Mrs Kirby needs an oil change

John's lovely new car aka Mrs Kirby had several years left of its original manufacturer's warranty so that means in order to keep it going we had to take it to Char. Palakoutas in Agia Varvara for an oil change this morning.  This was a bit of a voyage of discovery as it is on an industrial estate out towards the airport.  The downside is that this is a bit far but we had decided to combine this with some shopping and a trip to see Mum, the upside is that having a nice posh car means that you get to go to a nice posh service centre where there was a lovely bunch of staff and a nice clean seating area upstairs with magazines and a TV, toilets and a kitchen with a lady to make drinks on demand.  Even better, for some reason, there was no labour charge so we just had to pay for the oil and the oil plug.  John was happy.

We did a bit of shopping which included a visit to Shuks for some meat and then called into see Mum for a cup of coffee and a biscuit and to help her with her current jigsaw.  We stayed for a couple of hours.  I found it very hot down in Emba - I was absolutely leaking.  In fact for the last few days I have been really struggling with the heat and getting hot and sweaty - I guess it is an age thing but it is quite embarrassing.  

As our neighbours current stint is coming to an end we had arranged to go into the village to show them Finnikas and to have something to eat.  We were not having meze so did something we never do, chose from the menu!!!!  We all had something different, John had afelia, Jan had stifado, Derek had mixed kebab and I had courgette and egg.  We all really enjoyed our food, we were ably served by little Marina who is now fast becoming a mirror image of Constantina (who came in to give John a big hug) and Philippos.  We had a fabulous meal and it was good to see several other tables being taken whilst we were there.  We were in no rush to leave so sat chatting.  I had thought it might be chilly as the evening wore on but it wasn't.  After years of living practically neighbourless save for the infrequent visits from Dora and Gregoris we are thrilled to have been blessed by having such a great couple taking on 11a.  

We were slowly walking back home when we heard the unmistakable sound of Das singing and playing his bazouki.  He was the entertainment at an Israeli pre-wedding party at Christos's Taverna.  We were going to walk by but were spotted and beckoned to go on in.  We planned to just sit inside whilst the party raged outside but Christos and Alkista told us to go and sit at the bar and join in.

Blimey what an amazingly bonkers and enjoyable impromptu evening that turned out to be!!!  Belinda was there supporting Das so glad of a bit of company.  John positioned himself behind the bar and worked as Christos's right (or should that be left) hand man.  I even became a backing singer on one occasion.  It was brilliant to see this taverna buzzing and different generations of people all together having a good time.

This lovely and amazing lady was in her 90s and was up and boogie-ing with the best of them.  Apparently the bride and groom get married tomorrow and I get they will have some baggy heads!  I spoke to the bride to be to thank her for allowing us to gatecrash her celebrations but she was more than happy and said she was glad that we came to share the occasion with her.  

We walked Derek and Jan back to their digs and then carried on home where I had the forethought to do my watering before turning in for the night.  I have to be up early tomorrow deep joy.