I spoil myself

 

I did something today which I consider to be quite decadent - I went and had a pedicure.  To be more accurate I went to have the gel nail varnish removed that was put on when I went with Jackie and Janet.  It was perfectly intact but my nails had grown so much that they needed to be cut and there was a gap between my cuticle and where the varnish started.  I had made an appointment with the lovely Rafaela and she was removing the varnish and then replacing it.  Not only did she do that but, because there was no one booked in immediately after me she took lots of time and my feet were soaked and scrubbed and rubbed and moisturised and it was amazing save for the bit where she uses something like a Dremel to remove the dead skin which tickles beyond belief.  Here are my newly repainted tootsies - in shade 081 which I really like.  This will last weeks and by the time it is due to be removed my feet will probably be swathed in boots!  It did feel amazing to have this done - such a lovely treat.

We had arranged to meet up with Dip and Karen.  Dip wanted to show Karen the Winery and so we set off for lunch opting for a table which had sun and shade.  The weather was good to begin with and then it got very dark and we had rumbles of thunder but fortunately no rain and it didn't actually get cold.  Karen was impressed by the Winery and we all had excellent food.  It was good to see the Winery busy too - I am sure that Yiannis will agree that he needs the customers especially as he was telling us that the price of the wine bottles he uses has doubled as has his electricity bill which last time was nearly €30K - as he said now was most definitely the time to invest in photovoltaics if he was to survive.

I opted for Stifado.  It isn't something I generally order when out because although it is one of my favourite Cypriot dishes it is something I cook myself and I have often been disappointed by the way that other people make it.  Here though the meat is tender, without fat, and full of flavour and served with chips, just how I like it.  Karen had the pork chop, John had chicken skewers and Dip had the prawn pasta which Pete had raved about when we went there with him and Gail.  Dip confirmed that the pasta was excellent.  

All in all we had a lovely afternoon and returned to Lordos 1 to have some of the meringue roulade that Dip and Karen had brought with them.  We actually managed to sit outside and eat it even though the skies were quite leaden.  We thought we might have had some rain and we think we possibly did overnight.  It wasn't forecast to do so until next week and we had our fingers crossed that was the case because Wendy and Bill are over on a much needed holiday and they were hoping for some sun to bolster them up before returning to the UK where the weather forecast for next week is awful.  

Cleaning the Village

This morning, first thing, we took Mum's car down to the body repair guy in Terra who everyone raves about.  He works out of a garage next to his house.  I have never seen any advertisements for him, he simply gets his work from word of mouth which is the best way.  What a nice guy.  He took a good look at Mum's car and we asked him to do as many bumps scratches and dints as he could find.  He explained that, sod's law, the front bumper on Mum's car was non-standard and so he would have to source one, which he did and he phoned later in the day with a price and to say he could do the work next week.  Mum suggested we keep her car up with us to get it sorted which we will do.  Whatever happens with regard to whether Mum continues to drive now or gets her licence renewed in April the car needed some TLC.

This afternoon we did a Lordos 1 litter pick.  We were joined by Nicky and Mark, Gail and Jan and we started outside Sonias and cleaned the road up to the cheese factory.  We haven't done a clean for the best part of three years, weather and covid and numbers stopped us but Gail and Pete remarked how awful it was around our estate - they see it when they are out walking the dogs - and so we decided the time was right to get back on it starting with the area where we live and then we will expand outwards as several newbies in the village have expressed an interest.

It was actually a very pleasant evening for a walk and even better a walk with a purpose.  Gail was right there was a lot of rubbish - strangely only two masks - we had expected to see loads of these post covid but it was mainly cans, bottles and fag packets - nothing dodgy on this stretch - the mucky DVD's used to be found on the main road down to Philippos's museum.

I reckon we must have filled 10 to 12 bags on that small stretch.  We had left six on the edge of our estate where there was no green bin.  We were going to ask Marianna to get them picked up but then we thought we could each put two in the bins on the estate and they would be emptied tomorrow morning by the bin men anyway.

