Month: March 2017

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One of the reasons for visiting Cyprus now, was to paint the outside of the house, we even bought the paint last time. We woke up to rain, certainly not conducive to painting! Not the weather I was hoping for but never mind, we have alternative plans. It was just unfortunate that I left the chairs, cushions and table outside overnight.

We headed off to Girne to the planning office. We have three parcels of land and yes of course we have our kocan but there was something we had to check with them. Firstly we went to where the office used to be and we were redirected. When we found the correct place it was packed so decided to go another day! We then went to a few jewellers as I was looking for a ring, didn’t find exactly what I wanted but they have offered to make me one!

It was nice to see the way Girne Belediyesi is looking after the street dogs with kennels and feeding stations.

As we were in Girne we decided to have lunch there. Beyti has good reviews on Trip Advisor so we thought we would give it a try. Not impressed. Very average Turkish Cypriot food with chewy lamb and cold chips which had been frozen and not made from delicious Cyprus potatoes!

In the evening I cooked some local asparagus and eggs and then we opened a bottle of wine and watched ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ which was really good and a true story. It was very cosy with the log burner roaring.

A very proud day for Tariq who is in the Marines. Today is their family day, sadly we couldn’t be there because when we booked our flights  he hadn’t even decided on a career! I know Lou and Rhys are very proud and had a good day watching everything he has achieved already. Well done Tariq!

Thought for the Day – “A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition.” ~ William Arthur Ward

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We were awake at 6 (3 UK time!). I suppose it is better to get in sync straight away. I noticed last night just how quiet it is here. Where we live in the UK is a sleepy village but there are houses being built, two more down our road and 70 much further across the village. Also planes go overhead all through the night. It was the sound of silence here last night, not even a dog barking.

We went shopping and bumped into Kenny in Starling, well that was almost an hour gone. We had a lot to catch up on! We did manage to get our food. Surprisingly broccoli was very cheap 2.75tl (60p) a kilo.Of course here prices are mainly seasonal. A huge bunch of rocket, which Mal and I eat as lettuce, is only 1.25tl (27p). Potatoes 2.60tl  (56p) a kilo and lemons 1.95tl a kilo. The rocket, lemons and potatoes are far better than the UK! One thing we did notice in Ileli, Bombay Sapphire gin was 59tl (£12.90)a litre. We weren’t sure about the prices in other supermarkets and still have about a quarter of a bottle left in the cupboard but will have to return tomorrow to buy a bottle! Efes 50cl x4 bottles was 10.99 (£2.41)!!

Back home and our house was in the clouds, it was supposed to be sunny today but we didn’t have much.

We still had our lunch outside and a game of cards. The succulents are flowering, the winter jasmine, lavender  and roses in spite it having been quite a harsh winter.

I did a small amount of weeding down the drive and nearly grabbed hold of a baby chameleon in the undergrowth, he was only about three inches long but I didn’t have my camera there. We have seen them on the drive before and they also live in the pampas grass but I have never seen one as tiny as today.For anyone who hasn’t seen one, they have zygodactylus feet, which means they have two toes facing forward and two back.

We went out for dinner in the evening and saw Lena on the way so stopped for a chat with her and then on to Blue Song. We were too tired to be more adventurous on our first night and you can always be guaranteed having a good meal there. I had chicken șiș and Mal had mixed grill. My chicken was so moist and tender, some restaurants it can be rather dry. Mal had a large Efes, I had a diet coke,we also had a large bottle of water and 2 Turkish coffees. The bill came to an amazing 71tl (£15.45).

Once again the road has been dug up from Alsancak to Malatya. We were really impressed last night as we turned into the bottom of our road, all new resurfacing BUT before we even got to Incesu, holes and rough road yet again. I believe they are laying new water pipes. We had our own water in our village from the waterfall but it looks as though from now on we will be in the hands of Turkey!

The log burner was warming the house up very nicely in the evening.

Thought for the Day – “Life is about laughing and living in good times and bad times, getting through whatever comes our way and looking back with a smile.”

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Torin was off to work very early so Mal and I took the three dogs out for their walk and then headed for the airport. Ellie didn’t seem concerned when we left but then Torin spoils her and she loves being with his two dogs. Boo is getting a bit old now but Millie plays with her non stop.

This time we travelled with Atlas Jet, we usually fly Pegasus! There seemed a lot more leg room and we had a meal and wine included. We had to change planes in Istanbul, transitting through the International departures, where you do go through another security. If you have bought any alcohol at Stansted it must be sealed in a special bag or it may be confiscated. They didn’t seem too concerned about ours.

We arrived in Ercan on time and our car was waiting for us. It was 12 degrees. The driver drove us back to Acmenya and we dropped him off there.

The house didn’t look in bad shape seeing as we have left it for the worst part of winter. The pool also looked good. Of course we had to remember we are now three hours ahead!

Thought for the Day – “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people just exist.” ~ Oscar Wilde

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We packed all our things up and drove to Torins. He is looking after Ellie while we are away. As soon as we arrived, we took the three dogs out for a long run and by the time we arrived back Torin was home from work. Both Ellie and Mollie had been for a swim in the river.

We went out to dinner at Torin’s local Indian, Raj Bengal. He is often in there so they know him really well. I still can’t get a decent photo of Torin!  Silly boy

Back to his house and we sat up chatting far too late as he had to be up at 5, a lie in, as we said we would walk the dogs and then he is having two days off work, he’ll take the dogs out for very long walks! Torin loves dogs and spoils Ellie when she is here.

Thought for the Day – “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

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Demelza Day! My volunteering day. A distinct lack of staff today and Jack had a hospital appointment in the afternoon which meant that I had to do the cashing up. Mal volunteered to come as I shut the shop as I really don’t like being on my own counting the money, in the centre of Canterbury. It was a very slow day anyway.

In the evening we started putting a few things together for another trip to Cyprus.

Thought for the Day – “The older I get the more I understand that it’s OK to live a life others don’t understand.” ~ Jenna Woginrich

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A wet and windy morning. Of course we still walked Ellie in the rain and it was a fierce wind. The forecast said with the chill factor it would be minus1!

In the afternoon we watched he Spurs game.
Thought for the Day – “Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.” ~ Samuel Ullman

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