Sunday 29th April 2012

Another warm day although with no blue skies. Throughout the day there was 100% thin grey cloud cover making any distant viewing very hazy.

Sea Caves

 Yesterday, when wandering in Larnaca brother Kevin fancied a boat trip to the old ghost town of Farmagusta.  However they only run on Saturday and Wednesday from the marina.  Therefore we decided on a whim to travel to Agia Napa to see if anything was different from there.  A late and lazy start we drove through Larnaca taking the coast road to Dhekhelia which runs parallel and close to the sea, to the Sovereign base, which the road routes then through taking the last part of the journey on the main inland A road.  Don’t understand why this is so when we were not allowed in the base at Eposkipi.  However brother Kevin was interested in the regiments that were stationed there, saying that most would be in reserve for deployment to Afghanistan.

Fish in the harbour

Agia Napa Harbour

Once in Agia Napa we first visited the famous Nissi Beach which is white / yellow sand compared to the normal grey.  It looks beautiful on the calendar of Cyprus beaches which hangs in the kitchen but not so today.  The grey clouds made the water also look decidedly grey, with little blue colour although it looked crystal clear.  The beach had many holiday people on sun loungers and we wondered what it is like with wall to wall bodies come August.  From there we journeyed on to the old harbour of Agia Napa passing through the area of bars, clubs, tourist shops and of course restaurants.  

Spotting something of interest

The harbour at Agia napa is actually very pretty and we wandered looking at the boats.  No trips to Farmagusta from here today either but we all agreed on an 1.5 hour trip along the coast at €7 per head seemed reasonable.  A quick and expensive snack and we were away for what was an enjoyable trip, firstly riding close to the sea caves and then along the coast past Nissi Beach to an anchor point where the boat stopped for a while and a few brave soles jumped from the boat to swim.  Whilst the water was clear it looked fairly cold to me, but mach men shouted out it was lovely urging others to join.  Only one girl who followed her boyfriend screamed “Its freezing!”  The trip finshed ten minutes short of the 90 minutes but I don’t think anybody minded much.

The drive back was uneventful except for a stop at a roadside stall to but fresh strawberries, water melon and salad stuff.  After a welcome home drink it was time to eat and then two games of Yahtzee which was fun with Kevin winning both games.

Saturday 28th April 2012

Another warm and sunny day with temperatures rising to 75F although late afternoon cloud.  

View across the local fields

Up early to take the bike to the Bike Shop, which is in Larnaca for puncture repair.  It just about fitted into the car with the rear seats folded flat.  A round trip of just under the hour with a stop at Lidl for bread and rolls.  You would think there would be a bike shop nearer to go to especially as you see so many people riding?  Initially I was told that the workshop was full and the shop was closed on Monday and Tuesday it would be Thursday before the bike was returned.  A groan and some pleading meant I left the bike with the promise of a telephone call.  Three hours later we were called to say it was ready. A new inner tube required.

Saturday is usually bowls morning but with visitors and having been three times this week we decided to give it  a miss and we took Julia and Kevin into Larnaca.  It was market day in the main car park (fruit and veg) made for difficult parking but once sorted the stalls of the market and the shops in general were attractions.  Kevin and I soon got fairly bored with shops yet they seem to have unlimited attraction to the ladies.  A plan is fixed that we will walk together to the marina and along the front leaving the ladies in the craft area to browse, lunch and then get a taxi home whilst Kevin and I collect the bike, go home and then go to the pub.  This seems to gain everyone's approval so that is what we did.

Last games of the season for the Championship which for some reason kick off early at 1230 UK time.  Ipswich gain a 3-2 win away to bottom and relegated team Doncaster and so finish in their lowest league position for 56 years.   Not a season to remember and we look forward to the summer of transfer talk and new signings of players.  First friendly of the new season has been announced for 27th July.  Nearly three months away!

Road to the beach bar

After a few beers it was bak home only to find the ladies had not arrived.  Kevin immediately had his ‘sounds’ wrapped around his ears and I lazed in the hot tub until eventually the ladies returned and joined me for a soak.  Very nice too and with the water set at 37C very warm also.

