Tuesday 28th February 2012

Rain, wind and even hailstones ......... a stormy day to say the least.  With rain starting at 0700 hours and continuing on and off all day this was certainly the worst days weather experienced in the sunny island of Cyprus!

We had planned to go to the garden centre to look at some trees that we could get to replace the two that look dead but the weather was very off putting.  So it was a trip out in the car to Ikea in Lefkosia where some cushions, a table for the garden, candles and a few other bits were purchased.  This was followed by a stroll around the Mall of Cyprus, which is next door to Ikea, browsing in the book shop which had a good selection of recommended ‘international’ reads which were all in English.  The Mall of Cyprus is, we think, the largest mall on the island yet is so small compared with the two largest shopping malls in the world in Dubai.  We were spoilt there that’s for sure.  

On the drive back the sun tried to shine through the rain and there were some wonderful rainbows.  Lillian tried to photograph them on her phone as we drove along.  This one was the best, which is OK considering she was getting soaked with the window down.  

Once home the first task was to rescue the patio furniture that had been blown across the garden.  An hour of work on the computer, some reading, a meal and TV.

Roll on Summer  LOL

Monday 27th February 2012

We awake to typical Bank Holiday weather with which we are so familiar - rain.  Absolutely pouring through the night and well into the morning.  Can you see the puddles?

No Bowls today.  We had assumed there would not be any due to the Bank Holiday but after the rain there would have not been any anyway!

Today is ‘Green Monday’ which marks the beginning of Lent, 50 days before Easter for the Greek Orthodox Easter does not always coincide with Western Easter.  Green Monday is a family day, with a tradition of flying kites.

Late morning when the rain had stopped we walked down to the beach and along to Faros lighthouse.  We were out for nearly three hours. The kite and wind surfers were out in force and raced along across the waves.  All looked pretty cold to me, especially as the waves were quite large and crashing on the shore.

Despite the strong wind we saw a number of families picnicking along the beach from the back of cars, taking whatever shelter they could find from some bushes and their car.  As we walked back along the road, we saw others with large tables spread in gardens.  Such a shame to have to wear coats as the strong wind was cold, whereas the sun very warm.  Needed to find sheltered spots. It should have been yesterday which was lovely. We also saw a number trying to fly their traditional kites.  Although there was strong wind not many had a great deal of success, getting the kite into the air only for it to suddenly crash to the ground.  Dad’s seemed to be enjoying it whilst children just looked on!  Always the same.

Faros Beach looked lovely and we were again reminded how lucky we are to be here.  

Back home the wind was too strong for the garden and Lillian sat reading and I played with photos on the computer, cropping, enhancing and sorting and also doing some WCL work.

A lovely evening meal at a Fish Taverna on Mackenzy Beach.  Sitting at a window right next to the waves we enjoyed Sea Bass and Sea Bream with a bottle of local very cold white wine. (Thanks Julia) The fish was lovely although on 'swapping for a taste' we could hardly tell the difference between the two!

Sunday 26th February 2012

Sunday the day of rest!  

A very leisurely stroll into the village late morning to indulge ourselves with a ‘Full English Breakfast’ and loan of wifi so as to download the Sunday Times newspaper onto the ipad.  

On return its collect some leaves that have fallen from the bougainvillea, pull out a few bits of ‘Charlie’ and a quick trip to the beach for two bags of stones.  Reading, sitting in the sun (another nice day although a ‘chilly’ breeze) and three episodes of Prison Break are the remaining exertions of the day.

Look what happens if you don’t keep an eye on ‘Charlie’.  A picture of next door’s garden.

Saturday 25th February 2012

I like Saturdays.  They have become my favourite day of the week here in Cyprus.  A day of bowls followed by football and sport watching at the Cottage Pub, meeting with people we have come to know.  Its a day of results.  But when you get thrashed twice at bowls, Ipswich take 2500 fans on an away trip full of optimism and they lose 3-0 and you watch England lose the rugby in the last minutes, bringing up images of old friend Barrie Martin jumping about screaming the virtues of being Welsh, is it a good day?

