I was invited up to a cypriot friends house for coffee. Luckily for me her english is excellent, as my greek is not so good. You try to learn and practise speaking it but everyone usually answers you in english, as they like to speak it. Only some of the real old folk will chatter away to you in greek and after the first sentence I can only nod and make noises. They have lost me.
Whilst there I had brought her some pomegranates from the garden. It is a tradition to have some prepared in a bowl on the table and you help yourself to the fruit. Whilst we were chatting away and putting the world to rights as you do, an elderly neighbour popped in to see her. After we had all kissed each other as is custom, she sat down to join us. Now I would have to get my brain in gear as she did not speak english. The neighbour pointed to the fruit I had brought and admired them. My friend explained I had brought them. When asked if I lived out here and where, my friend told her we had the house opposite the cemetery. Well, horrors, she looked aghast at the fruit and me, and with a lot of hand waving told my friend she must not eat these. They would have the juices of the dead people in them! These juices were supposed to have come out of the graves, travelled across the cemetery, then under a wall, across the road, down our drive and into the garden. Well, if our fruit was that good and juicy, they would be the best in Cyprus. Luckily my friend was not superstitious, and did enjoy the fruit. I think I can safely say no one will wander into our garden to help themselves to any fruit!! Evil spirit's might be waiting!

The flower changing into fruit and then the 'no eat ripe ones'

                                                         
                                                                           

There are also some lovely fig trees, red and green growing by the field next to the house, also 'juicy' but the fruit are lovely. We can go with a bowl and collect some. If you pass an unfenced field nobody really minds if you gather a little fruit for yourselves. Driving along the road you see carrier bags of oranges, nectarines, and huge grapefruit like fruit on little tables and a plastic pot for you to drop your 2-3 euros in for the fruit. We pick these up for squeezing into fresh orange juice. You can bet when we have done this, somebody comes along and gives you a couple of bag fulls of oranges.
Our couple of vines in the garden are doing well and it  looks like we should get some grapes this year. These are for eating not making wine.
When we first came here went for a meal at one of the local tavern's. The home brew wine was great, just hit the right spot. I asked and was told I could buy some to have at home. Next day went along with my plastic demijohns to have filled. I then had to walk back home carrying all this wine. A couple of cars stopped to ask where the party was, and could they come. Any villager watching must have thought I was a real alcoholic. Did I really have to carry that much wine in one go.Yes, and boy was it great stuff!  ( It did last quite a long time) Maybe I should drive up this time and collect some more.      

A good meal!

A country of good food and wine, and best of all good friends. If only just a few here in the photo's.

Family and friends

I hope dear followers you enjoy catching up with us each week. 

         Picture of the week

Morning Glory

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I have had my 'Rosemary' mounted and framed and is now hanging up in the gallery.

I have also framed a print of it to give to the owner of the boat when we find it again. Can see a afternoon's drive around the harbours coming up to find where the boat is now.

This new picture is back to animals. Not every bodies favourite, but I thought he, she looked quite cute. Yes, it's 'Ratty'

Don't be squeamish and do come back next week.