We all walk back into the village to eat at the Coast of India and wander back admiring the stars and agreeing with have the perfect location with short walks to the beach and village.  Still would love a full time sea view instead of a glimpse from the balcony.  Other than that what more could we want?

Friday 27th April

View point 

Another warm and sunny day with temperatures rising to 75F although late afternoon cloud.  

A bit of an adventure day as brother Kevin needed to visit the Royal Sovereign Base at Episkopi which is about a 90 minute drive from Pervolia.  It was decided that we all would go driving along the coastal road to Zygi before joining the A road to Lemesos and from there following the map along another coastal road.  Whereas the area around Pervolia is flat, here the coastal roads run along the top of high cliffs affording lovely views of the sea which is starting to appear bluer everyday.

Brothers

At the  base we were not all allowed in as we did not have passes, so Lillian, Julia and I walked down a lane to a view point whilst kevin took the car to do what he needed to do.  The view we found was lovely and time was spent taking pictures and just gazing in the sunshine.  An hour had soon passed and a quick phone call found Kevin had finished what he needed to do and we met up on the road.  We continued to drive onwards to Pissouri, passing the road where friends from Dubai Martin and Wendy live.  We must get in touch with them.  We thought we had remembered the route to a beach bar they had taken us to on one of our few visits to them, but instead found a different one in a small cove.

Lunch was great with four different meals selected, with a couple of glasses of wine and beers.  The calamari was fresh and good.  After lunch it was a stroll along the beach, Julia and Lillian spending time picking small stones and shells whilst I played with the camera using the zoom lens to take a large number of pictures, just a few are seen here.  More will appear in the days ahead. Lillian took over the driving on the way home, allowing the brothers to snooze in the back.

Lillian and Julia 

Once home, much to our surprise Kevin and Julia were off on the bikes.  Kevin has been saying that he was going for a run since he arrived but has been forbidden by Julia.  He has a slight calf injury which has been taking time to heal so we were surprised to see him running pushing the bike on his return.  Thinking he was in training and had got his way it would seem this was not planned.  The bike has a puncture and he had run with it back from Faros Lighthouse, about a mile away.  A trip to the bike shop tomorrow is required.

After drinks on the patio and showers for those who needed it was a few nibbles and a DVD to pass the evening.  Harry Brown starring Michael Caine, a good vigilante film.  All in all a very enjoyable day.

Thursday 26th April

Another warm and sunny day.  Speak to anyone who has been in Cyprus for a few years and they say winter has gone and its now sunshine all the way.  Apart from some large late afternoon clouds they could be right!  

With the sunshine the worst arrival is mosquitos.  Urgh.  Their bites itch like mad for at least three days and we all compare as if they are a badge of honour who has the most. Lillian and Julia are perfecting the art of splattering them with a fly swat and all receive their wrath if you go out and leave the door open.  Need to get on and organise fly screens.

A morning at bowls and a good turn out with 5 of the 6 mats in use.  Unfortunately all of the practice tips from the day before left me confused on what I was trying to do and for the first game to say I was rubbish was being kind.  Playing against probably the two best bowlers in the club, one being the captain we are completely thrashed at one time being 0-17 down!  The second game I forget all of the tips and pointers, go back to what I have been doing and do not disgrace myself this time in a narrow defeat.  Lillian loses both of her matches too - sack the coach.

Back home nobody is there and Julia and Kevin appear later on the bikes.  They have been on a long ride, further than perhaps we go.  Then it was time for relaxation ...... in the hot tub which I had filled the day before.  Julia, who took some persuading to ‘come in cos the waters lovely’ became an instant convert and spent most of the afternoon enjoying the sunshine bubbling away in water set to 37C.  It is nice.  An afternoon beach walk follows for selective small stone gathering.  Green and red are the current chosen ones, which are placed infront of the carna lilies.

Evening at home with drinks on the patio, meal prepared by Lillian and chatting into late hours.

