Month: July 2014

Bargains – Whittard Tea 3 for 2 Code at whittard.co.uk & Look Fantastic Discount Code at lookfantastic.com & Bhs Homeware – Circulon Contempo 5 pc Pan Set for £99.99 at bhs.co.uk & Sainsburys Furniture – at sainsburys.co.uk & Tesco Deals with over 50% off at tesco.com

I have been waiting to hear when the turtles start hatching as I love watching them waddling down to the sea. But some sad news from KTW for the first nest….

“Nest ‘Brownie, Scruff & Spot’ named in memory of 3 dogs which had been our friends last year. Hatched overnight, but sadly, as the dogs, many died. Total eggs 110, one of our biggest recorded nests. It had been part predated by dog/fox but the mesh had stopped it’s full predation, ants also invaded the nest, 68 were lost with 42 live, many were taken as they ran to the sea. Very sad start to the hatching season.”

Let’s hope there is better news from the next one.

I went to Lemar to get some shopping. It looks as though we are now having pavements by the Golden Lady.

Margaretha came to visit in the afternoon. It’s always nice to see her.

The wasp men came. They evidently called yesterday but we were still out. That’s good service. Mal showed them where the meter box was and as Mal has said before, a couple of the wasps are standing guard and so they said they will have to come back when it is dark as they are “very wild wasps”. I think they meant angry. Yes, Mal knows that having had about 10 wasp stings already.

A reminder to anyone in north Cyprus, Ramadan is coming to an end this weekend. The banks and government offices will be closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. If you want money from cash machines, do it as soon as possible as the machines run out!

With this in mind, we were desperate to get water as we had about a teaspoon left and two companies we phoned just hadn’t turned up. Margaretha to the rescue and she called her water man, the company Serem. He came late afternoon, a really nice man who we will use in future and thank goodness Margaretha sorted it out today as he is now off for NINE days!!!! Yeah, we have water again.

Thought for the Day – “To thrive in life you need three bones. A wishbone. A back bone and a Funny Bone.” ~ Reba McEntire

 

 

Bargains – Boots Offers of the Week with 50% off at boots.com & Matalan Sale Online – 50% off at matalan.co.uk & North Cyprus Holidays – mercury-direct.co.uk & Dr Martens Sale UK up to 50% off at drmartens.com & Holland and Barrett – Half Price & Free UK Delivery at hollandandbarrett.com

Another day in paradise for the three of us, the sun just coming up and out for our early morning walk and Ellie’s ball games.

 

How ironic is this? A pine tree planted in memory of George Harrison in a Los Angeles Park has died after being infested with beetles.

Talking of bugs we have a wasp nest in our meter box. Mal went to get the electricity bill and they stung him, so this morning we went to the Beledeysi and they are going to send someone to get rid of the nest for us.

We then went  to an Estate Agents, which I choose not to name, to enquire about using their services to sell our house. Let’s just say that if I wanted to buy a house it is not an estate agent I would choose to visit as the only person there hadn’t a clue what they were doing.  I think we have had more response ourselves…………….

http://homeincyprusforsale.com/

A lovely relaxing afternoon in and around the pool. This is what retirement is all about.

Thought for the Day – “Surround yourself with people who make you happy. People who make you laugh, who help you when you are in need. People who would never take advantage of you. People who genuinely care. They are the ones worth keeping in your life. Everyone else is just passing through.”

Bargains – Debenhams Blue Cross Sale – up to 80% off plus extra 10% Discount Code at debenhams.com & The Hut Voucher Codes at thehut.com  & Bon Marche Sale – 2 for £10 T-Shirts at bonmarche.co.uk & Discount Eukenuba Pet Food – £5 off Discount Code at pet-supermarket.co.uk & Garden Plants For Sale – gardenbargains.com & Screwfix Tools – Special Deals at screwfix.com & Argos Camping Equipment Sale with up to 60% off at argos.co.uk &Argos Suitcase Sale with 50% off at argos.co.uk & Last Minute Voucher Code at lastminute.com

Happy Birthday to Torin. We messaged him and then he phoned us. Hope he has a brilliant day even though he is working.

Still no water overnight. Oh yes, next summer everything should be OK with the new pipeline from Turkey! The consequences of laying the pipeline……they are laying it at Guzelyali beach one of  the turtle nesting beaches. Last year 60 nests……this year 16. The first one should be hatching soon. News will appear on Facebook, Karsiyaka Turtle Watch. I understand that the pipe laying boats have now gone, so  perhaps the turtles have a chance.

Another humid day, swimming and then having a shower into a bucket. Yes, we have perfected the art of how little water you can shower in and then use the water on the garden. Well, we have had enough years to practice!! From now on…..with the pipeline all these water problems will disappear. I think we have had the rough times, things are getting easier now.

In the evening we went to eat at Silver Rocks. A good meal as it always is down there and a table right next to the sea. Mal had mixed kebab which was enormous. I had the sea bass and they fillet it for you if you ask them (my eyes aren’t so good in low light for picking bones out any more).  Living the good life!!