The weather was beautiful today.  Once again clear blue skies and warm temperatures which reached mid 70s in the afternoon.  It felt very warm.

I set off to bowls in shorts and a shirt, although taking my sweater just in case.  Each time I go I sit and change my shoes next to an older couple Pat and Colin.  They have been in Cyprus 15 years.  I was drawn to play with Pat in our first game in which we were thrashed  and I moaned to her that I was ‘useless’ today.  No you weren’t she said you bowled some good ones that were only a few centimeters out.  Ah I said you mean if only I bowled a few centimeters to the left my bowl would have stayed on the rink instead of going off.  Yes she said and then I would have had something to bounce my rubbish bowls off.  What a nice lady.

My second game was was with I was teamed with Colin.  I like Colin.  He is tall and thin and often the trousers he wears are from fatter days and are bunched at the waist by a large belt.  He always wears and old yellow faded baseball hat and his hands are bent with arthritis, so much so that when he bowls I wonder if his bowl will ever reach the other end, but it always does.  We were thrashed 14-2 in our match and at the end he says ‘We could have easily won that’. ‘How did you work that Colin?’ I asked. ‘Well if we had only got 6 more of our bowls closer to the jack it would have been 8-8 and then it would have been anyones game’.  Great stuff, nice people.

Home to any empty house so I sat on the patio in the sun before Lillian and Julia arrived back from a beach walk carrying bags of small coloured stones rather than big white.  Not sure what the plan is for them, but there will be.  Julia  sat and finished painting her stone with her name and date and we held the stone laying ceremony where it will sit and certainly be the nicest momentoe  of her visit.  They then went off into the hills in search of lace in the village of Lefkara, one place that had been promised for a trip all week, that had not been achieved.  I excused myself as I wanted to go to the pub, but asked for them to call in on the way to the airport to say goodbye to Julia.  This they did right on time of 1800 and I was able to go out and speak.  It was nice having Julia here and hope she enjoyed the time.  She seemed too.

In the pub I sat next to big Ken of Kiti and his wife Margaret both splendid in the red of Wales.  They are members of the bowls club.  Ken is a frequent writer on the Eastern Cyprus Forum website where he signs himself as Big Ken of Kiti and adds a cartoon image of Santa.  He is a BIG man with white beard and long white hair worn in a pony tail.  The image is right.  Margaret is a Scot and yet was wearing the red of Wales.  When Wales scored their winning try and after the English were disallowed theirs in the final seconds Margaret came in for some stick from rugby followers Gareth and Big Dave (another BIG man), both wearing England rugby shirts,  about only following one team.  Margaret  replied as quick and as calm as you like .... ‘But I’m ambidextrous’.  Priceless.  A nice moment.  Margaret relayed to Lillian that two weeks ago she was in wearing her tartan when England had played Scotland and ‘they’ had been giving her hell so it was pay back time.  Nice people.

Home after the games, for another drink and a pizza, whilst we watched two episodes of Prison Break.

Supporting winning teams is not always necessary to have a good day.  Today was full of nice moments.

Friday 24th February 2012

Angeloktisti Church in Kiti 

After a restless night we awoke to a beautiful day with clear blue skies and sun shining.  Very quickly the temperature rose to high 60s and by mid-day was 74F.  This stayed throughout the day until about 1630 when clouds started to form and the temperature dropped rapidly to 50s.

Once again not much to report of note today.  Julia was impressed at seeing a preying mantis sitting in the sunshine on the thermometer.  The first of the year.  Both Lillian and Julia went to the bank, post office and into Larnaca to shop at Lidl and walk.  I chose to sit and read and as the temperature rose I even took my shirt off to start the suntan process.  It was lovely on the patio without any breeze.

