Monday, 31 July 2023

Summer has come all at once...

I was up early this morning in order to get down to Paphos early to get Mum's rent money out of the bank - it is a sizeable amount and I didn't want her having that sort of money sitting in the house so I was getting it today for her to hand over straight away.  Somehow I had a premonition that this could be a bit of a battle although she and I have had a joint account since Dad died.  This account is an and/or account so I have my own bank card and I should be able to carry out transactions without Mum being present - this was the whole point particularly now that she is 88 and none to steady on her pins.  Although the account is designated such the name on it says Moreen Tregunna and Jill Alison Wiseman which indicates that both signatures are required.  Although the bank realises the mistake and generally ignores it today they didn't so whilst I did get the money I also got instructed to go to the branch which holds the account to get it sorted.  That is something for another day.


After taking Mum shopping I thought it would be nice to take her out for a cup of tea and suggested the Amphitheatre.  She leapt at the chance.  She hasn't been out much or seen anyone other than me because Lilian is currently restricting her driving until her eye problem gets sorted.  I had hoped, it being a very hot day, that we might sit outside on their lovely terrace but silly me of course Mum wanted to sit in the boiling hot conservatory although to be fair they did have fans going in there - Mum probably would have preferred that they didn't.  Anyway she demolished a scone in seconds few - it might not have had the jam and cream on offer but she spread the butter thick enough to be able to clearly see her teeth marks.

For the remainder of my time at Mum's we did her new jigsaw (courtesy of Hazel) but for me it was just too hot in the sun room even with the fans on and the windows open.  Mum is having another infusion tomorrow - I thought she seemed a little sketchy today so I asked her if she was aware she was in need of a top up and she said yes - she also realises that this may be an increasingly regular occurrence for her from now on.  She is panicking that I will not be around to take her to the cardiologist on Tuesday but I don't think I will be in hospital that quickly.

Hazel left John and I some money for our anniversary so I nipped into Jumbos and treated myself to two ceramic candle holders (and candles) which wont rust like the metal ones do and they weren't any more expensive.  I haven't entirely decided where they will go - we have a lot of questions about the garden not least about moving things around particularly if, as we suspect, we may have to dig up a section to try and find out where the leak is for the pool.  We got up this morning to find the level had dropped way down so we definitely have an issue.  John spent time trying to find out what was going on today but really it was too hot for him out in the garden.  We also have an issue with one of the inverters on the PV system but again it was too hot for John to do too much about it.  Not the greatest of days as far as he was concerned.

We actually ate outside this evening.  Bless John he had remembered to take the duck breasts out of the freezer so although we toyed with wandering up the village for a bite to eat I couldn't be bothered as my sciatica and earache reappeared.  Actually staying in was the right decision, the duck was absolutely lovely.

Saturday, 29 July 2023

Getting ready for my Op...


So yesterday I had a phone call from Dr Lykoudis's assistant to tell me that I needed to go and have my pre-operation checks and then go and see Dr Lykoudis on Saturday who would then reveal all regarding my poorly shoulder.  The checks were blood tests, a chest x-ray and an ECG all of which could be carried out at our local Evangelismos clinic in Polis so John and I were up early and down to make sure I got them done or was booked into the system to get them done.  

I went straight in handed over 40 euros to cover everything and was shepherded into the front room to have the bloods taken.  Bloody hell it was like a scene from Hancock's Half Hour - I think she filled about 6 vials and I exited with an empty arm.  Next I went for my chest X-ray where I struggled to get the right parts of my anatomy onto the upright plate as I am not very tall.  She asked me to breathe in and hold the pose and then it was done, results will be uploaded to my medical records later today so I could have a look but I am not sure I will know what I am looking at/for.  Finally the ECG - all dignity out of the windows because the chappie does the ECGs.  Anyway within about 15 minutes I was all done and dusted and have to go on Saturday at 9.00am to see Dr Lykoudis.

