have been cranes which have escaped from the zoo, Bonelli eagles or even maybe vultures.  Who knows?  I really wish I had been able to see them better.

Our second big WOW was when I spied a very small Chameleon slowly making its way across a track.  We stood and watched him as he deliberated as to which leg he should move next - all the time watching us with his eyes spinning 360 degrees!  He was a beautiful colour and perfectly camouflaged but of all the chameleon I have seen this was by far the smallest.  I decided to get him to attach himself to a twig and then we chose a nice shady safe spot away from the road to move him.

It was an amazing walk - the views were outstanding and we got the added bonus of seeing the birds of prey and the chameleon plus the cars were indeed still in the shade and we were able to sit on one of the picnic benches and finish our water and cool down before going home.  Sadly the photographs just do not do the view justice.  As we stood here you could see layer upon layer of trees and then the sea in the distance - it was truly beautiful.

The remainder of the day was spent quietly because we had received a phone call from Mina inviting us to go and see her.  We haven't seen her socially for a good 18 months - probably longer and a lot has happened in the interim.  

Most of Mina's house is now completed - we went in the early days when she and Clare had just bought it and it was a shell.  Over time the gardens have matured and the swimming pool (which is stunning) has been built.  It is a fabulous home - so very stylish and we were amazed that you cannot hear the dogs in the boarding kennels which are at the top of the drive.  Sadly though Mina and Clare have gone their separate ways and the split was acrimonious which is so sad.  Mina now finds herself with a thriving business and a lovely home but no-one to share it with and she is lonely.  Covid has not helped with the various lockdowns making it impossible to meet up

.

Mina's own dogs are her salvation and her company.  We have met Little Lottie before - she was the replacement for Mina's beloved Staffy Molly.  Lottie is young and naughty and gets very jealous if anyone pays attention to Mina's other dog Dee Dee.  Dee Dee was a rescue - found in Kathikas with 6 pups she had been hit across the face with something that had split her lip.  When someone asked Mina if she could help rescue her Mina couldn't say no and eventually got Dee Dee and her one remaining pup that was still surviving.  Dee Dee was a sort of pitbull staffy cross and as such looks to be a big powerful dog.  She is placid and gentle and lovely (and I don't like dogs).  Her pup was adopted by a couple who live in the UK and has an equally wonderful home there as Dee Dee does with Mina.

We had a lovely evening catching up and bless Mina she had been to Kolios Butchers and purchased two of the largest lushest fillet steaks I have ever seen or eaten and she had chicken!!!  She had fired up the barbeque and made salad and potatoes and I cooked the meat because she had someone coming to look at furniture she was selling - fine by me as I know how John and I like our steaks cooked and, to be fair, they were so amazing you couldn't go wrong.

We stayed longer than anticipated and in the dark I managed to take the wrong route so we ended up going down some roads to nowhere before we got back onto the main road and on our way home!!!