The shoppers returned loaded with two large bags of supplies and with tales of stopping at the Angeloktisti Church in Kiti.  An 11th century Byzantine church it has one of the finest piece of Byzantine art, a rare 6th century mosaic of the Virgin Mary.  Lillian and Julia were both impressed with what they saw and described the mosaic as ‘beautiful’.  They were not the only visitors and said that there was a lot of lighting of candles and kissing the pictures of the saints.  I have not been inside but certainly from outside it is a ‘work of art’.

An afternoon of sitting in the sunshine and as the afternoon cooled Julia and I went to collect stones and walk on Kiti beach.  Oh we do like to be beside the sea side.  The tide was out so we were able to walk around the headland onto the sandy Kiti beach which is like many of the Cyprus sandy beaches grey.

Still more to collect!

On return Julia set about starting her stone decoration for garden.  Earlier friends Chris and Nick Plastow decorated a stone using Lillian’s nail varnish with their name and date.  At that time we decided it would become ‘compulsory’ for all visitors to do the same.  Julia will I am sure set the standard to which others will aspire.  Already we have another four sets of visitors booked so it will be  good way to record their visit.  I hope that everyone will willingly do the same.

An enjoyable evening at home.  Lillian prepared once again a lovely meal and we chatted well into the next morning!

Thursday 23rd February 2012

Not so much to report for today.  Although up and out of bed at the normal time of 0800 I couldn’t really get myself going and felt really tired.  After blog and coffee it was soon 0945 and a bowls morning.  It took time to decided that it was not shorts weather and I dressed in jeans and sweater.  Dad would not approve of playing in such clothing.  However for the first time when departure time came I decided not to go.  Its not compulsory!

For most of the morning Lillian and I sat in the ‘TV room’.  Lillian completing forms for the bank and myself flicking through the various news and greek channels, never staying long on any of them.  BBC World News continually loops through the same news events.  When you watch the sad happenings in Syria one wonders if that was why the army were ‘playing games’ a couple of days ago, after all Syria is not far away.

As the morning changed to afternoon the clouds disappeared and we decided to walk to the beach.  Julia has fallen into the ‘trap’ of our stony beach and and searches amongst the stones for the perfect smooth shape and colour.  She even found a couple of shells for our pot of ‘Dubai’ shells.  Shells are a rarity.  Lillian and her compare and sort and discard and with me walking as slowly as I can I am soon 100yards plus ahead and sit on a large boulder by the water edge waiting for them to catch up.  The panoramic picture above was taken whilst I waited.  Only when the picture is magnified greatly can you see them in the far distance.

Back home, after a sandwich lunch Lillian set about the garden and pulled out three habiscus plants near the boundary wall that clearly have the dreaded ‘black spot’.  It leaves the far corner bare, but gave a chance to dig and clear any ‘Charlie’ roots.  A job I did whilst Lillian and Julia set off to explore Larnaca leaving me with strict instructions to ‘keep an eye’ on the chicken that was roasting.  That I did and a lovely evening meal it made with all the normal roast trimmings.  We all agree Cyprus potatoes are the best.

An evening in with a ‘rubbish’ film from the video collection starring Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie!

Wednesday 22nd February 2012

Troodos Square

Grey and overcast skies welcomed the day with virtually 100% cloud cover, although it did not feel too cold.  Had kinda got used to the blue sky sunny mornings so some disappointment.

A day for travels.  240Km altogether.  Leaving home about 1130 it was along our favourite road, and fast becoming one for Julia, the coastal road to Zygi where we joined the A1 to Lemosos (Limassol) From Lemosos turning north along the B8 to take the steady and at times steep climb towards Troodos.  

As we climbed the temperature started to drop and was soon down to 3C where we saw our first snow.  The roads were fairly clear, streaked in places with melting snow.  We were able to point out where we had not risked going any further when we visited last month and had stopped and built our snowman.  The remains were still there!  We continued on only to find, too our surprise that Troodos Square was just around the corner.  Had we known we could have walked there last month.

