Friends arrive along with some rain!

I was going to the dermatologist this afternoon - this morning I had plenty of lumps and bumps and patches that I could have shown him but not necessarily in places that are for general consumption.  My appointment meant that I was able to nip down to Paphos to get my hair cut which was long overdue.

It is a Bank Holiday tomorrow and after a long and glorious Summer bad weather is forecast.  Down in Paphos it was overcast and cloudy and on a number of occasions I got a smattering of raindrops on the windscreen although nothing much.  Navigating around Paphos is a right old nightmare at the moment and I needed to go to various disparate places which don't link up too well with the road system as it is at the moment.  I started at the bank on the Mesoghi Avenue, parking in Sklavenitis carpark and taking my life into my hands walking down what remains of the pavement.  At the bank the lovely girl who normally serves me was not there - Mr Happy was - deep joy he never smiles and will pass my over to the nice girl if he is able.  I decided to try and charm him with my Grenglish and blow me down it worked - he was veritable putty in my hands particularly when I topped off our conversation with a request for an envelope (Έχετε ένα φάκελο παρακαλώ)

I then had to navigate my way across town as I wanted to get one or two special Christmas Cards for family and the only place I know where to get some reasonably priced is the Best Wishes shop on the way to Chlorakas.  I managed to get there but had to wait outside because she is only allowed 3 customers in at any one time and those in there seemed to want to browse for ages which is typical when you are in a hurry.

I managed to get back across town to get my hair cut with seconds to spare.  Where I park there is a gazebo covered in Bougainvillea and it is an absolute picture as there is a mix of just about every colour available.  I am just thinking about cutting mine back in readiness for Winter as the autumnal winds will start to blow the blooms and leaves all over the place.

It was lovely to have my hair cut although poor Lumi is suffering after some very extreme dental work she is having done and she is slight at the best of time but this work has meant she has been unable to eat much after each session so she is looking really quite skinny and tired bless her.

I got back and went down to Polis to meet the dermatologist by which time the outbreak which had been visible this morning had all but disappeared.  This was a bit of an experience because his surgery is either where a dentist used to be or he now shares it with a dentist and there are lots of signs for the dentist and none for a dermatologist!  I reckon he must have asked all his patients to come at 4.00pm but thankfully he seemed to be on the ball with regard to who was next in the queue so I didn't have to wait too long.  He is convinced that what I have had is some form of dermatitis which flares up on contact with an external source and not something internal.  The only trouble is finding out what that external source is might prove impossible.  Even though I am sure that I haven't changed anything like washing powder or shampoo or face cream I cannot be sure that those familiar products have not had a change in their content.  I am to collect a prescription for some cream on Friday for future outbreaks and I have to go back to see him in a month.  He told me not to worry, that is was irritating (in more ways than one) and a bit unsightly at times but nothing sinister which was good news.  I just don't know whether I am going to be able to work out what the external source might be - it would be good if I could.

John did his good deed for the day and went to the airport this evening to pick up Jane and John.  Let's hope their holiday is more successful this time than last year when they had to get off the island almost as soon as they had arrived due to Covid and Lockdown.