Farewell Lovely Lady - May you Rest in Eternal Peace

 As I write this we have just heard of the sad passing of Eva from C&A Apartments - we were so very lucky to get to see her a month ago.  She had been poorly following an operation but had pulled through and although frail looking was determined to resume her matriarchal role and head up the kitchen for the guests.  We really thought she would achieve that but sadly she did not.  

Her funeral is tomorrow.  We have told the family that we would prefer to go to the cemetery next week when it will be less chaotic and go and visit them afterwards.  Eva was a huge figure in the community and dearly loved so we know the funeral will be packed.  The family thought that was a good idea and as it happens I have come down with a cold so it is best that I keep away from crowds so as not to pass it on.  Rest in Peace Eva, your family and your establishment changed our lives immeasurably and it was an absolute privilege to have known you.

I have a thing about succulents - I think it is because they come in all shapes and sizes and it is pretty difficult to kill one off.  I recently bought a new bright green one in Sklavenitis and today it has rewarded me with some tiny delicately coloured flowers and there are three or four more on their way.  It obviously likes living in the kichen.  That was €1.50 well spent in my book!

Another good buy would appear to be the present I had purchased for Jane's birthday - belated granted but sent with love all the same.  I know that both she and John are lovers of both France and Cheese so what better gift than a pretty ceramic camembert baker along with a camembert.  I ordered it online and it arrived almost the following day all gift wrapped so hats off to the Fine Cheese Company for their service.

I received a parcel in the post today.  I had found a place in Cyprus (in fact located in Coral Bay) that sells specialist chili seeds to I ordered a mixed pack which I intend to share with Liselotte,  A selection which should grow into different sizes, shapes, colours and strength which should be interesting.

John had nipped over to see Liselotte's John this morning for coffee, armed with some home-made mini-pizza because we know that John likes a spicy pizza.

Whilst my John was out Nicky and Mark called round for a coffee and to regale me with the tale of their latest issue with the kitchen.  The fitters had come today which was very exciting until they realised that, despite having been told that there was a fuse box to which access would be required, they had failed to take that into consideration so one of the cupboards would need some major adjustment.  The fitters had gone off and left Mark pondering the conundrum.  He came to have a look at how we had tackled the same issue but our fuse box is in a different place but looking at our cupboard construction gave Mark the idea had hinged doors like ours might solve the problem.

Nicky came with the new cushion covers I had ordered from Shein.  They were cheap and I had no great expectation of them, in fact even though they were cheap I nearly didn't order them in case they were the same material as the ones we already had.  They are actually lovely - a sort of peach skin fabric which is soft.  I like the colour splash they give.  I am in two minds as to whether to try and get some covers for these old tub chairs.  John isn't sure - he things that the mustard colour ones I like might make it all too yellow so I have put the throws on the chairs to give him an idea and he is now thinking it is not such a bad idea after all.

We had very bad weather nearly all day today and when the sun was going down it made the sky turn a very strange pinky brown colour so I had hoped to get a picture from up on the roof terrace but it never really captured the shades.  

I am wearing my pinny because we were having Derek and Jan round for a meal tonight.  They work all hours and haven't really got the kitchen and dining room in a position to have people round so as I was going to make a Desperate Dan sized steak pie with roast smashed potatoes, leeks and carrots and green beans and peas I thought it would be nice to share it with them.  In return Jan made a fabulous cheese-cake and I am not a lover of cheese-cake.

Tonight's late football match saw Derek's team Sunderland take on John's team Sheffield United.  Derek did not stay to watch the match with John - a wise move as John gets super passionate about it all.  I stayed up clearing the kitchen until Sunderland took the lead when I decided to go and grab the spare bed for a good night's sleep.  This didn't happen because (a) John forgot I had gone in there so came in after the match to get changed and whacked the light on without warning and woke me and (b) I started to get a very drippy nose which kept me awake.  The best laid plans and all that...