Wednesday 30th May 2012

Blue skies, nothing but blue skies.  So good to wake up to blue skies, sun shining and reflecting on the clean and shining swimming pool.  Yes all back in operation following Lillian's persistence.  We will be able to swim from Friday onwards.

Consequently it was a day at home sitting in the garden with an afternoon dip in the hot tub.  It is amazing how much the garden has grown in the last three weeks and attached is another picture taken yesterday.  Look at the lilles which are now 6 feet high.

Lillian continued her 'work' on getting things sorted on the development by giving the Quality Group After Sales guy, who just happened to be on the site, a real 'roasting' about the road not progressing further and other issues.  It would appear now they are waiting for the 'Council' to give some ruling or another about connecting to the main sewage system.  Cyprus is just like the Middle East where everything takes so much time and official departments seem to change rules without notification or have no rules at all.

A walk into the village in the evening for a drink at the Cottage pub whilst Lillian attended her Greek lesson.  Not many of those to go before the big exam!  A meet and eat in Bar Coast and back home to watch the television, although we were soon falling a sleep.

Tuesday 29th May 2012

A straight forward day.  Car half way to airport collecting Andrew on the way so he could have the car.  With an early start packing had been completed the day before but then only a hand luggage case for a quick getaway at the other end.

Flight to Larnaca was not full and the two seats immediately to my left were empty.  I was amused on the way watching a young 'newly married' couple who were off to Cyprus on honeymoon.  They enjoyed very much the champagne that the air hostess kept bringing them and were clearly excited.  Usually I would 'complain' when others are getting drinks rather than me but I didn't begrudge them their moment.  Too early for lots of booze, although the one glass of wine just prior to arrival was nice even though it was warm.

With the travelling I do now I have different experiences and views of passport control in many countries.  The USA is the pits with long queues, frequently having to wait well over an hour and then 30 questions why I am entering the Unites States of America, as they always like to say, plus photo and finger prints.  I use Iris scan at Heathrow on the way back in from a trip so usually the wait is not long and the queues never m,ore than 6-10 people.  I watch UK passport holders, for which there are always much longer queues but at least their passport is scanned. Coming into Cyprus is a breeze.  Never a queue of more than two people and its as much as they can do to even look at your passport.  No computerisation, no check, nothing.  Nobody knows you are here!

Except Lillian who was there to meet me at the airport and within 10 minutes from the car park we are home!  My how the garden has grown.  The bougainvillaea in the leylandi hedge is all out in flower and a new tub has appeared on the patio.  

28th May 2012

Seems a long time since I have added anything to the diary. Today is the 'last night' before I head back to Larnaca to be once again with Lillian. how I have missed her. A lots happened since we were last together.

Time in Washington was OK. The weather was warm although not as good as the UK with three mornings of heavy rain which forced me off the bus and into a taxi! Work was OK but busy and the hotel good. Washington Marriott. I like the Marriott hotels and due to my Platinum status I always seem to get upgraded to a larger room with a view. This time over the roof garden. Beds are comfy, service good although the trouble is they have American television! Thank goodness for the sling box whereby I am able to log into our SKY television at home via the Internet. So good.

Houston was hotter than Washington and everyday there (4) was hotter than Washington with temperatures over 90F. Very humid and even a short walk from the hotel, a JW Marriott across the road to the huge shopping mall Galleria made me glad to be in air conditioned inside. It was in Houston that I watched the Champions league final in a huge Sports Bar called Texas Grill. I met there three very interesting characters. A Tottenham supporter who was wanting a Bayern win so Spurs qulaiifed for Europe, a German guy from Doha, Qatar of all places who was there for a few days because of the oil industry and a really funny ( ha ha) guy from Huddersfield. The company as good and the banter and beers flowed. Huddersfield and I were pleased that Chelsea won.

Back to Washington I had time to visit the Holocaust Museum which was extremely well done and a very thought provoking time.  You had to book entry as to prevent overcrowding and were given a ticket with a bar code and collected an identity booklet.  At the end of the exhibition you inserted the ticket to find out what happened to you.  I was executed by firing squad.  It walked back to the hotel reflecting on what I had seen and the power of propaganda.

