Saturday 9th June 2012

Bowls morning and the usual 1015 hr start, although this morning everyone was so engrossed in pre draw chatting it was nearly 1040 before the first bowls were rolled.  Not into the chatting I had spent the time practicing and entered the first game full of confidence.  Practice at bowls seems to work just as practicing putting on the green before a game of golf.  You get into a rhythm and the ball rolls easily into the hole more times than not.  Get on the golf course and you couldn't get it near the hole even if it was the size of a bucket.

The first game was totally uneventful except that I was playing against Lillian whose team were easy winners with me contributing ...... not a lot other than giving Lillian something to make fun of.  The second game was to be oh so different.  For the first time ever I was drawn in the same team as 'Super Bob' my bowling hero.  Surely an easy history was assured with Bob bowling number 2 and myself as skip no less.  So good to stand at the other end and say 'Just bend it in here Bob, on the Jack'.  As easy as that.  But shock horror Super Bob did not follow my clear and precise instructions but proceeded to bowl a complete load of rubbish most of the time and hardly won us a point.  I couldn't believe it every time I play against him he meets his name 'Super Bob'.  Fortunately I was able to come to the rescue more than once with a couple of timely and accurate rolls until the last end and the last bowl to be bowled by myself.  The other team where two points up with my last bowl to play.  No pressure I rolled it down and onto the Jack to take the end and the match.  Claps and cheers from my two team mates.  Super Chris!! LOL

An afternoon at home sunning ourselves and a swim to get in the lengths.  I stick with my twenty compared with Lillian's thirty and then a walk into the village to watch England v South Africa rugby at the pub.  They are a good crowd in there and it was a good finish to the day.

The picture today is from the garden which we call the 'Beach Plant'.  Lillian pulled a very small clump of it from the beach back in February and planted it. It looked pathetic and for a long time looked dead but now is full of flowers which close each night.

Friday 8th June 2012

Early morning garden view from the balcony.

Guess what?  Warm and sunny so most of the day spent outside.

Always things to do in the garden and Lillian continues to wander each day with clippers in hand snipping here and there.  Her obsession now is the small white grubs that are appearing on the bougainvillea which she dispenses with soapy water and water spray with leaves being carefully removed and put into plastic bags so in theory they do not return!  I’m only the labourer and my activity is restricted to climbing the ladder and pinning some branches of the climbers to make them grow across the car port.

A good day for swimming and a record breaking one for me in terms of lengths.  A total of 46 today in two sessions which is a good achievement I feel as I am such a poor swimmer.  I take it very slowly but do feel that the aerobic exercise is doing me good as I build up to the big test at Royal Free on 22nd July.  Lillian swam once and completed 30 lengths half on her back.  No effort at all for her and she just glides along agreeing that for her breaststroke is no effort at all.  To complete her exercise routine she went off on a mad half hour bile ride whilst I swam the second time.

A trip to the bank to withdraw deposit for the awning blind.  Whilst there we transferred some money into a saving account. We bank with Laiki Bank and I have to say whenever we go in to any of the branches (we visit three in total at various times) the service is personalised and excellent.  It was just the same when in Dubai. We have never received the same approach in the UK and perhaps is an underlying message as to why the banking industry is a mess there?  Look after the customer.

Late afternoon the husband and wife team from Ikos, the blind people called to check the awning installation, which has been ordered from Germany, collect the deposit and advise on curtaining.  Two hours later we decided to get rid of the vertical hanging blinds which were installed in a rush when we took the house last July.  They have proved impracticable with wind etc as you go in and out of the patio doors and replaces with curtaining, that will not close but will hang just at the sides and roman blinds.  I love roman blinds and Lillian has chosen great fabrics with matching cushions being made also.  You will need to wait for pictures here in a couple of weeks for more details!

With the evening now late, it was food from the freezer and the last and final episode of Prison Break!  Yes that’s it finished!

Thursday 7th June 2012

Harvesters in the fields at the back of the house.

