Getting ready for guests

George and Pam's son and family are coming on Saturday arriving late.  We hadn't expected anyone until George and Pam come themselves later in August.  The bathroom renovations are not complete because the shower screen is on order and has not, as yet, arrived.  (The island is having terrible trouble with imports).  John double checked again with Martyn whether or not it might put in an appearance this week but no, so we needed to do a tidy up on what was possibly the hottest day of the year.  John went and pressure washed the patio and gave the lemon tree a prune - it is now about a third of the size it was and still needs shaping but we only had the hand secateurs with us.  I don't know what is to happen with all the things that were taken out of the old bathroom so have left them in the spare bedroom.  We were going to leave the sheets etc on the beds but as Andrew and Co will be arriving late I made the beds up so that they can crawl straight in if they want.  Pam really, really needs a new broom - not sure if the workmen used her broom and mop etc but what is there has seen better days.  I did the best I could whilst keeping an eye out for Charlie who had come to investigate - I didn't want him going on the beds or getting shut in.  He was somewhat disgruntled but got the hint.  

We tidied up the lounge/kitchen/dining room, flushed the loos, checked that the hot water was hot and working and that the aircon units were working too - all good on that count.  On Saturday we will go and get the shopping they have asked for.  It is the best we could manage at short notice.   I will need to find a local cleaner - I didn't rate the one we had last time and there was no money left in the coffers for one but as I say I was waiting until all the work was completed because I thought that the workmen would probably give the bathroom a clean up before declaring everything done.  One thing we hadn't thought about was the fact that the bathroom door had been removed to allow enough room to work.  John went to put it back on so that people could shower in privacy and the new tiling meant that there was insufficient gap between tile and door which was a bit of a bugger to say the least John didn't have time today but he will have to plane a bit off the bottom tomorrow and refit it.

It was exceptionally hot today - we put the outside furniture out - not the brollies just in case it gets windy and it is clear that they are going to notice the difference with all the tiling done and no plants save the lemon tree - shade will be key and most welcome!  Anyway temperatures tomorrow are set to drop a little which will be good and they do have the aircon which will make a big difference.

John was going on a bike ride with Richard today - crazy fools!!!  He had planned a route out of the village and across to Pitticopos and back - nice going as it is mainly downhill but not so nice coming back.  There was the promise of a beer and something to eat in Finnikas to keep them going.  Richards moans about it but afterwards admits he really enjoys pushing himself.  John has asked if I might go with them next time when he is thinking about a route which includes the coastal path, taking the bikes with us by car down to Limni.  I said I might if only for some company!  tomorrow John is returning to Badminton for the first time in years - mainly because Liselotte has asked him if he might help bringing some of the youngsters on which means he can be involved and play a bit without putting too much strain on his knee which still gives him gyp now and again as does his elbow at the moment.  We are officially both falling apart as my shoulder is very painful but only at times and with certain movements but I haven't been able to find out what they are until it is too late.  So if John is having his regular catch up with the Bobster and a cycle ride with Richard and badminton with LL I will have to make an appointment to see him if I am not careful.  I, on the other hand, have the joy of going to the Customs Department in Paphos with Isabel tomorrow as she is shipping her stuff back and returning to Scotland in a couple of weeks' time.  She doesn't have anyone else who can go with her and she is worried that she will get lost what with not knowing where she needs to go and all the roadworks causing diversions so I am going.

It was so hot today that Charlie couldn't make it into his bed - he just hung off the side of it and fell asleep.  He is asleep, that is his dodgy eye that never closes.  I can't imagine what it must be like for him never to now darkness bless him.  Anyway today we made a decision about Miss Minnie - we decided that we needed to give her some of the antibiotics she had when we was ill last time.  This is administered by way of injection and although she doesn't like it, it is much less traumatic than trying to give her a tablet.  At least we know how much we have been able to give her.  We cannot get her to eat and that is very worrying.  Fingers crossed she will show some improvement.