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Hi everyone Padistan here,

Have to tell you all about my amazing visit to Joulietta Chocolatier in Paphos.

John is a friend of Joulietta but had not met with her for some time, and as we have just settled back into a routine since visiting the UK, I was out and about with John as he caught up with work.

John had decided he would go and visit Joulietta as recently she had won a Silver Award at the prestigious International Chocolate Awards held in Florence.

When we walked in Joulietta greeted John warmly immediately asking how he was, John, apologizing for not visiting sooner, congratulated Joulietta on her achievement on winning the Award.  Beaming with pride, Joulietta told us she competed with 1700 participants at this international event and gained the prized Silver Award for her Fig and Ouzo handcrafted truffle and that her winning entry will now go through to the World Chocolate Awards which will be hosted in London shortly.

While I was there I looked at all the fabulous chocolates on display; it was chocolate heaven and my mouth watered in anticipation to taste. I saw Truffles filled with such delights as my favourite, Hazelnut; there were also Fresh Orange-Mint, Mmm, scrumptious.  Joulietta uses only fruit and herbs from the Island, with her Father Demitris sometimes going out to pick fresh produce.

After a chat with Joulietta and congratulations had been given, John purchased some freshly made Scones for a coffee break with Ntina when we get home, and me as well of course.

John chose two types: Cranberry, and fresh Orange and Dark Belgian Chocolate, Joulietta bakes fresh gourmet scones` every day with various delicious fillings and an early call is essential as the sell out very quickly.

When we arrived home, Ntina made coffee, and we warmed the scones through. John following Joulietta`s instructions:  John gently sliced the scones in half, wrapped them in tin foil and placed them in a warm (not hot) oven for just a few minutes. He took them out unwrapped them, and you could smell the lovely aroma of the fruit and the rich dark chocolate, spread with real butter they were delicious. We had two saving the others for the next day, what a treat we had in store

Joulietta`s  shop is a delight, small but inviting with a cabinet full of delicious, tempting chocolates and cakes facing you as you enter, there are period style tables outside so you can have fresh coffee with either a scone or perhaps a delicious Chocolate Cheesecake, they are all tempting. A glass partition behind the counter there is a full-screen view of the preparation area, providing first-hand insight into Joulietta`s creations. Thanks for reading this blog, to read my other blogs, and short stories visit my website: www.padistan-bear.com  and click on Blogs…happy clicking …Padistan

For further information on Joulietta Chocolates visit www.joulietta.com

Having just completed the traditional Grooms ceremony at the house, we were now on our way to the Church.

As we approached the church, there seemed to be hundreds of people outside all eager to get in and be seated. Women in fabulous outfits paraded to and fro in the pathway up to the church door, conveying a blanket of color in the bright sunlight.

The inside of the Church was full to bursting with the sound of laughter, as everyone grew impatient to see this splendid event begin. On the raised platform before the altar stood the Groom Phillipo and his Koumbaro Chris. Each side of them stood the parents of the Bride and Groom and the priest in all his finery stood in the middle. The backdrop was a wall covered with great Icons, rays of bright sunlight from the ceiling windows swept across the congregation; it was truly beautiful.

The chattering slowed to whisper the bride was now outside. The music began playing, and everyone looked at the door expectantly: first the page boys, all dressed in blue suits and looking very smart marched up the aisle followed by the flower girls, they were enchanting.  The bridesmaids next all immaculately attired in matching blue dresses and looking beautiful.

After a few moments, the music became even more beautiful as Amymay made her entrance on the arm of her father Graham made their entrance. They stood for a second or two in the doorway, the bright sunlight shining onto Amymay revealing her stunning wedding dress, then slowly, with pride Graham escorted his daughter to the man who would soon be her life partner.

There is only one word I can use to describe Amymay at this moment in the day, and that is Princess, it was all magical, which is what I love. The ceremony went on for some time, and afterward, we all congregated outside to throw confetti as they climbed into their open top limousine and with huge smiles on their faces, drove away.

Off we all went to the venue, the weather proved fantastic with only a slight shower on arrival at the venue. During the afternoon there were more isolated showers, one, in particular, producing an amazing rainbow which the bride and groom, with the photographer on hand, took clear advantage of

After the meal, and speeches the fun started: a traditional Greek Band, Millennium, from London provided all the Greek guys with the opportunity to display their prowess at the Greek dancing,

The older generation loved this, the uncles putting on great displays of village dances to the appreciation of all onlookers, the women were not to be left out either, they performed some beautiful traditional dances with grace and ease.

After they had all had their turn it came time for the Bride and Groom to dance, and after a few moments wrapped in each other’s arms, the crowd descended to pin the money on, close family first and the slowly the rest of the guests.

Streams of Fifty-pound notes were hanging from the couple, interlaced with further streams of Twenty-pound notes, intermingled with envelopes for more private donations. After everyone had given their blessings, the money was scooped up, put in a white pillow case and then ceremoniously Phillipos, Father, Uncles and Aunts danced around the floor, swinging the pillow case over their heads as they went, a truly spectacular event.

The day went well, and after everyone had left, and the family had said their fond farewells we too got in the car and left for home, the night sky bright with stars twinkling as we drove through the Leicestershire countryside and home to a well-deserved sleep.

I enjoyed my time in England, I loved being with Phillipo and Amymay on their special day, and I thank everyone who made the stay so happy for me. Thank you.

Thank you for reading this blog, to see my other blogs and short stories

visit my website: www.padistan-bear.com and click on Blogs…happy clicking…Padistan

Hi everyone Padistan here back from my very exciting trip to the UK with John and Ntina.