Back at home we had a quiet day particularly because my sciatica is still with me but now accompanied by earache for some inexplicable reason.

I had a clean and tidy of the fridges - we had the best part of a large bottle of full fat milk that was way past its sell by date.  We don't normally by full fat milk but I was short of some for a recipe the other day and John went into the village and could only get a large one.

I decided to make some cheese - it is quick and easy in the microwave and you end up with a sort of feta - it is just a bit of a faff and a bit messy if you don't hang the dripping cheese bag directly over a jug!

John isn't overly impressed by the end results but I will eat it.  We had been to Paps quickly after going to the Doctors this morning and I decided to go back to drinking Kefir - John suggested I should drink the whey that was being squeezed out of the cheese - I know you can use it in smoothies but mmmm it wasn't really floating my boat!!!  I am probably missing out on a real trick but there are limits. 

Our supper this evening was steak from Shuks.  The last time I bought some there was a small piece of fillet shouting at me so I answered its call.  I didn't ask Shuk to clean up the piece as I like to do that myself and it rewarded us with two rather large fillet steaks.

We had these with salad and onion rings and some leftover roastie potatoes which I recooked.  I even found a bit of steak sauce and mixed that with the jus I had made to go with the lamb fillet the other day.  

The steaks were absolutely melt in the mouth - so good that I didn't stop to take a photograph of the finished article.  They were cooked to perfection with just the right amount of pink.  The whole piece had cost me about 11 euros so those two magnificent pieces of meat worked out to around 5.5 euros a piece and when you think they charge anything between 20 euros and 30 euros for steak out!!!

We had a relatively early night.  John is up early in the morning to go on a bike ride and I am down to take Mum shopping and I have a few things I want to do before I get to hers.

Men in Lycra


Although I have been suffering with sciatica (at least I think it is sciatica as I have a pinchy nerve pain in my left buttock) I felt well enough to walk with Nicky this morning. She was taking it very seriously and had come armed with weights which she was busy waving about as we walked until she declared that they were too heavy!!!


It was a day for seeing horses - there are two at the top of our road before you turn left to Arodes or right towards the cheese factory, both of which look to be in good condition - not sure if it is mother and foal.  There are two others at the 'Triangle' most definitely mother and foal but which were rather skittish and decided to go on a wander away from us as we approached so I didn't get a photograph.

Three times on our 5km walk we bumped into the boys who were on a cycle ride - we engaged in some light hearted banter before going out separate ways.  I don't know if it is by design or just an accident that they are all dressed in different coloured lycra tops!  Men in lycra - poor Gail has nightmares about that.

Nicky and I were going out with Gail for lunch.  We had decided to ring the changes and venture further afield to the winery and John had offered to be chaufs so that we could all have a little drinkie.

When we arrived at the winery we opted to sit outside on one of the round tables which overlooks the vineyards.  Initially it was quite windy and the wind was cool but after a while it settled down and it was very pleasant sat outside.

Gail had red wine - the Agios Onoufrios has recently won a gold award at an international competition in Monaco.  Nicky and I had the white wine and this too had recently won a medal at a different competition.  Yiannis (the owner) was very proud to point this out to us and to be fair they are both really good wines - it is just a shame that the prices have increased sharply so they have become special occasion wines now rather than every-day drinkers.

It was good to see the winery busy though and they do always make us very welcome which is nice.  The resident dog had the hump with me though because he had to wait for John to arrive to get his customary treat.  I didn't have any in my bag.

Both Gail and Nicky plumped for the prawn pasta dish which they both enjoyed and I went for my favourite salad - Chicken Caesar - I have to say that currently the one I had at Tea for Two is winning both for taste and for price although today's was nice.


I had left John at home watching the cricket (England snatched defeat from the jaws of victory) and leftover pork stir fry so he was quite happy and he was more than happy to drive for us so tht we could enjoy ourselves which we did.