Where is the shovel?

The snow was deeply piled on both sides of the road, with unusual things just poking out.  The top of a yellow letter box, the top of a park bench seat and a virtually buried car.  It doesn’t look as if this one is going to move until spring!  We walked and admired views taking pictures before lunching at the Troodos restaurant which was busy with tourists.  

After lunch it was back in the car to drive even higher to Mt Olympus peak where the ski runs are.  There we walked, watched and chatted to an english couple who were skiing.  They felt it was good snow the four main runs were good fun and said the season would last for another month. The Cyprus Ski School were there in force offering ski equipment for hire and lessons.  Something for the future although as we have found previously the roads will need to be clear to get there.  Back down the north side of the mountains afforded some lovely views and a very windy road

Stories from ski trips long gone!

It was nearly 1700 by the time that we had returned, just getting dark.  An enjoyable trip out for us all.  

Back home Lillian once again gets her homework done at the last minute and its off to Greek lessons for her.  Julia and I joined Lillian after her lesson in Bar Coast for a 'snack' and a drink.  We were still 'full' from lunchtime eating.

Tuesday 21st February 2012

Tourist Beach Agia Napa February 2012

0800 and the start of another bright sunny day.  At that time the outside the temperature on the patio thermometer showed 45F although with clear skies and the sun shining. The day was predicted, according to the internet to reach a maximum of 17C / 63F in Larnaca but it topped 23C / 74F on the patio during the afternoon.  Not exactly full sunbathing weather but very nice with hardly a cloud in the sky.

So the morning started with coffee and blog, writing the account of yesterday, followed by some browsing on the net and then some preparation work for the IT conference call scheduled for 1730 in the afternoon.  With only 3GB per month data allowance, accessing the internet via the dongle, general browsing has to be restricted although a quick look at the Ipswich website, followed the football update on the BBC website are always allowed!  

It was a couple of hours before any stirring is heard from upstairs by which time I had made a quick trip to the beach for two bags of stones.  It would seem that the chatting last night went on past 0200 hrs!

Tourist Beach Agia Napa September 2011

With the sun shining we decided to have a ‘at home day’,  Julia not feeling too energetic for a day out.  So playing in the garden doing some digging of ‘Charlie’ which still remains under the leylandi trees by the pool which are without stone cover, reading my book and generally being lazy.  Throughout the day there were large bangs and explosions to be heard, which can only be assumed as the army playing ‘war games’.

Julia and Lillian went off to the bank to pay our maintenance charge and shop for dinner and later they accompanied a second trip to the beach for stones.  Disaster struck when I overfilled one of the bags causing the handle to break.  Hmm this could slow the pace of collection or there will be need to invest in a new bag! Our proposed beach ride was halted by muddy pathways, as I was not wanting to risk the car over sticky ground.  Should have got a four wheel drive.  However our path could well have been blocked by the army, had we ventured further.  We could see a number of tents and lorries camping within the trees by the beach.  Even from a 100 yards away it was also easy to see vehicles and a couple of ‘camouflaged camps’ along the water edge.  Are they expecting something or just practicing? 

An evening at home which included a fine dinner prepared by Lillian.  Hmm such a good cook.

Spot the differences in today's pictures?

Monday 20th February 2012

Happy Days.

Bleep bleep, bleep bleep, bleep bleep.  The dust cart reversing down the road.  Look at the clock 0405 ....... surely its not right. Yes 0405 and the bins are being emptied.  Amazing.  Certainly not something to happen in the UK.  Trouble is now wide awake and it takes an hour of reading to go back to sleep.

Ding ding, ding ding.  Lillian’s phone and a SMS message arriving.  Look at the clock. 0840.  Bowls is on this morning.  Having missed Saturday when the SMS message said mats too wet after the storm on Thursday night it was up for coffee, a quick bit of writing on the blog and off, leaving Lillian reading her book.  She decided not to come to be at home and keep Julia company.

