A full on day

After a very long break due to all sorts of things, not least the weather, the Three Amigas were going to be walking again today - I was picking up Nicky and we were meeting Rachel in Kathikas and doing our original first time route to ease ourselves back in.  It was touch and go as to whether we actually went - it depended on whether you looked to your left when coming out of the front door, in which case you were greeted with blue skies and fluffy white clouds as per the photograph above or whether you looked to your right in which case you got the picture below!!!

Fortunately Kathikas is in the direction of the blue skies and fluffy clouds so we were hopeful that we would avoid a soaking.  As we drove to Rachel's we could see that the grey clouds were rolling across in our direction but that there was clearer weather coming on behind.  Fortunately we had all been sensible enough to have something waterproof to wear.

We set off in good spirits.  It was cold but we were just glad to be out in the fresh air and having a girlie chat together.  Even though it was a cold grey winter's morning the scenery was spectacular - there are green shoots everywhere and hopefully February will fly by and spring will be with us and warmer temperatures day and night.

Needless to say we got wet - there was a short sharp shower just as Nicky was completing her 'comfort break'!!! It was the only one and it didn't last long thank goodness.  We powered our way around - although a bit out of practice we didn't stop on any of the hills like we used to.  Hopefully now we will be back into a routine for Tuesdays because I think we all really enjoyed it.

How different was my lunchtime weather-wise!!!  After a month of trying I eventually got to go out with Di to the Garden Centre at Yialia.  Not only was it really great to catch up with her but the weather had bucked its ideas up and we were warm and toasty in the Garden Centre Cafe where we had a very leisurely sausage and bacon roll coffee and chat.  

Outside just up the hill we thought there was a fire out of control but it transpired that the trainee forestry commission lads were involved in an exercise regarding fire!  Down the hill there was nothing but blue skies and azure seas.  All along the edge of the cafe there were troughs of shocking pink cyclamen - it was all a lovely scene.

After we had eaten Di and I purchased some lovely violas at 50 cents each - I am going to put mine in the pot that held the Poinsettia that was on Dad's grave.

I also purchased 12 new terracotta pots for the hosta roots that Ellen brought back from the UK.  I got them at a really good price because I had bought so many - Di just needed to drive back carefully in order that they arrived back in one piece which they did.  

I am so glad that we made it today.  I really enjoyed the catch up and hopefully we can do it again soon - at least now we are less likely to be stymied by the weather. 

We were out again in the evening as it was Chinese New Year and Rachel and Savvas were doing specials at The Farmyard all day.

We don't need an excuse for Chinese from there and we are always happy to support them so we booked ourselves a table and went along.

The food was fabulous but I think our crispy chili beef and crispy chili chicken were about as spicy as I could take.  Savvas came over to ask if everything was ok and I was trying to catch my breath so couldn't speak - poor Savvas thought there was something wrong!!!

We had a lovely evening, in fact I had had a lovely day - just a bit of a shame that it was all on one day but that's just the way it happens sometimes!

Back home we trialed briquettes in the wood burner - John had got a few today because I wanted to try them.  They are supposed to burn hotter and cleaner than wood so as wood is in short supply and bound to go up in price I thought we should try alternatives.  The jury is currently out on the briquettes!