There has been a marked change in the weather thank goodness - the forecast now just shows sun which is more what we would expect and will please Lakis and Argy who were beginning to get very worried about having a function outside on Saturday.  It looks like it will be absolutely fine!

Thursday, 27 July 2023

Rain and plenty of it...

Jeez we are midway through June, actually close to the longest day and today it was like a monsoon.  Poor Boris couldn't believe his eyes as the forecast rain came and came with a vengeance.

It wasn't cold but it surely was wet so we abandoned any plans we had to go out or to do any gardening and settled for a day in watching the TV - John was happy because it was day 4 of the test match which is turning into quite an epic battle.  

I am so glad that this weather was today and not when Hazel was here because there is nothing quite so soggy as a summer sunshine destination with no sunshine!

So as we had decided not to go out we had to decide on what to eat given what we had in the fridge and freezer.  John took all the drawers out of the freezer and we made a note - we certainly have enough meat in there to last us a few weeks.  We even found something in a box that initially we thought were cookies and then when they defrosted realised were uncooked meatballs!!!!  I have no recollection of when I made them!!!

So to give you some idea of how lovely the weather was this morning below is a brief little video clip taken outside the back door.

When it rains here it sure rains and with no drainage it doesn't have anywhere to go.

My sister sent me a photograph today.  Many of you will have seen this lovely photograph of Prince William and his three children published for Father's Day which was yesterday.  I had seen it in the paper and assumed that it had been taken by Catherine as most of the family portraits are.  However the Facebook post shows that the photograph was taken by someone called Millie Pilkington and it was congratulations from her sister Rosanna Chittenden.

Interestingly when my sister finished her A Levels and before she started her nurses training she worked as a nanny to a local family who lived in a National Trust property at Lytes Cary.  The family were Jeremy and Biddy Chittenden who had four small children, the youngest of which was Millie (now Millie Pilkington),

My sister used to bring the children over to my Mum and Dad's so that Millie could go and pick fresh strawberries which my Dad used to grow in the garden - she referred to him as the Strawberry Man.  

Jeremy brought his father and mother to live at Lytes Cary and my mum worked with them as a sort of companion, taking Mrs Chittenden senior out shopping or to the hairdresser and reading to Mr Chittenden senior.  Biddy kept in touch with my Mum for some time after she and my dad moved to Cyprus.  

How amazing to think that her little daughter with white hair like a dandelion seed head is now a famous photographer!


Wednesday, 26 July 2023

Tidying Up...

I rescued a mirror from across the road - Gail and Pete are having a major refurb done to their shower room and Pete had put it out for the rubbish.  John spotted it and thought it would look good in our garden.  

John was hoping that if he positioned it outside the back door he might be able to see when Miss Minnie was eating 'up top' so that we could rescue her bowl before the pesky ants got to it.  

Although not a great lover of artificial plants sometimes they can be used effectively so I hold my hands up and admit that the 'ivy' to soften the raw edges of the mirror are courtesy of Jumbo!

Hazel very kindly gave us some money for our anniversary.  When we were in Jumbos the other day I saw some lovely garden lanterns that were ceramic rather than metal and so I plan to get a couple of those to put in the garden - they will remind me of her.

On that subject sadly she did not get home to bed until 4.00am UK time - poor Haze her journeys back from us are never without issues.  Last time her flight was cancelled completely.


We were having today home alone.  The forecast is for poor weather over the next few days and then sunshine.  June has been very unpredictable.  We had earmarked a lie-in followed by cleaning and tidying up after having a visitor and I was moving my clothes etc back into our bedroom and John his back into the guest room.  I just couldn't cope with my stuff in there because the wardrobe configuration was different and so I couldn't see anything or find anything.  We are also using this as an opportunity to have a clear out.

I really got in the swing - starting with my shoes.  

Very sadly my favourite mid heel black M&S court shoes have gone to meet their maker which is very sad because I haven't been able to find any decent mid heeled black court shoes over here.  They are either flat or sky-scraper.  

