Sunday 18th December

Another nice and bright sunny morning prompted us to be energetic for our last morning and cycle.  Up to faros lighthouse, along the coastal path, past the beachfront houses we can only admire, across fields, into the village and home.  A total of 50 minutes and not out of breath!

Full English breakfast at the Kebab Station - our last time eating there for breakfast as they will relocate into the village for the new year, followed by the last tidying up in the garden.  It didn't take long to pack and one suitcase we took back to UK was completely empty.

Taxi pick up for the airport and before we knew it flight was underway and back in Uk in 4.5 hours.  Good Steve won the 'pick the parents up from the airport' reward whilst Emily and Andrew flopped about in front of the television.

Is it good to be back?  Well perhaps the answer will come in two weeks time.

Saturday 17th December

Preying Mantis watches garden labours!

Heavy overnight rain meant no bowls today.  A shame because as well as missing playing it would have been nice to wish everyone festive greetings.

So with the sun shining it was out in the garden and spending time browsing the net.  Booked flights for Lillian to come to Qatar with me in January and then for us to stop off in Dubai for a week on the way back staying at the new Holiday Inn at Al Barsha.  It will be good to catch up with people in Doha and Dubai, especially Tommy and Eliza and the Cracknells.  Expect we will see lots of changes.

A quick trip into Larnaca and then to the Cottage pub to follow Ipswich to a second successive victory.  Times are changing at last.  Too much to drink meant a late night  leaving the brain tired this morning so that's about it for yesterday.

BA flight at 1625 this afternoon (Sunday).  Looks as if we will need our winter woolies whereas it is already 62F here at 0809 hrs.

Friday 16th December

 An enjoyable day starting with a visit into Larnaca to buy mince pies form Marks and Spencer - what a treat?  Surprisingly these traditional pies are not readily available here.  Well the places where we shop anyway.

Whilst in Larnaca made time to photo the Xmas trees mentioned earlier in the week.  Didn't get them all but the slideshow to the top right I hope gives you the idea.

Back home it was time spent int the garden whilst we waited for the repair man to come and finish the hole in the bathroom ceiling that had appeared with the first rain storm of the year.  It was a good job that Lillian was here to phone straight away and get someone to come and deal with the leak.  All credit a good job has been done and you would not know there had been a hole some 20 inches in diameter.  Although we are miffed with Quality Group not to have sorted the roadway leading to the compound and most importantly the telephone lines for good internet connection the after sales service has been good with a quick response and every little snag dealt with properly.  Worriyngly see have had an email saying that nobody, except us are paying the maintenance charges and the consequences of no maintained pool etc.  Can't understand the shortsightedness of the other owners, but with only 4 of the 15 houses permanently occupied it is somehow not surprising.

A lovely evening spent with Bowls club members at the lighting of the Kiti Christmas tree and the switching on of the new fountain in the new park next to the old church.  Everything new.  Santa arrived on top of a bus along with bowls club members who were the sponsors - we arrived too late to have the ride around the village - fortunately!  Normal stalls with hot chestnuts, wine, mince pies (donated by the bowls club), carols sung by the local school and traditional dances.  The mayor spoke in greek, of course, and briefly in english.  It was a nice to mix with the locals.

A meal in the Taramala Tavern, which was mainly full of locals watching the local football on TV.

Thursday 15th December

A beautiful day with temperatures reaching 75F on the patio during the afternoon.  Blue skies, nothing but blue skies.  You can live with sweater in the morning and again in the evening with days like this.

Panoramic view of the Kiti & Pervolia Bowls Club

Thursday is Bowls morning and today we took along new friend Gareth who Lillian met through her Greek classes.  For him the first day was watching but he seemed to enjoy the atmosphere and will come again to 'have a go', perhaps on Saturday.  The morning started with rounds of applause to the club team who had won their first match of the 'Island' league with a responding 18-2 home victory against Farmagusta.  I would think home advantage is a powerful thing as mats are surely different and with the odd minor slope on ours would take some working out for visitors.  Having said that there are some incredibly accurate bowlers at the Kiti Club so a win was probably well deserved.

The normal two matches with a narrow defeat having been winning 7-0 after two ends and a good win in the second game.  I bowled a lot better today.  When dropping Gareth back to his home which is about half a mile towards Faros lighthouse we were able to visit inside and take in his sea view!  One day we might have the same.

Back to stone collecting and two bags were quickly gathered from a deserted beach.  The garden is coming back into a 'perfect' state and will be ready to leave on Sunday.

Wednesday 14th December

Sun sets at 1630 after a day in the garden

Keep right on to the end of 'Charlie'.  White stones now moved across although not enough for the new wall length.  More trips to the beach beckon as we start to dig the other side.   Will all this work be wasted and it just re-grow?  Wait until the January instalment of 'Set for Cyprus' to find out!

However it was not all Charlie today and a trip into Larnaca and a couple of hours wandering around meant some Christmas presents were bought along with a scart lead for the DVD player in the TV room / study.  I had an interesting conversation with the greek speaking young lady who served me with the lead as you can imagine! Surprisingly Larnaca remains fairly busy and car parking still a challenge.  The beach whilst deserted of  sun loungers looked inviting and a few people wandered along.  An effort has been made to Christmasfy by the town council and lights span across the roads and three huge decorated Christmas trees with nativity scenes are in strategic places.  An interesting one on the main square, which must be at least 45 feet high, made totally from re-cycled drink containers, coke cans, plastic bottles etc.  Another first was the use of poinsettia plants in planter boxes.  Have never seen them planted outside before.  Too cold in UK and guess too hot in Dubai.  They looked lovely.

The village square of Pervolia is also decorated - it does however seem strange to see giant snowmen when the sun is shining.  Need to take some pictures to supplement these words.

Lillian went off to her Greek lesson, having only completed homework tasks the hour before - all those years of telling the children to do their homework as soon as they came in and NOT leave it to the last moment.  She says it was because I would not let her off Charlie duty and made her make Christmas Cards.