Wednesday 25th April

It would seem that winter rains are now gone for this year as today was another day of blue skies and warm temperatures reaching 75F during the afternoon.

Whilst Kevin and Julia slept after their travels and late night Lillian and I went to the Bowls Club for ‘some practice’ under the guidance of Frank, a senior bowler.  the need for practice time and some guidance had been muted at the recent AGM and despite the enthusiasm of the membership there was only five there.  However we were all given some pointers to practice and it was good to have time to experiment.  However just as I find with golf, trying to eradicate bad habits initially makes you seem even worse.  We will see if I remember the ‘pointers and tips ’ when we next play.  It really is all abot consistency.  We can all bowl a good bowl, but how often is the question.

Back home the visitors had stirred and we spend time chatting, sitting on the patio before a late lunch.  Julia and Lillian wander the garden, discussing plants etc and this prompts yet another trip to the garden centre and a few more plants, which include two lovely fushia some trellis and fertiliser. A long drive back along the beach with a stop for two bags white stones shows Kevin and Julia routes for biking and as soon as we are back home they are off for an hour ride.  This seemed to be enjoyed and there are plans for riding everyday.  We shall see.

Lillian walked into the village for her greek lesson and we all strolled there for an evening meal in Soutsos, the largest of the restaurants within the village.  Julia particularly likes the gleeko given as a complimentary desert.  Whilst in the restaurant the Real Madrid v Bayern Munich, Champions League match was showing on the television.  Realising this was a channel that we can actually get on our satellite tv we walked back at a brisk pace to watch. Well Kevin and I walked at a brisk pace.  With the game going into extra time and penalties it was another late night.

Tuesday 24th April 2012

A pleasant day of blue skies and warm sunshine with the customary breeze keeping temperatures to the low 70s.

Only a quick update today as we have busy this morning.  Two highlights

After a morning at home an afternoon bike ride following the route that we walked a couple of days ago.  Remembered to take the charged camera this time.  Pictures to be seen here.  Churches - there are many and here you can see a new one being built whereas 200 yards across the fields you can see a church.

Pyrgos - the lookout tower with its views over the Mediterranean Sea and a barley field.  In all the bike ride took about 40 minutes whereas our walk was nearly two hours.

The second highlight was the trip to Akretiri to collect Julia and kevin.  Almost a two hour drive as we got slightly lost on the way, heading along a dirt track road across the salt flats which clearly showed as a made up road on the map.  Once we arrived and checked procedures at the gate of the base we eat on in a local Italian restaurant and then went to a pub to watch the first half of the Barcelona v Chelsea match.  Julia and Kevin were waiting at the gate when we arrived at 2300 and after a drive back of about 75 minutes.  We sat chatting to past 0200.  Lots to catch up on.

Monday 23rd April 2012

Carna Lilly

St George's Day and a number of St George Cross flags are seen about the village.  Sometimes I wonder about Brits abroad.  A pleasant day of blue skies and warm sunshine with the customary breeze keeping temperatures to the low 70s.

Back to Bowls for a Monday morning.  Probably one of the lowest tun outs we have seen during our membership with only 17 bowlers.  This meant on one mat, one bowler bowled four woods so that matches could be played in teams of three as per the norm.  3 mats in use.  The first game, with Lillian in opposition was a very quiet affair.  In fact with so few people playing it was all quiet without the normal shouts and laughs that echo around.  Our quiet game remained a fairly close match until the last two ends by which we had built up a two point lead which extended to seven by the end of the eleventh end.

Bird of Paradise

The second match was entirely different.  I was drawn this time with Lillian but against ‘Super Bob’ no less.  Bob, the Treasurer is a really nice guy who is completely modest about his own bowls ability and only encourages others.  “Its all down to experience” he says, “That’s why I am better than you”.  “You will get better with practice”.  I’m not so sure I will ever reach his standard.  Bob continually rolls every bowl to within a dustbin lid of the jack.  The other day I think I was writing that I needed to be drawn in his team in order to win a match.  When you are in opposition you have no chance.  Lillian, Gareth and myself are 0-17 down after 8 ends, with Bob performing wonders.  Much to our surprise we win the last three ends by one point to lose 3-17.  At least we finished on a high.  One win, one loss.  Practice required.

