Monday 15th August

A day of rest as its a National Holiday in Cyprus. Assumption Day - ashamedly I had to look up the complete meaning for the day on Wikipedia. I was right in what I had thought but needed the confirmation.

With it being a holiday we had expected the 'holiday home' Cypriots from Houses 4 and 13 to be here with lots of children in the pool but once again we are 'Home Alone' with nobody else at Perivolia Residences. Note the extra 'i after the r' in Perivolia. It is most confusing as on the same road you can see signs printed with it and without. On maps some have and some do not. So with the swimming pool clear it was length time and we both managed our 20 lengths. 20 lengths sounds a lot but as the pool is 15m long its really not far and with a touch of the wall at each end to turn round its getting slightly easier. Sadly as my weight has only reduced for all of this endeavour by 1.4 Kg I can't be using that many calories ....... perhaps if I drink less beer in the evening. Cold beer and warm climates go so nicely together.

With Emily coming in just a couple of weeks we drove along the coast to Agia Napa to 'check it out'. Emily has a couple of friends who will be there on holiday when she is with us so we are sure she will want to visit. Agia Napa is really a pretty, small village / town with a nice harbour which has a range of boats including the many tourist trip type. A visit to the ghost town of Farmugusta, the Yellow Submarine or a ride on the 'Black Pearl' which is converted into a motorised pirate ship complete with its own Jack Sparrow. Clearly aimed at young people, those we saw disembarking seemed to be having a good time and joining into the 'spirit of things'. By the look of a couple there must have been plenty of 'spirit' available on board.

At Lillian's idea we walked along the sandy beach at the waters edge, the only one's wearing much clothing! It was packed sunbed to sunbed with some great sun tans on show but also some very red and sore bodies that must have belonged to the 'just arrived'. The sea was very clear and many were swimming and playing in the water. We dodged tennis bat games as we walked about 15 minutes each way. Not long but the sand here is yellow / white compared with the grey of Faros beach where we are. This really is a 'young people' place and for all of the time walking the beach we only saw a couple of children. No families. Were we the oldest people on the beach I thought. Must have been close.

A beer by the harbour and drive home via the A3 quick road. Whilst around the harbour Agia Napa retains a 'fishing port' look and feel but the main street leading to the hotels is full of pubs, bars and eating places to which we assume the 'young and fun set' flock at night giving the town its tourist reputation. I don't think we will visit at night but as a trip out it was nice. We stopped the car quickly at Faros beach on the way home for Lillian to collect 7 more flat stones for her path she is making from the pool gate to the back door. 3 steps done and looks like 7 to go. Each step, arranged as a square has 11 stones. All very technical.

Eat out night at the fish taverna we went to last week, although I did not have fish. Pork chop which was huge and very nice. Service is really not very good there with a young local girl of about 18 running the bar and taking food orders. She looks fairly disinterested and disorganised returning to tables with a glass and then going back to collect some sauce or whatever. Still we have plenty of time so its not a problem. Less wind tonight so a very slow walk back home. It is good to enter Perivolia residences and see the pool lit up at night. It changes every 20 minutes or so lighting the surrounds and the water in turn.