Wednesday 22nd August 2012

So time to depart for travels to other parts once again.

Larnaca - London - Washington - Houston - Boston - Chicago - London - Larnaca

The last destination back to sunny Cyprus on 11th September.

Not wanting to waste the last moments it was a walk to the beach and a laze and float in the warm sea and then back to home for some serious swimming in the pool.  Its a good job there has been some fitness regime as the amount of sitting, eating and drinking over the last 12 days has been excessive.

With my good byes to Lillian for three weeks it came time also to say goodbye to friend Val who has been here for a week.  It is nice to have visitors, especially when they are good company.  In tradition Val has entered into the 'Stone naming' with care and her fine effort has been 'laid' under a ficus bush of her choosing.  I think you will agree this is a fine addition and keeps the Julia standard high!  Another marking the spot of Pervolia on the map of Cyprus with the words 'Val was 'ere' August 2012 on the side.  All those and who read this and wish to enter within House 15, be prepared with your design well in advance.  You will be expected to contribute.

Tuesday 21st August

Lillian and Val in Pissouri

 After the trip of yesterday it was time to laze around, especially as I had been up at 0330 to complete some urgent work needed for USA!

Garden, snipping to be done and the 'Forth Bridge' job of picking and two long 'dips' in the pool.  The water now is just so warm. It is not surprising as for the second consecutive day temperature were above 100F.

Energetic Lillian and Val headed off on bikes during the mid-afternoon despite the hot weather although restricting themselves to the coastal paths where there is at least some breeze.  They were gone some time and had stopped at the 'SPOT' to swim.

An evening drive into Larnaca so that Val can see and a stop off for yet another fish meze overlooking the sea.  We have learnt to order for two when there are three eating and then we didn't finish it all!

Monday 20th August 2012

With temperatures reaching to the low 100's F you would think it was a day to be close or in the pool, instead we chose to go walking around a lot of old stones by the name of the Kourion Archaelogical site!

So it was a drive along the coastal road to Zygi and then inland on the main motorway past Lemosos and on to Episkopi.  The road at Episkopi climbs to the top of a cliff which affords some lovely sea views.  It took about 1.5 hours to drive to the site.  Kurion was an important city-kingdom and is said to be one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Cyprus. The Greco- Roman theatre was built in the 2nd century although had gone under some renovation about 50 years ago.

The main area was the 'House of Eustolios' where there were some fine mosaics.  As you peer down from wooden walkways you cant help but try to imagine what life was like for the residents of the house and wonder at their methods of construction.  The trouble is having watched the end of the film Troy on TV a few nights ago the images that come to mind have a definite Hollywood feel to them.

After getting 'roasted' in the hot sun it was time for lunch and a drive along the coast to the coastal village of Pissouri where we sat by the sea at a small taverna looking out onto the calm sea with a cold Keo beer in hand.  As can be seen from the second picture from the top a great setting with a fairly crowded and busy sandy beach.  Lovely nethertheless.  Having left the coastal part of the village we climbed (by car) to the main village square area which is at the cliff tops.  There we strolled doing the tourist bit with ice creams in hand. The village is very picturesque with small narrow lanes and a lovely square with a number of restaurants all advertising 'Cyprus Night' each Wednesday!

A casual drive back via Kiti and the village of Pervolia for a night 'under the stars' on the patio ..... with another beer or three!

Sunday 19th August 2012

Despite the late night last night it was up relatively bright and early to enjoy the early morning sunshine before it gets too hot.  Temperatures each day in the last week rise to anything between 90 - 96F around early afternoon dropping to overnight lows around the 80s mark.  Great if you like the warmth.

The awning has made a big difference to the temperatures inside the house, compared with last year as the sun is now not beating onto the glass all day.  We are pleased now that we paid extra for the automatic type which goes in and out with the sun and in when the wind blows too hard!

So with being up early and being determined to have a day away from working it was off with Lillian to the beach for an early morning swim in the sea.  Lillian had been three times during the week with visitors but I couldn't even find an hour gap to join her.  Each time she came back saying the water was warm but the waves too high for any swimming and only goo for jumping about.  For us today it was just perfect and we were able to swim and float around.  Having our wading shoes on to get over the 6-10 feet of stones and rocks from the sure they make great buoyancy aids which enable you float around on your back with toes out of the water.