Back home via Larnaca to report to the “Blind” shop that one of our vertical blinds has broken and request help and Lidl and Carrefour to stock up for our run of visitors for the next 28 days!  Kevin and Julia will at last arrive on Tuesday night at 2240 into RAF Akriteri,  at Limassol, followed by Andrew and Eve, followed by the Rocks.  Not even gaps for turn arounds with all overlapping.  I will miss the last few days of Andrew and Eve and all of the Rocks visit as another trip to Washington DC beckons.  No piece for Lillian for the next month.  She is always the perfect hostess.

I take a call from the WCL Chief Finance Officer about continuing some work for them post  August.  It might be that I will do ‘some days’ but nothing much and I have pushed it back to them to come up with a proposal.

Red 'candles' on our new tree

Tonight sees the return of Lillian to her greek lessons and she spends a couple of hours on ‘homework’ whilst I sit in the sun being lazy.  Lessons finish at the end of May and Lillian is determined to have maximum attendance leading up to that time.  She will not be able to take the ‘Exam’ at the end of the course as she has missed too many lessons, even though she thinks she would pass.  If she is to continue next year she will have to repeat this class.  The whole idea in education that you cant progress because you have not met attendance criteria, even if you meet the required standard is alien to us.  Far too many education systems have this ‘hold you back’ mentality.  We met recently a young 14 year old girl from UK who goes to a ‘local’ school.  As she had no greek when she arrived she has been placed with 11 year olds.  So hard for her.  No wonder she ‘hates’ school but realises the only way she can have a ‘half decent time’ is to work hard to understand.  She seems to get little extra help or differentiated work.  Very sad for her.

I walk into the village to meet Lillian at Pyrgos to eat.  She comes from her lesson knowing that pyrgos in greek means tower.  There on the menu is a picture of the lookout tower that we walked to a couple of days ago!  Pyrgos is a favourite restaurant in the village where the food from the grill is great and we often go there as we are able to sit on the terrace and watch the world go by.  All of this time and we had never seen the connection between the restaurant name, the picture  and what it meant in english!

Back home one episode of Prison Break.  I need to re-watch it during the day!

The pictures are from the garden.

Sunday 22nd April 2012

A mixed day of blue skies and warm sunshine and grey clouds and the strong afternoon breeze meaning by 1600 it was time to retreat from sitting in the garden.

Having yesterday started back on an exercise routine of bike riding today was walking and probably the longest we have taken.  Nearly two hours. Unfortunately having taken the small camera with me to record events I find when going to take the first picture that the battery was dead.  

We walked inland first rather than the usual route up to the lighthouse.  Some fields are full of ready to be harvested barley and oats and many have potatoes that are well established. Some fields are a mass of plastic cloches and although we peered in through tears in the plastic we were unable to identify all that was growing.  Some looked like cucumber, some possibly aubergine but with it only being young plants without any flower or fruit it was hard to distinguish.  Each field has borders of a mass of bright yellow daisy wild flowers interspersed with purple.  Lillian picked some as we returned home and the look lovely as a vase.

Once inland we headed for the highest point of the area where there is an old stone built look out tower with great views over the sea, which is starting to show the lovely mediterranean blue colour.  From there it was down hill to the cliff tops and then down on the beach.  Lillian was very good and jogged for a while, soon leaving me way behind.  I caught up with her round the headland where she stood chatting to Gareth and Jacky, who we have got to know from the pub.  Jacky works for Marcus Evans, the owner of Ipswich town FC.  We left the beach at the lighthouse and stood and looked at the new garden area and car park that is being created on the cliff tops.  We are sure it will become popular when complete as it has one of our most favourite views of the coastline.

An afternoon of not ‘pottering’ in the garden but of just sitting and admiring the results of our continual work and upkeep.  Its starting to look nice and the new leaves on the bougainvillea are now sprouting at an impressive rate.  Lillian caught up on her greek homework as lessons re-commence this week and I got a sunburnt forehead!