We decided we would quickly call in to Kaponas for some liquid refreshment.  Eleni brought our wine and then two plates of 'nibbles' to go with it.  We sat and chatted and drank and when we came to leave she would not take any payment saying that we had done a good thing.  How lovely was that?  At least we know there are some people in the village who appreciate our efforts.  

The plan is to do another quick clean on Thursday evening - the stretch from the cheese factory up to the Inea turning which is absolutely disgusting.  There is something strangely satisfying about bagging up a load of rubbish and removing it from the streets.  It may only be clean for a very short period of time but whilst it is, it looks so much better.

John has a tumble

I was up early this morning because my lovely hairdresser could squeeze me in first thing but it is down in Paphos.  John was up early because he was going on a bike ride with Pete and Richard - this proved to be rather unsuccessful because John managed to come off his bike, falling on his hands and making a right old mess of them.

Anyway I got my hair cut for which I am very grateful as I was beginning to look rather unkempt and contemplated chopping my fringe myself at one point.  I have done it before but it looks like a blind two year old has done it - no offence to anyone who is two year old and/or people who are visually challenged.

I called in to see Mum on my way home as a bit of a surprise for her as she wasn't expecting me so I was in her good books.  There were a few things she wanted me to do and I helped get the edges done on her current jigsaw.  I am now on the lookout for jigsaws with larger pieces but which are something a bit more grown up than Disney which is what Jumbos has to offer.

On my way home I called into the Farmyard to pay the deposit for an event we are going to there for Christmas.  Last night they celebrated Hallowe'en and the restaurant was still decorated.  Valentina said they had had a really great night and she was shattered.  I had hoped to catch Rachel to check on how she was and how her father was doing but I had just missed her.

John was in a right old mess when I got home his hands were battered and bruised and his fingers were swelling.  I persuaded him to remove his wedding ring because I remember how frightening it was when my hands swelled before I ended up in A&E with my hives.  I thought they were going to have to cut my ring off.

He has bruised his ribs, has a bruise and cut on his knee but most of the rest are painful but superficial - the bike is fine and he was glad that he had been wearing his helmet and gloves although he now realises he needs a far better pair than he had been wearing.  Apparently he hit a water pipe that someone had dragged across the road and couldn't keep his balance because he was just turning round to give the other two some instructions and didn't see the pipe until it was too late.

He is philosophical about it - actually admitting that it was his fault and that he would be fine but I could see that his hands were sore and painful so I was rather more attentive than I would normally be because, as we know, "sympathy is between shit and syphilis in the dictionary".  I was just concerned that he might get blood all over the sheets so suggested he stuffed his hands into some socks but he declined.

I had actually had the foresight to put meals in the slow cookers.  One was for today, slow cooked boneless shin of beef and the other for tomorrow when Mum comes up, slow cooked pork and apple casserole.

Fortunately with John's poorly hands the beef was melt in your mouth and so tasty - I shall certainly be getting some more of that next time we go to Shuks.  

We actually started to watch a series this evening as we get an extra hour in bed due to the clock change.  We are watching the second series of Gangs of London.  Rather violent and some wooden acting but entertaining nonetheless.

Craft Day

I went to Neo Chorio today to do some craft - I was going to do the tray I had - planned for my sister but because Mum had stolen my idea for a gift for Lilian and because it is Ellen's birthday next week I needed to find something small to complete during the course of the morning.

I had totally forgotten it was Ochi Day and so for many a Bank Holiday which is why when I pulled into the local petrol station it was like the Marie Celeste with absolutely no-one in evidence.

This meant I had to pull up my big girl pants and do something which I have not done for the past 12 years we have lived here, use a self service machine.  I always time it so that I go for petrol when it is manned so that not only does someone put the fuel in they generally wash the front windscreen and if you are lucky the back windscreen.

How difficult could this be?  There was no-one around to help me with my mission which wasn't good but then no-one around to watch me struggle and probably make a balls up which wasn't so good.

The local filling station is new and has a new super-dooper self service machine which actually does just about everything short of dispensing the fuel for you.  It is in English and absolutely fool-proof - I even printed out a receipt to get the full experience!!!

