The Turkish music players have been rehearsing for over three weeks.

Time for them to play their finest traditional tunes…..
The ‘Red Carpet’ has been pulled out, rolled out, cleaned and brushed in readiness.

Scattered “Manly deep red ‘Rose Petals’ pave the way from the car port. Scented Sandalwood, Vetiver Soya candles have been lit, their fragrance wafting in the evening air. They have been strategically placed on each marble step leading to the top terrace.

On the dining table is a chilled carafe of fresh spring water. A tall glass of vodka, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, with ice and a slice of lemon, awaits this Guest of Honour.

The isolation takes me back to my convent education.
The nuns now long passed over to their divine home, would be proud of me.
In my naive teenage years of education, it was compulsory for us to attend their carefully planned overnight twice yearly Retreat at the convent. They kept us awake for more than ten hours, praying and kneeling on hard wooden supports. We offered up the discomfort for those who were less privileged. Just before dawn at our most fatigued and vulnerable, the nuns appeared each of them smiling as they held out “Presentation Nun’s” bonnets with a wish to put them on our heads.

‘Have you ever thought of becoming a nun, Miriam? With focus and discipline sure you could become one of us, live a life of prayer and solitude. Why not make your parents proud.’ Mother Mary Patrick suggested.

Such an offer, at that age I wished and dreamt of seeing my name in Lights more of a Marlyn Monroe pin up, perhaps an actress role, rather than a vow of silence dressed in a nuns bonnet. At that hour hungry and weary of praying, with sore knees I would have said yes to anything.
I remain grateful I escaped, unscathed to tell my tale without the presentation white bonnets at Pink Pines.

Back to the mystery Guest……

After weeks apart, our traveller experienced a twenty-hour delay from the UK. Subdued and with disappointment the band left the area, the petals have withered, the ice has melted, the candles burnt out and the freshly baked fish has been given to the neighbour’s cat. At three in the morning, a dog tired and ill traveller was delivered in a white truck back to our mountain retreat.
His clean, fluffy boa tailed Selina gave up hours before tucked up in her bed fast asleep. His ever adorable wife remained on duty to give the warmest of welcomes to her husband. The fun starts here as we celebrate, the return of this Prodigal Superhero ….back to the bosom of his family.