Today was our day for packing up, both our cases and the house. We pack away our personal things into locked cupboards and we make sure everything outside is neatly stowed for the winter.
Habibi came up at 830 and watered the new trees and did some tidying and we walked around the garden and discussed what he would do over the winter ie cutting back trees and some of the shrubs. We still have remnants of a passionflower planted by the previous owners in 2003. It is an absolute beast and we have to keep on top of stamping it out or at least cutting it back or it would just take over everything. He also advised us to buy another small tree for planting up on the bank, so later Bob drove down the hill and bought a smallish pink pepper tree to go up there. We have 3 in the lower garden and they are lovely graceful things and the pink peppercorns are very nice too.
After he’d gone we had breakfast and did some suitcase packing and then Bob went to the shops to buy said tree and to have his haircut at the Turkish barber. I went round watering the pot plants. They ought to get watered by the rain but just in case.
We had a last lunch outdoors on the terrace. The weather is still so nice. We are in shorts and t shirts. I did a last clothes wash and got that dried outside during the afternoon. Later on, our neighbours, Alan and Lesley, came up for a cup of tea and a catch-up. Nice to chat to them.
Checked in for our flights tomorrow. Our first one is at 0925 from Ercan. The taxi, courtesy of Gunray, is coming at 0630. We will land at Stansted at about 1445 and John is so kindly picking us up. The heating is on in the house already as of today so it should be toasty for us. We have warm clothes to wear for the journey but we are undoubtedly going to notice the change in temperatures. I’ve organised a Tesco delivery for 7-8pm so we should be able to get unpacked and fully loaded by the time we turn in tomorrow night.
Tonight Bob and I went to Charcos in Lapta for dinner. Sadly, we were the only ones in there, which is astonishing given the lovely food, ambience and value. We had a fabulous starter of exceptional lentil soup and bread, then a main of Lamb chops (me) and beef stifado (Bob) with a massive salad, and bowl of chips, then a dessert, coffee and brandies. As extras we had two beers and two glasses of wine. With service it all came to £44. So…not cheap but on the other hand for a 3 course meal with wine, then with coffee and brandy… yes it was by UK standards. And sadly, by increasing Cypriot standards….
What a totally fabulous time we’ve had here this autumn. It’s one of the best time to come we think. Beautiful weather, totally the best contrast break from the UK and yet still all the fabulous delights of late summer in the Levant. We are truly blessed to have found this place and we so much wish that you can come and enjoy it too.