I waited in the Cottage Pub where the Wednesday night Bingo session was in full swing.  Perhaps I can get a job as the caller each week?  Eating out at Kokos ....... The biggest pork chop imaginable was just too much.  I have put on weight since we returned here last week.  Not surprising with eating and drinking and not enough exercise.

Tuesday 13th December

Another bright and sunny day, spent in the normal way.  A trip to the bank to pay our maintenance charge and supermarket for essential supplies - bread and milk and the Post Office for posting of Christmas Cards.

Rest of the day spent at home.

Lillian continued to make her Xmas Cards before coming out into the garden for trimming whilst I continued with Charlie hunt.  4 days and still more to do.  However we are getting there and on our shopping trip I stopped in the village to buy some 'black underlay' to try and prevent new growth where I have just dug.

This now means the movement of the stones from under the ficus bushes across to the hedging so it can be dug.  It will all be a race now to get it finished and ship shape before we depart on Sunday.

An evening of TV watching after sitting on the patin for a sundowner drink.

Monday 12th December

Its Bowls day ........... we were cancelled on Saturday because of the mats being too wet following the storm on Friday afternoon and we all got a text message to get there early to clear up the mess of leaves etc. I managed to find a broom that I could lean on and look busy whilst Lillian stood around chatting as she does! LOL.  Once cleared and all sparkling and fresh with sun shining draws were made by passing the bag.  There were enough members for four mats.

Panoramic view from bedroom balcony

Lillian and I were drawn on the same team and having been 0-6 down after two ends we came back to win a very tight game 10-8 on the final end.  It was all exciting stuff and although I was erratic Lillian bowled well as number 2 and our skip, another Chris delivered some great shots. A break and a re-draw saw me on mat E where we thrashed the oppostion 18-4 with me playing a lot better.  It was all good fun and enjoyable.

Back home a pizza lunch was followed by three hours in the garden in lovely sunshine, whilst Lillian made her Xmas cards ready for posting. By 1630 it was dark and we sat for a while before Lillian went to her Greek lesson, returning with book and homework.  We eat in the village with a 'new friend' Gareth, who attends Greek classes and his wife, Jackie.  Jackie works for Marcus Evans, the owner of Ipswich Town FC, and runs his Cyprus office.  Somebody to keep friendly with.

Sunday 11th December

Once again the morning after the night before meant a slow start to the day.  This pace was continued throughout!

Coastal bike path

A leisurely breakfast on the patio in lovely sunshine led into two hours of 'working' on the garden task.  Mid afternoon and a lovely bike ride on our newly serviced bikes. Lillian had taken them to the shop whilst I was away as hers was suffering from a flat tyre.  Three holes from thorns meant a new inner tube.  I expected to get 'more yards to the push' as they had been serviced but it seemed as hard a work as ever.  We followed our normal route to the beach going inland past fields that seemed to have been freshly sown with a cereal crop and then onto the track which leads to the beach.  The panoramic picture above shows nicely where our path runs.  It was good to be out in the sunshine a though we have chosen to wearing long sleeved T shirts - its lovely but not that warm.

An evening in with a meal and yet another box set of films to start to enjoy.  This time 'Prison Break' - 13 episodes which I am sure  we will finish by our return to UK.

It is colder now indoors in the evenings and shows that the house has no insulation.  The air conditioning unit provides some heat and we need to find out how to work the 'underfloor' heating

Saturday 10th December

With the morning after the night before - an enjoyable night out with the 'Bows Club' we were surprised by a relatively early ring of the door bell to find Rebecca Ward, who was responsible for our introduction to Quality Group, at the door.  Rebecca also owns a place in Cyprus although has it permanently rented out.  It was good to show her around and sit in the sunshine on the patio chatting and drinking coffee.  It is also good to hear people say how nice our garden looks - we love it but it is always nice to have pother people admire it despite the Charlie!

The rest of the day was spent 'pottering' and a drive into the village for bread and milk before it was off again for another night out.  This time at the Cottage pub.  Having listened to the first half of the Ipswich game and hearing them 0-2 down at half time I walked bemoaning the manager and how he should be sacked as we were heading for the 8th defeat in a row when much to my delight Ipswich turned on a fantastic performance to score 5 goals in the second half.  Nobody was in any doubt as to who I support as I yelled in delight at each goal.  What a win.

After that the evening was always going to be flat but we enjoyed chatting with the growing number of people that we have now met here in Pervolia.

Friday 9th December

The rampant 'Charlie'.

So here we are back in Cyprus after 25 days away for me and ten days away for Lillian.  Its good to be back.

Being away was the normal rounds of bed, work, eat, bed, work etc.  Morning were always early starts frequently leaving hotels at 0645 for taxi rides to schools and then back by 1830 - 1900 in the evenings.  So a busy schedule in Boston - Houston - Boston - New York.  Highlights were probably the walk in Hermann Park, Houston on Thanksgiving with warm sunshine and families enjoying their day with picnics and frisbees! Temperatures that day were about 78F with blue skies.  The other highlight was the opening dinner celebrations for World Class Learning Academy in New York with a delightful concert by the children in the morning, a special trip to the Big Apple Circus in the afternoon - can't remember the last time I went to a circus and the dinner pin the evening.

A frantic 4 days in London sorting with doctor, hospital appointments and a trip into the London office taking time.  So back here courtesy of British Airways to a garden completely overgrown with 'Charlie'.  Its everywhere where it has been dug from!  The day was spent starting to clear the red / brown base stones and six hours and later that is not even clear.  As for the white stones collected from the beach?  They are covered and will need to be removed so Charlie can be dug.  I will write about this again when all is once again clear as it will be boring to record daily Charlie hunting.

Garden work was interrupted with rain showers, that were quite hard with bright sunshine interspersed even though temperatures did not get much above 64F.

