Sunday 24th June 2012

A long day.  Early start with coffee at 0630, both being awake due to a warm / hot bedroom and a late end watching England lose to Italy in the Euro football.  Once again England fall to the penalty curse in competitions although no matter how much you wanted them to win it was through a penalty shoot out seemed to be their only chance.  Whilst in some ways the England team exceeded expectations by qualifying for the quarter-final they continue to disappoint as a team when many appear such great players when watched in premier league matches for their clubs.

We decided to watch the game at home, with greek commentary rather than visit what would surely have been a packed Cottage pub.  The landlord Ken will have been disappointed in the result.  He needs the business.  We continue to be amazed how quiet everywhere appears to be.  Last year the Euro was almost worth 90p sterling whereas now its just 80p.  You would think that would attract people, but perhaps they made decisions not to travel sometime ago.  We will see what its like when we come back in August.

Early morning swimming and in the pool before 0800 completing 22 very casual lengths.  My swimming has come on greatly and 20 lengths can now be achieved with only being slightly out of breath.  A year ago when we first cam to Cyprus I could barely complete four.  Later in the afternoon for a ‘cool off’ another 10 were swam at leisure which prompted Lillian to effortlessly complete 40!

A walk into the village to devour hungrily a full english breakfast allowed us to download the Sunday Times onto the iPad and much of the remainder of the day was spent lounging in the garden.  Lillian completing her normal cut and trim routine whilst searching for bugs etc.  Alone I made a quick visit to what we know as Kite beach where the wind surfers gather white stones.  The wind picked up and became quite strong late afternoon and whilst at the beach a number of surfers were putting together their kites and general preparations.  Later from the garden you could see the kites darting about as the surfers (who you cant see) changed direction.

Some time was spent on the internet as Doha is operation on a Sunday.  I am to go there again on Tuesday for two days!