Saturday 18th February 2012

A lovely day with blue skies from morning to night and plenty of sunshine, although the temperature did not get above 62F due to the wind still blowing strongly.  Sitting on the patio it was at times quite warm.  If only you could keep out of the wind!

With a fairly late start to the day, giving Julia time to orientate herself and get settled we sat for a while just chatting.  Although the conversations changed from one thing to another I found myself wandering off around the garden, typing the bushes that are trying hard to withstand the bashing from the wind, pulling some Charlie, collecting leaves and cutting a couple of black underlay strips and fitting ready for stones on top.

There must be a white one here somewhere?

As morning turned into afternoon it was time to go for a drive and collect stones.  We went up to the lighthouse and along the car track by the sea, getting out to look at the view a couple of times, eventually making a stop at Umbrella beach to collect stones for the garden.  Back into the car I drove to the coastal road which goes to Zygi although turning off to to Mazatos and then via Terasafanou to Kiti where we stopped at the old church for Julia to take pictures.  The church was closed but Lillian chatted with the guy in the small gift shop and bought a calendar which has the months and days of the week in greek.  It now hangs on the fridge so that she can practice each day.  It was an enjoyable couple of hours for us all.

Back home it was decided that it was getting cold to sit outside due to the wind, whereas with the underfloor heating going and the sun shining through the glass it was too warm!  At 1630 it was time for me to stroll to the Cottage pub for the afternoon football watching.  I know quite a few people in there now so I stood with a Sheffield Utd and a Doncaster Rovers supporter as we watch Norwich lose at home (Hurrah) as the match keeping an eye on the latest scores for our respective teams.  Two very happy guys, especially me letting out my customary yelp each time it flashed up that Ipswich had scored.  It has become a bit of a joke with a number in the pub!  3-0 win and the fourth on the trot for the first time since 2006.  Happy times.

At 1900 Lillian and Julia arrived ..... as planned and from there we went to Soutsos for a meal.  The main restaurant was full of locals celebrating at a birthday party.  All dressed in their finest clothes.  Interesting to see that the men all wear suits at such functions, even the youngest.  All very smart.  With the party was local music which was good if not somewhat loud although we left before any dancing started, which we were sure would follow.  The meal was good and for Julia the first taste of gleeko, a sugared fruit.  She enjoyed this local treat especially the walnuts.

A lovely day.

Friday 17th February 2012

Our 'road' after the rain storm

Steve's Birthday.  Happy Birthday Steve - 28 years old!

For us the day started very early ....... like 0200 with the most heavy rain storm lashing against the windows.  On and on it went so much so we spent time looking out of the window at the strength of the rain and wind.  Water dripping through the second bathroom ceiling, fortunately into the bath kept the eyelids open.  A cup of tea at 0400 and eventually back to sleep around 0500 by when the storm had blown itself out to no more than heavy rain.

A trip to the bank and into Larnaca for Carrefour and Lidl.  At the bank Lillian paid car tax of € 56 for the year.  All car tax is due on 1st January.  There is a sliding scale just like in the UK depending on the size and emissions of the car.  Here in Cyprus banks seem to be available for payment for much more things than just dealing with your own banking, paying electric and our site maintenance charges.  A grey printed tax disc is given but you DO NOT display it, just keeping it along with insurance in the glove compartment for showing on demand i.e. if you get stopped speeding on the Nicosia road.  With low speeds but good cars I will go carefully not to have to get the docs out of the box!

Larnaca was quiet, although we were wandering round just after the lunch period, when of course the majority of shops shut!  Lillian has forgotten to pack her training shoes so new ones need to be purchased for walking!  On the way back home we stopped in Kiti to buy to black ground sheeting ready for more stone collecting.  That already laid has certainly helped in keeping Charlie at bay although not eradicated it completely. As we drove back along the coast road the waves were certainly big. The intention was to start stone collecting again, however the very strong winds put us off going to the beach.  There is plenty of time.

At 1930 we went to the airport to collect Julia whose Easyjet flight arrived on time and she was soon 'through' passport control.  Another person surprised at the cursory glance the official gives to a British passport.  We sat chatting and nibbling pitta, humous etc and the odd glass or three of wine for us and just a coke for Julia who now abstains due to her health.

Thursday 16th February 2012

Woken to the sound of Lillian's phone receiving a SMS message ..... 'Mats wet but playable - Bowls open' so for the first time since mid-December we set off to play bowls at the Kiti and Pervolia Bowls Club.

