The fires continue to rage

All talk at the moment surrounds the terrible terrible fire raging north of Limassol.  It has been confirmed that there have been four deaths, livestock and wildlife decimated and houses destroyed and even worse than all this it would appear that the fires have been set deliberately by someone with an axe to grind allegedly.  Overnight we had strange weather and very very high winds - this did not help the emergency services and although during today the weather was calmer if the wind picks up again it will only exacerbate the situation because currently these fires are only 'contained'.

News of the fires has spread far and wide and we have been contacted by Cypriot friends who live in Australia to find out the situation and to ask about their own little house which they have not been able to visit.  We took five minutes to shoot down the road to take some photos which will hopefully allay Steve's fears.  His little house is fine, someone has cleared the garden and so it looks as good as it can do bearing in mind that it will have been 2 years since someone was there last.

We were finally meeting up with Jackie and Costas today and had chosen to go to Yiallos by the beach in Latchi.  We didn't for one minute expect it to be busy but it was absolutely packed and we hadn't booked a table so spent some time trying to find one in the shade, out of a draft, not near kids or a speaker!!!  Eventually we got what we wanted and awaited their arrival.  They were kindly picking up Mum en route.  It was a lovely afternoon which was a bit of a surprise becaue it had been pretty black over that way first thing and it looked and felt like it was going to rain.  We had chosen there because the menu is varied and everyone could find something to suit.  They make (in my opinion) THE BEST Chicken Caesar salad and I really enjoyed my meal which was washed down with a nice chilled glass of Vasilikon.  Both Jackie and Costas are looking well and we always have a good time in their company.  Mum was a little quiet.  She had been to a dermatologist earlier in the week to have some sun damage zapped - I had thought there were two patches on her cheek that needed attention but Dr Vera has started on her forehead and nearly the whole area of that has been lazered.  It looks sore and a little unsightly and I know she is self-conscious but better that it gets treated than get left to get worse.

By mid afternoon when we returned home the temperatures had ramped up again and we decided our best chance at a decent nights' sleep was to have a late night dip and cool off before calling it a day.  The temperature of the water was still 30 degrees but at least the night air on our wet skin was cooling.  John is thrilled that the deep clean of the pool has been so successful - it looks so inviting and we are actually using it more than ever - and in the winter he wants to get rid of it!!!  I have to keep reminding him that if we do we will never replace it and just at the moment it is most definitely irreplaceable.