Blue skies nothing but blue skies.  Is this getting repetitious? The weather is fantastic now with warm to hot sunshine and the normal cooling afternoon breeze.  Temperatures are still into the 70’s F well into sunset and beyond.

With visitors gone it was off to Bowls in the morning, with a fairly good attendance and all lanes in use.  Being creatures of habit we sit at the same table under the shade to change shoes and chat before the games start.  For many now the talk of returning to the UK for the summer months is becoming the norm.  Somebody is always going for short or long periods, with some even whinging how it will be good to get away as it will be ‘Too hot’ here.  LOL ..... wait until they get back to a traditional UK summer and they might find hot Cyprus the better option?

In terms of the games it was unfortunately two defeats.  Luck of the draw I think as in both games I was pitted directly against one of the ‘BOBS’.  First game was Super Bob who in his usual accurate style just rolled it up to where it needed to be ....... everytime on the jack or there about.  Whilst in terms of the score it was a reasonably close game there was never a time a doubt about which team would win.  The second match I was drawn as Skip against Captain Bob.  The Captain’s style is different in delivery and approach.  Whereas Super Bob can just get it at the jack Captain Bob is very tactical and not only can bowl accurately he can knock other bowls out the way increasing his sides score.  He thinks about every shot and I have learnt a lot by just watching him.  Now I need the execution.  Needless to say a defeat by 7 points was the best we could muster.

From Bowls it was home for garden, swim and sun although I needed to be inside for a bit for some ‘work’!  Yes work and there is more to come as its off to Doha, Qatar next week.  After some sun it was into Larnaca to pay the deposit on a large awning (7m long) to cover the patio area and give shade to the large patio doors which have the sun from 1300 hrs each day.  We were persuaded to have a motorised version rather than manual and the owner of the shop will come tomorrow just to check once again the fitting.  It will have  a weather sensor which means it will open and close automatically with sunshine and wind.  It could be in and out a lot with the latter. With him will come his wife to advise Lillian on some curtaining to supplement the room blinds.  Both will be good additions to our home.

After three consecutive nights of eating out with Anne Lillian prepared a gastronomic delight and we sat in watching the Importance of Being Ernest which was showing on a Dubai television programme!

Wednesday 6th June 2012

The last day for friend Anne who has been staying with us so once again sitting in the sunshine was the order for most of the day.  Glorious sunshine with temperatures around 84F was a good way fro her to end her quest for an instant suntan before going back to the grey skies and rain that appears to have engulfed UK whilst she was here.

The only task for Anne for the day was the completion and laying of her commemorative stone as per the tradition now for 'visitors'. Anne's stone has a picture of a frog.  She 'collects' them and has a whole range from glass, crystal, ceramic and felt at her home in Harrow.  I think her image is good don't you as its not easy to draw and paint a frog?

Once Anne was dropped at the airport there was time for a swim to complete the mandatory 20 lengths and bike ride along the coast.  It seems a long time since we have rode together and with the sun shining yet a cooling breeze blowing it was truly lovely to be out and about.  Back home a dip in the tub, glass of wine and watching Andy Murray playing tennis at the French Open.  Despite our support he lost!

Fairly early to bed only to be woken at 0230 with the alarm going off at the house number 4 which is owned by some Cypriots who visit at the weekends.  Both myself and Georges from number 5 where out in the street but nothing could be seen and eventually after 30 minutes of ringing the alarm at last stopped itself.  On inspection in the morning it a plant pot had blown from a window sill and must have been the cause.

Tuesday 5th June 2012

Spider in the garden eating breakfast!

Great long morning walk to the beach with the collection of more coloured stone by Lillian and some large 'whites' for me.  Waded into the sea up to me knees but as I was not wearing swim shorts that was as far as I went.  It felt warm.

Back home we lounged and swam, 20 lengths for me 30 for Lillian!  Lillian spent time revising for her greek exam which finishes her course.  Will she make it to Phase Two?  As with greek lessons - they are followed by an Indian meal.  Once again stuffed.

