Dad I am so glad you are not here to witness this world

Today as we remember four years since my dad left our lives the world has gone mad.  We have been watching in horror as war was declared on the Ukraine, a war which is being labeled as a potential World War III.  It is all very worrying and not a million miles away.  We find ourselves living on an island which is hugely entwined with Russia so we wonder exactly what the future is going to bring.  Just as people are beginning to shake off the shackles of Covid they now face a different and potentially more dangerous menace.  

I feel sad today - I really miss my Dad who could be cantankerous, belligerent and difficult at times but he loved our company, he loved our cats (seen here with beautiful, beautiful Chivers who sadly is also no longer with us) and he loved his food and his drink and a game of cards.  I am just grateful that he did not become ill and suffer and change, he remains in my memory as my Dad and my hero to whom I said 'goodbye see you soon' one day and then he passed away unexpectedly the next.

We had arranged to meet Mum for lunch today - she had chosen to go to Tavernaki by the traffic lights at the top of the Mesoghi Avenue because it was somewhere that Dad liked to go.  We were being joined by Lilian who has become such a good friend to Mum since both she and Mum met over a bowl of soup at Tweedies.  Lilian lost her husband shortly before Mum lost Dad.

Anyway we got down to Paphos a bit early because we wanted to checkout a small independent supermarket which people had recommended as having good prices particularly for some of the imported items which have now rocketed in price.

From the outside Express doesn't look very promising but inside it is clean and bright and with lovely helpful staff.  John temporarily joined their ranks when he helped out an elderly lady who was struggling to get some bottles of water.  It transpired she came from Arodes!!

The information about the shop was correct - there were lots of things we buy that were indeed cheaper there than anywhere else we have been and that included Gold Blend Coffee and Felix Cat Food to name a couple.  As I go down to Mum's one day in the week it wouldn't be difficult for me to call in there to get a few things and save myself a bit of money as prices seem to be rising daily and the situation in the Balkans isn't helping.

Mum and Lilian joined us when they had finished their shift at the Charity Shop.  We were quite happy to have a late lunch because we knew it meant we wouldn't need much in the evening.  I am back to having to watch what I eat and when I eat.  Mum had obviously been on line to check up on a Hiatal Hernia and could tell me that really I should be eating a little and often and avoiding anything that might be likely to cause acid in my gut.  Deep joy, just when I had reintroduced just about everything save for Fish and Bananas.

We had a very pleasant lunch together, tucked into a corner which was nice and warm (although we did have to ask for the music to be turned down a little because we knew Mum would struggle to hear any conversation otherwise!).  You don't get quite as much food as before and the price has increased to €12 but this still includes dips and bread to start, followed by halloumi, your main meal, pudding, your drink and a complimentary drink at the end.  I could still see and hear my Dad declare that it was "Magic for the price!".

This was my plate of stifado with rice and chips and side salad - and very nice it was too.  John had a pork chop - which was a much more reasonable size for a lunch than the monstrous Desperate Dan sized ones you get at Fitos!! and Lilian had chicken souvlaki and Mum spare ribs.

As I say it was a nice afternoon and a fitting way to remember Dad.

The day started out a bit stormy - Mum took this picture of the double rainbow this morning.  Fortunately it did improve so that when we went down for lunch it was sunny and quite warm.  It didn't last though and by the end of the day it was getting quite stormy.  The photograph below was taken by my neighbour Sonia from her garden - spring is still not with us sadly.