| |
Our
adventures in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus continue....
 
Is this finally the start of summer. The sun was up early this morning and it was very noticeably warmer. The first of our summer visitors arrive this coming Sunday, so it's time to start chasing up some of the promised things. Seven weeks ago the wrought iron man had promised us a table, made to our specification, within 7 to 10 days, our builder had promised that our BBQ would be ready before the first summer visitors. So far nothing has materialized, but then this is Cyprus.
The trip to the metal workers paid off, the table is almost finished and promised for tomorrow, watch this space. A pile of bricks arrived this morning and the BBQ was looking more promising. Joan and I went to get a little shopping organized ready for our visitors arrival and got stopped by the traffic police, all because silly me was not wearing his seat belt. Picked up a fine for 30 million TL, that's £12.50 at today's exchange rate. Lesson to be learnt there and me on the most wanted list I suppose, but it's also not so surprising how many friends find it amusing. "He who laughs last" and all that, my time will come and then I can get my own back. Positive note! When we got home a bricklayer had arrived to marry up with the pile of bricks, so progress has been made, but it won't be ready for Dennis and Linda's arrival Sunday.
Another promise met. The terrace table arrived. I know we complain about how long things sometimes take, i.e. 7 weeks for the table instead of 7 days, but when things do materialize they are just what you wanted at a very reasonable price and very well made. At the same time the BBQ was beginning to take shape.
Today Dennis and Linda are due in at 9.30 this evening from Stanstead, so, the weather was nice and warm, had been for a few days and the pool looked inviting. Apart from that, we wanted to be the first in our own pool. 1-2-3 both in together.....bl...y hell it's cold, we must be mad, we had to keep swimming as fast as we knew how and then it gradually felt warmer. At least we had the pleasure of being the first to venture into our own pool and that was important to us.At 6 o'clock we left home, filled the car with petrol, had it washed and then stopped at "Ezic Chicken" for a meal on the way to the airport, we arrived at 8.20 only to find Dennis and Linda standing waiting for us. We had heard rumours that some flights were coming direct, so had deliberately aimed to get there early, good job we did as they were beginning to get worried. There they were, strange airport in a strange country, they didn't know where we lived and had forgotten to bring our phone number with them, panic was setting in.
We had been able to have a nice relaxing week with our friends as the weather had been very kind and the sun had shone every day. There had been time to do some tourist things, such as visit Nicosia, so that the girls could have a little retail therapy, as well as see the old town sites. We also took a trip out to Famagusta, because there you can walk along the beach to the edge of no-mans land and see all the hotels which remain closed and bomb damaged from the pre 1974 conflict. It really is terrible shame, that all that long sandy beach and all those hotels remain closed and unused, a terrible shame for the tourism income on the island also. Unfortunately it is forbidden to take photographs in the area, so it is necessary to visit these places to see the devastation for yourself.Dennis and I managed to put the tiles on the terrace table and the guys started to render the BBQ so we may get to use it yet, whilst they are still here. Meantime the girls relaxed in the sun, Linda even found a way to relax in the pool.
There must have been a thunderstorm over the mountains during the night, because the power went off at 3.30 a.m. and when we all got up for breakfast it was still off, thanks to Mr Kellog and matches to light the gas, we were still able to satisfy the inner man. Today being Monday our cleaner turned up as usual, so we all decided to get out of her way and view the extreme west of the island. The weather was not brilliant but we had a very enjoyable trip over the mountains and Dennis and Linda were able to see much more of this beautiful island. Whilst enjoying a late lunch, Brian, our neighbour, phoned to say water was pouring out of our water tower all down the outside of the house. There wasn't much we could do from where we where, but with the help of Hayran from Unwins we were able to contact the builder and get him to send the plumber round.We arrived home 2 hours later, just before the plumber, to find that all 6 tons of water from our water depot, had poured out of our water tower tank all over the garden. It seems, that when the power finally came back on at 2 p.m., the pump which feeds water from the depot to the tower, had switched on and never switched off again. Why is it that these things always happen when you are away from home. Clearly we are going to have to get the builder to do something more serious with these pump float switches, as we have had minor problems before.