I had a lovely morning - I decided to decoupage two glasses with a Christmas theme - one for Lilian and one for Ellen.  Both used the same serviette for the poinsettia flowers but one was edged in silver with a silver ribbon and the other in gold.  These will each hold a tea light and hopefully look amazing!!!

I had just about the right amount of time to do the two of them and get them sufficiently dry to take home.  Once again there were a few people I knew there, Gillian, Norma and Jane Harley but the other ladies are new to me but the common bond of doing something creative does make people engage in conversation.

I have put my name down to go again next Friday - it is a bit of me time and doesn't cost an arm and a leg which is good.  Anna has loads of supplies so if you need something you can buy it whilst you are there or you can take you own stuff and just join the chat.

I still have the decoupage tray to do for my sister - I actually think I have enough stuff to do it at home if I need to but I don't want to spoil it so will take it with me so I can tap into Anna's expertise if needs be.

I love the eclectic mix of old, new and crafty items which are dotted around the workshop and the garden - I think that however hard I try to be minimalist, clutter free and ordered this is much more like me although I am being good about getting rid of things which we really don't use or need or want.  Lilian's charity shop benefits! 

This afternoon we went to make the acquaintance of the puppy which Janet and Derek are currently fostering.  Say hello to Buddy who is actually pretty adorable and I don't really like dogs.  Charlie is not impressed but as we were sat outside chatting with Jan and Derek Charlie did put in an appearance keeping his distance by sitting on the wall between us and glaring at the puppy.

We are not entirely sure what is going to happen with Buddy - I am sure that anyone seeing him, if they were planning on having a dog, would fall in love.  He is cute and cuddly and so far, thankfully, quiet.

He looks to be a hunting dog cross - one parent must have had short legs so he isn't going to be as big as you might think from the size of his paws.

Derek is still poorly and struggling - he has investigated the possibility of getting an MRI whilst he is here.  The problem will be that if he isn't more mobile he will struggle on the plane and the 10 hour coach journey he has at the other end.  He really looks to be in a great deal of discomfort.

Our date night supper was fillet steak from Shuks and it was amazing - these two pieces came to about 9 euros in total and we had roasted tomato and onion and smashed potatoes, peas and my steak sauce.  You really cannot beat it for value for money, taste and tenderness.    

Richard is called in as a Sub...

It was a glorious start to the day.  The clocks change at the weekend which generally means that the weather changes.  We are hoping not because we are looking forward to seeing Wendy and Bill for the first time in ages, years actually.  Our PV system will tell us that this October has been disappointing in terms of generation and even if it bucks its ideas up with the days that are left it is going to be probably the worst October since we had the system, that week of rain really knocked the stats.

Both John and I had early starts this morning - John had to take Mrs Kirby the Qashqai down to Agia Varvara for a service which was booked in for 8.30am and then he was selling his kidney in order to get all four tyres replaced!!!  He was having to hang around waiting for the service and for the tyres before coming home.

I had offered to help Ross from the village with the auction she helps organise for the Friends of Polis Dog Pound.  She sold it to me as a morning of photographing auction lots which was fine by me but as I found out this was not actually the case.  I went down to Polis and parked up walking down to the Bags of Fun Vintage Jewelry shop which houses the auction lots.  En route there is a magnificent Clerodendrum plant in full flower.  Mine has struggled - I think it is probably a bit too cold for it in Droushia.  It lost all its leaves and then took a long time to show any signs of life.  The one in the photograph obviously likes where it is positioned.

Anyway I can honestly say I didn't take a single photograph.  Ross needed help trying to (a) find the auction lots, (b) work out who had won them and for how much (c) write the invoice for each winner which might include multiple lots and (d) bag the lot or lots for each winner along with the corresponding invoice.  I have learned that it really helps when you know what you are looking for!!!  It took us two hours to complete the task by which time I needed to leave to go and see Mum as promised.  Anyway Ross said that having someone to help had cut down the time immeasurably for which she was very grateful.  I have promised to go and help again but not next week as hopefully we will have Wendy and Bill with us.

