Sunday 7th August 2011

Blue skies, nothing but blue skies. Sunday a day of rest LOL

We have agreed that each day we would try to have a go at two out of three activities on our fitness campaign. Walk, ride and swim being the three until the gym is operational. So it was bikes first thing in the morning and a lovely ride it was too. We found a gravel track leading to the beach and rode for about forty minutes only 10 m from the sea. Certainly a path for the locals as we met a number who had large 4x4 cars who had driven across the fields for secluded spots. Some had camped the night in small tents. The sea was calm and blue and when we had gone what we thought was far enough, not knowing where the track would take us, we sat and threw stones and just talked about how lucky we are to be here and what we have achieved. Lovely. We took an inland route back cutting across a field and then the coastal road that we have driven a number of times in a car. Although the road is 'in the middle' of nowhere so to speak going to Zygi it surprisingly has a bike path. Just as well as it had been 80 minutes by the time we got back to Pervolia residences and I was knackered!

Our new neighbours had a 'house warming' for family and friends which we kept clear from as the pool was full of children between the ages of 3-16ish. So later it was a beach walk for activity two. Lillian collecting white flat stones to make a pathway across our garden gravel. They look good.

The evening was a unique experience. A movie under the stars as I set the laptop on the table and we watched a DVD starring Sandra bullock. Rubbish film 'Searching for Steve' or similar but nice nevertheless. Bed at 2200 our earliest night.

Great day

Saturday 6th August

On the road by 830 bike riding inland across fields although finishing at the coast at Faros beach then heading back into Pervolia village. Truly lovely - we are getting more steady and are starting to get the hang of changing gear without wobbling all over the place.

Lilo lounging ...... I'm good at that although have lost the technique of spreading suntan evenly and now have some red bits. LOL

1700 hours and start of the football season following Ipswich. Went to The Cottager pub where I followed the scores via a mixture of BB and Sky Sports. A 3-0 win, what a start to the season. The Pervolia Golf Sciety had been on an awayday to Secret Valley Golf Club and were back in the bar presenting their prizes for the day. We will bring our clubs back and join them as they meet once a month.

A lovely evening meal in the square. It was great watching the world pass by. Good food, good value and walk back to the house wondering about so many stars in the sky.

A perfect day.

Friday 5th August

An early morning beach walk was just lovely. It is only five minutes to the water and our new open beach sandles are great for walking in the surf. This was followed by shopping trip to Kleima in Arridipou that was just to browse ended up with three major purchases. A table and six chairs for the patio. A garden swing that converts into a sun bed and a 3-2-1 white leather sofa set which seemed very comfortable and just the right size that we wanted. To be delivered on Monday.

A laze in the pool (although of course completing our lengths – I am currently running at 50% of the number Lillian does without stopping!) and then an evening on the patio. Lillian spent time trimming the fast growing ficus bushes and spraying the hibiscus plants which are being attacked by ‘white fly’!

A guy came to cut away the cables which were for a non commissioned cooling unit. Pleased about this as they were sticking our the back of the hot tub.

Here at Last

Monday 1st August
Back to Cyprus via BA 662 from London Heathrow to Larnaca. Thank goodness we are able to carry two suitcases each only one of which is full of clothes – the remainder household items from bedding to our bedside rug purchased in Dubai.

Car hire via Auto Direct was efficient and it was ‘home’ to see how the garden has settled. It looks great with only one plant not taken at this stage. Many are showing good growth much to Lillian’s delight although it looks as if the hibiscus have an attack of the white fly. They need a squirt of something quick!

A quick trip to Carrefour for basic supplies – local beer Keo and Athrodite wine. Oh and some bread and milk and a sit on the patio in the warm summer breeze.

Tuesday 2nd August
Exciting day. After a couple of phone calls to confirm our insurance it was off to Nissan to collect our new car. A white Qashqai. It looks great and drives very well. Purchased with visitors in mind as it will easily seat 5 adults and has a huge boot for cases. Took the hire car back although a bit miffed they would not return one day payment for early return. I had ordered for two days as I thought the Qashqai might not be ready.

