Monday 3rd October

Stripes in the lawn

Our first day back at home and a day for 'chilling'.  I worried at first that it would be exactly that as the sky started grey and cloudy and really not as warm as we are 'used to'.  Fortunately it was not long until 'normal service' was resumed with clear blue skies and 28C, just like the UK temperatures that we had left!

After a slow start to the day, enjoying wandering around in the garden we set off on a bike ride in a need to get back to 'fitness ways' after the over indulging during the UK celebrations.  It tuned out to be the longest of all of our bike rides so far, heading 'up hill' to Faros lighthouse, along the beach track, inland and then heading back to a 'new' coastal track which eventually lead to a dead end, right at the beginning of the main Larnaca airport runway.  There we sat on some rocks, in the sun, two feet away from gently lapping crystal clear blue sea watching the planes arrive.  Two from Thompson Airways and one from Thomas Cook bringing I guess more UK people looking for the last of the summer sun.

Back on our bikes, we did not cycle far until a small beach side taverna beckoned for a beer and lunch, again sitting right next to the sea.  Having stuffed ourselves (so much for the new light eating regime) it was a long haul back through the fields to the village of Pervolia.  We never take the coastal path back home as it is all up hill, but of course this is great when coming down.

A lot of time was spent then pottering, trimming and fixing back new growth on plants.  Whilst trimming the olive tree which stands in the front garden we came across this little critter.  Fascinating to watch and a chance for me to try out various settings on the new camera.  I also spent time 'tending the grass' which of course is so hard.  The main problem is what to do with the cuttings?  You might laugh but each time you spray and brush the 'grass' to get rid of the dust a few plastic blades come out.  Lillian gets most upset if I leave them lying on the stones.

A swim in the pool ...... oh dear I wonder how long we will be able to do this.  The water is certainly a lot cooler but a 30 minute dip in the hot tub which is set for 35C soon got the circulation going.