My red shoes (red shoes no knickers as Dad would say) were bought for our silver wedding anniversary to go with my lovely red and black, gone to charity as now too tight, Lindy-Bop dress and were looking past their best.

The black toe-post sandals are being ditched because despite John repairing them the toe-post bit keeps pulling through and the black flip flops are just plain knackered!

I then started on my clothes.  John and I only have one small wardrobe each and mine was so overcrowded I didn't really know what was in there!  When I stacked all the items on my bed I realised that there was far far too much and so I was quite ruthless and the charity shop will benefit as a result.

Both our beds have drawers underneath.  The drawers under our bed are not connected to the bed and so provide a perfect hiding place for the cats to get a bit of quiet shut-eye so we have to be careful that anything put in them is protected from cat fur.  The drawers under the spare bed are incorporated as it is a divan, unfortunately one of them had fallen off the runners (too much shoved into them) and in trying to release it the divan halves became unclipped so it became a major exercise to get the bed back together and it was too hot and sticky for that exercise!

John settled down to watch the cricket which was, as anticipated, hugely exciting - it is the first match of the Ashes series and Ben Stokes had unexpectedly declared early.  That decision was questionable until England managed to get Australia out and retain an small lead.  Rain stopped play for a bit and when England returned to the field lost two wickets very cheaply.

Whilst he was watching I was rustling up a Sunday meal from whatever we had left lurking in the fridge/freezer.  I had some lamb fillets that I had bought from Naz in the week, some potatoes, frozen peas and beans and Yorkshires.  

I made a lovely red wine and cherry jus to go with the lamb.  We weren't overly impressed by the lamb - it was Greek and actually had very little flavour, New Zealand it certainly wasn't but then again it was about half the price.  I had really hoped it would be as good as the New Zealand because Mum used to by that and it was amazing.  

I actually had a glass of red wine with my meal.  I have been giving it a miss because it seems to cause me heartburn but John has a shed load of his favourite French in because it was on offer.  It it lovely but I hope I wont pay for drinking it today.
 
 

Tuesday, 25 July 2023

Bye Bye Haze...


So Hazel's week draws to a close.  We are all feeling sad about that - it has been four years since she was here last.  Today we started with breakfast up on the roof terrace.   We have been really enjoying the amazing cherries that are on sale at the Cheese Factory.  They come from near Kambos and are amazing and John got a mega bag full for 5 euros.  We have kept them in the fridge and they have been absolutely perfect for days.  It was a bright and hot start to the day, it didn't remain like that, it clouded over and got very windy as the day progressed.

We left Hazel to make the most of the sunshine and the pool.  We did venture across the road for a coffee with Lakis and Argy so that Haze could say her goodbyes.  Whilst we were sitting chatting I realised that I hadn't put the washing out - Hazel had stripped the bed when she got up - so we said our goodbyes and we got the washing out and dried and back on the bed in readiness for whoever might stay in there next!!!!  Yesterday I had got Hazel's washing done so she could go home with everything clean and smelling fresh.  She had a late flight which would not bring her into Bristol Airport until the early hours of Sunday and as it happened her flight was delayed so she didn't get home until 4.00am.

We had organised that we would go down to Emba and spend time with Mum before going to the airport.  Mum had chosen to go out to Tea for Two which was fine by us.  We already knew that Hazel's flight was going to be delayed when we set off for Mum's but Easyjet were still asking passengers to check in at the original time.  We got down to Mum's and we went off to Tea for Two.  It is a good place to take Mum because it has the largest children's menu I have seen anywhere.  Today she plumped for chicken souvlaki and chips and ate it all.  I just had a sandwich, Hazel a toasted tea-cake - I think we were all fooded out!!!!

Fortunately I had an uneventful drive home - I have to admit to being knackered after a really lovely week.  Tomorrow we have a day at home to ourselves to get the house and everything back to 'normal'.

Monday, 24 July 2023

A little bit of magic ...