The remainder of the week had been equally relaxing, another visit to Nicosia so that Dennis and Linda could buy a few things to take home, some lovely meals out and Dennis and I were even allowed out, to watch Man.United / Arsenal on Wednesday evening.Friday and Saturday the weather turned colder with strong winds, which was a little unfortunate for the end of their holiday. We were able to christen the BBQ on Saturday, but had to eat indoors. We all agreed that we had had a very enjoyable two weeks together and looked forward to possibly repeating next year, but maybe a little later, around mid June, so that we could be more sure of the sunshine.An early night was called for, as tomorrow we all need to be at the airport by 5 a.m. Dennis and I were however, allowed out to the Pine Bay Club once again to watch football at 5 p.m.
Today is National Sovereignty and Children's Day. Joan & I had been invited to Sunny Lane School to watch the children celebrate their day, with a display for parents and visitors. All the school were specially dressed for the occasion and so full of enthusiasm for the whole event. We were treated to poetry, singing and dancing. Whilst some of the real young ones needed constant encouragement from their teachers, when it came to singing "All over the World" and waving flags of every nation very little prompting was needed. It seems that they had all made the flags themselves and stuck them on little sticks, in some cases, due to an excess of exuberance, the flags flew off but the remaining bare stick was still waved, with just as much enthusiasm. Finally the older girls danced the "Shakira" and clearly some of them had been watching the belly dancers, because they could shake and shimmy with the best. The school makes an effort to put on these little events from time to time, such as for the Christmas nativity and they will always remain a real joy to watch. We hope that the invites keep coming our way.
Today we went over to the government garden centre at Guzelyert, with Michael and Barbara Smith, neighbours from two doors away. They had been there before and told us how cheap everything was and how right they where. We managed to buy 8 pepper trees, 3 flowering shrubs and numerous ground cover plants for just around £10.00. That will give me something to do tomorrow.This morning the electric had gone off around 7 am, when we got back from the garden centre there was still no sign of any power so we went off and did a little essential shopping and then attended a meeting of the Anglo Turkish Society, specially arranged for those of us who want to learn Turkish. So here we go then, first basic lesson on Friday 2nd May, but don't expect me to be writing this in Turkish for a few weeks yet! Should be a load of fun, we will let you know how we get on.Still no electric by 7 pm, so we just went out for a Pizza and a bottle of wine, funded by the savings at the garden centre. Any old excuse will do!
This morning I had to be out of bed before 6 am so that I could take my friend Etrugal to the British Embassy in Nicosia. He needs a visa so that he can visit UK soon, with me and we had been warned that you need to get in the queue early, preferably around 7.30 am. In addition Joan's passport needs renewal so I was happy to kill two birds with one stone. I was therefore less than pleased to find that it was still raining and that we had found a new way to wash the garden funiture.
Now an early morning swim is nice, but not at 6 am on a rainy day, but the pool maintenance gang are due today, so Joan wouldn't let me leave them in there.
To cap it all, the electric went off again at 7 am and was off all day. It would appear that there is some heavy duty maintenance work going on and the power will be off again tomorrow. True to form over here, no word of warning, just cut everyone off and keep stum
We are still getting 12 hour shifts with no electricity, but at least we now know the reason. It would appear that as a result of the added development going on in the area, the electric system is creaking at the seams. Major stretches of cable is being replaced and this is going to take at least another week. Grin and bear it time I think.
Today the Kyrenia Animal Rescue centre held its annual Dog Show. This had to be seen and was taken seriously by many. Only one dog fight all morning, between a Peke and an Alsation, the last time I looked the Peke was winning!
We met up with the gang from Lardy Da's tearooms and the Unwin family. The Unwins brought Clyde, a cross bred alsation who came 5th in the rescue dog entries and his sibbling, a lovely white fluffy pup called Jack. The gang brought Nesta, Anne Marie's guide dog, now retired. Ann Marie and Nesta gave us an exhibition of the dogs abilities. They also had JJ, the family pup with them, so Jack & JJ were able to enter the 6 to 12 month class at the show. JJ managed a 5th prize in the show, at least I think it was JJ and not Lorraine who came 5th.
Back home around 4 pm to no electric, so time to light the BBQ and enjoy the sun.
|
|