Thought for the Day – “If you believe you can, you probably can. If you believe you won’t, you most assuredly won’t. Belief is the ignition switch that gets you off the launching pad.” ~ Denis Waitley

Bargains – Marks and Spencer Sale Offers up to 70% off at marksandspencer.com & British Airways Sale now on at britishairways.com & Argos Clearance Sale at argos.co.uk & Joules Discount Code – up to 60% off plus Free Delivery at joules.com & Tesco Sale with up to 60% off at tesco.com & Buy and Sell with a Free Advert at preloved.co.uk

A long walk for Ellie, Mal and I.

 

Later I went to Lemar and filled a trolley with shopping. I had forgotten if you buy too much in one go, something is often added to the bill, so I stood by the checkout and sure enough I had been over charged. So then I had to wait while it was all sorted out. In future I will get shopping every time I venture out, at least I can keep track of it then when it goes through the till if I only get small amounts at a time.

No water again! Yes, we know the pipeline from Turkey should have been completed by March, but hey this is Cyprus! They are now saying September.

Thought for the Day – “Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.”

Bargains – The Hut Offers – Discount Codes & Sales & Halfords Voucher Codes give 10% off at halfords.com & House of Bath Sale at houseofbath.co.uk & Currys Discount Codes – 10% off at currys.co.uk & Homebase Discount Code – 20% off at homebase.co.uk & Argos Garden Furniture – argos.co.uk

We didn’t go to Escape Beach,felt that we would enjoy today’s parade and air show more if we had some sleep. We were still up early and out walking Ellie. She managed to find a dead sheep that had been dumped in the mountains (as they do). She had the scent of that straight away but we managed to keep her away from it, she is a bit of a scavenger!

An interesting poll but they only asked 500 people!! So much propaganda because of today’s date.

The air show in the evening did not disappoint. Solo Turk really is amazing. The slow fly past he actually waves at the crowd out of his window!  Of course the Turkish Stars are so good too, going so low over the boats and water.

Not my filming, I was too busy watching!!!

http://youtu.be/fwIz8PpFxMU

Thought for the Day – “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” ~ Steve Jobs

Bargains – Debenhams Sportswear Sale with 50% off at debenhams.com & Thistle Hotels London from £69 at thistle.com &Boots Sale – up to 50% off at boots.com & Halfords Voucher Codes give 10% off at halfords.com & QHotels – up to 40% off at qhotels.co.uk & Sainsburys Appliances £50 off at sainsburys.co.uk

A long mountain walk and then we bought Cyprus Today.

The timing for the air show tomorrow – 6pm Solo Türk F-16 jet and then from 6.30pm the Türk Yıldızları (Turkish Stars) aerobatic team.  If you haven’t seen Solo Türk, find somewhere around the harbour to watch him, it is breathtaking. Here is a taster…

http://youtu.be/fwIz8PpFxMU

We went to Lambousa market as Jean (Crowfoot) has been painting a portrait of Ellie. She had previously painted one of Rosie. Very good she is too. She charges £40 if anyone is interested I can give you her contact details. So, we collected the portrait…….

We met up with Margaretha and had lunch at Le Chateau Lambousa, the refurbished version and very plush it is too. We sat out by the pool and had lunch together. I think the waiting staff were in training as they were quite slow, in fact last time Margaretha came she said she waited an hour. But to her credit she said she would give them a second chance.

Mal liked the omelette he ordered which came with masses of real chips. Margaretha and I both ordered chicken sis which in fact was a chicken wrap with not a sign of a bit of salad garnish! In fact we were a little disappointed for 19tl. I had 5 small pieces of chicken in my wrap. The waiting staff also forgot the condiments and bread. At least they had fresh orange (5tl) and Turkish coffee came with a glass of water (5tl) but Mal’s Efes was draught, less than a pint for 7tl. I think at the moment they are having a few teething troubles and hopefully things will improve. I do hope so as it is a beautiful hotel now.

Thought for the Day – “Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder………..” ~ Thoreau

Bargains – MyProtein Discount Code 7% off everything at myprotein.com & Made Furniture Sale with up to 40% off at made.com & Debenhams Promo Code – 10% off at debenhams.com & Boots Discount Codes – 10% off at boots.com & Bargain Crazy Clearance – 10% off Discount Code at bargaincrazy.com

If you want anything at Debenhams Blue cross sale (as I do!), there is an extra 10% off code above!

It is Peace and Freedom Day on Sunday. For those who want to go to the Dawn Vigil at Escape Beach tomorrow, there will be entertainment in the evening and then at 2.30am (Sunday 20th July) candles and torches will be lit at the beach area.

According to a statement made by the Dawn Vigil Organisation Committee during this year’s event, just like it happened 40 years ago when 50th regiment landed at the Yavuz Çıkartma beach (Escape beach), the regiments will come to the beach once again open their flags and meet with the fighters on the island.

Following tradition their will be the torch procession and towards dawn those attending the event will be treated to firework displays. With the reading of the morning ezan the dawn watch event will come to an end.

This year’s event will begin on the 19th of July at 9pm and will continue until dawn.

I hear that the Turkish Stars will be flying at 6pm.

Meanwhile a little tongue in cheek humour from Dominic.

We invited David and Kenny over for a BBQ but last night David got in touch and said he had a stomach bug so could we cancel for now. I had already made 2 different desserts and the chicken was marinading in the fridge, that was as far as I had got so Mal and I went ahead and had the BBQ anyway in the evening.

Thought for the Day – “The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age which means never losing your enthusiasm.”  ~ Aldous Huxley