Monday 4th June 2012

Always on the look out for colourful stones

Blue skies nothing but blue skies - for most of the day!  Worryingly there a few white clouds about early morning although they soon disappeared giving a hot day where the temperatures rose to at least 30C.  A day for ‘sizzling’.

Lillian and I decided against the Monday Bowls session as we were later waking, opting for a long walk along the beach to Faros, then the cliff tops overlooking the sea and beach, down the steps and back along the beach to home.  A total of about two hours walking.    

The Faros beach was busy and car parking areas had many cars, all with Cypriot number plates, only seeing two rental cars.  For one of the few totally sandy beaches in the area Faros is a well kept secret from tourist who are inclined to be in the obvious spots of Larnaca and McKenzie.  Indeed we only stumbled on Pervolia by chance when making our original exploratory visit to Cyprus in 2007.  

Faros Beach

The beach was so busy as today was a Public Holiday - Holy Spirit Day which takes place 50 days after Orthodox Ester.  Families were out in force with many children playing in the shallow water. In Larnaca the sea front promenade has taken on the appearance of an open-air fair with scores of stalls selling toys and traditional food.

As the day of lazing in the garden and swimming in the pool was coming to an end.  (more careful with the sunscreen today) we received unexpected visitors in Sheila and Bob (Super Bob) who were out walking and they joined us for 45 minutes to have a beer and a chat.  Sheila and Bob live in an apartment on the northern side of Pervolia.  Bob reported a huge turn out at Bowls in the morning with 42 players.  We were not missed.

An evening drive into the setting sun to Zygi where the three of us indulged with a fish meze.  Despite there being three of us we ordered for two and still couldn’t finish all that was brought to the table.  The cuttle fish was particularly good.  Home to flick the television  channels but we soon decided enough.  Another exhausting day LOL.

Sunday 3rd June 2012

Another lazy day with friend Ann wanting to make the most of the sunshine, which we did lazing about.  Result sore shoulders where suntan lotion had not been properly replied!  With temperatures around 28C it is easy to underestimate the strength of the sun.  

The highlight of the day, apart from the excellent company of course, was the use of our garden for a photo shoot to show off wedding dresses.  Three very pretty young ladies paraded in a total of 6 gowns.  They were the work of Cassie who lives in House number 12 and works from home sourcing wedding gowns from all over the world as her business.  Whilst not wanting to get in the way I was at least able to ‘click away’ and practice my own photography skills testing out various camera settings.  Having no control over where the girls looked meant good pictures did not look so good taken from a side angle.   However three are reproduced here.

Excitement over the remainder of the day was spent not doing very much except for a break for a swim (20 lengths) and a dip in the hot tub.  After patio sundowners of large gin and tonics it was a walk into the village to eat.  All in bed by 2300.  A hard day.

Saturday 2nd June 2012

New park at Faros with solar lighting.

Up early and a brisk walk for Lillian and I up the hill to Faros lighthouse.  Takes 20 minutes, something have never really timed before.

We stopped for a while admiring the new park and play area that has been constructed over the last three months right on the cliff top.  Very nice it is too.  We have not seen the use of lights with solar panels on the top before.  Hurrah as we have been thinking for years that solar energy should be used more, especially when we were in Dubai where the only solar panels were on the parking meters!  We have solar panels on our roof of the house.  Although they do not generate electricity as such they do heat the hot water which is really very hot for showers and sufficient is generated for it to be in use 24/7.

Back home and a quick breakfast and off to bowls.  Once again one win one loss.  The win came in the second game when I was drawn to play against Lillian who even complemented me on my play!  Good job she didn't see me in the first game where I was rubbish!

An afternoon in the garden working on the suntan whilst Lillian pottered with trimming etc and then we both swam and soaked in the hot tub.  20 lengths is not bad!  A shower, something to eat and off to the pub to watch the England v Belgium game and then to the airport to collect friend Ann, a Head of a very successful Primary School, who is visiting from Harrow for 5 days, escaping the UK half term.  She can't do any work whilst here.  But for me its piling up and I now go to Qatar on 12th June for a week.  No peace for the wicked!

