Wildlife around us...

This is not my photograph but it is a photograph of the beautiful bee-eaters which frequent the island heralding the arrival of Summer - this is part of their migration and when they return it tells us that Summer is over and it all seems very sad.  Today whilst walking I heard their unmistakable call from high up in the sky - it is early for them and during their stay their feeding will get lower and lower and they will rest on the electric cables nearby affording a fabulous view of their vibrant plumage.

I was really pleased when Nicky text last night to see if I wanted to go walking.  I need the exercise and it is one of the few occasions I get for a bit of girly time and a girly chat.  We decided to try the walk which takes us on the road to Lara but then swings back towards Inea and home.  This was dug up last time we did it making it difficult in places.  We aren't entirely sure what they are doing but they seem to be laying some pretty big pipes.  It is still dug up but much less difficult to negotiate.

Today seemed to be all about the Cows - I hear people say you never see cows in Cyprus but up here in Droushia there is normally one to be seen but today we saw several.  It was a glorious morning to walk and we were glad that we left early because towards the end it was beginning to get almost too hot particularly on one of the uphill stretches.

We haven't done this walk for a while - that was apparent when we did the big hill back into Inea when we were both desperate to stop in the shade and have some water!!! I said to Nicky that my taking photographs gives me a good excuse to slow down and catch my breath and give my legs a rest because I have always found that walking makes the back of my legs ache, she struggles with getting her breathing right and when we were walking more regularly we had both got to grips with these issues and need to do so again.

The island looks absolutely stunning at the moment - before too long everywhere will start to turn brown so it is good to make the most of it whilst we can.

The remainder of my day was spent fiddling around with 'stuff' in and around the house and garden.  I eventually got round to making a replacement cover for the outside barbeque as the winter weather and in particular the hail had decimated the one I had made previously.

I also had to do some emergency repairs to my denim cut off shorts - they were purchased with rips in them by design but this morning I managed to add a new and unexpected rip just under my left bum cheek which was less than flattering and so I needed to repair it.  This was easier said than done!!!  I loved these shorts, they were soft pale blue denim and finished at the knee with a turn up which could also be turned down.  I got them pre-Brexit for a reasonable price and now I have no idea where I can get a replacement without costing me an arm and a leg.  Repairing them was a bit of a bugger but I eventually managed to do something so that I can wear them a bit longer and I will keep my eye out when I next go anywhere shopping that might have some.

John has been helping our new neighbours out with the loan of some tools and a hand taking down old air-conditioning units and organising for Savvas to come and take away all the old metal appliances and waste that they want gone - he is coming tomorrow to do that - he will no doubt be early!