Friendship

I had totally forgotten that little Kenny needed an MOT today and so I drove down to Andreas's testing centre in order to get it sorted.  This was not before driving through the village and bumping into Philippos Droushiotis - the man who was so instrumental in us living here in Droushia.  When we bought our home it was attached to the Droushia Heights Hotel and let out.  Philippos was the Manager and so the person we contacted if we had an issue.  He always sorted things for us.   We had a typically Cypriot through the car window in the middle of the road and I am guessing that John probably did the same as he was following me down to Andreas's.  I had dropped the car off and explained in my pigeon Greek that the handbrake needed adjusting - I had no idea what that was in real money so simply waved my hand at the lever and said... το χειρόφρενο είναι πάνω όχι κάτω This means that the handbrake is up not down - Andreas nodded, fag in mouth and jumped in the car and straight into the testing bay.  He must have understood because when I picked it back up later in the day the handbrake had been sorted.

We then called in to Polis Square to see Patricia Dobson in her Bags of Fun Vintage Shop which recently moved from Latchi.  This is a fascinating shop full of vintage jewelry and collectibles and also the pick up point for the regular auctions held in support of local animal charities.  We try and support as much as we can, this one and the one held by Tala Monastery Cats.  This week I was collecting a sweet little egg house which is good because I am guilty of keeping my eggs in the fridge which apparently there is no need to do which, when you think about it, must be the case because Supermarkets don't refridgerate them.

Whilst I was out and about I had an emergency call from Isabel.  She has had some terrible issues with her teeth and had to have some surgery to rectify a problem and was in tremendous pain so asked if I had any home-made soup in the freezer.  I didn't but was happy to make her some and so called into Kaites on the way home for some carrot and coriander (amongst other things) so that I could make her some soup and have enough for us for our lunch tomorrow.  It takes seconds few in the pressure cooker and I, of all people, know just how painful poorly teeth and gums can be and poor Isabel is on her own looking after herself.

We also took a trip out to Peristerona to visit Catherine and Joe who used to have a house in Droushia but now live in Peristerona and run Spice and Easy.  Although the shop was closed Catherine had invited us up to grab a Friendship Plant (more info on that tomorrow) which she had potted up for us.  We sat out on her terrace catching up and supping some lovely coffee and eating her vegan spiced biscuits which were absolutely delicious.  I shall have to ask her for the recipe if she is happy to share it.

A word of warning to anyone going up that way and thinking of exploring Lyssos - DONT - it has been completely dug up, I am guessing they are getting cobbled but there is next to no warning that the roads are either shut or in a terrible state!

We uncovered the Do-Jo for use today, giving it a good airing.  Fortunately all the weather-proofing John did last winter worked brilliantly and inspite of the terrible weather nothing got wet.  I am not sure if we will use it to quite so much this year because for the first time in 11 years we will have neighbours next door in 11a.  They arrive on Sunday to start their renovations.  We have never had to worry about being noisy before but will be more mindful that they are there as our music choices may not be theirs!  At least the weather has improved for them and we are looking forward to seeing what they will do.  It is amazing that although these house are 'pretty much the same' everyone has developed them differently - not least the previous owner of 11a who sadly built a rather unpleasant looking illegal extension just after we bought our place.