The weather has been just lovely. Sunny and around 26C. 28C Today apparently. The hills are so green this time of year – many different shades. Later, as the heat of summer really kicks in, they fade a bit, but right now it’s very verdant and set off by yellow wild flowers everywhere and the yellow jasmine and wild shrubs. We have quite a bit of a sort of fennel growing on our hillside, which has a lovely fern as well as the yellowish flower heads. Other plants which have been bare over winter, like the vines and climbers, are now in bud and will start to shoot.

I lay out around the pool yesterday afternoon and sunbathed. The pool felt a little bit fresh for getting in, but not icy. I’m sure children would be in it all day.

We’ve had a quiet couple of days as we get on with our spring updating tasks. Bob has begun to fit the new lighting all along the dining terrace. We are hanging our beautiful gourd lamps down the centre of the terrace over the dining table and sofa area and we are replacing the old wall lights with more atmospheric Ottoman style lights. It should look lovely and I will post some pictures when it is finished. It will be lovely to sit out there on a warm evening for dinner and or for sundowners or late night drinks.

We have also begun the changes in the downstairs space, pulling up the two lounge rugs and carpet to expose the marble floors and polishing them. We have bought a new rug for the central lounge space but will leave the rest of the floor uncovered. We are painting the walls of the lounge and dining area a light yellow stone colour and it should all look very nice. This is how it looks now. More pix after painting and the new rug going down.

We are underway with getting the pool pergola awning re-done. They last about 4 years before the sun/rain/wind gets to them. At the moment, it is hanging in hanky like tatters from the rafters.

A few social activities. Yesterday our neighbours came up for coffee and a catch up, so nice to see them again. I had my hair done at Ali’s Hair, about 5 minutes drive away. The colour had gone very bleached out in all the sun and he really does a good job. If you are staying at the villa and you need a hair cut or colour, I really recommend him. Very trustworthy.

Last night we met up with other friends, Pamela, Eddie, Heather, Chris and Deborah for dinner at a local restaurant in Alsancak, Royal Moon. It’s a very rustic place on the main road, but the food was excellent and it was packed with locals. No wonder when the prices are so reasonable. The meal started with a cold meze: 3 different dips, bread, a large salad, a salsa of tomato, onion, garlic and parsley, and then I had 4 lamb chops with rice and chips. My bill was £7. Bob had the meze starter and then a chicken shish wrap which was enormous and chips for £2.60. Amazing. It’s nothing much to look at as a place but the food more than makes up for that.

Afterwards we went to karaoke at the Olive Bar because Deborah’s sister, Jacqui, was going to sing. It was packed again. Very entertaining. My idea of a total nightmare, but all credit to those braver than I. Some of them could sing…..

Today the painter came up to have a look at the job and give me a price. We are so lucky to have Habibi, our gardener, who has access to a huge number of tradesmen, all very reliable and keen. Bob worked on the lights all morning and then went to the Canasta Club in the afternoon. Anyone can go – its at the Blue Song restaurant on the Lapta Strip.