Only two days to go

 With my minor eye op scheduled for Monday I have been house bound for days just to make absolutely sure I don’t get the virus, otherwise no op!  Test planned for Saturday, sure it will be fine.

So, Daisy sitter planned - tick.  Paperwork in place - tick.  My SMS allows up to three hours but assuming hospitals don’t have a time limit.

It is going to be great to be able to see clearly again.

Spent a while in the garden yesterday with final tweaking of pots in readiness for irrigation, which is looming close. 

Mr D and I have had long conversations about a new vacuum cleaner. Not the most exciting of things but since March last year we had to say goodbye to our lovely lady who would come in every week we have struggled with our trusty Miele which has (and still is) great, but just too heavy for our needs.

With virus still rampaging I cannot see us getting a new lady in the near future - so compromise.

The one we have chosen (vacuum not lady) will fit our needs much better.

We have really been enjoying our new mattress, which was long overdue.  I am glad we have been constructive with funds since lock down.

The government are meeting today and we would expect tighter restrictions, but in reality it is more likely restrictions will be relaxed for Easter, which is the biggest religious time of the year.

Meanwhile we continue to sit it out.... will have to branch out with some different pass times though.

The pool is looking more inviting by the day, but not quite yet!

Sometimes feels like we are the only people here! Spooky.

Until next time folks, keep chins up, and Norman says Hi.

Norman the Gnome

 I would like to introduce you to Norman (The Gnome) who has returned home after spending six years travelling the world.

He just arrived with a lovely bunch of flowers because he thought he would be the icing on the cake, so to speak in the garden.

Welcome home, Norman!

Well, it’s been quite a week. The sad news that the Duke of Edinburgh passed away last Friday. There was a lovely quote that it was if someone had taken his hand and he just went away. What a lovely way to put it.

Today’s newspapers are full of the “news” that Harry has arrived back in England for the funeral next Saturday.  It would have been more appropriate if he had made the effort to make it back before the Duke passed away.

Meanwhile, Castle Douglas experienced very strong gusts of winds at eight in the morning on Monday, which tipped over not one but two of our parasols together with stands.

One is completely useless, as is its stand.  Happy to say the other one seemed Ok and we won’t have to replace that one.

Apart from loosing a couple of pots the garden didn’t suffer too much.  The whole thing sent the pets into a tizz, but they are all settled down now.

With thanks for the inspiration from a friend of mine in England, we are now well into experimenting with cocktails.  My lovely gardener (AKA Agent Double O Two) sourced a cocktail shaker for us for the grand price of €2,50!  I was gifted a cocktail book as a birthday present  in 2004 - my, how time flies. My thanks to my past partner in wine and her husband.

We are looking forward to a roast lamb with trimmings later today.  It was supposed to be yesterday but I got carried away with the Sunday breakfast.  Waistline 🙄 

Our new bed arrived last Thursday, and it is a complete joy to sleep on, if a little strange.  When it arrived it was rolled up like a carpet, the men took off the wrapping and this rather flat mattress looked very uninviting mattress. But, ho ho ho , never fear.  We had been assured that within 24 to 48 hours it would have reached its proper size.  I have never seen anything like it.  You could actually see it, bit freaky really, but so comfortable.

Next thing on the wish list is a stick vacuum, light, easy to use and gets underneath the bed without having to bend.

Whatever next?

I  hope you all have a good week and the weather improves wherever you are.

Thanks for reading.

Everything in the garden ....

 

...

Is looking more than lovely after some really nice touches by the gardeners last Thursday.  It was quite a hive of activity with everyone set to by ‘the boss’.

I have really enjoyed playing around with seedlings which are now getting quite big and some have needed transplanting into larger pots.

Some have been identified by garden crew because I got them all mixed up.  The beetroots were east (if you have seen them before) as the leaves are tinged red around the edge (and have reddish roots).

The courgettes are the most exciting after last year’s mishap.  They look like they are getting buds already.  

Tomatoes and celery are looking good with tomatoes showing signs of flowers.  The runners and garden peas are going to need some more patience as they are being a bit slow.

Now the flowers have been moved to the fence area I feel the hard work and help is showing great results. Irrigation will be in place by early May which will make the watering job so much easier.

There has been a lot of work carried out on the lemon grove behind the house, and the strimming has made all the difference.

Weed killer to go down next week and then the whole cycle starts again.  Even the fields around the house have had their tidy up plough.

So, it has all come together and I am so happy.  Especially with restrictions and the virus, we can be in our own little piece of Cyprus without going mad.

Church of England Easter this weekend and Greek Orthodox Easter around the corner, what ever your belief, stay calm, safe and happy.