Arrived back home at London Heathrow, where I was collected from the airport by Andrew and what followed were two busy days of grass cutting, shopping a trip into WCL offices at Buckingham Gate and a family meal out. My Buckingham Palace is certainly getting ready for a party this coming weekend. Discussions at Buckinghma Gate are about a continuation of contract! No total retirement just yet. So BA flight at 0820 meaning I should be back in Cyrpus at 1530. So looking forward to being back 'home'.

Tuesday 8th May 2012

Time to sign off for three weeks as it is once again travel time.

8th May Larnaca to London
9th May London to Washington
16th May Washington to Houston
20th May Houston to Washington
25th May Washington to London
29th May London to Larnaca



Bike Riding on the last morning

Artichokes in flower

All for work. Having visited Washington and Houston a number of times I have seen the 'sights' so I think any time off will just be relaxing.

Needing to make the most of the last morning we were up early to bike ride for 90 minutes although had to return home immediately after starting out with the chain coming off the cogs when trying to change gear.  A service required.  We followed our favourite route into the village, inland on cycle paths to eventually leading to the track by the sea for the return.  Fields are full of wheat and barley waiting to be harvested, normal crops of potatoes, courgettes, melons and in some artichokes which are in flower.

Looking forward to my return.  Will miss Lillian abut it is good that she will have company of her sister Evelyn and her husband Kevin who arrive on Thursday.

Monday 7th May 2012

Blue skies nothing but blue skies.  A warm and sunny day.

Bowls morning.  Lillian and I cause a bit of fuss as we arrived late having gone into Larnaca.  Our late arrival made us far from popular as it caused a re-draw of matches.  For me it was two defeats, one at the hand of Super Bob.  Oh to be drawn on the same team as him ...... just once.  Although two defeats there was no reason to be dispirited as I actually bowled reasonably well for once.  Concentration and consistency.  All it needs ..... if only it was that simple to implement.

An afternoon at home with garden, sun and hot tub only interrupted by Stavros the Satellite man who re-aligned our dish to Nilesat which brings more english speaking programmes with access to some film channels.  BBC World News is OK ...... but not for ever.

Lillian walked into the village for her greek lesson meeting up with me in the pub, where I waited and watched West ham v Cardiff on TV.  We ate at Pyrgos, where we were joined by Andrew and Eve who had returned from their adventure in Agia Napa.  It seems it does ‘buzz’ in the evening and they had a good time.

Sunday 6th May 2012

Cobbled pathway from harbour in Kyrenia

Blue skies nothing but blue skies.  A warm and sunny day.

Late start after the excesses of last night.  The only significant thing of the day was to take Andrew and Eve to a car hire near the airport.  They have hired for two days to go to Agia Napa, staying one night in a hotel.  I time to find out for themselves if Agia Napa really buzzes at night.

We stop for breakfast in the village on the way back for a ‘full english’ and take the opportunity to use free wifi to download the Sunday Times onto the iPad.  

That’s it for the day.  Newspaper, book, sunshine, hot tub and of course two episodes of Prison Break.  Almost at the end.

Saturday 5th May 2012

Man fishing in Kyrenia (Girnie)

Blue skies nothing but blue skies.  At last the weather has returned to sunny and clear blue skies although a gentle to strong breeze kept temperatures in the low mid 70s.

After a break of a week it was back to bowls with a very low turn out of members due to most playing in a Charity Match, similar to the one recently held at our club.  This time it was held i the Paralimni area.  With two games to play, for the first time Lillianand Iwere drawn in the same side for both games.  The first an exciting 7-7 draw (you don’t get many draws) and the second a fine 14-5 win.  We both bowled a lot better than we have of late and it was enjoyable.

We returned home via Kiti where we stopped for me to buy black ground sheeting for lying under the stones and Lillian to call into a TV satellite shop, which had been recommended to enquire about getting more channels.  At the moment BBC World News is about the full extent of what we watch as we only have connection to the Hotbird stalellite.  We have beeb told by neighbours from House 4 that if we are tuned to Nilesat there are more ‘free to air’ channels in English.  We will see when the ‘man’ comes on Monday.

With the warmer and sunier weather Andrew and Eve are sitting in the garden reading and catching the rays.   We join them for the rest of the afternoon switching between sun lounger and hot tub, although I make one journey to the beach to get yet another two bags of white stones to place under the plants under the pool wall.  Have no idea how many stones we have collected but it is certainly in the thousands.