If we felt apprehensive at from wandering in after what seemed a long time away this was soon dispelled by the warm welcome we received with joking wishes for a 'Happy New Year'.  It seemed that we had not missed much as the club had only been open on four occasions in the last month due to the weather.  It was good to play again as it is a bit of fun although although that we had learnt, certainly for me anyway had clearly been forgotten and the usual too long, too wide, too short pattern of inconsistency soon emerged as the regular pattern of play.  Two games and two defeats for me, although I think it a bit unfair to be drawn to play against 'Super Bob' in both games!  The period of not very much play not affecting his aim.  Looking across the lanes Lillian seemed to be fair a lot better with some very nice shots being played amidst lots of laughter.  She does like to wind the men up!

From bowls it was back home, in lovely sunshine although increasing wind, to play in the garden and sit with a book.  Need to get used to doing nothing again.

Whilst in Dubai we bought as a bargain 4 'flying saucer' shaped solar lights, although had gone in search of more flowers without luck.  It took no time to fix them together and we wait to see how they light up later once charged. I like out flowers very much although sadly nay three of the four now work.

After last night out at the pub, tonight was a night in watching the continued DVD story Prison Break.  All gripping stuff.

Wednesday 15th February 2012

Our first full day back in Cyprus so it had to be a lazy one.

Dead Hibiscus tree?

Up late and after breakfast it was out into the garden to start the tidy up.  Charlie was about but is no way as strong a force as it has been in the past.  Perhaps it too did not like the wet and cold that has been the weather here since we have been away.  We have been told that it has been the wettest January for 80 years in Cyprus and the muddy road certainly confirms it.  It is nice to be back pottering about.

A short, sharp heavy rain storm though unfortunately put an end to gardening and time was spent writing some emails and generally just sitting whilst Lillian brushed up on her greek to attend classes again in the evening.  After such a break she wonders if they will keep her in the class and she will be told she can't attend.

A quick dinner and Lillian went to classes and I went to the pub.  Its nice that the few people we know there want to talk and hear of our travels away.  I think they think we are jet setters!

Tuesday 13th February

A month since the last post!  During this time we have been busy travelling.

Cyprus to Doha in Qatar, Doha to Dubai, Untied Arab Emirates, Dubai to London and for me London to Washington DC to London and back to Pervolia, Larnaca Cyprus.  7 flights and all work except for 6 days including weekends.

Its great to be back for one month rest before its back to Washington via London for possibly my last three weeks of my working life.

After a lovely final evening at Lincoln Road with Andrew, Steve, Emily and Katie, who is now staying at Lincoln Road 4 nights a week due to her having a job nearby, it was an early start.  Taxi and 0600 meant up before that, but no traffic with an early start arrival at Terminal 3 was quick.  After a stop in the lounge we were soon loaded aboard ready for the flight.  At Terminal 3 there is a bus ride to the plane which was probably only half full.  We fly British Airways due to all of the airmiles I have built up on travels making this flight 27 GBP each, however I really do think the service leaves a lot to be desired.  However generally flights go and arrive on time, although my recent flight from Washington was cancelled all together leaving me waiting 7 hours for the next.  I accepted the consolation prize of being upgraded to business!

A short tax ride 18 euros from the airport and we were home.  The garden has taken a bashing with two of the bougainvillaea trees looking to be completely dead.  I guess it must have been the high winds and cold. It is a shame as the single feature tree was doing so well.  We will need to wait and see if it comes back to life in spring or it will need changing.  However the house is fine, if not a little cold at first although the time we went to bed it was warming up as the underfloor heating started to get going.  Doesn't make everywhere hot but certainly snug.

We were tired and so a DVD in bed and soon to sleep.  

Thursday 12th January 2012

Our last full day before heading off back to the land of work!  The overnight rain had passed leaving a blue sky mixed with 50% coverage of large white clouds with dark great bottoms.  The sure sign of more rain on the way.  As expected we received a text from the Bowls Club to say the mats were too wet to play so we were left with an opportunity to adventure along new roads to find new places.  The target destination being the top of the Troodos mountains to see if the the stories about snow were true.

First stop the Helenic Bank in Dromalaxia where we paid this month's instalment of the site maintenance.  60 Euro.  Slightly less than the true month total as we were slightly in credit by a higher payment last month.  From there we went inland to join the main A1 road which runs the virtual length of the island.  Once again passing a police car with a speed gun, although we had been warned by a kind motorist travelling the other way flashing his lights continually.  A sure sign of warning ahead.  I had slowed to make sure I was within the limit and when about to speed up could see the police car ahead.  One motorist who whizzed passed us was not so observant and sure enough a policeman jumped out and waved him down.  I am surprised he even stopped at all he was going so fast.