With Hazel's holiday fast coming to an end today we decided to take her to St George's as she had not been before.  We had a bit of a forlorn hope of possibly seeing one of the resident turtles but looking back when we had seen one before it was much later in the year - still it would be a lovely trip whatever.

It was a glorious hot day and Hazel fell in love with the tiny little harbour and the jolly coloured boats.  As we walked slowly along the quayside John was keeping his eye on some people snorkeling who appeared to indicate that they were swimming with something special.  They were, they were swimming with a turtle although, as we were soon to find out, not one of the huge ones we had seen there before - this was considerably smaller and with quite a bit of air movement making the water choppy rather more difficult to spot.  We did spot it, all three of us saw it swim under one of the boats and out towards deeper water.  Hazel was absolutely chuffed.

We stopped to have a frappe at the little beach cafe before taking a walk across the road to take a closer look at the beach and the actual island.  It was lovely and the sea was an amazing colour.  It had been a good choice and Hazel enjoyed every minute.  

Before we left we stopped up on the top and took a picture of the whole horseshoe bay.  Next time Hazel comes we will go to the taverna and have some fresh fish.  This has always been a favourite spot of my sisters.  When her husband Richard was alive they used to come here and eat fish.  She still comes when she is over but sadly without Richard.

We had arranged to meet up with Gail and Pete for an early evening meal.  Gail was returning from the UK so Pete planned to call into the Stone Lion on their way back from the airport.  I thought that was rather brave but Gail pitched up looking fresh as a daisy - I would have looked like the wreck of the Hesperus.  Hazel had not been here - they were fully booked for the evening so it was good that we got there early and we had a really lovely meal and couple of hours with Gail and Pete.

We drove cross country back from Goudi.  There was the most spectacular sky - it had been a lovely day and one which Hazel had particularly enjoyed.  Tomorrow she goes home.  Her week had absolutely flown by.


Sunday, 23 July 2023

Food...

Today Hazel and I had time down in Paphos for a change.  First off we picked up Lilian and dropped her off at Mums to keep her company whilst Hazel and I did a bit of shopping.  I had checked that Mum didn't want to go to the Mall, I didn't think she would but you never know!

We didn't really want much just a little look round at what was on offer.  This included the obligatory visit to Jumbos.  I don't think we boosted their profits much as our main purchase was four fly swats!!!

The remainder of the Mall was rather uninspiring.  Very little in the clothes shops provided much inspiration and to be honest the majority of stuff was too expensive, too frumpy or too small.  I seriously do not know where I would go to shop if I really needed something.

We shot off from the Mall up into the Old Town and called into Shuks the Butcher before returning to Emba to pick up Mum and Lilian and then the four of us went for a spot of lunch together.

I had asked Mum where she fancied going.  The number of eating establishments she frequents has got smaller and smaller for a variety of reasons so today we went to St Georgio's because she shares a portion of meatballs with Lilian when she goes there.  I do fear this will now be struck off the list as they salted her chips and she was singularly unimpressed.

I am always surprised that St Georgio's is so quiet when we go in - I am thinking it is more of an evening venue which is a shame because the venue is nice (it has a lovely garden but Mum always insists we sit inside) lovely staff (although Mum has yet to ask the waitress her name so that she could greet her personally) and a nice choice of food which is very reasonably priced when you look at what you actually get!

This was my chicken panini at 7.50 euros (I think) which came with salad and chips (salted - god forbid!).  Hazel's halloumi pitta was similarly sized and cheaper, Mum and Lilian shared the meatballs.  It was actually very nice but far too much as Hazel, John and I were going for a vegetarian meze in the village later!

It was a fairly quick turn round when we got home.  We had been blessed with a lovely balmy evening and we walked into the village past the Droushia Holiday Apartments with their beautiful gardens to Finikas where we had booked in advance a meal with no meat!  So we had salad and dips, toasted, oiled and herbed bread, pittas, tahini and tzaziki, green olives, halloumi, pilafi, eggs and courgette, chips and cheese ravioli followed by some pretty amazing mixed melon.