We had invited Mark and Nicky to come around this evening for home-made pizza.  I had got all the ingredients ready and part-cooked yesterday and had enough for 2 small pizzas each but unfortunately Nicky contacted me earlier in the day to say that Mark was poorly with some sort of bug and because they weren't sure what it was they thought it might be better to keep a low profile rather than pass anything on which was fair enough - the only trouble was I had all this stuff that needed eating so we called in our reserve Richard who was more than happy to help us out.  Sorry Nicky and Mark but we can do this again another time.  It was such a lovely evening that we actually managed to sit outside and eat which is pretty remarkable as we head towards November.

Charlie was very interested in our food.  Actually Charlie is exceptionally clingy at the moment because he has had his nose put out of joint because Jan and Derek are looking after a puppy which appeared on the estate overnight.  

We aren't entirely sure what happened.  It would appear that the puppy was first discovered by Das and Belinda as it was under their car and eventually they managed to get hold of it and took it indoors and then at some point it went out for the loo and disappeared.  It was then found next door in Gail and Pete's.  Anyway Gail contacted the dog rescue places, most of which are bursting at the seams, and until a proper foster can be found Jan and Derek were going to look after it.

Needless to say this was not part of Charlie's long term plan.  Jan says he wandered in today, took one look at the puppy and gave it a disdainful look and turned on his paws and left and has not been back.  They were lucky that Charlie didn't decide to have a go at the puppy because my money would have been on Charlie getting the upper hand.  Not sure what is going to happen as Jan and Derek are only here for a couple more weeks.

A trip to the Winery

It started as another glorious day today although midway through the afternoon the wind whipped up like a mini tornado and the skies turned black and it threatened to rain for a short while.  We were, at long last, meeting up with Marianne and Jeff.  We had hoped to meet some time back to celebrate our success at getting our EU heating allowance reinstated having (rightfully) argued that this benefit was protected under the Withdrawal Agreement.  Because Jeff has been poorly this got put back and then we had planned to meet in order to celebrate his 80th birthday but that didn't happen and then last week the weather stymied us so today was the day.  We were going to the Winery.  Outside the Winery they have a flowerbed with roses - most of which are in full bloom and the most amazing colours.

We arrived before Marianne and Jeff.  Marianne had warned us that Savvas the Electrician was at their house sorting out some lighting.  We know that Savvas will not be rushed so we knew that they might well be delayed which didn't matter to us.  We got there, parked up and went in to very warm welcomes from the girls there.  Yiannis and his wife Marina are currently on holiday in Crete.  I hope it is more successful than their last holiday which Yiannis said he needed a holiday to get over!  

John always takes some Dog chews with him for the resident dog who is adorable and who follows John around like a, well like a puppy!!!  He will sit patiently awaiting his treat and then will gently remind John when he thinks his second (and last) treat should be dispensed!!!

Marianne arrived before Jeff,  Jeff was left to chivvy Savvas along which obviously wasn't overly successful as it was about half an hour before he put in an appearance but it was lovely sat out on the terrace and it gave us an opportunity to chat with Marianne and find out how Jeff is doing.  We thought he looked much better then when we saw him last which is good.  

The food was lovely as always and we spent a few very pleasant hours sat chatting and eating.  We are hoping to return next week with Dip and Karen if (a) the weather is ok and (b) Dip's car has been satisfactorily repaired.

We hope to meet up with Marianne and Jeff again before Christmas, indeed we feel we really should be inviting them to ours on an evening when we have the wood-burner lit particularly as they were kind enough to give us such a lot of wood earlier on this year.

On our return home there was a car on the side of the road with a group which we had seen earlier eating at the Winery stood peering at it, in particular the front passenger's side tyre.  John got me to spin round and stop so that he could give them a hand.  He found that they were dragging a twig stuck to the underside of the car and also thought that maybe the brakes needed looking at.  Eventually the driver felt happy to continue on with his journey back to Paphos and was very grateful to John for stopping and helping.

The Last Castle

John and I managed an early morning walk.  You can tell we are heading towards the Clock Change which takes place at the weekend because look at the length of those shadows!!!

It was beautiful, so much more like we would expect from October.  Thank goodness because we had arranged to go to Viklari (The Last Castle) for lunch with Dip and Karen.  We had thought they may have decided to shut for the season after the recent heavy rains but we were pleased to see that they were open again this week.

