A trip to the Winery

I forgot to explain why we had to be at Skouli early the other day - I was meeting a lady who had this sweet cushion for sale - it is like tapestry and has two cherubs on it and I love it.  I want to try and replace some of the cushions covers on the red sofa with a more traditional feel so I feel a trip to the charity shops coming on.  I know the lovely Home and More shop in Polis has some lovely 'shabby chic' ones that look old and worn but cost an arm and a leg.  The one in the picture was 5 euros!

The red sofa in the lounge turns into a sofa bed.  We have rarely used it and once when we pulled it out we found evidence that there had been something living in there!!!  We decided we should check it out as the cats are acting like there is something in the building that is still alive.  If there is, it is not living in the sofa bed nor is there evidence that it has been.  Interestingly though it did solve the mystery of my missing duvet cover which we had packed away inside the mechanism.  We are toying with the idea of sleeping here tomorrow night so we can watch TV in bed and take advantage of the wood-burner.

We are gong out for a Valentine's brunch on Monday so decided that, because we needed to replenish our wine stocks, we would go across to the winery at Vasilikon and have lunch together - I had read that the kitchens are being closed for upgrading next week.  We tootled out there going cross country which was just about passable but in one place there has been a water leak which has washed away half of the road.  I haven't walked that way for ages otherwise I would have known.  Kenny managed the journey but if the road falls away much more no vehicle will be able to pass through.  On our arrival the winery's resident dog came out to greet us - he knows that John will have a dog chew or two for him and he waits patiently for his treat.

We were in two minds as to whether or not to sit outside to eat. It was a glorious afternoon and our favourite spot which is in a corner was warm and sheltered but in the end we decided to eat indoors because the food would stay warmer longer.  Today I could order my meal without asking for elements to be removed.  I have successfully reintroduced dairy and tomato without any side effects.

We love the winery, all the staff are so friendly and Yiannis the owner always comes across for a chat which is nice - he follows us on Insta and we like to big up the winery for him.  We watched it being built and couldn't wait for it to open and it is such a great place.  John remembers Dad taking him to the original winery which was in Kathikas and meeting Yiannis's Mum and YiaYia who brought out glycko for them to try whilst their wine was being fetched - this would have been nearly 30 years ago!

John ordered a pork chop and I ordered chicken skewers.  I don't often eat chicken out as I find it dry and boring but these skewers are fabulous - so moist and flavoursome.  They come with chips and a side salad and I ask for a honey and mustard dressing rather than the tzatziki that it is due to come with because the honey and mustard is absolutely delicious and goes so well with the chicken.  It was fabulous and I don't know who was more pleased that I was able to eat all my meal - me or the staff!!!

A lovely afternoon and when we bought our box of wine to take home we got not one but two free bottles to go with it - they added in an additional bottle of white for us which was really kind.  It puts a real smile on your face to know that your custom is appreciated.

We were saying on the way home that with everything going up in price (save for our income!) we will need to be much more careful about where we go out to eat because we can't afford to make expensive mistakes plus I like to cook and we can generally guarantee a good meal at home at a reasonable price but the Winery will be one of the few places we will always try and patronise