A delightful evening out at the Bowls Club Xmas dinner at Tony's Grill.  Traditional Xmas fayre with lots of white meat.   Makes a nice change as I live virtually on red meat in the US. Dancing for the energetic, a category that Lillian always falls into and plenty of chatting and drinking for the lazy ones like me.  Its good to be back ......... but I think the time will fly and we will soon be heading back to UK on 18th December.

Monday 14th November

Off to Boston.

Up very early working - can never sleep when in work mode.  Andrew drove very well although the traffic was very bad and I got to the airport safely (terminal 5).  No upgrade but an OK flight with British Airways even though it was full.  Time passes watching 3 films, one with Cameron Diaz who reminds me so of Emily.Soon through immigration which makes a change even though I still seem to get in the slowest line.  Questioning is like the 'Spanish Inquisition - what are you doing, where you going, how long are you staying?  Cases are already on conveyor belt and take a taxi to the hotel which is about a twenty minute ride.  'Welcome back Mr Wright' - always a nice touch.  Beautiful sunshine and lovely autumn leaves although I am too tired and soon fall asleep even though only 7pm local time.  Consequently now awake at 0100 writing this!

Sunday 13th November

After the heavy rain of last night we awoke to a grey and windy day.  Temperatures no more than 62F Urgh.

Without sunshine for the first time we were at a bit of a loss as to what to do with our visitors although they were not complainng. So it was off to George's for our full English breakfast and a download of the newspapers as per Sunday morning norms.

Soon it was time for me to set out for the airport and flight back to London.  I will miss Lillian and our home but work is to be done.  Laranaca airport is good for such a small place and the shopping is good and worth a wander.  Not that I buy anything and hurry quickly to the Lounge for a beer and sandwich.  Flight was on time and Steve picked me up at LHR Treminal 3 without problem.  It was good to be home with the three children for the evening.

Saturday 12th November

Lillian wakes feeling stiff and sore after her tumble from the bike with a shiny black eye!  Poor Lillian.

A trip to the 'Dark Side' - our first.  With visitors Chris & Nick we set off up the now familiar A1 to Lefkosia (Nicosia) and after a quick stop to ask the way we managed to find the border crossing where we were in a line of about 5 cars.  First stop was to the insurance box where we needed to buy car insurance as ours does not cover in the northern part of Cyprus.  This cost 25 Euro and is valid for one month.  Perhaps time for a second trip in December?  Passports were shown and were stamped on a piece of paper rather than in our actual passport.  Don't know why that is so as  I can't think of reason why you should not have a Northern Cyprus stamp.

First impressions were like I had when passing to what was East Germany when in Berlin.  Its all OK but somehow plain, grey and unkempt.  We followed the main road to what is now called Girne, although if you look on maps in the south it is called Kireniya its original cypriot name.  Once in the town we headed to the coast and down narrow single lane streets we eventually found somewhere to park, which surprisingly had no charges.  First stop was to change some Euro into Turkish Lira at a rate of 1 Euro to 2.45 TL.  We stopped and looked into the shops where prices seemed somewhat cheaper than in the south until we spotted the sea at the end of a side street.

Once on the promenade we watched huge waves crashing and spraying over the sea wall, much to a black dog's delight!  Not knowing where we were going we came into a lovely harbour and sat there for a beer and lunch.  Seemed a good idea to be outside but just as we sat clouds covered the sun and it became chilly. It was a pretty place and the whitebait I had selected from the menu was excellent.

After a bit more strolling we decided to take the long ride back by going along the northern coastal road to Farmagusta, called Gazimagusa in turkish and consequently all road signs.  It was a good drive with the sea on the left and a high mountain range on the right.  We passed many new housing developments which were obviously targeted for Brits as prices displayed were in GB sterling! They all looked very nice and great value compared with what we have paid in the south, however they also seemed in the middle of nowhere!  We will explore more when we come back to visit Geoff and Hazel Turner, who we knew in Dubai who have actually bought one and are living there now.

Arriving back home at about 1830 it was a quick sit before the Saturday ritual of the pub and a meal.  First time in four weeks we had gone to the pub and Ipswich hadn't lost! They didn't play today.

Friday 11th November 11.11.11

Up early to the normal blue skies and sunshine although it disappeared by 1000 to be once again cloudy and overcast.  Whilst I was doing my normal pottering about in the garden Lillian announced she was going to walk to the local mini-market store to get milk.  I suggested they took the bikes and so they set off for what should be a quick trip.  After about 15 minutes when they had not returned I wondered where they were thinking perhaps they had gone for a longer ride.


Suddenly Nick returned to say bring tissues and the car as Lillian had fallen off her bike and had a nose bleed. We raced to the scene to find poor Lillian sitting / lying by the kerbside covered in blood from her nose with cut hands, knees and thighs.  Once in the car she was soon home and cleaned up.  Fortunately it was all 'superficial' damage and she cleaned up 'quite well' although not complaining the grazes on her legs look real sore and she now has a cracker of a black eye.  As ever she is very brave so uncomplaining I think just trying to get out of the fitness campaign once again.  First her toe and now this!


How did she fall?  Lillian says it happened all too quickly was going at a tight angle sideways up a ramped kerb and the bike just slipped away from her.  

Once we had breakfasted and Lillian felt 'repaired' we took the drive along the coastal road to Zygi to visit the garden centre as Lillian has 'Improvement Plans' for some new planting.  Just window shopping I took the coastal track where we ride our bikes on the way back so we could drive close to the water.  We stopped to collect some more stones and walk on the small sandy stretch of the beach.  We walked Lillian limped.  The water was calm and there were lovely views.  Playing with my new camera for the picture seen here.  Back home it was stone arrangement and I am now only one more trip away from completing the 'White Stone project'.


Chris and Nick are ardent football fans (season ticket holders at West Ham) so we spent the evening going to our first international football match.  Cyprus v Scotland played in a stadium in Larnaca.  Scot supporters were there in force and sitting with them was quick a funny but friendly experience.  Many had clearly had a few beverages before the game and one wonders what the Cypriots thought of them in their kilts, football shirts and St Andrews flags wrapped around them.  It was an OK game and the Cyprus team played well, although Scotland deserved to win.  A new experience.

