Market Day and Visitors

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Wednesday again!  And that means market day in Kyrenia.  we got down there about 10am to find that they had moved into their very posh and modern new covered area behind the open area where the market normally is.  Parts had spread out and were uncovered but most is now under a roof.  It's such a big bustling affair.

Today we were on the look out for a load of vegetables, especially some more of the green beans I bought last week.  We'd had some from the supermarket too but they weren't a patch on the market ones.  I suppose it was down to the freshness.  There were absolutely mounds of fruit and veg and so colourful.  And cheap.  We bought a goodly selection including the beans and also some baby leeks which are just starting.  They are going to be great. 

Had a few more errands to run and then home for the afternoon.  Finished with the watering system and Bob tidied up some of the electrics in the pool room.  Later on Habibi came up with his friend who does building maintenance.  He is going to do some jobs for us starting next week. The wooden fascia under the guttering needs re-staining/painting; the gutters need cleaning out before winter.  It is so high to get up there.  We haven't got a ladder high enough and if we did there is no way Bob would go up that high.  He is also repairing one of the beams over the dining terrace that has come away on one side with a bit of rot.    On the development side, he is putting in an end pillar to the wall at the orchard end of the terrace and building 4 steps down to the orchard level.  Then he is putting a wrought iron arch over the opening and Habibi will grow a climber up and over it.  He is also putting an arch over our garden gate which will also have a climber.  The jasmine I think.  It will be exciting to see these jobs done next year when we come back.  I doubt he'll finish before we leave here on the 14th. 

It is difficult to find good workers out here.  We corrupt them.  What happens is that they come and do the first few jobs for you and its all very reasonable and well done.  Then, they get popular or complacent or whatever and the prices become truly ridiculous and the work goes downhill.  And then we have to find someone else..... I really hope that this does not happen with Habibi's friend because we need someone to do the maintenance jobs over the winter that we haven't got to in the autumn.   Fingers crossed.   This chap is a Pakistani like Habibi so maybe he will be different.  He's certainly started well. 

I have written up the 2016 Villa Information Pack today, updated for our guests next year.  It's got lots of helpful info about the villa itself, Cyprus sightseeing, things to do, recipes etc.  I send it to guests about 2 months before they arrive so they have time to absorb some of it. 

Look who has been visiting!!!!!  Left some nice garden manure in the orchard too!    Did I mention that we just back out to the hills and mountains behind us? Also had a visit from 3 Alsatian dogs who live in a house up the hill.  I was watching Bob in the pool room and I turned around and the three of them were standing watching me.  In silence!  I felt a bit like the deer being eyed by the wolf pack.  Anyway, I made a bit of a hiss and they turned tail and fled all the way up the hill.  Most odd. 

Tonight we went to The Cabin for dinner.  It's a restaurant above the shoreline in Lapta (turn left at the bottom of the hill).  An incredibly warm welcome heralded a fantastic dinner.  Inside and outside eating areas.  I debated over lamb or steak for dinner but in the end went for a ribeye with a peppercorn sauce.  Bob had the lamb special which was slow cooked in an unctuous gravy.  Our dinners were accompanied by a massive salad, chips, mashed potatoes and perfectly cooked vegetables (a selection).  The dinner was just great.  We would definitely recommend this place.  Of course the meal ended with coffee and brandy or liqueur.  We paid about £10 each for the whole lot with 2 g&ts and a beer as well. Just incredible.  Try it.