Orchid Trees

I was up early this morning to go walking with Nicky which I haven't done for ages.  Needs must, I seem to have piled on the pounds recently and it is a bit depressing because I had a few 'special' dresses in the wardrobe that had been purchased and worn only once for a special occasion and not one now fits and I had hoped that at least one would be suitable for the wedding we are going to in Pissouri on Saturday.  I could get them on but not zipped up.  When you are not very tall every extra ounce is so much more noticeable.   I don't know if it is the medication that I am now on that is contributing but I was on a right downer.  

It was nice to walk and we were lucky enough to pass by two beautiful trees seemingly growing wild just on the edge of the village.  Both are Bauhinia.  The one above Bauhinia Alba - Bauhinia is also known as the Orchid Tree and even though the blooms are not orchids you could be forgiven for thinking they are.  The tree has large white blooms and pretty heart shaped leaves.  I looked it up and apparently it is fiercely drought-tolerant, easy to cultivate and requires little attention, full sun and poor soil and whatever water it can get.  I plan to go after the flowers have gone to get some of the curly seed pods because although I haven't got room in the garden they can be grown indoors and kept small with some pruning.  

Opposite the white tree is a pink version which I think is Bauhinia Variegata - perhaps even more stunning than the white.  Apparently the flower buds are used in Indian cuisine where they are known as Kachnar and turned into a pickle.  It is a good anti-oxidant and used for the prevention of cancer.

We also saw a horse and her foal.  At the moment the landscape still has plenty of green so it almost looked like a scene from the UK!

We were passed by three men in lycra somewhere in the middle of Inea - the boys were out on their bikes.  Mark had not gone today, he was having trouble with his blood pressure.

Both walkers and cyclists got home much the same time and we had the chance to catch up with Lakis and Argy and have a coffee before we got ready for our regular six monthly visit to the dentist for a check-up and clean and polish (free on GESY this time!).

We got to Peyia a little early so called into Phillipos supermarket to see if they had any non-alcoholic gin.  My sister had said that the Tanqueray one was quite palatable - we had tried the Lidl one and it was awful! (I am blaming alcohol calories for my weight gain).   Anyway there was no sign of anything much non-alcoholic but we were gobsmacked by the price of the Hendricks Specialist Gins.  The Lunar which sounded lovely was €61.15 and it retails at £30! best it does taste lovely for anyone stupid enough to buy it!

No problems for me at the dentist in the hands of the lovely Dr Haris but John has to have a filling replaced.  We came out laden with brushes, mouth wash and toothpaste!!!