Thursday 10th November

First day for our visitors and oh dear it is grey and overcast for most of the day and the warmest temperature to be seen on any thermometer is 73F.  Not what was ordered.  However undeterred they wanted to 'Chill' but not literally!  I did not go to bowls so we sat about in the garden chatting most of the day being very positive about the moments of sunshine that appeared through the clouds.

Throughout the day I was in and out working on the computer ready for a big conference call for 1700 hours.  When this call came I was on-line for 90 minutes - good job I am not paying my mobile phone bill.

In the afternoon our brave visitors dipped themselves in the pool.  We couldn't believe it and Lillian dived for the thermometer to check the temperature.  62F yet still they swam up and down!!  Nuts.  I could just about put my hand in the water without my fingers cracking and dropping off like you see in cartoons.  Still they were able to climb into the hot tub to thaw out and seemed to enjoy that very much.

Once my call had finished it was 1830 and I discovered that it had been decided to go once again into the village to eat.  This time we went to Pyrgos, which I like very much as the food is good.  I had a new selection from the menu - Chicken Diane which was enjoyable and all left clean plates.  Back home we sat for coffee, once again outside where Lillian had let candles that were still burning but soon it was time for bed at 2230.

With the weather so grotty I would have been disappointed in the day but everyone else seemed happy enough.

Wednesday 9th November

A lovely day - sun shining and blue skies.
Screwing in the morning and yet another IKEA piece of furniture put together.  Looks good.  Garden in the afternoon, just the normal pottering ensuring all is tidy to impress our visitors.

Its great here collecting visitors.  We wait until we see the plane go overhead (This time British Airways) and then leave to drive to the airporr.   By the time we get parked and walk to Arrivals they are just arriving.  In and out in 20 minutes means no parking charges!

Home to sit in the last of the days sunshine and a walk into the Village to eat at Kokos.  Everyone was fairly tired (Plastows were up at 0500) so bed at 2200 ish.

Tuesday 8th November

The garden at sunset

A bright sunny morning turns into a lovely day with temps in the upper 70's in the afternoon and clear blue skies, although by 4.30 p.m. it was down to lower 60's once the sun starts to set.  With cloudless skies nothing to keep the warmth in I guess.

With the Plastow's pending visit and my trip to the US meaning I will be away from Cyprus for 25 days it was off to IKEA for the remainder of the furniture for the Study / TV room.  The drive is good and fast and we are in the store within 40 minutes and all is there.  A full load.  Payment Queues are quick, car loaded and on our way back home within the hour.  Ready for fixing tomorrow.

With the afternoon being so lovely it was time to sit in the garden resisting the urge to pull the 'Charlie' that seems to have sprung up overnight.

Late afternoon was spent with a former colleague and now friend Simone Taghizadeh and her husband Sam along with their three children.  Simone worked with me at Wellington International in that first year as our Parent Relations Director.  We have stayed in touch via email over the years.  Simone's children Sebastian and Selina were 7 and 5 years when they attended the school and wow they have grown into delightful young people.  They also have a 'new edition' in Stefan who is now 5 who we were seeing for the first time.  Currently still in the UAE, although now in Ras Al Khaimah rather than Dubai they were here for a family holiday whilst 'considering Cyprus' as a place for relocation so to check out schools. Time went very quickly but we were able to enjoy a meal together in Soutsos in the village courtesy of sam.  Thank You.  The restaurant was very quiet, but locals appear to eat a lot later than us.

Once we had said our goodbyes it was home for the final two episodes of 'The Wire'.  A clever ending after 68 episodes leaving some questions unanswered.

Monday 7th November

Monday is bowls day although only for me.  The delivery man was due to fit the new sink for the downstairs bathroom with a scheduled arrival at 1000.  Much to our surprise an early phone call is received to say the ‘Bannister Man’ was coming to fit the new bannister at 0900!  Two sets of workmen at the same time working in a very small space.  Good job I  am excused.

By the time I returned from bowls all work was completed and hopefully you can see from the picture an improvement.  Although both of the originals ‘worked’ these look a lot better.  Lillian is pleased and as the orchestrator of the work its just as well!  We really have not much else to do to get ourselves sorted.  Just the search for curtains for downstairs which again I will let Lillian ‘take the strain’.

Enjoyed the morning at bowls.  The sun was shining and it felt quite warm.  Temperatures did register 76F in the afternoon.  There was a good crowd present and I was greeted with the normal with the normal “Where’s Lillian?”.  I explained about the workers and told them we had to toss a coin to see who would come to bowls and that I had lost.  Some laughed although I am not sure all understand my sense of humour. With 34 members present all the mats were full and by luck of the draw for the second successive game I was drawn to play against ‘Super Bob’ who again by luck of the draw he was in the position of ‘Skip’ where he could direct all and then deliver the telling winning bowl.  After 8 ends my team were struggling 4-13 and the match was destined to be a loss even though we had all bowled well until Bob persistently scattered all our bowls placing his next to the jack.  “A good game to win” I said and sure enough that is exactly what we did winning 10 points in the last three ends to win 14-13 creating much noise and laughter as our skip, a lady called Joan delivered the final winning shot.  A fantastic come back and a first victory against a team with ‘Super Bob’ as a member.  The second game was always going to be an anti-climax after the fun of the first and a narrow defeat 10-12.

A lazy afternoon enjoying the sunshine with a quick trip to the ‘Kite Beach’ to collect some stones.  Almost one side of the garden complete.  Of course some ‘digging for Charlie’ about which we have become obsessive.  It is amazing how quickly it re-appears in areas which you think you have cleared.  It has such a strong network of runners as a root system.  It is a good job though we are keeping at it.  Next door’s garden looks a mess.

