Sunday 19th August 2012

Despite the late night last night it was up relatively bright and early to enjoy the early morning sunshine before it gets too hot.  Temperatures each day in the last week rise to anything between 90 - 96F around early afternoon dropping to overnight lows around the 80s mark.  Great if you like the warmth.

The awning has made a big difference to the temperatures inside the house, compared with last year as the sun is now not beating onto the glass all day.  We are pleased now that we paid extra for the automatic type which goes in and out with the sun and in when the wind blows too hard!

So with being up early and being determined to have a day away from working it was off with Lillian to the beach for an early morning swim in the sea.  Lillian had been three times during the week with visitors but I couldn't even find an hour gap to join her.  Each time she came back saying the water was warm but the waves too high for any swimming and only goo for jumping about.  For us today it was just perfect and we were able to swim and float around.  Having our wading shoes on to get over the 6-10 feet of stones and rocks from the sure they make great buoyancy aids which enable you float around on your back with toes out of the water.

Once back home it was breakfast time and Lillian surpassed herself with providing 5 excellent cooked breakfasts and after digesting and pottering in the garden it was more swimming but this time in the pool.  Like the sea the pool is lovely and warm and probably at least 86F, warmed each day but the ever burning sun.  Despite the work there has been time to swim each day and 20 lengths is now the norm.   Lillian as ever completes more whilst I sit on the steps counting all the 'extras'.  With time to kill today it was bike maintenance time with tyres pumped, dirt washed and moving parts sprayed they were ready for there first adventure out and Lillian set off with friend Val for a 'thirty minute ride' as the afternoon cooled.  Lillian as ever never takes the 'short route' when out biking and they returned over an hour later with stories of new roads and new farmers fields that have been visited for the first time.

Sadly it was time for the end of Sally and Steve's break with.  We took a final drive along the coast inland and then the bumpy road along the waters edge where we stopped for a final beer at the surfers beach bar that we had watched being set up on our bike rides of last year.  The two cypriot guys who had set it up had eventually opened in late June and have done a great job in converting three large containers into a bar and a surf shop.  Whether they will make a living it is hard to see.  We were the only ones there.

Sally had been encouraged all week by myself to not forget the stone tradition and she did not let us down with a blue stone and her own verse to decorate the top.  Once again somebody comes up with something different and it will serve well as a reminder of their time with us.  Good company and lest hope they will come again.

A very enjoyable day finished with a stroll into the village for the best indian food in Cyprus at Bar Coast.  Stuffed again.