We had pre-ordered fish for Dip and beans for me and John was going to have pork and Karen chicken so that was all bases covered!  Dip and Karen have not been before so we hope that they like it.

So we walked down past Savvas the Tyreman and came out at the Clampetts, up past the turn to the cemetery and up through the village cutting through the churchyard where there were the remnants of the wedding which had been held earlier in the week.  We think it was someone connected with Mr Zinga looking at the photographs on social media.

We didn't really see anybody but our progress was scrutinised by one of the village cats who was perched on top of a car taking in the early morning sunshine!!  We carried on past Palates where we were given a cheery wave from Bambos who was getting the Palates Hotel ready for the day.

We carried on out past the Forestry Station to the road which goes right to Pittikopis or left to Inea and took the left.  We
carried on until we got to the cemetery and then took the path up the side of the cemetery which comes out in Droushia near Lordos II and from there we made our way back home.  Not too far but a great start to the day.

We picked up Karen and Dip and got to Viklari - we had chosen to go in Kenny because we weren't sure whether the recent rains had made the rough road even rougher.  As it happens it was ok but probably best not to take the chance.  As with everyone who goes there Karen and Dip were amazed by the place and the view.  It really is something special.

They were also very impressed by the food - sorry I cut John's head off but I wanted to get in what we had to eat which was delish!  I have to day that the fish here is probably some of the best I have had anywhere - they don't start cooking it until you arrive so it comes nice and fresh and the fish is a good plump specimen!

All in all a very successful lunch - I think it is fair to say that they will be going again at some point!  Karen took the doggy bag home as we are out for lunch again tomorrow!!!

We dropped them back and John and I had a quick run around Jumbos for a few bits and pieces that we wanted before heading home for a quiet evening.  We thought Autumn was going to be quiet but it doesn't look that way!

 

Rest In Peace...

It was an incredibly sad day today when we said goodbye to one of my cousins.  We are pictured here together nearly 60 years ago.  Her passing was unexpected and untimely.  She is the first of my cousins on Dad's side of the family to pass away and she was younger than me.  John and I went to the cemetery to talk to Dad and pay our respects as we could not be in the UK.  As youngsters our family and my cousin's family spent so much time together it is very difficult to appreciate that she has gone.

Walking...

This morning I managed to get in an early morning walk with Nicky.  This is the entrance to our estate and the first of two green areas which come with it - the residents on that side, mainly Andrea and Sonia, decided to take matters into their own hands and cultivate this area with fruit trees and fragrant plants and to make it a communal area that all can enjoy.  We would like to do that with the second green area but sadly our attempts in the past have been thwarted - the trees we planted last year got dug up by a digger because someone doesn't like the thought that there might be snakes in there.  When we first came the green areas were planted up and looked nice but no-one has kept them under control since.  You need people like Andrea and Sonia who are keen gardeners to take the initiative and to make sure that between us this area is kept looking nice.  My contribution is to do the sign which actually needs to be redone again soon!

The remnants of the local grapes are being picked - or destroyed - I am not sure which.  There are times when the growers are paid not to pick their harvest.  The olives are also being gathered, we have been asked by Philippos if we want to help him again.  We enjoyed it so much last year but this week and next week we are quite busy to I think it is unlikely we will be able to find the time which is a shame.  

After the recent rains it was so lovely to be able to be out walking in wall to wall sunshine.  We were glad we set off early as it was beginning to get quite warm by 8.30am.  It is also good to get back into the swing - I have definitely missed walking and realise that my fitness levels have suffered as a result.  

They say you should be careful what you wish for.  John decided he and I should go for a walk this afternoon, we went down to Latchi and parked up at La Plage and then walked to the campsite and back - well I say walk, with John it is more like him walking and me running along side to keep up.  

Latchi was busy, the holidaymakers must be pleased to have the sunshine back!  It was absolutely glorious mid afternoon with plenty of people in the sea and others just enjoying getting a tan.  As the clocks change at the weekend they should make the most of it the hours change makes a real difference and it will be dark much much earlier.

