On The Island

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!

[slideshow]

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

Well, we knew it was going to be a hot day when we took Rosie out early in the morning, it was already getting very warm. We went up by the waterfall and the water is still pouring down – looking good for the summer!

After the walk, we went to deliver something for Dawn and Neil’s first wedding anniversary. They were out and we later discovered Neil had gone back to the UK, work, he hasn’t left her! Dawn is here on her own. She was due to fly back on Thursday but of course was unable because of the ash cloud over the UK. A pity we missed her. I then discovered via Facebook that it is Bev and Gary’s anniversary..they kept that quiet! Happy Anniversary to Dawn and Neil and Bev and Gary.

By lunchtime we were sitting out in the garden and it was so hot that Mal had to put a hat on, of course his ‘Grandad’ one that Rhys gave him.

[slideshow]

Following our blow out all inclusive holiday in March in Turkey, which was so excellent, Mal and I decided that we can not afford to do this twice a year as the pounds (weight!) just pile on us. So, we made the decision to go back to the UK in October but stopping off for a few days in Istanbul. We booked flights online with Pegasus to Istanbul (£43.38 for the two of us).  We decided what date to travel on to the UK and thought we would spend a week touring around the country. It just so happens (Courtesy of Martin’s money saving tips!) that Travelodge have a £9 sale today, starting at 6.00am UK time. Consequently we took Rosie out early and were sat at our laptops ready for the release of the £9 rooms! Excellent, we managed to book 6 nights, all at £9 each. For that money if we change our minds on the way, it won’t matter! Oh, I do love a bargain!

The photo is of our little Josie at 15 weeks..gorgeous and we can’t wait to see her again. The other one is Josie with two of her brothers.

In the morning Mal and I went to pay the electricty bill and get some shopping and then back in the garden.

We are now seeing a lot of carobs on the trees.

The evening I went to ‘girlie’ pizza night. There were quite a few of us there, more Swedish than Brits I hasten to add!

A lovely sunny day, so out in the garden.  I love this time of year in North Cyprus.  I am making full use of Mal to do all the heavy work before he returns to the Uk to work in May.  I think he will be worn out when he starts his marking! There is nothing nicer than eating meals outside, if we manage to ignore the digger carving away more of the mountain!

The butterflies are loving our lantana!

[slideshow]

It was a much brighter day, the sun was out and we were out in the garden. The digger was going all day again but I have to be fair, they let us have a quiet day on Sunday as they were not working.

At least now the garden is looking OK with a lot in bloom.

Our tenth grandchild arrived today, Violet Winter Rose May Channing, weighing in at 8 pounds 7 ounces. Mum and baby doing well. Congratulations Amanda and Tristan. No pictures yet!!

[slideshow]