But they are not all yet summer days. Blue skies and sunshine are interspersed with cloud and at times rain, although that mainly falls at night with its accompanying strong winds. Temps hover around 22C.
For us there has been a conscious effort to ensure that we walk each day and briskly as well. An hour is enough to walk to Faros lighthouse, along the cliff tops, down the steps the Faros Beach and the new beach bar and along the beach until we reach the blue umbrella and home. Doesn't seem to be making a great difference in terms of the bathroom scales but it is good for us and the walk along the beach as close as possible to the water without the 'wet foot' is a lovely way to pass the time.
Back in the garden we have been inspired by the owner of the Faros Beach bar renewing his canopy beach shades with palm leaves and so we have done the same with our swing seat. The cover had lasted the two summer seasons but a mixture of summer sun and winter winds had meant it was now looking very sad and torn. We are quite pleased with our effort, the leaves being cut from the palms that are long the roadside up to the lighthouse.
Friday was the bowls AGM. I'd like to write something witty about the proceedings but unfortunately it was so mundane and the proceedings following the agenda to the letter there is nothing to report of note. As ever with any small club a few committee members devote a lot of time to give the enjoyment of playing to others. One nice part of the meeting was a presentation to the local church attended by the secretary of the Kiti council of an envelope containing the €1500 recently raised at the Charity Bowls event. The money is used supporting local families 'in need'. The welfare state of Cyprus does not so readily give out support as it does in the UK.
Saturday was bowls morning and although personal performance seemed somewhat improved from our last visit to the club only Lillian cam away with one win from the collective four games we played. Lillian and I were not drawn on the same side for any game ..... which means I lost both of mine.
A packed Cottage pub for saturday afternoon football watching with a surprisingly high number of 'visitors' all of whom appeared to be Arsenal supporters! A draw for Ipswich has almost saved the team from the threat of relegation which has loomed much of the season. To be bottom of the table with only 7pts in November and to be virtually safe now with 57 is a great relief to this long suffering fan.
The flight across to Antalya is short, only 40 minutes from Ercan in Northern Cyprus where we were met by the ever efficient Billyana Golf rep for a 30 minute drive to Hotel Voyage. Highly recommended all inclusive hotel with good rooms, excellent food and beverages, breakfast buffet being first class and a range of a la carte restaurants when you want something different. The Steak House was very good.
Five rounds of golf on four different courses. All are very well kept with some challenging holes. The most difficult being the National. We played twice on the Montgomerie Maxx course which will host the Turkish Open this coming year. It will be interesting to see how the pros demolish it in November. Geoff, who was taking his turn at being trip organiser, selected a mix of teams each day and pairings brought a range of scores. Some good, some very good and some just awful from all players at different times. In the end it all came down to the last put on the last hole. Last year I sank a huge put to win by one shot. This year I missed the final put from 3 feet to lose by one shot! However I did win nearest the pin 3 times with Lillian once. Lillian and I were 'married pairs' winners for the first time and Lillian was the Ladies champ. Jason and Kim to organise next year so who knows where we will go? Its down to them.
Two really warm days but no sunshine! Temps have climbed and its warm with 28C / 82F the highest part of the day (mid-afternoon) but a complete grey cloud cover and a slight but warm breeze means T shirts are still on for the moment. I will not gloat over family and friends who are experiencing such rotten weather in UK except to say ...... bet you wish that you were here.
Saturday afternoon was the normal football score watching a prayers were answered with an Ipswich home win 3-0 against the much hated Leeds Utd. This year will see the 52nd year since I saw my first Ipswich match at Portman Road against the famous Manchester United. With Ipswich winning 4-1 that day how could you possibly support any other team. After recent seasons of despair we at last have a manager who knows his business and things are looking up even though he has not yet saved us from relegation. Important game today!
The garden continues to provide pleasurable time. Our activities complete each other. Lillian pots, clips and trims whilst I collect fallen leaves, tie back where needed and generally sort. Lillian is far more persistent than I on an activity whereas I seem to change every twenty minutes or so. However we get things done and its starting to look nice.
A beautiful day, warm and sunny with temps in the mid 70s F and ideal for a bike ride. Routes that we have frequently taken before but always enjoyable as we get to see the sea! The colour looks wonderful. Even time to sit on umbrella beach and just enjoy being there. We pass through a number of fields that are showing already their first crops of artichockes and potatoe plants are in flower.
An evening in the village with a stop in the Cottage Pub which is really quite empty. The landlord Ken has been badly hit with the Cyprus 'problem' with the breweries no longer taking cheques and wanting cash payments. Business is not good for him and it will be a real shame if he goes under after 8 years. How will business be good when his prices are so cheap? I like it in the Cottage Pub!