We always say we don't do this enough, when it is on your doorstep sometimes you just dont make the time.  What was nice was that our supper was all prepared - we were having spaghetti bolognaise using up one of the many packets of spaghetti which we inherit when people go home.  I never thought John liked spag bol but what we had tonight was delicious, probably not a traditional recipe because he whacked some chili into it but lovely all the same.  Washed down with a rather nice bottle of Argentinian red wine Los Hermanos which John picked up on offer in Paps.  

Sunday

So this cartoon is for Richard - he wants to know about wines - really what's to know?  Either you like it or you don't and if you do and you drink too much you will get a headache - simples!!!  Apparently Richard had a headache this morning.  I rest my case!!!

We had a slow start to the day which was welcome!  our meal was in the slow cooker and the veg wouldn't take much prep and John had made a lemon drizzle cake for our pudding so everything was tickety-boo.  

After all the shitty weather of late we were blessed with clear blue skies and some strong sunshine - this is more like it!  We contemplated eating outside, John and I would have done but Mum would find it cold so we decided to err on the side of caution and eat inside.  Mum arrived safe and sound and was quite chirpy.  She had been out yesterday with Lilian and Sandy so she is always better when she has had some other company.  Lunch was a winner too, she ate a good meal and then packed away a fair old slice of cake with a mountain of cream bless her.

The sunshine has been a great boost to my little plantlets.  I have been growing the Gaura from seed and they seemed to get to a certain size and just not grow.  I was afraid I was going to lose them but I potted them on and now that they have had a good drenching and some sunshine they have perked up.  I want to plant them down by the outside shower when they are big enough.

Mum left a little earlier than normal today.  She was kindly going to go home via Lidl as I had seen something John could do with for Christmas and it was one of the special purchases last week and I had not got around to going to see if I could get it.  Bless her she got what I wanted.  She likes to have a shopping project although sometimes her alternatives are more random than when you do a Tescos order online!!!

John had a load of football matches to watch this afternoon/evening and he could watch them on the conservatory TV now it has come back to life!!!!  I generally go have a wander around the garden and do a bit of tidying.

My old village chairs in the front garden need some attention as the joints have dried out and they are beginning to fall to pieces.  Tomorrow is earmarked as a day at home doing some DIY so they may go on the list.

We have Wendy and Bill coming to stay overnight with us next week so obviously we would like to get the house and garden looking as good as we can for them as they haven't been for three years maybe nearer four.

We had a text message from Sonia to say that her side of the street were planting up the first Green Area as you come in today.  I will have to go and investigate tomorrow - it's really nice to see that part of the estate being tidied up and looking nice after all these years.

I am walking tomorrow with Nicky - leaving at 8.00am so I decided to have an early night.  We were due to have a quiet week next week but that isn't happening!
 

Ribs

Woo Hoo we have sunshine back at long last.  It gave me the chance to do a good look around the garden to see if there has been any damage that had gone unnoticed.  The mirror outside the back was no longer attached to the wall.  It hadn't broken fortunately but the back of the mirror had swollen in the rain and was disintegrating.  

John was going on a bike ride with Richard and Pete this morning but Richard bailed out having been working like a Trojan this week and Pete had a load of stuff to do with his builders having lost quite a lot of time due to the weather.  John went out for a run on his own.  

Mum is here tomorrow and we decided that we would cook up the beef shortribs which I got from Shuks.  There were about half a dozen of them for around 6 euros and they looked to have plenty of meat on them.  I found a recipe to do them in the slow cooker on low for about 8 hours - apparently in the UK this would cost me about 36p!  They were to be served with hasselback jacket potatoes and leeks, carrots and garden peas, oh and a little Yorkshire pudding to keep John happy.  I reckon the total cost of this meal was around €10 not that I am particularly counting but it is interesting to see what a nice tasty filling meal can cost.  I am glad as a school girl I learned to cook - I think all school kids should learn to cook.

