Glorious Latchi...

So this is what Latchi looks like in November - November 4th to be exact which may or may not be Argy's birthday - I am still confused as to whether it is 4th or 6th.  Either way we sent her happy birthday or happy non birthday wishes in Athens knowing that she is not celebrating as she would have wanted to having had an unexpected trip to hospital after falling off a pavement.  Our hearts go out to her and Lakis because every visit there seems to be something medical which spoils their plans.

This morning John and I decided to go for a walk in the sunshine.  Nothing too onerous, just along the coastal path at Latchi.  There were still quite a few tourists on the beach soaking up the sunshine which, for this time of year, is fabulous.  We agreed that it is a glorious time of the year to come out and grab some last minute sunshine before returning to the rigours of a UK winter which started early this year as the island is being hammered by Storm Ciaran.

We have to remind ourselves sometimes how lucky we are to have this on our doorstep and to be able to enjoy it whenever we like, it is something we can tend to forget.  We walked from the Eliofos Centre down to the harbour and back.  We had planned to grab a tea/coffee at Coffee Island but they didn't have any chamomile tea so decided to go into Polis and do our bit of shopping in Mas and go to the Coffee Island there where they always have chamomile tea.

We will be back in Latchi again tomorrow as Jane and John are coming up with Mum and Lynn.  Lynn arrives today for a week so fingers crossed the weather will remain nice for her.  We will be eating outside on the harbour so I have prewarned Mum to dress appropriately and not moan about being cold because, inevitably, people on holiday like to sit in the sun and eat outside!!!  I still laugh about the time when we did this last year with my sister in December and she came armed with a blanked and a hot water bottle to thwart any chance Mum might have had to make us eat indoors!

My thoughts turned to Christmas this afternoon as I had spied some nice looking parsnips, swede and cauliflowers whilst shopping.  I have decided to try and pre-prepare as much as I can for Christmas Day so that I can be organised and calm so I have the turkey crown in the freezer and have ordered pigs in blankets from Naz.  I will make stuffing and bread sauce in advance and having seen festive veggies decided to get the parsnip and freeze ready for roasting on the day along with cauliflower cheese and red cabbage and some mashed swede and carrot.

I said to John if I can do a couple of things each week in advance it should make it easier particularly if he or I have to go down to Emba and pick up Mum and Lilian which takes an hour and a half out of the morning and again in the evening.  I will also have a shed load of pasties to make as I have promised a Boxing Day for my sister this year rather than Christmas Day so that will be a walk, mulled wine and pasties.

I stopped short at getting the Christmas Decs down but it wont be long...