Friday, December 24/2010

The supermarkets have opened at seven today. Cypriots aren't big consumers of frozen foods and everyone wants last minute fresh. We trek up past the English cemetery and the ruins of old Kition, which flourished here as far back as the 13th century BC. Some of it has been excavated and bits more, between home and the bakery, are in process, so that between existing buildings there are gaps where one can look down at ancient foundations. It's obvious that these must extend underneath a larger section of modern Larnaca, so we walk home with our chicken from Metro and a large loaf of sesame studded rye bread from the bakery thinking of the community going about its business here over 3000 years ago.

Lovely surprise email fro Jim and Leila and Arturo, whom we first met nine years ago when they were sailing round the world. Well, to be accurate Jim was sailing round the world after early retirement. On his trip he had met and married Leila in Colombia and Arturo was born in New Zealand, so they joined the trip en route. We met them when they were harboured in Cyprus for the winter but also spent a few weeks with them in Malta the following year - but hadn't heard in years. Now Leila has rediscovered our email address and sent pictures of a now teenaged Arturo.

For the first time since we started spending Christmas in Cyprus we go back to our old habit of having Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. Starts with the nine lessons and carols from Kings College Cambridge via BBC, the signal that Christmas has begun. Then chicken that J has made with wine sauce and vegetables. Finish with chocolate, almonds and shortbread. There are the Christmas decorations on the little table, the candles burning and a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. Quiet and lovely.