Straight out of work, a quick dash over to Reynard to say goodbye to Ginny and the kiddos and back home to zip up the bags, have a quick kebab dinner with Johnny and off to the airport. Thanks for the lift Ginny
We flew Qatar this time and it was seamless. Exhausted after a 5am wake up and a midnight flight, I slept for 5 hours and woke up hungry as sleep was more important than a dinner pack. It was very long wait for the next meal but consoled myself with movies and some Japanese snacks from the hand luggage.
Doha airport was an experience. A ful-on botanical garden indoors and the usual eye watering selection of high end stores with price tags that looked like international telephone numbers.
Then the last leg got us to Larnaca airport and BRITTY! Jesus, the airport had grown up and grown so much bigger than the last time I was here in 2007. Britt had landed an hour before us and was waiting in the arrivals hall with drinks and a full case of snacks. Yes I do mean that literally. That girl knows how to travel. It took a while to get the rental car organised after an admin mix up on their part but we were soon on the road to Trimiklini with Britt at the helm and the Kia producing a range of dings and bells that were finally understood and responded to. The Kia was a Stonic, but that poor little engine had me thinking it should have been called the Kia Stonked. It really struggled with three heavy passengers and their equally heavy luggage. Still, the slower pace allowed us to appreciate the passing landscape.
Britt loved the landscape we swept through. I craned out from behind a great black wall of expensive luggage to get a view and had the strangest feeling of mixed familiarity and complete strangeness. Johnny felt sure that all my Greek language skills would rise up to my conscious mind. I had some serious doubts as I sounded out signs but could make only occasional sense about what they were saying.
We took the scenic route along the Molo when we arrived in Limassol and and caught sight of that beautiful deep blue-green of the harbour. Then found the main road to Trimiklini.
It all looked so much more developed and when we came across the village it all seemed a hive of commercial activity. I LOVE the new IGA style supermarket. It even had no alcohol beer. We bought all sorts of goodies and even visited the open market across the road for fresh fruit and home made pastries and preserves.
We took a swing about the huge new church and the cemetery that my grandparents were buried in. We unloaded the goodies and set off to John's; the restaurant that overlooks the valley. We feasted on sheftalies, grilled fish and moussaka as we watched the sun set and the twinkle of lights come on from the houses across the valley.
Trimiklini house is a dream. It is astonishingly large and spacious with every mod con and yet totally captures and preserves its village stone house history. It is honestly beautiful. We are so lucky to have Helen's Mansfield St furniture to work with. I'm sure that as time passes, some other furniture may take its place, but for the present its perfect. Every time I think "It would be nice if... " I look in a cupboard and it's there. The girls have done an astonishing job of making it welcoming and holiday ready. I added a few bits to the kitchen but honestly, it's all there. Yes I did pull out some weeds in the garden. I couldn't stop myself. I know Mum would have done the same. Long live Mohammad, Danae, Lefki and all of us for the rescue of this lovely house. Mum and Dad would be so happy at what has been achieved.
We slept so soundly. Was it the comfort or the exhaustion? Probably both.
