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.