Out in the sun

January is a long old month.  In its final week now and still with glorious sunshine.  We fully appreciate that at the moment when our families are freezing back in the UK.

I am still in spring cleaning mode so today concentrated on the cat bowls.  I had a sort out and a clean and ended up with a couple which I took down to the Droushia strays Cat Park.  I was greeted by a clowder of Droushiote felines including this rather magnificent tabby who unfortunately had a swollen face and hang-dog (or rather hang-cat) expression.  

On closer inspection I could see an open wound and fresh blood oozing from it - quite probably an abscess which has burst.  I contacted Irene who takes responsibility for strays/ferals and she said she would get it checked out.  Unfortunately I had nothing with me that I could use to help the cat but I know they are visited regularly so it wouldn't be long before he/she was seen to.

We carried on down to Polis as we wanted to do some shopping and, as it was such a beautiful day, I tentatively suggested to drives that we carry on to Limni Pier and get a walk in the glorious sunshine.  He didn't need much persuasion and so we tootled off along the coast to the Pier.

There has been a lot of work clearing this stretch of the coast.  It was to remove Acacia trees which are not indigenous and were strangling the growth of those that are.  The view here is spectacular, not overly manicured so much unchanged in all the years we have been coming here.  There is plenty of development on the other side of the road but the beach side remains reasonably untouched.

I have always loved this area.  It may be because of the old copper mines but the water colour here is spectacular and today there really wasn't a cloud in the sky.  We thought we were the only ones there but noticed someone right at the end on the right.  It turned out to be an Eastern European guy who was filming himself doing some sort of yoga exercise.  We were kind and didn't disturb him but for a second we contemplating photobombing him but thought that might spark some international incident!

John and I had a bit of a photographic challenge just before we left the pier.  John will claim this as his photograph but it is most definitely mine!  How could you not take a fabulous shot when you are looking at a view like this?

We made our way back to Paps and did the bit of shopping that we needed for the remainder of the week.  Not too much as we are eating out of the freezer/fridge and cupboards.  I dread to think what the total of money would be if I totted up the value of all the things we have loafing around.

I decided to call into the Doctors on the way home to ask about my bad shoulder and 'torn muscles' in each arm but only if there wasn't a big queue which I had anticipated, it being a Monday and close to lunchtime closing.  In fact there was one guy waiting in front of me and only to have a form signed so I would be next - then an elderly Cypriot man and his wife came in.  The man in time old tradition was hell bent on not waiting so kept hovering at the Doctors door ready to rugby tackle me out of the way except that Dr Manolis came and and told me I was next so that sorted that.

Dr Manolis wiggled me around a bit and gave his opinion that he thought it was tendonitis as he could see and hear inflammation but until the inflammation was dealt with he couldn't be sure - if it is then the tablets and some physio might well sort it.  I was relieved because I had psyched myself up for it to be something awful - I have had it for so long and always thought it was as a result of a car accident years ago.  Apparently tendonitis in 'women of my age' is common - deep joy!

On our return Nicky and I went for a walk.  I was keen to hear about her and Mark's whirlwind trip to the UK to see Peter Kay.  They flew out on Saturday and returned on Sunday.  Beforehand it had been fraught with difficulties and problems but she said in the end they had an amazingly ace time and I am pleased for them.

We did what we refer to as the Boxing Day Walk and it was glorious and we came across some poppies in flower which is by far and away much earlier than I have ever seen them before.  We would normally say May for poppies, late April at a push but never January.

It was a nice walk although Nicky said she thought she might be coming down with something as she had a right old scratchy throat.  Airline Disease I am guessing!  Hopefully she will be ok.  I know she is keen to get more exercise as am I and we have let it slip of late.

All in all a great day which was topped off by a lovely meal of leftover steak pie which was as nice the second time round as it was on Sunday.  We decided to have a quiet evening watching some dross TV - we need to decide on a new series - it is always difficult after you have enjoyed something so much.  Hurry up and broadcast series 4 of Succession you people at HBO.