Month: April 2010

The wild spring flowers are still all around and well worth looking out for. We found a different orchid, must be one of the later ones. I think it is a ‘bug orchid’. We find something very exotic and then discover it has a name like that. I may have identified it incorrectly but it is the nearest I can find without having a microscope to identify the parts, apart from which I never pick them. The description is that it is perfumed, which this one was but sometimes a sweet perfume and sometimes a ‘bed bug’ smell.  We got lucky!

Maureen Hutchinson organises Orchid and Wild Flower Walks which are well worth going on as she is highly knowledgable.  I have a feeling that these may be ending at the beginning of May, so if interested contact her very soon:  0542 854 4329

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Unbeknown to me, a pre 60th birthday surprise has been planned for me for the day! The first I knew was when Margaretha arrived telling me that we were going out for the day. When I got in her car, fellow schemers, Lena and Ingrid were sitting in there waiting! We drove off with me not having a clue where we were going but they did plenty of wind ups about para gliding (I hate heights) and wind surfing and various other bluffs which panicked me a little. But we arrived at Mavi Kosk, where I wanted to go but Mal and I had never got round to it! It is a beautiful place and very peaceful with terrific views.  It is in military ground, so if anyone is thinking of going, you must take your passport with you. Here is an article about it : LINK

It is a fascinating place to visit. We had a guided tour around the house and then sat in the gardens and had a drink. We also threw coins into the fountain and made a wish….with your right hand over your left shoulder and supposedly if your coin lands face up, your dreams come true!

Just as we came out of the military area, there was a field full of poppies, so Margaretha stopped the car and we both got out to take photos. This caused one of the soldiers to run up the road towards us, waving his rifle, telling us we were  not allowed to take photos as we were still too near the military area!

More teasing during our drive to the next stop, a superb lunch at a restaurant in Lefke. Far too much food but very good fresh fish. Here Margaretha gave me a present, a laminated voucher for a day trip on the boat African Queen but when I turned it over it was for Mal and I and the four grandchildren as well! Wow, we will all love that. Thank you so much.

I think the route we took through the mountains, the lovely countryside and villages, reminded us all why we came here.

More driving took us down to a table in the gardens by the sea, where the girls opened a bottle of champagne.

The perfect end to the perfect day. Thank you so much Margaretha, Lena and Ingrid. Yes …it was a big surprise! Very much appreciated.

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It was raining during the night but another lovely day. The internet went down early in the morning and we were told it was probably the winds and they were strong later in the day but not in the morning. We were also told they couldn’t fix it until Friday.

In the evening I went to girlie pizza night and there are considerably more people coming now the weather has improved. Nice cocktails as usual…one free to ladies on Wednesday nights (at Pizza King).

It also seems that planes are now flying again after all the volcanic ash.

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Lunchtime the ‘X’ committee met up. We had a nice lunch and a catch up with each other. Sadly workmen were strimming just below where we were sitting, so it was difficult to hear  and along with the strimming, masses of sand flies swarming around us. Normally Kervan Terrace is a great place to eat and a lovely view of the sea!

Early evening Mal and I took Rosie to the vet in Lefkosa – Mehmet at Animalia. He confirmed Rosie has athritis and also that we need to give her glucosimine sulphate and to give her paracetomol for a week. He said if eventually she was in more pain he would let us have stronger pain killers. But to keep the exercise  going, she certainly has plenty of that. He gave us a new prescription for Urilin for us to collect in the UK as they don’t have it here.  Lastly her annual injections, she didn’t mind at all and just sat there as the needle went in, a different story to other vets she has been to!  The total cost for all of that….30tl.

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A win in yesterday’s election for Dervis Eroglu

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8627826.stm

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/04/201041815842200467.html

Dawn came round to see us in the morning. She is still on “volcation”, in other words, should have left for the UK last Thursday and is still waiting to hear when she can go, when the volcano ash goes and planes can fly back to the UK again. Her and many others stranded but she is in good spirits, putting up with all this sun! Neil is back in the UK. I am sure she will be back soon Neil.

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TRNC ELECTION DAY

After weeks of flag waving, processions of cars blocking the roads, loud speakers playing out the party’s songs etc etc the big day is here!! ELECTION DAY.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8627826.stm

http://www.sundayszaman.com/sunday/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=207072

This is a very important day for the TRNC and all of us who live here.

Who is it going to be???

Quote from yesterday’s Cyprus Today “As usual alcohol sales will be banned tomorrow, with off licences, pubs, restaurants and supermarkets off limits except for any refreshments but soft drinks until polls close at 6.00pm.”

It is worth a mention here that out of 7,000 -10,000 ex pats, only around 300 have been granted citizenship and therefore can vote.

Follow the TRNC election results online as the votes come in: http://www.mahkemeler.net/secim2010/

UPDATE(20.45)…….see……..www.northcyprusfreepress.com……..Eroglu has won!

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We took Rosie out in the morning and the last few days she has developed a limp after resting, so we took her for a shorter walk than usual.  On the way to Lambousa we stopped at the pharmacy and bought some glucosimine sulphate and hopefully that will do the trick. She is due a trip to the vets next  week anyway. Lambousa was very busy so we didn’t stay too long as the weather was so nice.

Later we watched the Man U game, what a goal by Scholes! 1-0 against City.

AND what a fantastic game from SPURS!! Spurs 2 Chelsea 1.

Those two results have put everyone on their toes.

Tomorrow is election day here in the TRNC:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8623118.stm