I went with John and Ntina to the UK to attend the Wedding of their nephew Phillpo and his beautiful bride Amymay. I had a fabulous time, getting involved in all the preparations’ and activities for this particular Greek Wedding.

On the morning of the wedding, I travelled with John and Phillipo to the venue, a stunning manor house set in the rolling countryside of Leicestershire. The grounds were magical, a fairytale setting. Oaks, Pines and Weeping Willow flanked either side as we drove up the long winding driveway, a beautiful setting.

Around half way up it opened out into a small clearing, there was a slight mist and with the sun breaking through it looked enchanting. As we approached the clearing a Hare ran across the dew dampened grass, and a little further on, and we saw two squirrels scamper up the trunk of a large old oak tree, it was a magical setting. The venue itself looked out over the farmlands of Leicestershire, and the view was beautiful.

The venue was a shambles; everywhere we looked there was; boxes, ladders, flowers, and lights and cables everywhere. Would it ever be ready on time?   Only a few hours away there would be over three hundred guests in here, and the tables were still upended. Phillpo assured us that they would be ` On top of their game` as he put it, John, however, was less confident, talking head to head with the planners he left them in no doubt as to what would happen if not.

Afterwards, we travelled back to Leicester and home to yet another area of panic, Phillipo`s mum and Ntina rushing here and there preparing for at least eighty guests who were to arrive at noon at the house.

The expected guests arrived for the traditional preparation of the groom: George, his father would shave Phillipo and then dressed by his Gumbarou (Best Man) to the accompaniment of the Cypriot Violinist George who was tuning up his violin at that very moment in Garden, the neighbours thankfully were invited.

The shaving John told me, would be OK as George is a professional hairdresser. Phillipo, however, was less confident, he had cultivated a great beard and did not wish to lose it, so it was decided just to trim his neckline. John’s remark was “ Oh a sort of Sweeney Todd eh”? I have no idea what that means, but there were chuckles around the room, this happens a lot I have noticed when John is around.

The shaving began, the traditional Greek tune, expertly performed by violinist George, added to the growing atmosphere.Phillipos Dad smeared gel onto Phillipo`s neckline, and then produced a rather shiny fine looking Cut Throat Razor, George told his son to relax, but Phillipo’s eyes were darting back and forth at the glinting Razor. Someone shouted to give him a drink, and a wise man said “who George” at which there was uproarious laughter. With the Violinist now in full flow now the atmosphere was fantastic.

After the delicate shave, blood had appeared on Phillipo’s neck.  The razor had nicked a few places and spots of blood were appearing. Tissues to hand, there were feverish attempts to stop the flow.Someone suggested After Shave, this was applied and Phillipo rose about two feet in the air with the shock, and still it failed to work, then the women got involved. Face cream was applied, and it solved the problem almost immediately. The women then retired from the scene triumphantly with a look of disdain at the men folk.

The dressing came next, and Koumbaro Chris performed his task with ease, and at the finish, a very smart Phillipo stood before his family. The violinist now came to the final bars of the traditional song, and he played with perfect pitch. The assembled guests applauded loudly, and the atmosphere became very emotional. This whole scene became a touch too much for Philipo, and his face became awash with tears, his dad was the same, and as I looked over to John, his command of all the activities was gone, his eyes were wet with pride. It was at this time I felt so Grateful to be part of these family celebrations, and yet so sad, as it reminded me of how much I miss Bearvolia and my parents Jacub and Xsenia.

This ceremony completed we were now off to the Church for what would be another fantastic experience for me; I am a very lucky bear to be involved with such kind people and very grateful to all for making me so welcome. I will be telling you all about the actual wedding very soon, so watch out on FB for my Blogs, if you miss any you can always go to my website; www.pandistan-bear.com

Thank you for reading this blog, happy clicking everyone -Padistan

My excitement never ends; John is taking me to England to attend the special wedding of his nephew Phillpo. I am really excited as we will be flying and this will be my first time in an airplane, whoopee, up above the clouds I am such a lucky bear.
I have been given a pet passport which will ensure I get through the customs without too much trouble and not have to spend a long time in Quarantine, John took me to the vets the other day to get the special injections I needed to travel. The vet was a nice young lady who assured me that the huge needle she was about to push into me would not hurt, I was not so sure, she squirted some liquid in the air, rubbed my paw with cotton wool soaked in antiseptic liquid and…Ouch! Well, she was wrong about that.
I have heard many stories about England, especially about a famous forest near to where we are going called Sherwood Forest where it is said a heroic outlaw named Robin Hood lived. Hopefully, I will get to the forest and see if it`s like home.
It seems we will be going to many places before and after the wedding, so I will be making notes for my blogs, I may even write while I am there, John said he would ask the family to lend me a tablet, I asked why, was I going to be ill, he laughed and told me it was a mini computer. Now if I can write while I am there I know Tom will be pleased, he say`s I am making progress with my writing, but need to do more, Professor Bearliston used to say the same.
The weather is much cooler in England so I have been told, that will be a welcome change from the heat of Cyprus, it’s really too hot when you are covered in fur.
I am also looking forward to seeing John’s wife Ntina who went to England earlier to help with the wedding, she has been over there for five weeks and we have missed her, I think John has missed her cooking more than anything else though.
Well, I am helping John to pack, he doesn’t do it like Ntina, and I think she will have something to say when he opens the case in England.
To read my Blogs or to buy my book: The Tales of Padistan Bear The Beginning.. just go to my website www.padistan-bear.com and click on buy.
Happy clicking everyone, wish me luck in England Thank You…Padistan