We had a great evening.  Sadly we were the only ones eating but we didn't mind that.  The food was lovely but far too much even though we had scaled things back.  We had a few drinks to accompany the food and then wandered back home on a beautiful still evening filled with stars.  

Hazel's holiday is now fast coming to a close - a week really isn't long enough.

 

Friday, 21 July 2023

Arodes Nature Trail

Hazel and I were walking this morning.  I had decided to take her on one of the local nature trails that I used to walk with Rachel and Nicky.  We used to start and finish at the church in Arodes but it looked like it was going to turn into quite a hot morning so I drove down nearer to the start of the nature trail and we took it from there.

Walking these routes with a visitor means that you look at somewhere familiar with a fresh pair of eyes.  I haven't walked this way in quite a while but saw some major changes from when we did so before.  The big house that was being built appears to not only be finished but have residents.  The little area where they used to come to load the grapes onto the lorries is being restored with paving and seating.

The nature trail runs parallel to the Avakas Gorge which, if you take your life into your hands and peer over the edge you can probably see, but not when walking with someone who doesn't like heights!  The halfway point leads you to a rickety old bench with the most fabulous view across to St George's Island.  We reckon that bench has been there at least 20 years probably a lot longer.  John and I remember sitting on it years ago and being surrounded by goats.

We saw a few interesting things on our walk including a black snake and a squashed frog and then a swallowtail butterfly.  It was a lovely walk if not a little hot by the end of it.  We were happy to get back and dip in the pool and have a lovely lazy remainder of the day before John and I got busy making home made pizzas for our supper which we were having before going for a catch up with Lakis and Argy.

Home made pizza meant that we could all have what we fancied so this is mine - chorizo and halloumi with some fresh basil.  Hazel had tuna and halloumi and John went for his favourite pastourma and pepperoni and they were lush.

We went over afterwards with Lakis and Argy which was lovely although it had turned a little cool so we sat indoors.

In and around our corner of the island...


We had a lovely day today exploring the area in which we live seen through the eyes of a tourist!  We started with a mooch around Polis Square - going into all the lovely craft shops in search of a gift for Hazel's neighbours.  Eventually she plumped for something which featured the Cypriot 'Evil Eye' as it would be synonymous with the island.  

One of nicest shops to visit is Home and More by Flambouayia which is situated next door to Socrates the Chemist.  The beautiful old colonial house has been turned into a treasure trove of 'stuff' filling the four rooms.  If you are looking for China or something for a house it is definitely worth a look in there.

The colour of the sea at Limni was amazing and so we stopped off and had a walk along - no-one else on the pier today, possibly too hot and too choppy for the fishermen.  We carried on to the Garden Centre where we had a look around and a cold drink and sandwich for lunch.  John was eating up the remainder of the quiche with Pete.

It was lovely at the garden centre.  I saw several people that I knew.  I was in search of two plants to replace two failures I have had in the garden.  The polygala that I gave a recommended 'severe pruning' too in October has died - I have waited since then and scraped the bark to see if there is any green but sadly not.  My duranta that I moved under the olive tree got waterlogged then the hole in the pot it was in got blocked and although I took it out and replaced the compost I think the damage had already been done.  Sadly Marinos did not have a standard duranta in the dark purple and white colour I wanted.

I had mentioned in passing that I really liked the 'bonsai' they had although thought they were a bit expensive.  I had hoped to find something like that to put in the Oriental Garden but couldn't really justify the price tag.  Hazel decided that she wanted to buy us one as a thank you for having her.  That was such a lovely kind gesture because actually she can come whenever she likes - she is no trouble!

So I came home armed with this lovely bonsai'd ficus which will take pride of place in the Oriental Garden next to the Buddha she gave me for my 60th birthday.


