So that was Christmas …...

 Is it because we are getting old and remember that we have had lots of Christmas Days that they hold less excitement? Is it because that for the last twelve years we have spent 8 and possibly 9 outside the UK?  Is it because we chose to do that we miss family em masse? Is out because three years ago we lost a much loved sister / sister-in-law at that time?  Perhaps the best of Christmas times are when we are all together?

Christmas morning beach walk. No swimmers

Despite this introduction Christmas 2013 was a nice time made by having daughter Emily here with us.  Commencing with a few drinks in the pub and and Indian meal on Christmas Eve we awoke to beautiful sunshine which unfortunately soon disappeared with a a mix of cloud and sun.

Present time is always a good time and its nice to see Emily still excited by a few few silly gifts in a Christmas stocking.  A tradition started by Lillian when Emily still believed in Santa and maintained every year.  The highlight for me was the gift from Emily of an Ipswich Town football shirt signed by all of the players.  The story of how she got it is one of initiative and endeavour and amazes me she has the front to go directly to players to ask for it via Twitter!  She even had to drive to Ipswich to collect, two hours each way. In this case I am grateful that her persistence has paid off.  The big question now is to wear it or have it framed.   I am undecided.

A quick hello and one drink in the pub to say Happy Christmas to the regulars who had gathered.  Five had been brave enough to go for an early morning swim as threatened the night before.  One only made it up to his was it much to angst of the others.  There was full agreement that it was 'freezing'.  They had been and gone by the time got to the beach to watch!  Then on to Lord Kitchener restaurant for lunch.  I have written before about visits to this restaurant and as ever the food was excellent, washed down by some 'sparkling bubbly'.  The restaurant was full, lively with a nice atmosphere and after three hours we were fully stuffed.  Well at least I was.  Back home it was time for the traditional Xmas day snooze but we all brightened up to play a game of Trivial Pursuit sent by son Andrew.  Is it the drink or have the questions got harder in the new set?  We were not very successful as individuals and after almost two hours settled for an admirable draw.  I claim the draw even though Lillian was almost the outright winner!  An evening film and that was it.

Christmas was a nice day …… but not exciting.

Unfortunately Boxing day was a right off for me.  Feeling must unwell with a stomach upset which must have been down to a bug or something I ate.  Cant think it was the latter.  So the day was spent mostly in bed although listening to Ipswich win 3-0 away to Doncaster via the internet very much brightened the day.  Lillian had prepared her Christmas meal for the evening when we were joined by Emily's friend Laura, who visited in the summer.  She has come for a few days as is without family to spend time with.  I missed the meal returning to bed.

Still don't feel great but I am 7 pounds lighter than on Christmas night which can't be a bad thing!

Happy Christmas

Larnaca Christmas tree

A very 

Happy Christmas 

to all friends and family.

Have fun. :)

Trip to the North!

It is always good to spend times with friends.  People you have known for sometime, have shared some special moments with and you feel easy in their company.  So a two night trip to Geoff and Hazel Turner's home in Northern Cyprus is always a good time to have.

The journey from our home to the border crossing at Lefkosia (Nicosia) takes about 45 minutes and then another 35 minutes on to Girne (Kyrenia).  There we stopped for a wander around the shops looking at 'copy' Prada handbags trying to search one for Emily.  This is not Dubai and whilst the copies were good so was the price!  We will need to go again next week when Emily is here and she can chose to splash the cash if that is what she really wants.  I do like Girne.  The harbour is lovely and in the warm winter sunshine many were sitting having lunch.  The streets are narrow and with the town backed by the mountains it has a different feel to the south.  There is also the fun of converting prices from Turkish Lira into euro / gb sterling.    This is where the XE app on an iPhone comes in useful.

Friday night was party time with about 24 guests, all from the Korineum Golf Club descended upon Geoff's for drinks and splendid eats with goulash and fish pie.  Its always good to meet new people, all of which seem to play golf -5 times a week every week.   If only we had a douse near by in the south.  It certainly is a vehicle for meeting new people.  The last guests left at 0230 yet it was still up fairly early for beach walking.  As Geoff and Hazel live halfway up the hillside there is a need to go by car for the start of any walk there.  However it was a splendid circular walk along a secluded and empty Turtle Bay.  Geoff told stories of them helping conservationists at the hatching time and how the turtle nests are protected.

