31st March 2011

It was a beautiful day and must have reached 25 degrees. More gardening. It is not as if our gardens are immaculate, just that we have so many to keep up with. By the time we have done them all, it is time to go round again. Mal did a lot of hedge cutting, so at least they look better now.

No news on our friends burglary, please remember to let the Police know if you are offered anything that was stolen from them.

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Thought for the Day –I plant a lot of trees. I am a great believer in planting things for future generations. I loathe the now culture where you just live for today.” ~ Penelope Keith

 

30th March 2011

I was previously asked not to publish any pictures of our grand daughter Violet BUT seeing as there is a picture in the Canadian Globe and Mail, I think I can now post the link! Amanda, our daughter in law and Violet, our grand daughter,picture 16. see link

Rosie’s leg was not good and she started limping again. Hopefully it will improve soon. She even went and got in her bed in the afternoon.

Another lovely day with us doing a lot more gardening.  One of our jasmine is doing really well. I grew jasmine in the UK and it always reminded me of summer evenings in Cyprus. Rhys used to say it smelt like cat’s pee! I beg to differ.

Jasmine

Thought for the Day – “Dirty hands, iced tea, garden fragrances thick in the air and a blanket of color before me, who could ask for more?” ~ Bev Adams

 

 

29th March 2011

We spent  a lot of the day gardening. In between Mal had real problems with all our websites. Maybe something to do with this see link

In the evening we had a distressing phone call from our friends. They had been burgled. I couldn’t believe they had only been away from the house for a couple of hours. We went down there to see if there was anything we could do. Sentimental things were stolen and a whole lot more see link

PLEASE if you are offered any of these things, contact via NCFP. I am hoping the Police will find the perpatrators and our friends will get their belongings returned. I don’t think the burglars will understand the distress they have caused.

The photo is of Joise, I think Rhys is training her up for the family business!

Josie

Thought for the Day – “When you betray somebody else, you also betray yourself ” ~ Isaac Bashevis Singer

 

28th March 2011

I have a dislike for dentists! Having been to Near East University, dental department way back in November I thought it was time to make another appointment. The last one I had to cancel because I tore my muscle in my back. I know, I wasn’t very quick making another one. Step 2 of my treatment, the appointment I cancelled was for the periodontal department. I hadn’t a clue what was going to be done. Mal did tell me about him having gum treatment years ago, which he said was not pleasant. Of course I was thinking the worst as we drove towards Lefkosa. We arrived, I handed my passport over and was given a numbered tag to hang around my neck.

A woman came out straight away and led me to the periodontal unit. Three students were milling around inside. Then the Head of the Department (Attila, yes that really is his name) arrived. It seemed that the X ray part of their computer system was not working but he said he would go ahead with the work anyway. He checked all my gums, then explained everything to me and the students. He would clean and polish my teeth. It seems one ‘pocket’ bled and so he wants to see me again next week to check on it.  He was a very nice man and the only dentist who has ever made me laugh! Very unusual.

He then gave me a huge pair of teeth and an oversize tooth brush and told me to show him how I cleaned my teeth! I did and obviously for 50 odd years I have been cleaning them the wrong way. From the back teeth the bristles should be at a 30 degree angle to ensure the bristles clean between the teeth. He also said a dry toothbrush should always be used with a small amount of tooth paste. To ensure this you should shake your toothbrush after every use and have two toothbrushes, one drying all the time.

Well, I was impressed with him. I asked what was next on the plan and so he looked at the print out I had and told me to go to the second floor to make an appointment for root fillings. I did this and asked to make an appointment, they then escorted me into another surgery and told me to get on the chair. I kept saying but I only want to make an appointment! (Total coward!) The dentist then arrived prodded my teeth, asked if I had pain in the two suspect teeth and I said no. He couldn’t do anything else again because the X ray wasn’t coming on the computer, so I have an appointment in a couple of weeks time.

I managed to then escape, back to the main reception to hand my tag in and I was presented with the bill for 156 tl. 6 tl of which was for being shown how to brush my teeth properly! We queried the amount as it seems as expensive as in the UK and were then told this includes my visit next week.  So, I have given you all instructions to save you the 6tl!

I say again though, I definitely would recommend him. No dentist has ever made me smile let alone laugh.

Near East University, Dental Faculty

Thought for the Day – “As every thread of gold is valuable, so is every minute of time” ~ Mason

 

 

27th March 2011

Breakfast in bed as it is Sunday, looking out over the Med. Our dream come true.

Torin came on the web cam with Scarlet and Jack. Jack showed us his performance of how he can do the length of the living room on his skate board! He gets more and more like his dad and he is only two.

At lunch time we went to Cyprus Queen, where they were doing mixed kebabs for 12tl. A really friendly place and good food. We helped ourselves which is why the plateful doesn’t look particularly well presented!

When we arrived home we had Ollie on the web cam again, with the other littlies and then in the evening the bigger boys came on to talk to us. We have certainly seen a lot of the grandchildren this weekend. Whooo hooo! Thank you Lou, Rhys and Torin, you know how much we appreciate it.

CLOCKS GO FORWARD IN THE TRNC TONIGHT!!

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Thought for the Day – Being grandparents sufficiently removes us from the responsibilities so that we can be friends.” ~ Allan Frome

26th March 2011

REMINDER FOR ALL THOSE IN THE TRNC ~ CLOCK CHANGES The clocks do not go forward in the TRNC until 3.00 am MONDAY morning, in line with Turkey. News from Cyprus Today see link. They seem to be putting more photos from pubs and clubs than news nowadays.

Lou, Rhys and the rest of the family came on the web cam for a couple of hours. Josie is really growing.  River had just been for his grading for Tai Kwon do. Tariq had a ticket for the England v Wales footie match with his football club. Rhys had been offered tickets through his business but said he just couldn’t go and sit at the Welsh end! Just as well, he may have been kicked out shouting for England. As it was England won 2-0, no surprise there then. In spite of the fact it was lovely weather during the day, log burner on again in the evening.

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Thought for the Day -“Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.” ~ Alex Haley

25th March 2011

We met Bev and Gary for lunch at Jessic’s. Good food and good company, thanks Bev and Gary. It was really hot sitting in the sun so much so we went and moved into the shade when our food arrived.

We came home and there had been a power cut and we had another power cut n the evening. When we did get power back Torin came on the webcam with Scarlet and Jack. They are talking a lot more now and Scarlet kept shouting out for Grandad, bless her. Jack has such a cheeky face, just like his dad!

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Thought for the Day –“Nothing is impossible. Some things are just less likely than others.” ~ Jonathan Winters