Family Crisis Update and OMG we have AIRCON

Sorry for the brief and unhelpful post from last night but Mum had a fall yesterday evening which necessitated an ambulance and a trip to A&E which was a long and drawn out affair.  She had torn the skin on her right leg from the knee to the ankle and it looked horrific and she was in shock.  The paramedics were brilliant with her and we followed on behind the ambulance to await the verdict.  A&E in Cyprus is nothing like Holby City - more like M*A*S*H for those who remember but we eventually brought her home.  I stayed and will be staying until we know she is healing ok but I came with nothing to prepare me for an overnight stay.  We have learned lessons from this that both she and I need to have an emergency bag prepared for such occasions.  

I shall continue with the older posts and eventually you will catch up with a full report on last night.

The men were coming this morning to fit the aircon unit in the spare bedroom.  Up until this year we have never felt the need and we don't like the look of the outside units so have managed without but this year the prolonged heat wave has made it impossible to sleep and I am feeling pretty ragged as a result.  We gave in when Savvas the Electrician came up with a deal that was hard to resist and agreed to get it put in this week when most tradespeople are on their annual holidays.  They were scheduled to arrive at 9.00am but pitched up at 8.00am - thankfully we were up and decent.  I have to say the workers were efficient and tidy so even though they had to punch a hole through the wall we barely knew they had been there and within an hour or so they were done and dusted and off to do the same at Lakis and Argy's.  Time will tell if our bedroom is 'heaven' - I am guessing we need to suss out what temperature is good for us.

I had penciled in today to investigate the bus system with neighbour Belinda but to be honest we could really only go to Paphos and it is too bloomin' hot to be wandering around the old town with all its concrete so I suggested a little ride out and a spot of lunch at Koula's Sandwich shack by way of a change.  Belinda is going back to the UK for a week to visit her new grandchild and she said she needed to collect a prescription so I said I would drop her off at Socrates the Chemist in Polis which would give me the opportunity to take a look in the new shop next door which is called Home and More and is housed in a beautiful old traditional colonial building.

What a beautiful shop full of beautiful things - I really hope it does well because Polis is sadly lacking in anything which is anything other than essential shopping.  There used to be the Home Concept shop opposite Paps but sadly that has closed now.  I had a quick look round and will go back for a longer look when I need to buy a gift for someone because I am sure I could find something different and special there.

Belinda and I then travelled to Pachyamos and the beautiful church of St Rafael because we were a bit too early for a sandwich at Koulas.  It also gave me a chance to go and pay my respects to Hadge as we had scattered some of his ashes at the back of the church under the tree with the eyes which we always say are looking down on him and protecting him.

We then drove back to Koulas where we just managed to squeeze in the carpark and have the last remaining table in the shade.  It was packed but well organised and I ordered our sandwiches, large chips and large bottle of water all for the princely sum of €12.50.  We saw a stream of hopeful diners drive in and drive back out again as it was full so we didn't hang around at our table once we had eaten so that someone else could enjoy a sandwich and we sent to have a look at the view but decided it was too hot to walk down even just to the first viewing seat.  

On our return to Lordos 1 John was in conversation with Lou and Malcolm (and the girls) who had arrived safely on Sunday and were easing their way into their holiday - they wanted to say thank you for all that we had done for them.  We were more than happy to do what we could to make the villa welcoming for them - we wish we could have done more!  Anyway I was so grateful that Lou had replenished my paracetemol and ibuprofen stocks that I had hammered when recovering from my dental treatment and which Argy had only just brought for me and I was super happy with the gifts from George and Pam - the scented candle smells amazing even when it is not lit and Pam knows I like a scarf and chocolate!!

We managed to squeeze in a quick visit across the road to see Lakis and Argy and the completed glass project as Richard had been the day before to clean the new structure which is quite an undertaking as it is very high.  It does look amazing and they are really happy with it and Argy has put her furniture in there so it now looks like a room.  It has given them so much more space and is versatile because of the sliding doors.  They are also super happy with their aircon unit and now want to add more before they sell out completely and the prices go up!

Our final stop of the day was to go and see Sonia now that she has had her house insulated and we think it looks absolutely fantastic.  The team of guys she used clearly knew their stuff and their workmanship was top knotch.  The insulated and plastered internal wall is a thing of beauty as it is so silky soft and the stippled finish outside is lovely as it catches the light and doesn't look flat.  She says she is already reaping the benefits as the indoor temperature now remains constant rather than fluctuating which was the object of the exercise.  We are very very impressed and I am just wondering whether it might be worth considering for our remaining outside walls that have not been stone clad - I may have to keep these thoughts to myself just at the moment!!