Friday 1st June 2012

A trip to Limassol this morning for Lillian to go to the offices of Ideal Property Solutions, who are management company looking after the compound.  Much to discuss as a way forward to deal with those absentee home owners who still do not pay their maintenance charge.

Whilst Lillian was meeting I strolled the promenade.  It is similar there in many ways to Larnaca with parks and walkways between the road and the beach, although the beach itself seems a lot narrower.  Might be just because the tide was in. Despite it being a lovely day many of the sun loungers on the beach were empty.  Is it that the full season is yet to start or are there just less people?  Not having experienced Cyprus in June before its hard to tell.  More people walk past our house along the road to Faros but you can hardly say its busy and our trip into the village a couple of nights ago the restaurants were still fairly empty.

On the way back we went collect the bike from the repair shop. I dropped Lillian at Marks & Spencer so she could browse and went on another 250 yards to the bike shop.  There I made a great error.  In order to get the bike into the car I had to remove the parcel shelf which I propped against a bush.  A €5 charge. I got back in the car and drove off collecting Lillian on the way and it was not until we got home I realised that I had left the parcel shelf against the hedge.  The time I got back to the Bike Shop it had gone.  Who would want such a thing?  I am so angry with myself!  Drrrrrrrrr

Back home once again we swam, sat in the hot tub and pottered in the garden.  Quotes have come in for the awning across the patio.  The price is right with only €40 Euro between the two stores, for the same product, although one is recommending an electric motor.  What to do?

The stone picture today is Evy and Kevin's.  You can see Kevin's artistic talent shining through? LOL.  Actually that is where we started with Chris and Nick.  Write your name on the stone so we will let him off and glad that he came.  Kevin is a Chelsea supporter so the date represents their Champions League win.  Evy has very carefully written her name in Greek, with help from Lillian.  The flower on the stone is a pressed bougainvillaea flower which has been pasted on.  The little shell and starfish are from the beach. Well done Evy.

Thursday 31st May 2012

After very much the relaxing and lazy day yesterday it was new energies to today!  Although when your sad what we have been up to you will quite rightly say ...... well that didn't take a lot of energy.

With the electricity restored to the pool, with it covers the gym so it was 15 minutes brisk walking on the running machine.  Enough to start although this needs now to be a frequent endeavour as i 'ramp up' to the stress echo in July at the Royal green Hospital.  The twelve minutes there last time nearly killed me with high speed and incline.  I am determined to be as fit as I can possible be this time.

A morning at the Bowls Club.  After a break of four weeks it was good to meet everyone there who as ever, were welcoming after a time away.  Whilst we have only been members from early in the year we are by no means now the 'new kids on the block' with a number of couples joining after us.  However as people come people go and there was card signing and donations to gifts for two couples leaving and going back to the UK after ten and eight years in Cyprus respectively.  Cyprus a place for retire and enjoy sunshine and a very relaxed life but I can see that for some, after a few years, missing family, especially grandchildren causes a draw back to the UK.  We will see for us ......... but as we have no grandchildren its not an issue!

In terms of the games win one lose one.  The defeat was a heavy one for my team.  Consistency as I have often said here is the key and whilst I bowled some good bowls some were an embarrassing rubbish!  However its fun and we enjoyed the game.  From bowls yet another trip into the bike shop for more puncture repairs.  After riding for four months last year with only one puncture between the two bikes we have now had six in a matter of a couple of months.  I guess it must be the start of the summer with lots of new thorns etc about.

An afternoon of sunning, hot tubbing and swimming!  The pool is back in operation and both Lillian and I managed a respectable 10 lengths as an entry mark.  The water, whilst feeling cold when first stepping in was warm and just right for swimming.

I commented earlier of new features in the garden, including two new tubs of flowers.  But there are also four new stones to mark the visitors that have left whilst I have been away. I am glad they have supported the tradition for visitors of leaving their mark.  Today posted are Andrew and Eve's.