Although Bowls is set to start at 1015 people are still arriving at 1025 which means a recalculation of the number of players and number of mats to be used.  A sharp rebuke from the Chairman for all.  Drawn on the wretched F mat for the first game.  This mat has a mind of its own due to the  irregular surface underneath and fortunately for me it even makes the good bowlers look poor at times!  When you bowl poorly to start with it becomes a nightmare and does nothing for your confidence.  I contribute nothing to my team and we are easily beaten.  Depressing.  However smiles return with the second game on D mat which is so much better.  On this mat you know it will come in sharply from the right and stay fairly straight when you bowl down the left side.  My team play well and score 18 points after 9 ends before the opposition get a look in, saving the whitewash on the 10th end.  We score another three on the last end to end resounding 21-2 winners.  At the end of the game I put the scoreboard back in the cupboard with the score still displayed.  A moment of glory.

Agia Napa Parade

Back home the ladies have done every little so I clean the car before lunch and then its a trip to the beach to collect stones.  I think I have said this before but two bags, each full so that I can just about lift them into the car, do not go very far when set under the ficus trees.  About a 4-5 foot length is covered.  Probably another 8 trips to get to the end of the wall.  The sun shines and the temperature on the patio thermometer reaches 72F.  It is really very pleasant and whilst Lillian and Julia read I just sit enjoying the warmth.

As evening fell Lillian, like a naughty school girl who leaves things to the last minute, gets out her Greek homework in preparation for her evening lesson.  79% in her test last week, with which she was pleased as she had not been there for the lessons! Julia and I sat listening to music at home whilst Lillian worked in her class, joining her in Kokos for an evening meal.

Early to bed for me after the wakening of last night.  For Lillian and Julia ...... still plenty to talk about.

Sunday 19th February 2012

Once again we awake to blue skies and little less wind - it now must have be registering a strong breeze.  Time to sit and eat toast on the patio where it is sheltered and despite the thermometer only reading 62F it felt a lot warmer.

Hmmm lovely

What to do today?  A drive out so Julia could see some of the island, so leaving about mid-day we set off through Larnaca and along the coast road to Agia Napa.  The drive takes no more than 45 minutes.

On arrival we were surprised to see roads blocked and crowds of people walking towards the main square.   We deviated off to a car park, right on the beach where a guy guarding the entrance was signalling that it was full.  I drove in anyway and was able to find a space!

Dancing in the street

Tannoy and music blared across the bay and it soon became obvious what the attraction was. A carnival / street procession made up of customary floats and lots of 'dance troupes' dressed in a whole range of brightly coloured costume. From announcements in English as well as Greek the participants had come from all over the island. It all seemed good fun and was being enjoyed by children and adults in the crowd that lined both sides of the street.

What was unusual compared with a  carnival / street procession in the UK there was nobody collecting for any form of charity so we were at a loss to think of the reason for the parade except to have some fun.  Opportunities for photos were many and I clicked away happily trying to get some unusual shots.  Although many seemed what they are - snaps!

Although we walked around the harbour and looked at the sandy beach which was totally empty compared with the huge numbers of people we had seen in August, we did not join the many that were sitting outside bars and restaurants making the most of the sunshine.

The last rays of the day at Cape Grecko

It was back into the car and on to Cape Grecko the far eastern point of the island although arriving there after four it was starting to get cold so we looked at the sea, took some more snaps and soon it was time to head back home although firstly driving north to Paralimni and then part way on the motorway before cutting back down to the coastal road that we had followed on the way out.  Once into Larnaca we went along the sea front, which was surprisingly busy with people out walking, before reaching home about 1800.

It had been a nice day out.

Saturday 18th February 2012

A lovely day with blue skies from morning to night and plenty of sunshine, although the temperature did not get above 62F due to the wind still blowing strongly.  Sitting on the patio it was at times quite warm.  If only you could keep out of the wind!

