A magnificent Jasmine arch

Today was my day down with mum taking her shopping and running errands now that she does not have her car.

We started by our weekly trip to Lidl.  I don't mind because it does give me the opportunity to see what they have on offer and today I got all sorts of things that I normally buy elsewhere for about double the price which is good.  Mum didn't really want anything so wandered around having a half-hearted look.

We then went to Sklavenitis.  Mum wanted some cat litter for Fred and I needed to go to the bank.  I thought she might have come and had another aimless wander but this time she chose to sit in the car.  I am not sure she is fully embracing the idea that when I do down mid-week it is to get her out of the house and have a look around. It is strange because she so loved to go shopping but now she doesn't seem to want or need anything.

So we left from there and headed across to Kissonerga to get the special catfood that Freddo has to have and which he seems to really dislike but which is, apparently, good for him and then on to Mum's accountant to pay for having her tax return prepared and ready for submission when the Tax system allows for the 2022 returns to be posted.  Actually I could do her tax now - it is pretty straightforward but it is one less thing for me to have to worry about even though when I checked their figures I found an error!

I had suggested to Mum that if it was a nice day, which it was, in fact it was really hot, that we could stop in Kissonerga and have a drink and something to eat at Julie's Garden which I know she goes to with Lilian.  I haven't been so it was a new one on me.  We parked up in the public carpark nearby and walked to the garden where there is an arched entrance made up of flowering jasmine which looked amazing and had the most wonderful fragrance.

Even though it was the most glorious day we had to sit in the shade and as a result Mum was cold so I had to troll off and get her cardi.  I was sweltering!  Everywhere we go there is always something for Mum to pick fault with.  She said that we would be lucky to catch the eye of any of the staff but in fact the two girls were very attentive and we managed to order our drinks and food quite easily.   I was pleased that Mum seemed to really enjoy the omelette she had chosen even if the chips were too overdone for her liking (they were double fried!).  I had a very nice chicken Caesar salad which I would definitely have again if we frequent that establishment again.

I took Mum home and stayed for a cup of tea before going to Shuks to get some meat and then racing back home because we had invited Lakis and Argy to come and eat with us.

Our meal started with dips - tirokafteri (spicy cheese), muhammara (roasted red pepper and walnut) and local yoghurt flavoured with lemon juice, olive oil and sweet paprika.  We then had our main which was sea bream cooked in paper with Thai spices served with a fresh salad and minted new potatoes.  No pudding but we didn't need it!

The fish turned out really well and I think everyone really enjoyed it.  I was so pleased that it did not make me feel ill later on and has made me want to go back to eating fish like this more regularly.  All in all it was a lovely evening.  We are pretty busy over the next couple of weeks what with my sister coming but after that we will have more time to enjoy Lakis and Argy's company.