Many Congratulations Lakis and Argy xxx

We were having a quiet day at home today before going out in the evening with Lakis and Argy to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary which is actually tomorrow but we will be at a wedding ourselves.

We were taking them to Finikas in Polis because we just couldn't really think of anything special to buy them.  Having said that we did go into Phil's Home which has a marvelous array of artificial plants and bought one for Argy because she cannot have real plants (they are not here all year round) so good artificial ones are her alternative.  I had also silk painted a card for them which I hope they will like.

Because we were going out this evening we had to forego a trip to the Stone Lion with Gail and Pete and Nicky and Mark who were off for a fish Friday meal.  I wasn't too disappointed because fried fish is one of the things which seems to aggravate my hernia although other items are available obviously!!!

The weather forecast for the weekend is stormy.  May has been a real disappointment for electric generation compared to previous years.  I had phoned in our readings but this morning a very nice man came to read the meter.  I also managed to phone Dr Lykoudis's secretary to see when I might be having my operation.  It is all in hand she is just waiting to find out theatre availability and will get back to me in due course.

Poor Charlie is most perturbed by the changes in the neighbourhood.  His morning mooching has been severely curtailed now that Derek and Jan are not next door.  He keeps running around in that direction and then comes back disappointed bless him.  There is only one thing to be done - get D&J to come here permanently then Charlie will be happy.  In fact after years of having no-one next door in 11a we now find it strange and a bit too quiet without them there.

Charlie in particular loves to have company so he was happier today because we were at home doing 'stuff', Miss Minnie was snuggled up in one of the drawers under our bed and Boris would periodically put in an appearance but settled to sleep under the outside dining table.

John went off on an errand this morning so I took the opportunity to do a bit of tidying in the garden - with Hazel coming soon I am hoping we will still have some colour but that does mean regular deadheading of the gazanias.  At long last the clock vines have put in an appearance but sadly the Poligala that I have a severe pruning to back in October remains nothing more than an interesting stick - a shame but can't be helped.  I want to get something topiaried to replace it but haven't found the right thing yet (at a price I am willing to pay!!).

On John's return we embarked on using up the remainder of Nicky's window film on the other window in the conservatory which we thought would benefit.  We learned from our first experience of using the film to be better prepared, leave less excess on the film before fitting and more water on the glass.  We managed to complete the job in record time but we are still absolutely no threat to Window Film Ian who is a veritable magician when he comes to do it professionally.  Anyway we need a nice warm day so that the heat from the conservatory can dry out the excess water trapped between the film and the glass.

We had a lovely evening at Finikas.  John drove there and I drove back.  For once I chose something different as my main meal.  I started with the octopus carpaccio and then had a salmon quinoa salad.  The jury is out on the salad - the flavours were lovely but it was very rich so I struggled to eat all of it but then that is no bad thing as I would really like to shed a pound or two or even three!

Not only was it Argy's special anniversary she will also celebrate a special birthday this year.  What an amazing lady and how lucky are we to have her and Lakis as friends and neighbours.

We always have a laugh in their company!!!  John is now nearing a time when he is going to have to get some proper glasses instead of the off the shelf ones he purchases for 'small print'.  He looks like a young Ray Winstone in this photo!