Full on Visitor Mode

We are all a bit preoccupied with the events in the UK and the moving of the Queen's coffin to Westminster Hall today caused us a bit of angst as we were unable to track the Paphos flight from Cardiff which was bringing Laura and Mark out to stay with us. Eventually it showed up but had been delayed we think because they had to take a different flight path from normal.

As we have a week of full on visitors combined with John's birthday I may resort to the newspaper style of 'pictures only' reporting as I am limited to the amount of time I have to type up the blog.

Today we met up with Mum and had lunch at Peggy's in Peyia.  Stan had not been there before - I had gone with Jackie and Janet to meet Mum there last year and that was the day I started with my mystery rash and of course it all went downhill from there until the doctor got me sorted - now thankfully it seems to be resolved and as long as I take the tablets and don't eat too late I seem to be fine.

We had a lovely lunch.  Stan was very impressed and the menu is suitably varied to cater to all our tastes.  Mum amazed me by eating the biggest slice of cheese and onion quiche I have ever seen - I am not sure that I could have finished it!  It was nice to see her enjoying her meal.

The crew returned here for a swim - they are leaving us to our own devices tomorrow as we knew Laura and Mark would have a late arrival even without any delays.  Stan declared the pool too cold for him although it was still around 28 degrees but the wind had got up so that made it feel cooler.  

The crew wanted to watch the next stage of the Queen's journey so we sat down together to watch this amazing spectacle, amazing, moving and sad.  There was so much dignity on show at a time when personal grief was on show to a huge public audience.  Of all those in attendance I was particularly impressed by Princess Anne whom I saw at close quarters when we went to the Royal Garden Party back in 2009.  She stopped to speak to some people who were standing right next to me.  Amazingly doing a quick search on Google I came across a photograph I have not seen before and there I am in the garden of Buckingham Palace (at the very left of the photograph) when she was doing her walk about.

Mark and Laura had the inevitable delay at the baggage collection but made it here eventually - it is so good to have them back after a break of 2 years.