Our first swim in the pool today which is lovely and warm, just like Dubai, although like Dubai it will be cold in the winter as it is not heated. Lillian was even brave enough to swim in the sea when we went for early morning walk to the beach. I watched! This could be the start of a fitness campaign as we have made a promise to swim each day and try to improve on the number of lengths without stopping. I am not confessing numbers as Lillian is such a better swimmer than I.

A trip into Larnaca to check email at Starbucks and a visit to Cyta. There is still no news of the installation of cables to our ‘new development’ as Quality Group need to do some electrical work. However found out about a ‘dongle’ which although expensive at €32 a month for 3GB download this is a must to be able to keep in touch with US schools re Engage. As with Dubai lots of paperwork needed to sign a contract which we did not have so must return.

Drinks on the patio playing ‘Beat the intro’ with tunes form our ipad. Being as all of the songs are ours we were not very good!

Wed 3rd August.
Up early this morning. 0615 – hard to believe we could be so early. The sun was already shining in clear blue skies. A walk followed by a swim in the pool – the ‘keep fit campaign’ continues but not at a pace. My swimming is very leisurely.
Lillian also got chatting with new neighbours from house number 5 – they have invited us for coffee tomorrow.

A wasted trip into Larnaca – its closed on a Wednesday afternoon. I do mean closed – everything including the Cyta office so no internet dongle. Fortunately the bars along Pine Tree Avenue( This is the main beach street) are always open so time for a beer.

Walk in the evening to the local fish taverna (about 15 minutes) for a very enjoyable meal of locally caught fish. Red Mullet and ???? very nice whatever it was washed down with Keo and wine.

Thursday 4th August
An early start into Larnaca and the Cyta office. Success and we now have internet access be it a costly method.

Coffee at number 5 Skevi (Mum) and Margaritta (daughter, 21 years). George (dad / husband) was at work. They have a house in Larnaca and will only come to Pervolia Residences at weekends and during holidays. Margaritta is at university in Nicosia studyin business management. Nice people although with their little English and our non-existing greek made for interesting conversation. Lillian, as ever makes a good effort at language but for me it is forgotten so quickly. Skevi was able to show us on a map a bike shop.

So off we went to the bike shop and now are the owners of two bikes. The owner of the shop was helpful and delivered in the evening in his van. My blue and yellow machine is the first bike that I have owned since I was 17 although Lillian did have a bike and cycle for a while when Emily was little. Excited by our new acquisitions we immediately took them for a ‘test run’ to watch the kite surfers at the beach. 30 minutes was enough for the first time.

We can't believe we are actually going

After a week of a flurry of emails back and fore to Quality Group we are actually heading off to Cyprus to receive our new home! It would seem there is still some work to complete but these are either site related or in agreement with us but we have plenty of time to sort. The garden has not been completed as we want to be sure we choose the layout / plants etc.

Flights are booked and we will be in Pervolia from 30th October through to 13th November. Will be staying nearby in a rented apartment initially but it will be exciting to 'get to grips' with our new adventure.

New Year Blues

Today is 2nd January when we thought / hoped we would be jetting off to our new home but Stefanos, the site engineer eventually emailed before Christmas to say that due to delays (unsepecified) it will now be towards the end of March for a realistic handover.

We can't say we are surprised at this message having seen the status of the construction in September but we can say that we are 'disappointed'.

Oh well ............... have to think about going back to work to pass the time!

Delays?

Lillian 'skyped' Quality Group yesterday to find out the latest and was the development on schedule as predicted?

Whilst she was not able to speak directly with anyone in the office who could tell her the status of our home she was promised that somebody would call back. As good as their word on all things thus far Lillian missed 'two calls ' from Cyprus.

On checking email later we sadly but not unexpectedly received this ..


Dear Mrs. Wright,

I was told that you called regarding the progress of the project. Unfortunately there have been some delays, and therefore the project will probably not be finished by the end of the month. I will be able to give you a better estimate for the completion date sometime next week.

Regards,
Stefanos Nikolaou
Civil Engineer

Paying the cash!