The plan had been that after the CODS (Cyclists of Droushia) had been out they would shower and change and then Gail and I would join them and we would go out for a spot of lunch at Steni so that Pete could try out their BBQ Ribs and compare them with those he has had and loves at the Stone Lion.  We explained that Dory who used to be at the Stone Lion had previously been at Steni so had possibly taken the ribs recipe with him.  Neither Pete and Gail nor Richard had been here previously and it is a nice place and a nice little run out.  I had initially booked a table indoors in case the weather was poor but as it happens it was lovely and we were able to sit outside under the big shade tree that covers the terrace.

The food was a resounding success - in fact John and I said it is back to its best after a period of time when it was a little indifferent.  Gail and Richard had a mini platter each and when they arrived they looked at one another and then at me as if to say I could have warned them - I did try to tell them that they were on the large side!  Pete, John and I had ribs - I only had a half portion and that was massive.  The ones which Pete and John got were absolutely enormous and we were pleased that Pete really rated them because it is awful when you recommend somewhere and then it doesn't live up to expectations.

Rich asked if he could come around and play when we got back.  He had a couple of bottles of red wine he wanted to show to John and to try - Rich normally only drinks carton wine but is learning!  We were more than happy for him to join us - we had nothing planned save that John would put the Mighty Blades on in the background - he was fearing a bit of a cuffing from Norwich.  We decided to sit in the conservatory because it was lovely and warm inside and John plugged the knackered TV in and bugger me if the damn thing didn't spring to life.  It did say on tintyweb that if your TV fails to switch on after being unplugged in a storm it is good to completely unplug it and leave for several days for all the electrical charge to dissipate and they were right!!!!  John might have preferred that the TV had still refused to switch on as his team went 2-0 down in a few minutes.  They did manage a draw though by the end of the match.

Meeting Up

The weather was forecast to improve today.  It did, enough for me to get some washing done and out on the line.  Unfortunately Droushia, as usual, did not get the brief and so by early afternoon it had started to cloud over with big dark clouds so the washing had to come into the conservatory to finish drying.  Still it was a better day than the last four or five and from tomorrow it is set fair for at least the next week.

We are having a bit of a sort out of 'stuff'.  We are good at holding on to 'stuff' - just in case and sod's law is that if we do get rid of it we need it a couple of weeks' later.  Today though we had a couple of door mats which we no longer use (replaced) which we thought the local cat feeding station might be able to use.  We went down to put the mats in situ.  Our view, looking at the lovely grey which came to check the mats out, is that the feeding station is working all too well, I know that the weather has been awful and that this grey is probably sporting its winter coat but it looks well healthy!!!  Congratulations to Irene and her team who take time to ensure the local cat population is fed, healthy and fixed.  I remember seeing this cat as a small and super cute kitten.  Sad that it did not find a forever home but happy that it looks to be doing ok under the circumstances.

On the subject of cats and cat rescue and cat care there is a lady called Cynthia who does this from Mandria but who helps as many as she is able.  In fact recently I put Das in touch with her when he and Belinda took on five orphaned kittens and she helped him get them all fixed.  Anyway, periodically, in order to raise funds for her charitable work she has a sale of 'stuff'.  

This week she had a lovely candle sconce for sale for €3 so I met up with her yesterday to pick it up.  I hadn't really had a good look at it until this morning and it is lovely - I am so pleased with it - I just need to work out where it is going to go because ideally (unless I want it to rust) it needs to go indoors.

So, after getting the washing done, John and I went down to Polis to do our food shopping for the week.  We have been very organised and done the food menu for the week and worked out what we need to get.  This evening we have Dip and Karen coming up from Paphos and we have booked to have a meze in the village at Finnikas so no cooking for me today.

We had done our meat shopping at Shuks yesterday and bought some amazing looking Beef short ribs so that is what we plan to have on Sunday when Mum will be with us.   I shall do them in the slow cooker.  I have been reading in the paper about appliances which people are using to cut their cooking bills.  I was surprised to see that they are recommending using a Halogen oven.  I was going to get rid of mine!  I shall just have to dust off the instruction book and get to grips with it because apparently it is a third of the price of using a regular oven (not that I use mine that much I tend to use the combi-microwave instead).