From Lemosos (Limassol) we turned onto the B8 a single lane carriageway that started to climb and weave up the hillside.  The grey clouds had now turned to black and heavy rain fell with the cloud very low covering the mountain tops.  As we climbed so the outside temperature by the car reading started to fall quickly and soon it was a flashing 3C warning the risk of ice on the road.  Sure enough we soon started to see our first snow and we continued to climb until about 3 KM away from Troodos when the road became covered and the wheels not gripping on the 8% slope.  Ahead we could see a van that obviously had stopped and slipped back into a ditch and was stuck.  Time to stop and play.

The snow was beautiful and plentiful and thought that the rain down the mountain must have fallen as snow.  It was fresh and deep, in places about 9-12 inches.  Lovely, clean snow which squeaked as you walked on it.  Surrounded by lovely views I clicked on the camera and we played making a snowman.  For a few moments he sun cam out and we looked and admired the view, which was all the more amazing as you could see the sea down below.  We didn't get to the top as felt it was too much of a risk without a 4x4 but it was a great time and we stopped for coffee and honey balls (a sort of small doughnut soaked in honey) at the first restaurant open on the way back down.  Before long we were back on the main road form where we turned off to Zygi.  Snow and then an hour later driving no more than 10 m form the sea.

Wednesday 11th January 2012

The beach on a grey day

A morning trip to IKEA in Lefkosia (Nicosia) sees us return with a roller blind for the kitchen and a good stock of candles.  We have become somewhat connoisseurs on candle buying since the days when we nearly burnt Lincoln Road down with wax from a cheap Christmas candles and without a doubt those IKEA candles are great.  they burn well and give very little in terms of wax dribbling down the side.

The road to Lefkosia is a good run and we are there in 30 minutes passing two lots of police cars with speed guns.  For both I sailed past at 120km /hr where the speed limit is 100 km/hr.  Letter in the post?  It is a ridiculously low speed for such a good road.  Lillian made the outward journey amusing me by phoning Stefanos, the Quality Group engineer and giving him a hard time about the state of the road.  Lillian has a great style at being politely assertive whereas I would just get stroppy if I spoke with him.  However they as in QG still await a new permit to complete so we are getting nowhere.

Back home I decided to spray the mud and rubbish from the wheel arches to find the the attachment to join the hose to the tap was missing. Somebody has come in and stolen it can be the only answer.  Our first lost and can only be down to one of the contractors.  A bit of a worry but the hose will go in the cupboard when we levee on Friday just in case they come back for that!  I borrowed the attachment from the tap at the pool and put it back when I had finished!  A clean car ...... until we go out again.

A call from the heating engineer to 'play' with the dials on the underfloor heating again as some areas are not working.  (As I write this it is still not in our bedroom!)  Where it is as on the landing upstairs bedrooms, except ours and the study it is great and the tiles are lovely and warm.

The afternoon is spent with preparation again for the work I will do in Doha, Lillian helping reading documentation and making notes.  Blind fixed in the kitchen and although it looks nice the locking mechanism does not work well and it is hard to keep the blind in a middle position as it gradually slides down.  A shame but we can live with it either up or down.  Lillian left at 1900 to go to Greek lessons and I followed later meeting her and 3 other class members for a drink and meal in Bar Coast.

Back home to listen to the second half of the Ipswich game for them to lose yet again 1-2 with the winning goal scored  in the 94th minute.  They have a relegation battle now.  Sack the manager.

Tuesday 10th January 2012

Our tree has oranges - 6!

Woken to the sounds of ladders being crashed together and the sound of voices speaking in Greek.  Quality Group had returned at 0745 to check that the pipe was OK.  Think it crazy that the boundary wall was built to cover the outflow pipe! Although we have some 'angst' against QG because to the road, which has turned into bog with the rain, their after care service in terms of dealing with snagging has been good.  The hole had worked and the roof is now clear of all water although we wait to see if they will come back to repair the car port ceiling which has a large brown stain without prompting.  It will be a while to dry out.

A 'At Home' day with a mix of working in the garden.  Spent some time tying up the hedging which had been blown down in the heavy winds and of course digging the 'Charlie'.  We had bought back some spray weedkiller from the UK, even though it is a prohibited item for carrying on planes, and where Lillian had sprayed the weed is certainly looking very sick.  Good!  Unfortunately one bottle did not go far.