With a fairly late start to the day, giving Julia time to orientate herself and get settled we sat for a while just chatting.  Although the conversations changed from one thing to another I found myself wandering off around the garden, typing the bushes that are trying hard to withstand the bashing from the wind, pulling some Charlie, collecting leaves and cutting a couple of black underlay strips and fitting ready for stones on top.

There must be a white one here somewhere?

As morning turned into afternoon it was time to go for a drive and collect stones.  We went up to the lighthouse and along the car track by the sea, getting out to look at the view a couple of times, eventually making a stop at Umbrella beach to collect stones for the garden.  Back into the car I drove to the coastal road which goes to Zygi although turning off to to Mazatos and then via Terasafanou to Kiti where we stopped at the old church for Julia to take pictures.  The church was closed but Lillian chatted with the guy in the small gift shop and bought a calendar which has the months and days of the week in greek.  It now hangs on the fridge so that she can practice each day.  It was an enjoyable couple of hours for us all.

Back home it was decided that it was getting cold to sit outside due to the wind, whereas with the underfloor heating going and the sun shining through the glass it was too warm!  At 1630 it was time for me to stroll to the Cottage pub for the afternoon football watching.  I know quite a few people in there now so I stood with a Sheffield Utd and a Doncaster Rovers supporter as we watch Norwich lose at home (Hurrah) as the match keeping an eye on the latest scores for our respective teams.  Two very happy guys, especially me letting out my customary yelp each time it flashed up that Ipswich had scored.  It has become a bit of a joke with a number in the pub!  3-0 win and the fourth on the trot for the first time since 2006.  Happy times.

At 1900 Lillian and Julia arrived ..... as planned and from there we went to Soutsos for a meal.  The main restaurant was full of locals celebrating at a birthday party.  All dressed in their finest clothes.  Interesting to see that the men all wear suits at such functions, even the youngest.  All very smart.  With the party was local music which was good if not somewhat loud although we left before any dancing started, which we were sure would follow.  The meal was good and for Julia the first taste of gleeko, a sugared fruit.  She enjoyed this local treat especially the walnuts.

A lovely day.

Friday 17th February 2012

Our 'road' after the rain storm

Steve's Birthday.  Happy Birthday Steve - 28 years old!

For us the day started very early ....... like 0200 with the most heavy rain storm lashing against the windows.  On and on it went so much so we spent time looking out of the window at the strength of the rain and wind.  Water dripping through the second bathroom ceiling, fortunately into the bath kept the eyelids open.  A cup of tea at 0400 and eventually back to sleep around 0500 by when the storm had blown itself out to no more than heavy rain.

A trip to the bank and into Larnaca for Carrefour and Lidl.  At the bank Lillian paid car tax of € 56 for the year.  All car tax is due on 1st January.  There is a sliding scale just like in the UK depending on the size and emissions of the car.  Here in Cyprus banks seem to be available for payment for much more things than just dealing with your own banking, paying electric and our site maintenance charges.  A grey printed tax disc is given but you DO NOT display it, just keeping it along with insurance in the glove compartment for showing on demand i.e. if you get stopped speeding on the Nicosia road.  With low speeds but good cars I will go carefully not to have to get the docs out of the box!

Larnaca was quiet, although we were wandering round just after the lunch period, when of course the majority of shops shut!  Lillian has forgotten to pack her training shoes so new ones need to be purchased for walking!  On the way back home we stopped in Kiti to buy to black ground sheeting ready for more stone collecting.  That already laid has certainly helped in keeping Charlie at bay although not eradicated it completely. As we drove back along the coast road the waves were certainly big. The intention was to start stone collecting again, however the very strong winds put us off going to the beach.  There is plenty of time.

At 1930 we went to the airport to collect Julia whose Easyjet flight arrived on time and she was soon 'through' passport control.  Another person surprised at the cursory glance the official gives to a British passport.  We sat chatting and nibbling pitta, humous etc and the odd glass or three of wine for us and just a coke for Julia who now abstains due to her health.