Dip and Karen made it up here safe and sound - Dip's car has a problem with the fuel pump so we were half expecting a call to go rescue them on a hill but didn't need to.  We walked into the village and had pre-warned them that it could be chilly sat in the Taverna so we were well prepared.  We had a lovely evening.  The food was far too much but really nice and fresh and we came home laden with fresh grapes and freshly prepared olives as well as a doggy bag of food we could not quite manage to consume.

We are hoping to try and get Dip and Karen to the Last Castle in the week providing it has not closed due to the recent bad weather - they have not been and we think they will love it.

We go to town...

The inclement weather continued overnight on Tuesday but we had some brief respite in the morning - sadly it did not last.  I had more garden tidying up on the cards - the bougainvillea looked lovely but the wind has hammered it and the coloured bracts are everywhere.  I also had my sights set on getting the two clock vines reduced to a more manageable size.

The small clock vine is easy the large one which stretches right up onto the roof terrace and along is harder to deal with and when I got to the top of the terrace ladder I saw that the drain had been blocked and there was about six inches of water sitting on top of the tiles.  I soon got that cleared up and the water drained away leaving a right old mess and I have resolved that I really should go and check that drain more often.   As I was on a roll I decided to cut the original passion flower back to the stem and anything else that looked like it needed it.

I did as much as I could but I have a bad arm - have had it for months and I am not sure what caused it and why it has not gone away.  I am thinking that it harks back to when I had a car accident and buggered up my left shoulder - I wonder if I now have a bit of arthritis or something and it is pressing on a nerve.  If it doesn't improve in the next week I will have to take a trip back to see Dr Manolis.  Anyway when I had had enough of gardening we jumped in the car because John had received a text message from the guy who is servicing his bike to say it is ready.  We had absolutely no idea how much it was going to cost but John was very happy with his €10 bill!!!

The weather deteriorated again in the afternoon.  We are beginning to get quite fed up with it now - this is so not like October.  Tomorrow we are going off to Paphos to see Mum, to catch up with Andy and Nicky who have had a dreadful week weatherwise so far and hopefully catch Dip and Karen although they are supposed to be coming up on Friday.

We had torrents of rain on Wednesday night and we woke to a grey horrible day - we had thick rolling mists so visibility was not good.  We had planned to leave early to see Mum but she had forgotten she had a chiropodist appointment and as it happened with the weather like it was we would have had to wait for the mist/fog to clear before setting off.

Fortunately although it is grey and wet it isn't cold in the house, in fact in the conservatory it is positively balmy and Boris was making the most of it - cats which are happily relaxed just look so comfortable.  We left him to snooze.  Minnie and Charlie had got me up much earlier for breakfast!  

We set off down for Emba, the weather began to improve as it usually does when you go down to the coast and as a result it was very muggy and humid - I was overdressed and John was definitely overdressed!  We did the jobs that Mum wanted us to do and waited for her to return from the chiropodists and stayed and had a drink with her before setting off for the Mall.  She was ok as she and Lilian were going out for lunch together.

Our route to the Mall takes us down through the Old Town.  So much work has been done there to modernise it - I like a lot of what has been done as there is a mix of old and new - it just needs a few more shops to open and a few more tourists to visit.  Apparently it is buzzing at night - not that we will find that out any time soon!!!

We met up with Andy and Nicky at the foodhall in the Mall.  They are both looking well and rightly so as they spent a month in the summer living on Kho Samui!!!  Nicky has changed job since we last saw her and is now a head teacher in Minehead.  Andy continues to work as an entertainer on ships but having done quite a lot of globe trotting is currently staying more local as they have bought an old Victorian house in Bridgwater for renovation.  They were keen to try and catch a bit of afternoon sunshine so we had a chat and a coffee before saying goodbye.

We managed to catch Dip and Karen in this afternoon so had a quick catch up with them before they come up tomorrow for a meze in the village - we have warned them that cardi's will be required!!!

We had a bit of a shop in Jumbos as you do and I got a new quilted bed cover for our bed (trying to keep John happy as he keeps complaining that he is cold).  I love bedding so was really pleased with this purchase which at €14.99 was a billy bargain.  It is grey and white and fits in with the colour scheme perfectly.