As darkness fell which starts to come now at about 16.45 a necessary trip to Lidl in Larnaca to stock up for the pending visit from the Plastows on Wednesday.  Usual evening in .......... only 3 more episodes of  ‘The Wire’ to go.  With 65 gone the story still springs surprises, the latest being the demise of Omar which was totally unsuspected!

Sunday 6th November

Sunday morning.  It is warmer and the sun shines with clear blue skies.  

After coffee and toast its on our bikes following the ‘Inland route’ initially which leads from small roads to the main road to Zygi where we are able to cycle along a cycle path which runs parallel to the road.  The cycle path is slightly undulating and although we zoom along the downhill stretches going uphill makes us breathe heavily and we change gears every 100 yards or so.  

After 30 minutes we reach a sign which says according to Lillian’s translation ‘To the Beach’ and we go down a car track to a bumpy pathway that runs along the shore line.  You meet people out walking dogs but today something different with a rider exercising a horse in the sea.  Something different and we stay to watch for 10 minutes or so before heading off on the homeward stretch.

Normally we ride together, Lillian always listening out for any cars that might come from behind us when riding on roads.  I don’t seem to hear them as quickly as she does.  When we on tracks lead continually changes and Lillian often zooms ahead thinking about all the calories she is burning by going faster.  The picture here shows how far she can get ahead sometimes (you need to look carefully for the white dot in the distance) but it also shows how close to the sea we ride.  It was a good ride today and we were out for 70 minutes - 350 calories gone according to the internet.

With calories burnt what better way to replace them but a full english breakfast?  So a 5 minute walk to the nearby cafe / restaurant for eating and downloading the Sunday Times on the ipad courtesy of their free wifi.  Afternoon was pent sitting on the patio in the lovely sunshine where temperatures registered 80F at 1400hrs.  

A dip in the tub at 1600 hrs to watch the sun go down, shower and a relaxing evening with two more episodes of ‘The Wire’.

Saturday 5th November

Lillian's new path from the balcony

After the cold but enjoyable evening last night it seemed slightly warmer this morning.  Saturday is the routine of ‘jobs’ before bowls and for me it was pinning the climbing plants, that are doing well, so that they will make an arch across the garage area and changing the bulb on the light above the front door to an ‘energy saver’.   Once completed, some breakfast and a quick dig for ‘Charlie’ then it was off to bowls.

There were 24 members present this morning and it was the usual chatting whilst shoes are changed and dues paid (2 euro per player unless you have played on Monday and Thursday when Saturday is free) to the new Treasurer ‘Super Bob’.  The previous Treasurer Ellie and her husband have left Cyprus to go back to the UK after 7 years to be nearer to family and grandchildren.  Will that be us in a few years time?  We certainly haven’t thought that far as yet.  So the draw was made and once again Lillian and I were drawn on the same team.  This had not been a ‘winning’ combination before with me taking the position of Skip.  However we both played very well for a change and supported by ‘Big Chris’ (6’5” at least) we kept our nerve to finish 13 - 6 winners.  On a ‘Roll’ with this victory which followed on from our win on Thursday to make two wins in a row.  Easy game this.

After the first match of the morning everyone sits for a bit, chats and drinks coffee or juice or whatever they have brought with them.  Soon the bag is brought round again and the draw is made for match two by each selecting a key fob with a mat letter A-F and either Lead, 2 or Skip, the position that you would play. Amazingly with 24 in the hat that Lillian and I should be drawn in the same team again, this time with me as the Lead on rink C.  We waited at the end to see who would be our third team member.  Who was this walking towards us carrying his polished woods with two dazzling blue rings and the assured look of Spartacus entering the gladiator arena ......... its ...... ‘Super Bob’.   Hip hip hurrah our win is ensured.  ‘You  Blue Bob?’ says I with a wishful tone. ‘Red’ was the reply.  We were to play my hero.  ‘Super Bob’ is the opposition.  The pressure of playing lead, on a new mat, with one notorious downhill slope towards the road is too much.  I am long off the back, short not even crossing the play line and then off the side.  3 bowls and none even on the mat but Lillian and Jennie hold their own and after 3 ends we are all square. 3-3.  Then it the dreaded moment happened.  Super Bob got his eye in and the Reds raced to a 13 - 4 lead in the blink of an eye.  Enough said win one lose one.

Home after our customary stop at the supermarket and lunch Lillian busied herself with making the blue bedroom perfect by ironing the the voiles once again ready for our visitors ‘The Plastows’ who arrive on Wednesday.  Feeling tired after our late night an afternoon snooze is called for and it was a walk into the village for afternoon football watching.  For the second week in a row we arrive after the games have started to find that ipswich are already losing 0-2.  Disaster so I mope all afternoon hoping they will make a fantastic comeback but as they are losing 0-3 at halftime depression sets in.  Back home instead of our normal eating out after the results have come in.  It is cold as we walk.  Really need a jacket to go with the sweater and will certainly be bringing one back when I return in December after the US trip.

Friday 4th November

A cild night brings a chilly, with stiff breeze but bright and sunny morning.  Rather than our normal bike ride we decided that it had been a long time since walking anywhere so this morning we set off, dressed in sweaters, although I was wearing shorts to wok to the lighthouse.  The hill seems just as long when walking as it does riding but within 15 minutes we had made it walking along the cliff top before taking what must be about 50 steps down to the beach.

All of the 'sun bed' vendors have packed up for the season just leaving the spikes which are used to place umbrellas.  Nobody was about as we walked along the sand.  There is a sudden increase in seaweed which piles up on the shore going the water a brown 'sludge' effect at the shoreline.  Although the wind is blowing quite hard the waves are fairly minimal.  Once we have walked the sandy stretch back to the lighthouse it is the normal huge pebbles which prompts us to return later in the afternoon for two more bags.