An evening in of watching Prison Break.  Only five episodes to go ..... its getting tense.

Saturday 21st April 2012

New tree in situ.

A day of blue shies and warm sunshine, although thermometers did not register above 73F it felt a lot warmer.

No news from brother Kevin on his pending arrival and a flurry of SMS messages between Lillian and Julia informs that it is now likely to be Tuesday night pending military seat availability.  We look forward to seeing them.

Saturday is Bowls morning and there are few bowlers and only four out of the six mats are used.  All of the good bowlers have gone to Paphos for a match and as ever are making a weekend of it staying at a local hotel.  Lillian and I are drawn in the same team for the second session running but this time the bowls go where they should, especially Lillian’s who as our skip delivers some poignant bowls.  We race to an 8-1 lead after four ends and although pulled back finish convincing winners.    My second match is a complete reverse and I bowl like a complete beginner long with two other complete beginners and we always trail slipping to an uninspired defeat.  Lillian keeps her form and as member of an all ladies team who thrash a team of men by 20 points.

Oh if I knew then that my insipid performance in the second match would be mirrored by Ipswich losing 0-3 at home to Millwall I might not have bothered with the Saturday trip to the pub for football watching, but i did setting off from home at 1630 in time for kick offs at 1700.  Lillian initially remaining at home pottering in trimming in the garden before joining me at half time by which time Ipswich were losing 0-2.  A too bigger reverse for her witching powers and positive vibe methodology to work.

The garden trimming and pottering were started as we took delivery of our new tree to replace one of the dead hibiscus trees.  It was a good job that the delivery guy was assigned to removing the dead tree and planting the new.  Would never have completed it myself with just a trowel.  The roots of the old tree had spread at least four feet away from the trunk and had to be sliced to be removed.  The new tree looks great, an ornamental type which we had first seen along the road from Pervolia to Kiti.  It has these lovely red fluffy ‘candles’.  Sadly we cant remember the name and it hasn’t got a label!  But it looks great and is surely a feature?

After leaving the pub it was a quick bite to eat at the local indian restaurant Coast of India and home for one episode of Prison Break, which i will need to view again today as I fell asleep in the middle of it!

Friday 20th April 2012

Garden from the balcony

Weather was not sure which season it was today.  A mix of intermittent cloud, bright sunshine and high winds.  Best to describe it as pleasant.


Today was the Kiti Bowls Club AGM, held in the Kiti Village Hall.  The hall built form stone is off the main street in a small park, with once again a children's playground.  Here in Cyprus there are playgrounds for children everywhere, all with good equipment placed on safety matting.  Even in a small village like Pervolia there are at least five that I can think of, all virtually in walking distance of the other.  Yet there seems to be nothing for teenagers.  We have seen no evidence of youth clubs or any other meeting place and consequently many youngsters are seen 'hanging about' in the village artificial sports / basketball area, which sadly is showing signs of damage to the surrounding fencing even though it must be fairly new.  This does not appear to be a great place for youngsters.  There really is nothing much for them to do.  Larnaca has one cinema.


Anyway the meeting was a fairly lame affair with officers all duly elected unopposed except for the secretary and chairman swapping positions and two new committee members.  We will bide our time before getting involved.  The biggest decision was to reduce the daily playing fee by 50%.  It will now cost €1 instead of 2!  This will mean a €2 saving for us each day we play! Saving the pennies is what retirement is about according to the Expat Cyprus retiree.


Once the meeting had finished we all adjourned to a local taverna for lunch courtesy of the club.  As there must have been about 45 members present it was quiet a noisy time with lots of chatting over a few glasses of beer and wine. The meal typical cypriot fare of pork and chicken kebabs and of course wonderful chips made with cyprus potatoes.  Surely the best chips in the world?


Back home, like all little pigs after scoffing and drinking at lunchtime it was time for a snooze in the sun.  Lillian on the sun lounger and myself on the swing.  The sun was warm.


