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.