After an afternoon, still digging the roots of 'Charlie' which continues to appear and arranging our two bags of stones it was off to see the firework display at the army barracks in Dromelaxia.  This trip had been arranged by a member of the bowls club who has a minibus which he drives, mainly for airport pick ups.  We were picked up in the village and it is about 40 minutes along the coast towards Agia Napa.  Everything was very well organised with a couple of bars and stands selling burgers, hot dogs etc.  The army band played whilst assembled on the beach. A high bonfire was lit at 1900 and an excellent firework display stated at 1945.  The display lasted about 30 minutes and was applauded warmly by the crowd of about 1000 at the end.

Once back in the village a late evening meal at KoKos with three of the bowls members who had gone with us to the fireworks.  Home past mid-night.  What stop outs?

Thursday 3rd November

Bowls day ........ but first jobs to be done.

A trip to the bank in Kiti to settle two bills:  Pervolia Community Charge 50 Euro for the year.  We can live with that and two months 'maintenance charge' for the pool and surrounding area 86 Euro.  I suppose that is OK although the pool will only be used for about 5 months of the year as it is unheated.  I am yet to go into a bank, as Lillian deals with such things although it is unusual that all here have a bell that you need to ring to be allowed entry through the security doors.  Sounds fine but sitting in the car watching people go in and out it would appear they just let anyone in so not quite sure of the logic.

Bowls ...... at last back to winning ways.  Lillian and I were drawn on the same team first match but we, along with another lady all did well only to lose on the last ball (bowl) of the last end by one point.  We were not despondent having played certainly our best for some time.  The send game we were drawn on mats next to each other and both came away with resounding wins and both contributed a number of points  for finishing with the winning bowl.  Back to liking this game again and now look forward to Saturday to see if the new found form can last.

The last few ends were played under the threat of rain and as we walked back to the car a few spots fell.  A quick stop at the supermarket which is just across the road from bowls (where most of the members seemed to go once we are finished).  Us men stand and look and discuss important things such as which wine to buy and what beer is best value or gaze longingly at the fantastic range of cakes, while ladies look after the trivia such as what is for dinner tonight!  We men all appear at the check out at the correct time and in disciplined fashion pack and carry bags.  We know our place and role.

Once outside the clouds were even darker and sure enough ..... rain.  Loads of it.  Having indicated  both ways, switched the lights on I eventually found the windscreen wipers which went so fats they ere like a blur across the screen.  How was I supposed to know how they worked?

It rained for a couple of hours so most of the day was initially spent on 'in door' tasks.  Lillian completed her stone steps for the garden and I watched tele, flicking across the very poor channels.  We will need to get used to 'indoors' as winter approaches.  Once the rain stopped the sun came out and we were back into the garden for Lillian to place he last steps and for me to continue 'digging Charlie'.  The steps are made from flat black stones collected from the beach and each stuck to a piece of garden netting.  They have then been buried amongst the smaller red stones / gravel.

Evening of 'The Wire'.  We have started the 5th and final season.  Only 10 episodes to go.

Wednesday 2nd November

It is colder in the mornings now and today I had to creep downstairs with a dressing gown to make coffee.  Outside temperature was recording on 52F!  However inside we are are warm, although cooler with the main room reading 72F.  Once the sun gets going the day temp rises quickly, although only to 75F highs.  So once up and about it was off on our bikes wearing winter T shirts!

Up the hill to Faros lighthouse.  Although it only takes about 7 minutes to get to the lighthouse it is a study incline which we are getting much better at pacing ourselves up.  In fact we are improving overall as cyclers and travel longer distances quicker.  We experiment and play going down hills on who can go the furthest after we stop pedalling.  Whilst I weigh more than Lillian and we have the same make of bikes, she always goes further.  Not sure of the science in this.  Anyway this morning having taken the normal beach track riding along side the sea, which was as calm as a mill pond, we headed inland on a new route as we wanted to finish in the village.  This was just like or early days exploring for having cycled for 10 minutes down a new pathway it looped unexpectedly and took us back to where we had started!  So following the route we know best it was inland once again keeping to the roadways to the Village.

Whilst the village is mainly restaurants and cafes there are couple of mini-supermarkets, a betting shop, a flower shop, car hire, holiday letting agency (2) there is a hardware store that is like from the 'time forgot' where you can buy single screws and nails.  So whilst Lillian cycled on the the mini-market to get fresh bread I was in search of 30 screws and wall plugs as today was to be 'screwing' day of our new purchases.

I feel qualified for this position!

After spending an hour on the phone to London re: the upgrade that went wrong it was down to work. The good thing about IKEA furniture is that it goes together well.  So some five hours later we have two wooden slatted blinds (off white) on the windows, a desk and chair for working and a TV stand complete with television.  The room looks like a room now rather than an empty space although we will need to go once again to IKEA  next week to get the 'sideboard unit' assuming they have their deliveries.  The picture is a bit dark but it gives an idea.  We will use this room come January for TV watching as everyone says it gets cold then!

Whilst I was putting the furniture together and hanging the blinds Lillian was out in the garden 'Charlie' hunting complete with her spray gun and a stronger concentration of 'killer' which has so far not even made Charlie look sick!  We are not the only house that has been attacked and it is starting to run rampant in the vacant house next door.

As we had been busy all day it was a walk into the village to eat at Soutsos. I was dressed in my new jumper which we bought a couple of days ago as I don't have one. Long trousers are now the norm for evenings out. My fail entirely as I refused to bring tracksuit etc when we were packing up back in September.  "I won't need that yet" I said.  A pork chop for me, chicken kebab for Lillian, beer and bottle of wine.  Lovely.  You will need to see the size of the chops here to believe them.  I am sure the bone was nine inches long and with a huge meat centre. Once back home it was the last episode of season 4 of the Wire.  I fell asleep and awoke with a couple of minutes to go and as Lillian refused to say what happened (nicely so) so will need to watch it again!

Tuesday 1st November

Monday 31st October

Halloween - and what a grey day it was.  Overcast and clouds.  Loads of them and temps barely above 72F.