Early evening meant time to write some emails and of course view three more episodes of Prison Break.  No excitement today but a nice one.

Thursday 19th April 2012

Grey skies, nothing but grey skies ....... nearly got blown away today with extremely strong winds.  Waves were huge crashing to the beach.  So loud we could easily hear from home.

Thursday is Bowls day and we went as usual.  Numbers are picking up and 5/6 mats were full.  Absence does not improve your skills whatsoever and with Lillian and I drawn in the same team defeat loomed.  A slight improvement on second game but again a defeat.  The only thing consistent with my game was the rubbish I bowled.  This looks to be a simple game yet we are still a long way to mastering it!  On the bright side is people are very friendly, games are played in good spirit with plenty of laughs and nobody really cares if they win or lose (except me LOL).

Once back home for lunch it was back out for weekly shopping trip into Larnaca and that was about it for the day.  Too windy to even patrol the garden.

An evening in with the start of Prison Break series 4 - three more episodes seen.  It is so good!

Wednesday 18th August

Grey skies, nothing but grey skies ....... we thought the summer had come LOL.  A totally overcast day with even a few spots of dusty rain!  Temperatures however registered at 73F when out driving around mid-day.  Some heavy rain overnight and as I write this we have 50% cloud cover with a strong breeze.

Lillian continued her campaign to get the complex maintenance sorted.  Quality Group were back at work and after some calls to the legal department and some emails sent we seem to be moving forward.  Small steps but if anybody is going to get this sorted she is.  I still find it hard to accept that despite it being law to contribute to the upkeep of shared areas of the complex our absent Cypriot neighbours completely ignore this.  It would seem that they are well aware to actually enforce the law through the legal system will take forever.  In the mean time they have estate agents signs on their gates, gardens that are completely ruined and overgrown and now a green swimming pool.  How will they ever sell or rent their property?  Perhaps they realize with the downturn in the property market they never will.  You get mixed messages about property as you drive about.  Not far from us there are three new developments under construction, two of which are near the Faros lighthouse which will afford fantastic sea views for some of the houses.  Yet between us and Faros there is another development of about 10 houses on which work stopped some 18 months ago and remain as shells.  So some are continuing to build and some have stopped.  New prices are no different from what we agreed some 5 years ago!

A further trip to two garden centres owned by Floralink, the landscapers who did our garden.  Michael the main man was not at the first en route to Nicosia so it was turn round and go to the centre at Zygi.  Not that we minded the drive as it means we follow our favourite coastal route and as I have discovered how to link via bluetooth our iPad to the car radio we are able to sing along to favourite tunes.  Amazing technology, have no idea how it works.

At Zygi we meet Michael and show him pictures of the garden (on the iPad) and we chat and talk about our dead trees.  He shrugs and says how many he has lost this year due to the cold winter and it being completely unusual compared with previous winters.  After much deliberation we take his recommendation for a new single tree to replace one of the dead hibiscus trees.  It will certainly be a feature and will be delivered on Friday as at approximately 8 foot high was too big for the car.  Watch this space for planting details and pictures.  Surrounded by so many lovely plants we make some more purchases as shown by the pictures.  Cant tell you the names but they look nice.  It all seems a lot of money to be spending but this garden is giving us so much pleasure the time and money is so  worthwhile. 

Tuesday 17th April 2012

Blue skies, nothing but blue skies ....... although not so warm as the previous day still very pleasant.

Up early for Lillian to continue her campaign to get the complex maintenance sorted.  The first telephone call gets no reply from Quality Group offices.  Its still holiday!  Have not idea why Easter Tuesday should be a public holiday.  Anyway she makes contact with the prospective company that will take over the complex once we have got the existing removed and we go to their offices in Terasafanou.  Lillian talks and clarifies exactly what they will do for us whilst I visit the local garden centre.

Compared with UK prices in the garden centres represent good value with plants that look very healthy.  For €26 I get 5 more osteospernum, 2 white, 2 purple and a dark red, 6 lobelia, and 5 ground cover plants the names of which I have no clue but they look nice!  A further stop at the supermarket on the way home, fortunately it was open, gets fresh bread for lunch.  The varieties of bread here are great and today’s purchase of a large round loaf covered in sesame seeds was still warm.  I also buy a padded cushion for the sun lounger.

