Sunday lunch in Peyia

This is the result of all John's hard work yesterday - a naked carport!!!  He is enlisting the help of Bassam next week to put the boards up and the new roofing which looks like tiles but isn't and which should be lighter and more waterproof.  We once came home after strong winds to see several rows of the old terracotta tiles standing up like dominos which was a bit scary and now John has his beloved Qashqai he really wants to protect it.

Today we were having Sunday lunch with a bit of a difference in that it was a joint effort between Lilian and I and we were eating at Lilian's which meant that as it was a glorious day it was going to be warm down at her bungalow in Peyia.

Lilian was making a favourite dish of hers Pork in Port and I had done cheesy potatoes, carrots, beans, swede and peas and a cornflake pudding which had added cashews and cranberries which turned out to be an unexpectedly delicious hit and so so easy to make.

John dropped me off at Lilian's so that we could get the food sorted and went off and got Mum who thankfully was a million percent brighter than she had been this time last week.  She is looking tiny though and frail and is not so great on her pins.  Getting in and out of the Note is a real trial for her so her decision to give up driving earlier this year was a wise and timely one however much it may have impacted on her independence the roads are at least a little safer without her on them and I think she would reluctantly agree with that.  We battle to get her to embrace using taxis but are fighting a losing battle - not sure why as she can afford it and has found not one but two friendly taxi drivers with whom she feels safe.

I have to say that our joint efforts resulted in an absolutely delicious lunch and big thanks to Lilian (who does not drink) for providing me with an absolutely corking red wine to accompany the food.

Mum at an enormous meal and almost licked her pudding bowl clean and snaffled half of what remained of the cornflake pudding to take home and have again - this is such a joy to see for someone who is generally a right old fussy pants.

I am hoping that my offering on Christmas Day will go down just as well and that we four plus Gail and Pete have a good day.  I did say that I really enjoyed today's meal and if Christmas Day is half as good I will be happy.

We said our goodbyes and returned Mum to Emba where I grabbed her trusty old hot tray which I want to use on Christmas Day to keep the veggies hot whilst I get everything else ready.

It had been a truly glorious day down on the coast so we were somewhat surprised to be greeted with a thick old pea-souper rolling mist as we approached Kathikas - talk about a different world!!!  Still it wasn't cold, just grey.  We lit the wood burner simply because it was there and ready and sat in the cosy 'snug' we have created whilst the extended dining table is in situ.

We are having our annual Christmas Jumper day tomorrow with Gail and Pete and Nicky and Mark.  A small but beautifully formed group.