Bowls had a familiar ring about it ...... two matches and two defeats.  My contributions were very minimal and it is easy to loose concentration when things are not going well.  Need to get drawn in 'Super Bob's Team' and get back to winning ways!

Trip into Larnaca and Carrefour and the bank for our weekly money.  I bought a 'jumper' in Carrefour - its getting cold!  That was the extent of the excitment.

Sunday 30th October

60F ....... Brrrrrrr

With the clocks 'going back' one hour as per changes in BST full use was made of the extra hour in bed being lazy.  In fact more than an extra hour was gained and it was not until 1100 we eventually got our act together to stroll down the road for our Sunday morning 'Full English'.  This has the added advantage of being able to use the free wifi provided by the restaurant to download the Sunday Times for reading suing the day.  It is also chance to 'surf the net' without the exorbitant charge of the 'dongle'.  How long can you stay over breakfast?  An hour and 30 mins and then you start to feel uncomfortable, not only from your expanded waistline but the use of the internet without adding to your order.

Rain on the Table!

Back home it was time to sit in the sunshine until 1600 although the last 45 minutes or so there was a continuing build up of cloud.  However it was soon time for bike riding and we set off with a determination to see how far we could go in 30 minutes compared to our ride earlier in the week when the wind was so strong. Just as we set off I thought I felt a spot of rain and sure enough 15 minutes from home the heavens opened and it poured.  We raced back home as quickly as we could but were soaked!  What surprising was how quickly the temperature dropped.  From 78F to 60F in 15 minutes.  A hot shower to warm us and then  on to activities for dark 'winter nights'.  I spent time organising all of the pictures taken in the last month on the computer and Lillian making two 'stepping stones' for the garden form small flat black stones collected from the beach.  She is sticking these onto a a sheet of garden webbing.  Pictures to follow when the project is complete.

Spent most of the remainder watching 'World News' - how exciting!

Saturday 29th October

The 'Pub' taken before setting off on Golf Day

Saturdays now run into a pattern, well they have for the last three weeks.  Bowls, garden, pub, meal and home. so the morning started brightly with all hands to the 'pump'.  Lillian sprayed and washed down the patio - floor, tables, chairs whilst I went in search of the last two bags of stones from the beach to complete the first phase of the 'stones' project.  The long wall under the ficus trees is now complete and the stones certainly look better than the bare earth.

Off to bowls.  My first session of two defeats and both heavily at that too.  Our first time that Lillian and I have been drawn to play together for both of our games.  Is there a correlation between Lillian and I playing on the same team and defeat.  I think there is ....... we are not very good as yet and when playing with others we hide our 'bad bowls' as somebody else is always there or there about.  On the way home I tried to blame our skip who was not very good and Lillian reminded me that I was skip on one game and I was not very good, never rescuing a point!  Enough said.  We will be better on Monday!

We enjoy very much the pottering in the garden and the 'Charlie' episode is one that we seem to be on top of although it is still sprouting especially through the stones, coming through the mat.  We stopped at a garden centre and Lillian bought some 'weedkiller'.  It is not so readily available as in UK and what she was given needed to be 'mixed' so a trip to Kleima store for a new spray canister and Lillian stalked the garden on a mission 'Kill Charlie'.  We will see.

We arrived at the Cottage Pub having walked from home 10 minutes into the football matches only to find that ipswich were already losing 0-2.  Not a good day.  The pub was emptier than usual as many had been there to watch the earlier matches, especially Chelsea v Arsenal.  A couple of hours later, with Ipswich losing 1-4, and the pub being decorated for a 'halloween' evening it was time to eat.  A trip into the square to 'The Coast of India' which really does superb indian food.  We overindulged and were quite full on the walk home.  It was a lot colder and I was freezing (low 60's) - surely this is the last time for me to go out late in shorts an T shirt.  I only have one sweater here.  Why didn't I listen to lillian when she suggested I bring more?

Friday 28th October

Taken during our drive on Wednesday

Not much to report. A very blustery day put us off setting out for an early morning bike ride so it was potter about until the afternoon.  Pottering about was the usual - a trip to the beach for some stones, a bit of work talking to the US and of course digging deep in search of the 'Charlie' root.  We really are becoming obsessive about this but it is so frustrating to spend an hour digging down 9 inches, picking out the smallest of roots to find in two days its growing again!

The bike ride setting off at 4.15 was hard work and we both puffed into head winds and so an hour was plenty.  Once back we deserved our drink on the patio, although not for long.  As soon as the sun sets the temp drops quickly and goes from 78 - 62 in the matter of 30 mins.  62F seems cold when you have spent the day in the low 80s.

Meal, Tv and bed!

Thursday 27th October

Narrow streets of Pano Lefkara

We certainly have settled into a pattern for our days.  Thursday is Bowls morning and a good turn out of me members celebrating their victory in the match played on Tuesday.  A morale boosting speech (I don't think)  by the Captain congratulating everyone for the fine win and setting out his determination to be the best club on the island.  There are only 6!

Anyway tow games were played and once again I was drawn with 'Super Bob' in the first match and thanks to his excellent bowling a win was sealed with his very last wood.  I made little contribution as I bowled far too erratically and it speaks highly of 'Super Bob', as the lady playing my lead bowled I would think 15 of her 22 bowls out the other end, that we should win.  My second match was again a very close match, again join to the last end and again thanks to all my team, including me, delivering great final bowls we ran out winners by 3 points.  2 wins again!  Hurrah.  Good for the spirits and good for me as I was able to hide at position 2 on both games, played on the same mat!

As usual home via the supermarket with the purchase of another hand trowel so we could continue the fight against 'Charlie'.  We are slowly winning but you clear an area thinking you have every root and its back in two days!  I got fed up and lazed in the tub whilst Lillian did two tubs of washing, ironing and changed the bed and prepared a meal.  She says I am very lucky to be still bringing in an income and wait the day that I stop and will then find out what 'my job is'.  We were going to bike ride but a strong wind started to blow so it was meal, video and bed.

