Lunch at Symposio in Pelendri

The birthday celebrations for Mandy continued with a perfect mountain escape. We joined our friends Steve and Mart and drove up into the Troodos Mountains to the beautiful village of Pelendri for lunch. Our first stop was the Phendario Café Bar, where we wrapped our hands around warming mugs of coffee and relaxed in front of a roaring log fire — the ideal start to a crisp mountain day.

From there, we wandered down through the village to the Symposio Tavern. Once again, we were warmly greeted by the owner, Nicos, of this lovely restaurant, whose hospitality is as memorable as the stunning views stretching up towards the village.

We sat down in the restaurant and ordered a meze for four, and the quality and abundance of the food were absolutely excellent. Dish after dish arrived, each one better than the last, making it a truly memorable lunch.

After we’d finished eating, Nicos came over to tell us about his new underground fire pit, where he slow-roasts lamb for eight hours until it’s perfectly cooked. His hospitality didn’t stop there — he even brought over a complimentary bottle of wine for us to enjoy.

As we were leaving, we couldn’t resist booking a return visit for next month, when we’ll be back to try his new way of cooking lamb. A perfect end to a wonderful day celebrating Mandy’s birthday week.

Mandy's Birthday lunch in Mandria

 On a crisp, clear day, we set off with our friends Pete and Tanya to celebrate Mandy’s birthday with a trip to the village of Mandria. The drive itself felt like part of the celebration, with bright skies and that fresh air that instantly lifts the spirits.

We stopped for lunch at the much-loved Klimataria restaurant, where we decided to try something a little different by choosing from their Asian menu. It turned out to be a great decision — every dish was full of flavour, and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Good food, plenty of laughter, and a couple of glasses of wine all combined to make the afternoon feel relaxed and special. In the end, it was one of those simple but perfect days that stay with you — a birthday celebration that really went with a swing.

Celebrating Creativity: Amanda’s Beaded Charms

As the new year begins, it feels like the perfect time to shine a light on creativity, patience, and passion — and that’s exactly what my wife brings to her crafting pastime, Amanda’s Beaded Charms.

What started as a love for beadwork has grown into something truly special. This year, Amanda decided to branch out in an exciting new direction by creating intricate insect designs made entirely from beads. From delicate wings to carefully shaped bodies, each piece is thoughtfully designed and beautifully detailed.

These creations are not quick makes. Every beaded insect takes a significant amount of time, focus, and skill to produce. The process requires steady hands, a creative eye, and a lot of patience — qualities Amanda brings to every piece she makes. The result is a collection of unique charms that showcase both craftsmanship and imagination.

Amanda’s Beaded Charms is a wonderful example of how a simple pastime can evolve into an art form. As she continues to experiment and develop new designs throughout the year, I can’t wait to see where her creativity takes her next.

Here’s to a new year of inspiration, beautiful beadwork, and handcrafted creations that truly stand out.

Rateswitch 2.0 Relaunch

Wishing Lee Every Success with the Launch of RateSwitch  2.0

It’s always inspiring to see someone take a bold step forward, and this week we’re delighted to celebrate exactly that.

My cousin, Lee, has officially relaunched his mortgage comparison company under the new and improved name RateSwitch 2.0. The launch event took place in the heart of the Welsh capital, Cardiff, marking an exciting new chapter for both Lee and the business.

RateSwitch 2.0 represents more than just a refresh — it’s a renewed commitment to helping people navigate the mortgage market with clarity, confidence, and access to better deals. Relaunching a business takes courage, vision, and a huge amount of hard work, and Lee has poured all three into this new venture.

We’re incredibly proud of him and want to wish him all the success in the world as he embarks on this next stage of his journey. If passion and determination count for anything, RateSwitch 2.0 is off to a flying start.

Here’s to new beginnings, big ambitions, and continued success in Cardiff and beyond.

A New Year 2026

As we step into a new year, we want to take a moment to wish all our family, friends, and wonderful visitors a happy and healthy New Year! May 2026 bring you joy, prosperity, and countless memories to cherish.

We are excited to celebrate our 26th year of blogging! It has been an incredible journey, and we look forward to sharing more stories, insights, and experiences with you in the coming year. Thank you for being a part of our community. Here's to new beginnings and a year filled with inspiration!