Garden planting seemed to take most of the afternoon. Setting the osteospernum beneath the bougainvillea and leylandi trees like the previous purchases, which have taken very well and grown considerably took some time.  Beach stones to remove and carefully cutting through the black underlay before digging a fairly large how with the trowel.  Evidence of mature ‘Charlie’ root is found in abundance but we seem to be keeping it at bay via the black underlay and stones.

A sundowner on the patio before a trip into the village to eat and then to the pub for some football and chat.  Its nice that people genuinely seem pleased to see us when we have been away.  Ipswich draw 1-1 at home to Birmingham.  The season is just running to a dull end.

Monday 16th April 2012

Blue skies, nothing but blue skies .......

A lovely day with sun shining throughout, although during the afternoon sea breezes turned to strong winds keeping the temperatures around the mid 70F.  Today is ‘Easter Monday’ for the Greek Orthodox Church and a family day.  Friday and Saturday being the main religious days. The Archbishop Markariou III  Road from Perivolia to Kiti, on which we live seemed particularly quiet.  All shops etc. were closed for a typical bank holiday.

With such a fine day  and after a week away it was time to spend a day at home.  Lillian ‘washed and ironed’ and then we both spent a couple of hours in the garden trimming and picking out dead leaves from between the stones.  The garden is starting to come to life with many new shoots on all plants, especially the bougainvillea, except the two dead trees which we will see about replacing this week.  A number of the ficus bushes don’t look too healthy either but at least they have some leaves!

One sad thing about being in the garden means looking at the pool which has now turned green.  It is so annoying that this has happened due to the non-payment of maintenance fees by 80% of the absent owners.  We will continue to pursue every possible way to get this sorted and if need be will pay the re-connection charge and the bill.  Unfortunately it will now cost more with the the need for the water to be sorted.  Grrrrr

With the strong winds making sitting in the afternoon in the garden a ‘chilly’ experience so an afternoon drive to Terasafanou area followed by some stone picking on umbrella beach made for a nice time out.  The wind was really strong on the beach, but it was a lovely way to spend some time.

The final green where the 40 foot putt wins the match!

A phone call in the afternoon brings a week’s work in Oman in June.  I will retire ..... soon.

Sunday 15th April 2012

The last day of a fine week away staying at the Voyage Hotel, Belek, Antalya, Turkey.  Accompanied by friends Raminder and Sue from Dubai days but we toasted absent friends Geoff and Hazel, dues to Hazel’s recent illness and Jason and Kim due to their work commitments in India.  The fourth annual golf tour and our second to Turkey.

For us it was a new venture away from Larnaca as we travelled via Pegasus airlines from the Ercan airport in the northern part of Cyprus.  After our recent trial run the airport was easily found taking 90 minutes door to door. This was fine, although Ercan is not the international airport we have come to expect from our travels! The plane was full, but we were soon through passport control and met by the rep from the golf company and at the the hotel which was only 30 minutes from the airport.

The hotel proved to be a fine choice for an all-inclusive 5* resort.  Although very large it did not feel overcrowded, staff were excellent and very friendly, our room large, modern and clean with a sea view and the bars and restaurants, of which there were many were all first class.  Main dining was huge buffets just like the Dubai days, but also a range of restaurants offering a la carte menus, although you had to book these each morning for the same night. All in all it certainly lived up to its 5* category and we would recommend to any golfing group or family with young children.  There was plenty to door for all, with a funfair, waterpark and plenty of sun loungers around large pools.