A strolll into the village early evening with a meal together in KoKos and then into the Cottage pub to watch the Cup Final Chelsea v Liverpool.  Surprisingly there seemed to be few Chelsea supporters in the pub, where it was obvious they were Liverpool all wearing red shirts.  One lady, a scot said she was supporting Liverpool as it was nearer to Scotland than Chelsea!  We exchange halt-time SMS messages with son Steve who is at the match.  He is a happy bunny with Chelsea leading and a seat on the half way line.  I know how it feels to be there to see your team win and remember very clearly Ipswich’s great victory in 1978.  I was there.  Something we have little hope that it will ever be emulated.

From the pub it is back home, chats and more drinks.  We go to bed having enjoyed the day but knowing we will pay for ‘excesses’ in the morning.

Friday 4th May 2012

Andrew and Eve

At last the weather has started to improve with sunshine through a 50%  cloud cover throughout the day.  The average temp for the day was around 75F although the car did record 83F at one time on a our journey north.

Having been so disappointed last night with the end of Prison Break it was up early to read on Wikipedia its story.  It hasn’t ended ...... there is another disc!  Sure enough there at the back of the cupboard on a high shelf, hidden from view another set.  There are 6 more episodes to go.  Watch this space for the final comments!

With the sun trying to shine it was time to take Eve and Andrew out for the day.  Given a number of choices they chose to go to Kyrenia for lunch.  Kyrenia or Gernie as it is known on the Northern Turkish side of Turkey is small town with lovely harbour.  You will have seen pictures here before.

The castle at Kyrenia

Turkish Flags

Knowing the route now it took just over 90 minutes to reach Kyrenia from Pervolia, passing through the border control with no problems.  We know the routine.  Car parking was relatively easy and after a stroll around the harbour area we settled for lunch in the sunshine with a great view of the boats and the large castle that overlooks the harbour.  We eat at the same place as we did last time we came with Chris and Nick Plastow but it has the best view, in the sunshine and the food was very good. Creatures of habit.

After a stroll around the shopping area and a stop for ice cream, Lillian drove home.  It was a lovely day, enjoyed by all.

Andrew and Eve headed into the village for a ‘drink’ for the evening whilst Lillian and I watched ....... you guessed it .... two episodes of Prison Break and then early to bed.

Thursday 3rd May 2012

Collecting stones under grey skies

For the fifth day the weather was not great.  We awoke to find it had been raining through the night and much of the day was cloud covered although the sun did peep through the clouds occasionally. 

A day to get jobs done.  Car taken for its first service.  Lillian’s bike had the puncture repaired and a new seat (hope this one is more comfortable) and a trip to Lidl meant we are re-stocked.

The rest of the day was spent at home and a beach walk, whilst Andrew and Eve went on a bike ride.  They set of racing along the road and we wondered how long they would keep it up.  Eventually returning some five jours later having gone on the longest so far  of any visitors and us as they cycled into Larnaca!  This is some 10Km from Pervolia.  They had also stopped an eaten at a taverna and experienced the Meze.  A traditional meal which has umteen courses.  Starting with dips of humous, tahini, tazeki, olives and pitta along with crisp salads with tomatoes and feta cheese they finish with a range of meats or fish.  You are always stuffed after a meze so to then cycle 10Km back home it was no wonder they soaked in the hot tub.

Red and green stones

I spend over an hour on the phone with WCL.  They want we to continue working.  Time for some true reflection on this.

For Lillian and I the evening is the last episodes of Prison Break.  After watching some 68 episodes the ending was so disappointing ...... there must be a 5th series.  It just cant end like that?

Wednesday 2nd May 2012

For the fourth consecutive day a large cloud sits over Cyprus giving virtually 100% cover, but this time it brings heavy rain.  So much for the ‘forecasting’ of those who said that the rain had gone for this summer.  With the rains comes lower temperatures reducing to 64F at the coolest.  While the forecasts for the next few days is a mix of sun and clouds Saturday is predicted full sun with temps rising to 84F.

