In trouble with the Blog Police

I am in trouble with the blog police.  In this era of woeful wokery some AI Bot has deemed two old posts of mine to contravene their "community standards".  One post was back in 2020 and the other way back in 2012.  They were slapped with a warning to readers that they contained something which may be deemed offensive - really?????  what?????

Intrigued I found the offending posts and decided to read them.  The first in 2012 was an account of a rather boring day when I did a bit of spring cleaning in the garden and in the house followed by a trip down to Latchi to meet friends.  I was bemused.  On closer inspection I concluded that my reference to (and this may get me slapped with a warning again) weeds 'colonising' the garden and tidying my 'glory hole' were the culprits.  The more recent post referred to Cypriot Easter celebrations being cancelled as a result of Covid but I committed the most heinous crime of referring to the traditional 'greasy pole' challenge.  Did I hang my head in shame - oh no no no - I asked for the posts to be reviewed - by a real person and they reinstated them - quelle surprise!

I was off to see Mum today.  I had changed the day because tomorrow we are grabbing the opportunity to say goodbye to Mina who leaves the island at the end of the month for a new life back in the UK.  After several very sad years she seems to have finally found some happiness and we want to catch up before she goes.

It was a gloriously bright and sunny day but freezing cold.  In fact I think we probably had a frost overnight and the bedroom dropped to 8 degrees.  Deep joy but at least it wont be for long.

I had to find the Kronos delivery office before getting to Mum.  I had ordered a lovely new throw for our bed from a company in Greece which allowed for cash on delivery.  I had expected it last week and so assumed it wasn't going to pitch up which wasn't a problem as I hadn't paid for it but then I got a phonecall saying it would be delivered on Thursday but I said I would pick it up instead.  I found the place - it is on Agapinor Street and the woman was lovely and I am thrilled with the throw.  It is being saved until the existing one meets its maker which will be soon.

The old Paphos Mall which has lain empty since the demise of Orphanides has been refurbished and reopened with Superhome Centre moving from the Debenhams roundabout along with a clothes shop called Kiabi as the first occupants.  Apparently there is a Lidl to come and a coffee shop - not sure about anything else.  Anyway I thought I would take Mum along to have a look - I had hoped the coffee shop might be open but sadly not yet.  It's difficult to find places to spark her interest - a 'cuppa' out is normally a good bet providing (a) she can get the tea made how she likes it and (b) they don't charge an arm an a leg for a cup of something that ressembles dishwater!  Eating out is a whole new ball game all together.

The Kiabi clothes shop is a sort of upmarket Primani.  The prices are good, not sure about the quality or the sizing as Mum showed no interest whatsoever so we were probably only in that shop for about 2 minutes max.  I do think John might be able to find some T-shirts and leisurewear in there.

We then progressed to the new Superhome Centre - wear your shades in there folks it is super bright.  It is a lot more airy than the old store which was a bit claustrophobic.  I am guessing there is loads that you might want to buy in there but I don't think we managed to stay in there any longer than the clothes shop.  I did find a gift in there for John's Mum which I will give to her when she comes over.  I was determined that having made the effort to go there I would buy something - although nothing that was actually on my list for today!

We had the briefest of stops in AlphaMega - breaking our record for the time spent in a large shop by at least a minute.  Mum was in search of a frying pan because apparently hers was scratched although on the outside not on the inside which I guess probably didn't affect the cooking ability!  In the end I found one she liked in Lemba Bazaar - it didn't have a price on it although all the others seemed to be extortionately expensive the lady at the till asked for 6 euros so that was a bargain.  We returned to Mum's to have some lunch together before I made my way back home.

This was a hastily taken snap on my phone of the Troodos taken just before I turned off up into Droushia - having had no snow on there until last week today it was covered in what looked like a pure white fluffy blanket.  I wouldn't mind a closer look but the roads are currently closed!