Wednesday 26th October

Another sunny morning after what is becoming the norm in a chilly start.  Having had enough of fighting our losing battle with the dreaded long rooted Charlie we decided to go off on a venture in the car and drive, see if we could get lost (which we managed quite easily) and see some of the villages in the foothills of the Troodos mountains.

It was a lovely time and for four hours we just drove slowly taking in the views as Lillian tried to track our route on a not very good tourist map which clearly does not have all of the roads marked they we travelled along.  Each village seems to have its own church and some are just huge in comparison to the size of the village.  'Our church will be  bigger than your church' must be the mandate.  Some are perched right on top of a hill, whilst nearer to God we wondered how on earth they built them and who actually attends them?

Border look outs on Turkish side

Having lost our way and nearly ending up back into Larnaca we turned north on the old B road towards Nicosia (Lefkosia) to a village called Lympia.  There you could see the watch towers of the Turks at the border in the north whilst in the south there were soldiers with machine guns, hard hats etc.  It must be so boring on duty looking at each other all day.  The picture here was taken using my new telephoto lens and considering the distance I was away from the subject i am really pleased with this shot.

Once through Lympia we stopped at Dali where there are some old ruins that date from 400 BC.  Looked a pile of stones to me but Lillian, as ever was interested and ventured into the museum whilst I sat in the sun playing with my camera.  The curator was delighted to see someone and made her sit and watch a video presentation! From Dali it was on to the village of Tseri who enabled us to head up into the mountains as a route back south to the coast.  The road was narrow and winding with some stunning views. We stopped and looked, sighed and thought this would make an interesting trip for visitors.

As our journey was coming to an end we passed through a little village called Pano Lefkara which it would appear is famous for its traditional lace making.  There were a number of small shops in little side streets which all seemed to have an old lady sitting there 'lacing' if that is the word.  Lillian bought a runner for the  sideboard in the 'pool' room which is a fabulous piece of work.  The shops also had a predominance of silver jewellery made locally and I treated Lillian to a bracelet which was very pretty.  Much to my surprise she accepted it without her normal protests.  Played that all wrong LOL.

It was about 1630 when we got back home having driven some 80 miles in all.  So after some checking of work emails and strolling the garden we went to Tony's Grill and Bar (400 yards from us) to eat.  Not a great place but the food is good.

Tuesday 25th October

A warm and sunny start to the day meant up relatively early and a bike ride.  There are two main routes to follow away from the house.  Along Kite Beach and inland or up to Faros lighthouse and the coast path finishing inland across fields to the village and home.  We chose the later today along the path that goes between the fields and the sea.  The picture here shows the same potato fields that I took only a few weeks ago and referred to the other day.  See how the field is now green with plenty of white flowers showing?

Once at the end of the coast path instead of heading straight across the fields we went on for a while along the road which runs between the salt lake and the sea to what is known as Spiros Beach.  Named after the developer who has built the lovely sea facing villas that I envy for their sea view.  We stopped there and walked for a while and sat looking out to sea before the normal field route back home.  All in all I guess we were out biking for about 90 minutes.  Good for the fitness levels and I have lost 5/6 lbs in weight since we first came to Cyprus back in August.  A slightly smaller waistline and tummy can only be good for the overall health.

After playing / working in the garden on the dreaded 'Charlie search' (this job is never ending) and a trip to the beach for two bags of stones (another never ending job) we went into Larnaca to pay the internet bill for the 'dongle' the equivalent of 32GBP per month for a very slow connection.  We have had an email from the developer saying the sub-contractor should start the cable works within the next two weeks, that was 10 days ago but no sign yet.  There is a saying here amongst the expats who know that the Cypriots are 'Arabs with shoes' and that is exactly how they work.  A complete Dubai style to everything, 'Inshalla' (God willing) it will all happen but first we need our two hour lunch break.

A wander around the streets in Larnaca shows it to have all of the designer clothes shops that you would see in a Dubai shopping mall, only on a smaller stage and possibly the world's smallest Marks and Spencer which could probably first 5 times into the Clacton one!  After an hour you have done Larnaca so it was a walk along the 'Avenue of Palms' and to stop at a bar with free wifi to write some emails and download the Times newspapers onto the iPad.  This was to be an expensive stop costing 43 euro for two beers, two glasses of wine, some chicken wings and nachos (crisps covered in a cheese dip out of a bottle) so it was back home for yet another snack and two episodes of the 'The Wire'.

Monday 24th October

60 years and one month!  How time flies when you are having fun.  I can't believe that it is already one month since my lovely birthday celebration and that makes it almost a month since we have returned to our home here in Cyprus.

Monday is bowls morning and we were all asked to arrive 45 minutes earlier than normal for 'cleaning' as there is a match today (Tuesday) and the 'committee' wanted everything looking its best.  So brooms were found, clothes for bench washing and hoovers for the mats.  I hovered, not hoovered around, looking busy but just generally chatting and taking a supervisory role whilst Lillian washed and scrubbed benches to her heart's content.

So with spotless mats it was on to the matches and I was fortunate to end on the winning side both games, the second against the team Lillian was playing in.  She bowled far better than me in the second match and I am far too inconsistent with long, short and wide bowls the norm an the occaisional great roll.  Still it was good fun and an easy way to spend three mornings a week.  A stop at the beach not he way home for two more sacks of stones.  We need to venture to a new set of beaches as the perfect egg is becoming harder to find.

With stones to place it was 'hunting Charlie' for me.  It seems to spring up by the hour and with it coming  through the mat under the stones it is hard to get the whole root, not wanting to cut the mat.  Lillian spent the afternoon writing a report for my on an analysis of the examination results of the WCL Group schools.  She has to earn her keep after all.

Whilst 'gardening' a photo opportunity arose with a preying mantis making its way across the path.  I took lots of pictures but as I am still experimenting with camera settings not all were good.  However they are unique for me and as it moved quite quickly not so bad.

Evening at home watching 'The Wire'.  Bed about 1030.