It was time to say goodbye to Julia and Kevin, whose company we have enjoyed.  They seemed to have had an enjoyable time.  Prior to the drive to Aktrotiri we had the ‘stone laying’ each selecting the spot where their stone will sit.  This time they were placed under the ficus trees, Kevin selecting the prime spot in the corner slightly propping his stone so that it sits at an angle.   They both look very good.  Julia’s map of Cyprus with Pervolia marked and the rays of the sun was a good idea.  The standard really has been set for those who follow and we are pleased that they have contributed to the tradition.  We will get quite a collection with Andrew and Eve to complete and the 'Rocks' the next visitors.  They will surely complete a design around their names?

By the time we got to the RAF base the rain was belting down so it was good that Kevin was able to get a pass to take the car onto the base so we could go direct to the air terminal.  Terminal?  All I see is a small building with two check in desks.  No duty free shops to pass the time.  Goodbyes are said quickly as it is sill raining hard.  We hope they will come again. Once back home the rain eventually ceased and time was spent sweeping water from the roadway and patio.  It was a good time to clear more of the dust and dirt that had accumulated from the road to the estate when it turned to a clay muck during the winter storms.  At least the new surface seems to be bearing up ..... but we so want a proper road.

Aldecor, the blind makers call to take away one that cover the patio doors which continually sticks and will not pull correctly.  It will be back on Friday, hopefully fixed.

Lillian makes progress with the ‘swimming pool issue’ when the existing company agrees to relinquish the management of the site.  One small step.

Mid afternoon the rain clears and Lillian goes shopping to re-stock whilst Andrew and Eve go for a walk.  They later soak in the hot tub whilst Lillian does her ‘homework’ ready for the evening greek lesson.

The normal Wednesday evening with Lillian at her lesson and we all walk into the village to wait for her in Bar Coast for our weekly indian meal.  We enjoy chatting, eating and drinking.  Such is our life here.

Tuesday 1st May 2012

Stone painting - full concentration

For the third consecutive day a large cloud sits over Cyprus giving virtually 100% cover, bringing a few spots of afternoon rain.  It remains warm with temperatures around 82F.  A public holiday for May day.

Andrew and Eve sleep late.  They looked on arrival that they both could do with the extra sleep such is the schedules they keep.  Andrew with the latest show and Eve running  the nightclub.  When they do they go out for a walk exploring the area, although not really knowing where they were or where they were going!

Late afternoon it is time for Julia and Kevin to decorate their name stone.  By doing so they help us cement the tradition.  When finished - they are very good, pictures to appear after the stone laying ceremony they disappear on bikes although quickly return with yet another puncture.  This time in Lillian’s bike.  It is hardly surprising really when the majority of riding is down paths and tracks.  Lillian and I walk to the beach and then stroll along the water edge to Kite Beach.  Of course stones are collected.

It is a very warm evening and we sit on the patio although soon get fed up with mosquitos buzzing around.  We all eat together, shares jokes and stories and copious amounts of wine!

Monday 30th April

For the second consecutive day a large cloud sits over Cyprus giving virtually 100% cover, although it is a lot warmer with temperatures around 80F.

Nissi Beach, Agia Napa

After travelling to Agia Napa yesterday, today is a ‘not much happened’ day.  We sit around the house and garden for most of the day.  Julia and Kevin play Scrabble, Lillian as ever busies herself with cleaning, washing and generally making everything tidy and I sit pondering the world and listening for the first time an audio tape which was received as a gift at Christmas.

Late afternoon Julia and Kevin disappear on bikes whilst Lillian and I go to the supermarket to replenish stocks. All exciting stuff until Lillian later goes into the village for her Monday Greek lesson and Julia, Kevin and I walk to eat at Pyrgos where Lillian joins us after her lesson.

A phone call to the airport reports Andrew and Eve’s flight is arriving 40 minutes late meaning we do not collect them until 2210.   It had not been a great flight with Monarch airways from Luton.  A typical charter flight full of noisy teenagers who were it would appear going to ‘rave it up’ in Agia Napa and badly behaved children.  Once home Andrew, Kevin, Eve and myself head off into the village to watch the second half of the Manchester Utd v Manchester City game at the pub, which is packed. A deserved win for City I thought from what we saw.  Andrew informs us that son Steve has tow tickets for the Cup Final on Saturday.  We will watch from the pub.

Back home we talked until 0200 hrs.