Thursday 16th February 2012

Woken to the sound of Lillian's phone receiving a SMS message ..... 'Mats wet but playable - Bowls open' so for the first time since mid-December we set off to play bowls at the Kiti and Pervolia Bowls Club.

If we felt apprehensive at from wandering in after what seemed a long time away this was soon dispelled by the warm welcome we received with joking wishes for a 'Happy New Year'.  It seemed that we had not missed much as the club had only been open on four occasions in the last month due to the weather.  It was good to play again as it is a bit of fun although although that we had learnt, certainly for me anyway had clearly been forgotten and the usual too long, too wide, too short pattern of inconsistency soon emerged as the regular pattern of play.  Two games and two defeats for me, although I think it a bit unfair to be drawn to play against 'Super Bob' in both games!  The period of not very much play not affecting his aim.  Looking across the lanes Lillian seemed to be fair a lot better with some very nice shots being played amidst lots of laughter.  She does like to wind the men up!

From bowls it was back home, in lovely sunshine although increasing wind, to play in the garden and sit with a book.  Need to get used to doing nothing again.

Whilst in Dubai we bought as a bargain 4 'flying saucer' shaped solar lights, although had gone in search of more flowers without luck.  It took no time to fix them together and we wait to see how they light up later once charged. I like out flowers very much although sadly nay three of the four now work.

After last night out at the pub, tonight was a night in watching the continued DVD story Prison Break.  All gripping stuff.

Wednesday 15th February 2012

Our first full day back in Cyprus so it had to be a lazy one.

Dead Hibiscus tree?

Up late and after breakfast it was out into the garden to start the tidy up.  Charlie was about but is no way as strong a force as it has been in the past.  Perhaps it too did not like the wet and cold that has been the weather here since we have been away.  We have been told that it has been the wettest January for 80 years in Cyprus and the muddy road certainly confirms it.  It is nice to be back pottering about.

A short, sharp heavy rain storm though unfortunately put an end to gardening and time was spent writing some emails and generally just sitting whilst Lillian brushed up on her greek to attend classes again in the evening.  After such a break she wonders if they will keep her in the class and she will be told she can't attend.

A quick dinner and Lillian went to classes and I went to the pub.  Its nice that the few people we know there want to talk and hear of our travels away.  I think they think we are jet setters!

Tuesday 13th February

A month since the last post!  During this time we have been busy travelling.

Cyprus to Doha in Qatar, Doha to Dubai, Untied Arab Emirates, Dubai to London and for me London to Washington DC to London and back to Pervolia, Larnaca Cyprus.  7 flights and all work except for 6 days including weekends.

Its great to be back for one month rest before its back to Washington via London for possibly my last three weeks of my working life.

After a lovely final evening at Lincoln Road with Andrew, Steve, Emily and Katie, who is now staying at Lincoln Road 4 nights a week due to her having a job nearby, it was an early start.  Taxi and 0600 meant up before that, but no traffic with an early start arrival at Terminal 3 was quick.  After a stop in the lounge we were soon loaded aboard ready for the flight.  At Terminal 3 there is a bus ride to the plane which was probably only half full.  We fly British Airways due to all of the airmiles I have built up on travels making this flight 27 GBP each, however I really do think the service leaves a lot to be desired.  However generally flights go and arrive on time, although my recent flight from Washington was cancelled all together leaving me waiting 7 hours for the next.  I accepted the consolation prize of being upgraded to business!

A short tax ride 18 euros from the airport and we were home.  The garden has taken a bashing with two of the bougainvillaea trees looking to be completely dead.  I guess it must have been the high winds and cold. It is a shame as the single feature tree was doing so well.  We will need to wait and see if it comes back to life in spring or it will need changing.  However the house is fine, if not a little cold at first although the time we went to bed it was warming up as the underfloor heating started to get going.  Doesn't make everywhere hot but certainly snug.

We were tired and so a DVD in bed and soon to sleep.