Once back home it was breakfast time and Lillian surpassed herself with providing 5 excellent cooked breakfasts and after digesting and pottering in the garden it was more swimming but this time in the pool.  Like the sea the pool is lovely and warm and probably at least 86F, warmed each day but the ever burning sun.  Despite the work there has been time to swim each day and 20 lengths is now the norm.   Lillian as ever completes more whilst I sit on the steps counting all the 'extras'.  With time to kill today it was bike maintenance time with tyres pumped, dirt washed and moving parts sprayed they were ready for there first adventure out and Lillian set off with friend Val for a 'thirty minute ride' as the afternoon cooled.  Lillian as ever never takes the 'short route' when out biking and they returned over an hour later with stories of new roads and new farmers fields that have been visited for the first time.

Sadly it was time for the end of Sally and Steve's break with.  We took a final drive along the coast inland and then the bumpy road along the waters edge where we stopped for a final beer at the surfers beach bar that we had watched being set up on our bike rides of last year.  The two cypriot guys who had set it up had eventually opened in late June and have done a great job in converting three large containers into a bar and a surf shop.  Whether they will make a living it is hard to see.  We were the only ones there.

Sally had been encouraged all week by myself to not forget the stone tradition and she did not let us down with a blue stone and her own verse to decorate the top.  Once again somebody comes up with something different and it will serve well as a reminder of their time with us.  Good company and lest hope they will come again.

A very enjoyable day finished with a stroll into the village for the best indian food in Cyprus at Bar Coast.  Stuffed again.

Saturday 18th August

A week has passed and for the first time there has not even been time to write this blog!  Who thought it was a good idea to go back to work full time?  For the last week I have spent on average 12 hours a day at the computer, however the important things are now done and we can enjoy the next three days before its time to head off again.

Friends Sally and Steve, who arrived at 0230 on Monday morning have 'chilled' in the hot sun sitting, reading and swimming.  They have been very undemanding visitors who were joined on Wednesday with Lillian's school friend Val.  Lillian and Val were in the same class at school for 6 years and met up again at the 300 year school reunion last year.  They have had a good time reminiscing.

Lillian, Val, Sally and Steve headed to the northern part on Friday and enjoyed the sites and beaches there and of course the 'compulsory' meal at Kyrenia harbour.  It is such a good trip to go on and was clearly enjoyed by all.  Other than that we have eaten out a lot with a great, but huge fish meze one night overlooking the sea at McKenzie Beach and a couple of good meals in the village.

Yesterday saw the start of the football season so it was off to the Cottage Pub for the normal Saturday ritual of watching the big screens and chatting at the bar.  It was nice to be back in there after 6 weeks and all 'locals' were warm in their welcome.  The loudest cheer of the afternoon after the landlord Ken's yelps each time Fulham scored another goal against the hated Norwich, was mine as Ipswich came from behind to get a draw at home to Blackburn.. We will settle for the point.

After the pub yet another meal in the village.  Pervolia village is in holiday mode now with the road closed in the evenings and tables spilling out from the restaurants onto the streets.  All appeared fairly full. A walk or perhaps a stagger home under the dark black night sky, which was full of stars.

As we have not been doing much but lazing a few picture of the garden.

Sunday 12th August 2012

After 5 long, busy but enjoyable 5 week stay in London it was at last time to return to sunny Cyprus.

A 6am taxi pick up, as all the children were 'unavailable' for us to scrounge a lift meant a quick ride to Terminal 3 for the flight back.  We are grateful for lounge access due to my silver BA card and a full plane saw us depart 20 minutes lat but arrive virtually on time.  Usual fairly average BA service although for once priority luggage arrived quickly on the conveyor belt and we were quickly in another  taxi for the ride to home.  Taxi drivers where ever are the same with a short local ride having spent ages sitting at the airport waiting for a fare.  They are not best pleased so €14 is all he got!

Overgrown bougainvillea

Firstly everything was fine in terms of the house although patio furniture was somewhat dusty but the garden.  Wow how it has grown and so very quickly we were into an hour of trimming and picking up fallen leaves from the bougainvillaea which had grown amazingly well.  Much to do but within an hour it was at least tidy for us to sit and enjoy on the patio with a well deserved beer.

Interesting watching the closing ceremony from the Olympics on Greek television - a good show and we were glad to make it back to London for such a time and our trip to Eton Dorney was well worth the effort.  It was good to see the thousands of volunteers get deserved praise.  Everyone I saw in their purple shirts were extremely positive, friendly and helpful.  I am sure they gave a warm welcome to all of the many visitors.  Having travelled into London so many time recently I can only say there was a really good atmosphere with some many patriotic people in their Team GB shirts with GB flags sticking out of rucksacks or draped around shoulders.  Didn't they do well.

At 0200 it was off to the airport to collect friends Sally and Steve who have come for a week stay so once collected and a sit and a chat meant not getting to bed until 0400.  Sally and Lillian used to teach together many years ago.  A week of sites, eating and drinking beckons!