Woke up to a beautiful morning! It’s been about 21C here today, mostly sunny, a few clouds. I never tire of watching the green mountains around us. They are dotted with rocks, bushes and trees and as the light changes during the day you see different shapes up there – an owl that becomes a seal and sometimes a Chinese lion; bent trees on the skyline that become the seven dwarfs carrying sacks…. it’s a good game. LOL. Anyway, a beautiful day and even better to come.

I had a hair appointment at 10am down the hill at Ali’s hairdressers. I’ve been going to him for years. He really knows how to give a precision haircut. I have a fabulous hairdresser at home, Saffron in Hythe, and between them and Ali, I can be confident in my cut. The same cannot be said when I travel other places. Anyway, if you need a cut when staying here – go to Ali. Down the hill…. turn left….. when you get to the Dema roundabout his salon is in the shop precinct across the road, same one as Soulist bar. Anyway, as usual I was totally happy with his work and emerged looking much better and only £20 lighter including tip.

Came home and did more preparation jobs. I watered all the container plants that were looking a bit dry. It looks to me to have not been a very wet winter. I put out all the pool loungers, small tables and the poolside dining set. They will need a pressure wash. The winter rain here is full of yellow dust from the Sahara. I unwrapped the lantern lights near the bbq and wood burning oven. We wrap them up in plastic coverings over the winter because although they are outside lanterns and meant to be waterproof, they have slightly leaked in the past which doesn’t do them a lot of good…..

Rang Smilecare dentist in Kyrenia and arranged to go in for a clean, scale and polish on Wednesday. I used to go at home every 3 months but it was so expensive and I got a bit fed up with their insistence I paid £25 in advance every time for the next appointment in case I didn’t turn up. Despite being able to see that in 12 years I had never missed an appointment! Petty perhaps but it irked me. So now I go here twice a year and once a year I go in India. Much cheaper and just as good and thorough.

Tonight I went to Heather and Chris’ house for a very enjoyable dinner party. Deborah and David were also guests. So kind of them to invite me at short notice. We had a very congenial evening with lots of great food and wine. Talked at length about travel and trips and in particular about cruising. Such a fun night. Cabbed home.