Time also spent preparing for my working trip to Doha next week and changing flights so that I can then go straight to Washington DC for two weeks after our stay in Dubai.  With my own flights sorted via the London Office it took a long time to sort Lillian's as Emirates wanted 3400 Euro to change her flight from Dubai / Larnaca to Dubai / London!  They said it was because she was ending the flight in a different country than the departure flight.  We therefore had to cancel all flights and start again.  This is a long process with Emirates and the need to fill in on-line to have money less fee cancellation returned.  Lillian will fly back to London on a different flight from me.  I will be on Emirates and she on British Airways where we used cash and airmiles. The two flights have only a 20 minute departure time difference although arrival at different terminals at Heathrow. Quite an expensive business but I was not happy with Lillian staying here in Cyprus for two weeks by herself whilst I am away.

A little bit of shopping in Carrefour, meal at home and 3 more episodes of Prison Break.  Highly recommended for those who have not seen it.

Monday 9th January 2012

A restless night listening to rain beating against windows is not what we are used to here in our lovely house, so it was a fairly late start.  With coffee made it was time to welcome the world of bright sunshine and clear skies with some fluffy white clouds blowing at fast rate across the sky.

The 'sun comes out and dries up all the rain'.  Fortunately no incy wincy spiders to be found however the first problem noticed.  No spout!  The flat roof of the car port could be seen from the window on the stairway to be full of water which.  On further investigation the water was seeping through the roof leaving a huge stain. Why was it sitting there?  Well although there was a hole in the roof we found it hard to believe there was no hole at the bottom!  It had been plastered over.  Later in the morning, by chance a Quality Group Customer service van was on site.  With the aid of a drill and a hammer the problem was fixed and the water gushed out.  Not an attractive hole but there we are - no more seeping water.  Just as well rain will come again that is for sure.

Faros Lighthouse

After some time in the garden tying back the bent bougainvillaea of a hedging it was time to go for a walk along the beach to Faros lighthouse.  A sea was fierce in the stung winds with huge waves yet two kite surfers were having a great time jumping and riding the waves.  Sometimes you lost sight of them as they went into a trough and you thought they had fallen only to reappear with a huge leap and flight.  All looked exciting.  We thought they were very brave to be in such high waves and admired their skill and strength of arms to hang on to their kites for so long.

A trip into Larnaca to pay the internet dongle an another walk along the seafront there.  Deserted and 'packed up' for the winter months it still made a nice stroll.  Two walks in a day.  More exercise than we have had for the last two weeks!  Need to do some more as the scales say we have had an indulgent time back in the UK.

Deserted beach - Larnaca

For the evening Lillian went off to her Greek lesson whilst I went to the pub.  Later a meal in the new cafe / bar that has relocated from near to our house.  Nicely refurbished and good food, we sat chatting with the owners of their plans for their new premises before it was time for home and bed.

Its good to be back.

Sunday 8th January 2012

A rain bashed garden with flooded road!

A belated Happy New Year!  After an enjoyable two week stay back in the UK celebrating the Christmas period with family and friends it was back to our second home of Pervolia.

An early start with an alarm going off at 0545hrs. is not something that we are used to.  However we were reasonable well organised and ready and waiting for the taxi to London Heathrow Terminal 3, which arrived exactly on time at 0615.  As you can expect there was little traffic on the road and in exactly one hour we were in the British Airways lounge having coffee and bacon baps!  Its great to be able to use the lounge even though we fly economy.  One perk from all of the business trips that I have completed in the last eighteen months qualifying me as a silver card holder.  Lounge access makes flying so more 'relaxing' as I genuinely hate waiting for planes and still after all the travel I have done get anxious about the whole 'check in - get a seat process'.

As ever the usual British Airways style flight.  Rubbish entertainment which you can't see as the planes are without setback screens.  Food that whilst it is OK is often served by cabin crew who have little in the way of smile and customer service.  I almost missed breakfast as I was dozing when it was eventually brought round!  However with the 'small sleep' and sunday papers to read the flight even though 4.5hrs passed quickly.  Our seat of 14F and 14G was near the exit so it was a quick getaway on landing being one of the first in the passport control queue.  I don't know why we even show passports as they get no more than a cursory glance.  Oh that US immigration was so easy.

Cases where quick in coming through and it was out to get a taxi.  With Pervolia only being about 12 minutes away from the airport the drivers are not keen on the trip, especially today with us with a lot of luggage (3 cases and hand luggage with laptops and camera) and it pouring with rain.  I mean pouring.  It was lashing down and the roads were flooded.  This was light compared with our made-up road which was like a lake and the driver took some persuading to take us to the door.  A 20 euro fee was hardly surprising in the conditions.

The garden as you can see had taken a bit of a bashing and if you look carefully you can see the dread 'Charlie' who had made a 'reappearance' despite all of our effort before Xmas.  With the rain we did no more than look out of the window, eat, drink and watch some DVD's before off to bed.

Its nice to be back ...... even if it is only for the week.