The golf was also good with all courses in excellent condition. Booking through Billyana Golf, who we would also recommend we played The Montgomerie, The National, Caraya and Tat courses. Beautifully tree lined with undulating greens, plenty of lakes complete with water fountains all holes presented a picturesque challenge. As ever when you are reasonably high handicap golfers there were good shots and shots that brought yelps of frustration and curses. Competition was fierce and at times the banter was cruel as we sought to play mind games with each other but especially against whoever was in the lead at the time. After having a very good first round I slipped to third place after two very mediocre rounds. This lead to everything being decided on the last round and as it happened the last hole after I put my tee shot into the water only for Raminder to do the same on his approach shot to the final green. He and Lillian groaned aloud, although a waiter and four watching golfers on the clubhouse balcony applauded as I sank a 40 foot put to win the ‘championship’. Bragging rights for a year are mine! It was all good fun.

Over the five days we had bright, warm sunshine and a mix of clud and some light rain, especially on the first day when playing.  There was one day of rest from the golf after the second round and we spent this walking into the market / tourist town of Belek which seemed to be full of the traditional stall where women sat and knitted scarves or the designer clothing ‘copy shop’.  There was a need to barter there which I am not good at so we bought very little.  the weather on this day was warm and we were able to spend the afternoon sitting on the beach.  I do like a sea view.

This was a successful trip and we agreed we will certainly go back again in the future, although perhaps not next year.

Monday 9th April 2012

No more posts for a week - off to Turkey to play golf for a week.

Full details next week.   Have fun 

Sunday 8th April 2012

 A lovely day again with blue skies after a cloudy start.  Temperatures were not as hot as the previous few days but still nicely pleasant and time was spent sitting in the sunshine with only the short walk to the local store for milk.

Rosemary and Hugh completed the traditional stone marking their stay with us amongst much hilarity as Hugh played with his suggestions of what it might look like.  The stone laying ceremony went down well accompanied with a glass of wine.  The competition will now be on to improve.  As you can see Julia started the trend with a great design and this has now been followed.

Hugh laid his stone near the canna lilies where he had been fascinated during the week watching the preying mantis that were sun bathing there.  Great excitement when true to the 'books' the female devoured the male after we assumed mating!  The picture shows it munching on the head and after 40 minutes it had gone.  Truly amazing.

Delightful early evening beach walk to Kite beach.  Whilst there is still a great need for white stones we focused on red and green along with speciality coloured stones.  Not a great success in terms of numbers. We will need to go back again and again.  The walk is lovely.  It so so good to be here.

Saturday 7th April 2012

Back to the Bowls club today for the annual Kiti and Pervolia Bowls Club annual charity bowls competition.  We ad said that we would take part in our first competition a long time ago, well before we had known R & H would be with us.  They accepted our apologies for not being with them and set off, not having played for over a month.  Little sunshine as the sky was overcast but certainly warm.

Whilst we knew that clubs from all over the island would be represented it was surprising to see so many people there on our arrival at 0930.  All in their respective colour shirts.  All except us that is as the club await a new order so I stood out in the crowd in my black shirt compared with Kiti yellow, sky blue of the Star Club, white of Shogun club and sky blue with white sleeves of Paralimni & Farmagusta.  All told there were 24 teams of six players, with the competition divided into 4 groups of six teams each of four players.  The teams had been pulled from the hat from the names taking part so all of the clubs were mixed up.  I had actually been drawn with a team of three from Kiti and one the Shogun Club.

Not wanting to bore you with the details I played in each of our three games which we won!  The first two on our final shot by lead and skipper Chris.  Lillian winning two out of three with her team.  We awaited for the announcements to say who had made the semi-finals.  We were in, being the only team in our group that had won all three.  All other bowlers settled to watch the two semi-finals which were played simultaneously giving a crowd of about 100.  I was a complete disaster and put bowls down the side or into the wood, delivering very few in a worthy position. We lost 6-5 and although none of the team played very well as we were always up against it from the start of each end with the Maureen the opposition lead delivering every bowl within a foot of the jack.  Couldn't stand the pressure.

Back home we sat for a while before I persuaded Hugh to join me for the normal Saturday at the Cottage pub where we watched Liverpool v Aston Villa and awaited the Ipswich score 0-0 - nothing exciting.  A meal at Bar Coast and a stroll home.  Back into the Saturday routine of bowls, pub, eat.  Nice one.