I go Shopping

While John was having a boys day out catching up with John and discussing cricket, football and life in general at a local hostelry I was having an admin day running round like a blue-arsed fly in Paphos.  Because we don't go to Paphos if we can help it I store up everything I need to do for my trip.  

Before going out John was busy checking out the progress at George and Pam's - I am getting worried that when the cleaner comes on Wednesday she will be having to negotiate her way around the builders and I am more worried that this cold weather will still be hanging around.

I keep trying to get John to do some jobs for me - that is proving to be a bit difficult because of the weather.  For my birthday my sister sent me a metal bird - I got the robin and I needed to find a place where it can go and where it can be silhouetted against the sky for maximum impact.  I have found somewhere I just need my handyman to spare me five minutes to put it up for me.  This was not to be today as time this morning seemed to just disappear and before I knew it we were off picking up John.

Tomorrow is a Bank Holiday (Greek Independence Day), next Friday is also a Bank Holiday (Cyprus National Day) so I had expected the supermarkets to be pretty busy.  I have turned into a bit of a sad individual going to a number of different places to shop where I know prices to be good - this is because things are going up almost daily - I started at the Express Supermarket at the top of the Mesoghi Avenue followed by the Smart Shop a little further down and then because I needed to get some cash from the Bank to pay for the painting that had been done at 11b I parked at the big Sklavenitis Supermarket and called in to get some catfood and treats because (a) the cats like their own brand cat pouches and (b) they are considerably cheaper than better known makes.  I was amazed by how empty the shop was - I think maybe people don't realise that you can still get to the shop easily even though the roadworks are going on outside.

At the Mall it was much the same story, maybe a bit of welcome sunshine today meant that people were out and about enjoying the fresh air and not indoors spending money.  I had come on a mission of mercy - to get throws for the beds at 11b which could double up as leg warmers in the evening.  The clocks go forward on Saturday and that normally heralds a change in the weather - I really hope so - I don't mind if the Kailou's and the Kyriakides (arriving Monday woo hoo!) think I have been telling porkies about the weather being cold, rather that than them experience it themselves.

I am not sure exactly what is going on with Jumbos, I cannot imagine that they imported lots of items from the Baltic States or that they are suffering an embargo from China but there are loads of things that just aren't there or are there but with limited choice.  

I could have tried Sun Tower opposite but time was running out and I wanted to make sure that I got both John's home in sensible states so I got everything from Jumbos, pillows and throws and a universal remote control for the TV because that went missing before Lou and Malc came out the last time.  Apparently Stelios had taken it to be repaired and no-one has seen it since.  

After quite a lot of investigation John and I have subsequently found that there is an on/off button, channel button and volume button on the side of the TV but this won't enable them to chose the source which they will need for the TV box they are buying.  On closer inspection I noticed the control I had bought didn't have that option either and despite saying it worked with Sharp TVs we tried and tried and couldn't get it to do so.  Good job it was only €2.50 - maybe if we can get it to work it will tied George over until Malc brings out one from the UK.

From the Mall I shot off to get my meat from Shuks, some fabulous pork neck steaks for the freezer - hopefully we will have these one evening when John's Mum, Jackie and Stan are here.  I got 12 lovely chops for less than a tenner!

I had several other shops to negotiate before setting off back home including the card shop as it is Mother's Day on Sunday so wanted a card for Mum and one for Sheila as we are going there for lunch - it is a surprise for Mum and one which I am sure she will enjoy as she always likes their company.  I had wanted to get a couple of meters of wipe clean tablecloth from Lemba but there was seemingly only one person serving and loads waiting at the counter so I didn't wai, it isn't desperate though because it is hardly warm enough to eat outside at the moment anyway.

Boys were ready and waiting for me as I managed to get to the carpark about 30 seconds before the agreed time and we dropped John off safe and sound and we went home to have a quiet evening and a couple of episodes of Annika.  It poured with rain tonight - please please please come soon Spring.