We were having a night on the town so I drove us down to Latchi and we parked up by the new children's play area and walked all along to the bar at the campsite to have a drink and watch the sun go down.  

The campsite is an 'interesting' place - full of characters with a sort of mini-Glastonbury vibe going on but if all you want is a cheap drink and a fabulous view of the sunset then this is most definitely a must visit.  It was warm and peaceful and we actually felt like we were on holiday!


We took the glorious walk back from the campsite to the harbour and bagged ourselves a table at Molos for our rather later than planned supper.  Hazel had the vegetarian moussaka, John a pork chop and I had prawn saganaki with a tomato, mozzarella and rocket salad.  It was absolutely lovely and what a great end to a great day!

Wednesday, 19 July 2023

Learning about turtles...

Today we started with a walk - just the normal Droushia Inea Droushia loop for Hazel which turned into quite an educational trip as I pointed out things of interest or at least things which I thought would be of interest. 

I learned a lot from Elena when she was alive having been on several of her foraging days.  God bless her it is her birthday tomorrow.  I am not sure where the time has gone since she passed away but her children are now young adults and a credit to Bassam (and her) she would have been so proud of how they have turned out.

So during out walk I pointed out capers and asparagus and wild carrot, almonds and peaches and cherry plums - I probably missed a load of things too!

It was a lovely start to the day - warm but not too hot.  We called into the post office on our way round and then into the cemetery to see Dad and then finally home.  

We were eating in today and planned for a mooch into the village for a drink and had asked Pete to join us as he is currently without Gail.  Nicky and Mark are also away.  We are on cat feeding duties, on day one we saw two cats not three and were greeted by the remains of a fledgling which one of the cats had brought in and wiped around the floor several times!

The walk was lovely - lots of activity around the villages - one of the houses in Inea which was up for auction has clearly been bought and is being or has been done up which is good to see although it is one of the ones in a block of four all of which shared the same title deed along with three other less completed properties so either it was a cash buyer who didn't care or they have managed to secure separate title deeds.

Once home I was on cooking duties - we had penciled in to have an Ellen-esque caramelised onion and cheese quiche with new potatoes and salad before going into the village.

The quiche turned out pretty good but before eating we turned it out and were concerned that there was a soggy bottom so John managed to turn it upside down and I was able to crisp it up.  I realised I didn't have any baking beans for the blind baking so I had to raid the cash cow for our small loose change!  There's something someone can buy me for Christmas!!!

After cooking we decided to take Hazel out for a ride to have a look at the scenery and to check out a partially built bungalow on the other side of the village which some Israeli person contacted us about and which is actually next door to the fabulous house that Norma's daughter has had built.


We did a trip to Fasli and then to Androlikou and then back to Pittikopos and then to Inea.  When we had been walking earlier in the morning we had found out exactly where the new Turtle 'Museum' is situated.  It is more of an information centre than a museum to be fair and we decided to park up and take a look.

I think the chappie who is the 'curator' was really really glad to see somebody.  His name was Charalambous and he was very proud to take us in and set the videos going which gave us information about the turtles.  There is a small display of turtles and a quiz which was actually quite enjoyable and it is set in a lovely traditional building.  Blimey Hazel had had a very educational day today!!!

Once back home the quiche was a success even though I had been fretting about it not being as nice as I had hoped.  

We had arranged to meet up with Pete at around 6.15 and he was on time and enjoying a little glass of wine with John outside in the garden whilst Hazel and I got ready for our big night out in the village - as it turned out we started at the Hotel and never went anywhere else - we managed to get seats at the sofas and stayed there for the duration!!!

To follow are a few photographs from our night out which was very enjoyable and thanks Pete for joining us.



Walking back home we encountered some terrified and traumatised Polish tourists staying in the Droushia Apartments (we were cutting through the side of them).  They had had their first encounter with a baby tarantula...


I think they thought we were kidding when we said it was just a baby and that they should be careful the mum or dad wasn't somewhere nearby!