Back home it was breakfast on the patio with the most fantastic view across the water to the mainland of Turkey.  Saturday afternoon / evening football watching, a draw at home for Ipswich and a relatively late night watching the 'Strictly' final!  Sunday morning pairs golf with 8 couples, all of whom had been at the party playing.  Lillian and I faired badly, we just don't play enough, on what is a difficult course where any hit that is not straight is severely punished.  The bushes collected three of my balls.  However the weather and views of the very blue sea were lovely.  After drinks on the patio of the golf club we all shared lunch together ago a small restaurant right on the edge of the sea.  A good end to a lovely weekend. 

Whilst the sun shines down below

Up in the mountains the ski slopes open today for the new season.  The only access is to cars which are either 4x4 or have snow chains so it will be a while before we can go and play snowballs!  Each year we have made the trip to the top of Troodos and each year Lillian has been anxious to 'have a go'.  Perhaps with Emily here we will do just that?

The picture has been taken from the webcam on the ski run for 1030 this morning.

Down below the sun shines - another lovely day.

The most beautiful day

Today is the most beautiful of sunny days.  Whilst the general air temperature has shown a high of 66F leaving a thermometer on a seat on the patio has given a temperature of 78F.  Its been 'back to shorts' and a number of outside jobs.  There is always leave to collect and bouganvillea to trim.  Some of it is looking quite sad after the cold spell.  A longer task, being taken a bit at a time is the rubbing down and painting of the bedroom balcony railings which until the work has started was showing signs of dreaded rust.  One more session to complete the work and all will be revealed.  The hot tub has been treated with chemicals so that all is well for Emily's arrival who is sure to want to test.  We haven't been in it ourselves for a couple of weeks, but when its there all the time?

Lillian continues with table decorations and the picture today shows her efforts this afternoon.  I'm afraid the picture does not really do it justice as the cones have been sprayed with a glittery gold which catches nicely in the sun  as it shines in through the patio doors.

Last night was the clearest of full moons, explains why the tide was so far out when we walked the beach yesterday.

Lows to Highs

Snow in the mountains

Well winter certainly came with a bang, such cold winds and snow on the mountains and villages cut off on the Troodos.  For three days the weather in the Uk was warmer than here and it was fortunate that the heating warmed up the lounge and bedroom and made every where quite cozy.  But as ever here out comes the sun and dries up all of the rain and once again we are back to blue clear skies with hardly a cloud to be seen.  The forecast is more of the same through to the Xmas holidays. It is sure that the rain and colder spell will return but as we won't be here for January and February we do not worry too much.

Thursday last we got up to go to Bowls but then decided it was much too cold and so took a drive to Lefkosia visiting IKEA to stock up with candles and other bits and bobs for the Xmas.  The Mall of Cyprus was quiet but we wandered around the shops looking for Xmas presents for each other but gave up with a truce for  a nil return on presents this year and promise of treats when we go to South Africa in the new year.  The weather was much better on Saturday although cold in the shade and we did manage a game and once again Lillian and I were winners in both matches.  Our play is improving.

60s theme night

After a Saturday afternoon at the pub where they were showing Ipswich live v Notts Forest it was party time as a member of the Bowls Club was celebrating her 50th Birthday at a restaurant called Classic Cars.  The theme of the evening was 60s / 70s and many attendees went to town in fancy dress of the period.  Dressing up for parties is not something that Lillian and I really get into and so we were pleased that the invitation said fancy dress was 'optional'.  However we enjoyed the music and evening danced some of the night away.  Judging by my headache on Sunday morning it had been a good night out!


Bowls again this morning with once again two wins - doing something right.  With the sunshining and
afternoon walk to Faros and along the beach.  Never have we seen the tide out so far with the sea as flat as a mill pond.  The air was clear and you could see a long way.  The windmills of Terasafanou moving very slowly.

Lillian continues to do a stirling job with Xmas decorations and a wreath she made in Fulham colours and logo hangs in pride place in the Cottage Pub.

What's gone wrong?

Its freezing today - well about 5C and has spent most of the day raining.   My post saying that winter had come and overnight lows of 7C …… wish we had even that.  Its heating on …… but being underfloor is taking a while to warm up.

Therefore very much a day at home playing on the computer sorting photographs and making notes to remind in the future of what and where they exactly where.  Lillian once again has been busy making a Xmas wreath.  This time cones in black and white around a Fulham Logo ….. for the pub!