Whilst in Cyprus we visited the Quality Group offices a number of times; signing contracts, sorting payments, design of kitchen, selecting tiles etc.

When talking with a Director Lillian in her normal style of looking for the best deal was able to negotiate a good discount on the house price in return for a change in the payment schedule.

So yesterday meant another payment to be made ….. but we are almost there.  Roll on January 2010 when it will finally be ours!

Our week in Cyprus

So ............... full of excitement we left Asas Towers with 64Kg of luggage at 0615. A taxi quickly took us along the Corniche for perhaps the last time to the airport. We have no regrets for going to Doha and but whilst we had an OK time it was an 'experience' we will not look back with fond memories. It didn't compare with our time in Dubai, where we were spolit with our lifestyle and fine group of friends.

We made a quick flight to Bahrain with Gulf Air where we had to disembark.  This was OK as we were able to wait in the lounge for the connecting flight to Larnaca.  (see Lillian in the picture above). On arrival at Larnaca the hire car that had been pre-booked was soon assigned and we were on our way, deciding to go straight to Pervolia rather than the hotel.

Having spent so long just looking at the brochure it was great to see our house for real!We were delighted with what we saw.  The house, although covered with scaffolding looked great. Rooms whilst small compared with what we have become used to still are good sizes. The location is very good - we tried the walk to the beach. Yes it is 5 minutes! The garden looks a lot bigger than the measurements. Quick instant decisons were made that the downstairs bedroom will become the TV viewing room allowing the lounge / dinner to be exactly that and that the patio area will become part of the living area. The 'hot tub', which we have promised ourselves, although we hope will also be nice for visitors will be just to the right and a second patio area should be built in the far right of the garden for sun loungers an table.

The week was spent getting sorted and finding answers to our questions which are as follows:

Meeting with Quality Group to finalise fittings etc for the home.

This was achieved. We were able to sort the ceramic tiles for the floors and walls in the bathrooms. Lillian was also able to negotiate some changes to the layout of the kitchen

Investigate having a 'hot tub' for the garden.

Sorted along with a concrete base and extra electrical work. We have also decided to have a second small patio area placed in the corner of the garden and a gate placed in the wall which will lead directly to the swimming pool.

Investigate furniture purchases etc

Lots of visits made to stores including IKEA in Nicosia. Local stores will provide all that we will need and we will be able to make a few quick purchases and then take our time to be sure we get what we want.

Other achievements

Bank accounts established. Kitchen white goods purchased. Visits made to a number of car showrooms. Prices are higher than UK but we should be able to find a 'run around' fairly quickly on arrival.

Changes in Plans and more questions

So ............. some unexpected developments. Due to the finishing of my work contract we will not be returning to Doha at the end of our scheduled next visit to Cyprus but will be going home to London.

Due to high shipping costs we will, for the second time in a couple of months be leaving 'goods behind' that we might have kept for our Cyprus Home. The biggest casuality is the sofa set shown here as it would have cost more to ship it back to England and then to Cyprus than it cost to buy! A shame as Lillian and Emily had sourced it with Cyprus in mind. But there you go.

Our possessions here in Doha amounted to 8 cu.m and we thought it might be a good idea to directly ship our things to Cyprus but the cost was a staggering QR22,000 compared to QR8900 to London. This was mainly due to the fact we did not want the container to arrive before January and it would have spent time sitting on the dock in Dubai of all places!!! We have subsequently further reduced this cost to QR 4200 (700 stg) by leaving the sofa and not buying any insurance. Don't let the ship go down!

The loss of the job (these things happen in the Middle East) means whilst the finances have taken a hit we hope that we will be able to get to Cyprus in January 2010 when the house is scheduled to be complete compared with April 2010 that was 'budgeted'. All so very exciting.

Another good thing is that we will now only leave Cyprus on 26th September due to having to get a later flight, so an extra day! We will fly Cyprus Airways for the first time from Larnaca to London. Need to join their frequent flyer club and start collecting airmiles.

Extra things to find out when there to add to the list below?

Price of cars (We have been looking into shipping from London) and regulations for importing. We suspect from internet research that cars are expensive there.