My Hoya

I thought I would share with you the progress of my beautiful Hoya (also known as a Wax Flower) which is located in the conservatory.   Only one bloom but it is amazing.  This started out life as a tiny cutting from a plant which was in the garden of the Magic Garden restaurant in Mesa Chorio.  It took for ever for it to get going but this year we have a flower.  Once this has finished I am planning to take another cutting as the bloom as at the top of a very long runner and I seem to remember these plants are often grown in a hanging basket hence the long runner.  Anyway here it is my Hoya flower hopefully the first of many.

So I was up and out early this morning - so early that there was a mist hanging in the air and low cloud down towards the coast!  John went out on an early morning bike ride with Richard whilst I had the pleasure of taking Mum to the doctors for the next step in her low sodium saga.  It was at least an opportunity to give Kenny a good run after being in the menders yesterday.  Kenny done good actually so I will be more than happy to hand him over to Stan for safekeeping.

We are fast approaching September and there is a real Autumnal look and feel to the countryside - the daytime temperatures have risen in the last couple of days so with just a week to go until our family arrive we look like we will have some lovely settled weather even if it is cool in the evenings it makes it easier to sleep.

I arrived at Mum's in time to take her to the Doctors for her 9.00am appointment.  The surgery was already busy but Dr Mala soon got to Mum and she took a second blood sample there and then in the surgery to check on mum's sodium levels.  We had a bit of a discussion about the drugs mum was on and the balance she needs to find in order to ensure she keeps the sodium level up once it is at a level Dr Mala is happy with.  If this new sample is ok then there will be a return trip to discuss medication, diet and water consumption.  It looks as though the diuretics and water consumption have flushed out what little minerals Mum takes in from her tiny meals.  I tried to emphasise to Mum that this sodium issue needs to be taken seriously, she agreed with me but generally anything which involves her having to change her eating to a more varied and healthy diet meets with some resistance - maybe at 87 I shouldn't worry so much and let her get on with it.

I then shot off to get my hair cut - glad that Lumi could fit me in before visitors arrive because it would have been another month and I would end up looking like Ken Dodd.  It was exceptionally hot down on the coast today.  I had planned to quickly do a bit of shopping after my hair cut and then return home and try and grab a coffee with Nicky as I haven't seen her since her mum's party.  I was thrilled when she rang to say she had to go to Jumbos so if I wasn't in a rush she would meet me there and we could go for a coffee together in the Mall.  That's almost like a girlie trip out which I next to never do.  

I had to step over one of the resident cats on my way to Lumi's it was a real cutie and either very well fed or expecting kittens - the latter I expect.

So I had my hair cut and went off to the Mall and met with Nicky - we caught up over an iced latte and it was lovely - we have decided we really should try and do this more often once our and her visitors have gone - they all arrive on the same day!

I was hot and sticky when I got back from Paphos.  Mum sent her test results and it showed that her sodium levels were almost back to normal which is good so we will need to see what happens next.  We took the opportunity to catch up with neighbours, firstly Lakis and Argy who had their window cleaner arrive - Costas is rather ripped and now has a new long pole!!!  I am tempted to ask him to come and clean mine next now that Richard has given up - bloody hell we just get a decent window cleaner in the neighbourhood and he retires!!!!

Final visit was to George and Pam to make sure all was ok - we realised the internet wasn't active so contacted Malcolm because Manchester United play on Thursday and George wanted to watch!

I went to bed whilst John watched the Mighty Blades decimate Reading - sorry Uncle David.