The picture today is really the sun trying hard to shine at approximately 1345 this afternoon!  

Rain stops play ….

There I am busily cutting back the bouganvillea for the winter, giving it a real good 'haircut', when it starts to rain and quite hard!  It was blue skies and sunshine only an hour ago.

The weather has been lovely with daily temps around the 18C / 64F but is decidedly cooler later in the day.  My Max / Min thermometer shows overnight lows of 7C.  Winter in Cyprus is on its way.

Wandered into the village last night for Quiz Night at the pub but it was so poorly attended it didn't run.  A shame for Nat, the landlady, who tries hard and is a good quizmaster, so instead we sit at the bar chatting.

The rain is of no immediate concern to Lillian who continues to busy herself with Xmas decorations, making and writing cards.  Most be posted in the next couple of days or it will be too late for UK delivery.  I think she is going into mass production and as well as wreath is now making Christmas trees from pine cones.

After the days away

It's back into the routine of pottering about in the garden, some shopping and generally being lazy whilst Lillian busies herself with Christmas creations using cones, twigs, bark and other bits she collected as we travelled through Akamas Park.  I am not sure how she is so patient with fiddly bits and pieces but some of her efforts are really looking quite nice.

Saturday morning and back to Bowls.  Two games and two wins for me, a rather unusual outcome although apart from the usual rubbish when we started off in the first game I gradually got better. To receive praise at the end of the second game from 'Super Bob', who was recently crowned club champion, was praise indeed.

Troodos Mountains with
Pervolia village in the foreground

Usual Saturday afternoon at the pub was time enjoyed with some very funny banter with the couple of Manchester Utd supporters who were suffering their second consecutive home defeat.  For me it was all smiles as Ipswich secure a late win, their third in a row.  A meal at Friends Restaurant was a good way to finish the evening although we were the only ones in there!  Times are hard for those who depend on summer trade for a living and have little in the winter months.

Sunday morning and our late start with the Sunday Times via the iPad subscription and a brisk walk to faros lighthouse and along the beach,  We were the only ones to be seen, which was surprising as the skies were blue, the sun shining although a strong breeze.

4 day getaway break

Panoramic view from room balcony

Just back from 4 nights at the Aphrodite Hills Inter Continental hotel and golf resort.  Without doubt a bargain break booked via UK company Golf Breaks.com.  It was far better to book on-line than directly with the hotel.  To be recommended.  The hotel was a typical Inter Con with number of bars and restaurants, not all of which were open but hey it is early December.  Many of the fellow guests were German or Austrian.  An excellent very comfortable room looking out onto the pool, which was not heated.  There was an indoor pool which we went to see, promising to go later in the trip but never happened.

Don't hit it left on this hole

Over the gorge to the green

Two rounds of golf came with the package.  A good job as the normal green fee would have been €101 each to play.  A very good course which is set on a plateau with the stunning backdrop of the Troodos Mountains on one side and magnificent sea views on the other.  It was a very good job that we had buggy carts as some of the distances from green to the next tee were up to 950m and then up and down tight windy cart tracks.  We enjoyed playing very much and each time were paired with a couple from Vienna.  It is always good to play with somebody else but in both cases their english was not great and our german non existing.  But it was fun.  Our play was OK too until we got to the greens which were the quickest and most slopping we had played on for some years.  It made it impossible to score well when you are three and four putting.  It was not just me and Lillian but our partners too.  A couple of holes were very pretty with one hitting over a large gorge.

We had a half board deal with the hotel so with huge buffet breakfasts and a choice of three or four dishes from a set menu in the evening meant we certainly didn't go hungry.  Spent one pleasant evening with a guy who was on a short break from the UK.  Lived in Mill Hill not far from Harrow.

With one day free from golf we drove to areas of the island that  had not been visited previously.  

Polis Beach

The village of Polis on the west coast was a pleasant stop where we walked through the village to the beach.  A quick look at the Baths of Aphrodite - another pile of stones of which there are plenty in Cyprus. We drove back through the Akamas National park, a long drive through the forest back to the hotel. The road on the map looked fine but it was no more than a dirt track with some very steep bends with sheer drops on one side.  Stops were made for Lillian to collect fresh cones from fir trees for Xmas decorations.  She is becoming very skilled at making them each year - pictures to follow.